Week of August 15 – August 21, 2014
food
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Community Groups Add Flavor to Market
Betsy Cannon leads Family Yoga on Wednesdays.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — While the Saratoga Farmers’ Market has no shortage of delicious flavors in its local and farm-fresh food, community groups presenting activities and programs at the market add special layers of flavor to the overall experience. On Wednesday afternoons this summer, one such program has been Family Yoga. Offered by Saratoga YMCA Certified Yoga and Group Fitness Instructor Betsy Cannon from 3 to 3:40 p.m. every Wednesday on the south lawn, through the end of this month, Cannon leads adults and children in a gentle yoga session. Cannon also plays another role at the market on occasion, as a musician in the acoustic duo, Bets and Frets. The Bets and Frets
sound—easily recognizable hits from the 50s to today—is just one of many at the market. The market’s musicians play everything from country to rock to classical music (and a bit of everything in between), some coming as solo artists and others bringing in bands whose toe-tapping sounds resonate through High Rock Park. In keeping with market tradition, all the musicians play for tips and donations. Contributing to the market’s “village square” atmosphere, recent educational tables hosted by local non-profit organizations have provided information on upcoming community events and festivals, wildlife protection, health topics and health insurance, sustainability initiatives and nutrition. To lend customers a helping
hand during the busy Saturday markets, the Friends of the Market volunteer group provides a “Veggie Valet” transport service, allowing customers to leave bags while they shop and then get wagon assistance to transport their purchases to their cars. For children, during August and September at the Wednesday markets from 4 to 6 p.m., the Children’s Museum will have an activity table, where kids can do crafts, assemble plates of colorful, realistic “pretend food” and play with a model of a human torso. The Saratoga Lions Club sponsored this healthy initiative. Another market favorite for the young at heart, Balloon Gal Jenny has been turning heads all summer long with her ability to turn balloons into animals, crowns and other creations. Face painting, various contests and an annual Halloween parade through the pavilions are among other
kid-friendly market activities during the outdoor season. To keep on top of what’s happening at the market, visit www. saratogafarmersmarket.org to sign up for the weekly e-newsletter, or follow the market on Facebook.
Simple Chilled Vegetable Soup (Gazpacho) *Items can be purchased at Saratoga Farmers’ Market • 2 cucumbers*, peeled, halved, and seeded • 2 red bell peppers*, cored and seeded • 4 tomatoes* • 1/2 red onion* • 2 garlic cloves*, minced • Low-sodium tomato juice (2 to 3 cups) • Juice of 1 lime • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar • 1/4 cup high-quality olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste Fresh herbs* (like basil, parsley, thyme, mint), minced Hot sauce (optional) Chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onions into small cubes, keeping them separate. Put each vegetable into a food processor and chop coarsely. Combine chopped vegetables in a large bowl and add the garlic, 2 cups of tomato juice, lime juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add more tomato juice if you prefer, depending on how thick you like your gazpacho.
Saratoga Children’s Museum.
Mix well and chill before serving. Flavors blend while sitting, so let rest for several hours if possible. Garnish with fresh herbs and pass a bottle of hot sauce for those who like some heat. On a hot night, chilled gazpacho makes a refreshing supper dish. Serve with crusty bread* or Saratoga Crackers* and pass a plate of assorted cheeses* and cured meats*.
Room to Move
We hope you will continue to shop with us and use us for your knife-sharpening needs at our new location! Our phone number will remain the same: (518) 226-4477. Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen”
Our new home on October 1!
by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY
H
ello My Foodie Friends! We have some exciting news to share with you! In order to serve you better Compliments to the Chef is moving from our
present location at 488 Broadway to 46 Marion Avenue, Saratoga Springs approximately 8/10 of a mile north on the corner of Route 50 and Marion Avenue, near the new Fresh Market! Our projected Grand Opening will be October 1! So stop in right now at 488
Broadway for some great deals from 10 to 75 percent off. We will continue to offer the same quality products and friendly service at our new address, which will allow us to keep an even larger selection of products and services. Moving is never an easy decision and we are very happy to still be in Saratoga Springs! We have raised our children here and put them in a public school system that may be the best in the country. The people of Saratoga have come to rely on us for their kitchen needs and it is our
hope that with the extra room and this easy in easy out location we can fulfill even more of those needs. Of course we will still be employing the best foodies to advise you on our products. At any given moment you may be talking to me, Paula, Aubrey, Johnny, Greg, Connor, Ian, Laurie, Courtney, each and every O’Malley and Adam. Maybe a special guest appearance by Andrea and Dave, but the key to this gourmet store is that we live and work with the locals and we look forward to seeing you every day!
Take Care, John and Paula