Recipe from the Austin Farmer's Market dinner special

We shopped this morning at the Downtown Austin Farmer's Market and brought back a selection of fresh organic arugula (Animal Farm Permaculture Center), garden tomatoes (P/2 Organics)and fresh basil.

Here is the recipe for the salad on tonight's dinner menu:

Arugula and Parmesan Salad
Make a paste out of 1 garlic clove and 1/4 t. salt by mashing them together.

Add: (another) 1/4 t. salt, 4 T. balsamic vinegar, 3 T. minced fresh basil, 1/4 c. finely grated fresh parmesan, 1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper.

Continue whisking and slowly adding oil until well blended: 1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil.

We added quartered ripe garden tomatoes and homemade croutons.

Enjoy!

From the Farm to Magnolia Cafe

We periodically shop for fresh ingredients at one of the local farms or farmers markets. Recently we've joined forces with local farmers by advertising Magnolia Cafe in a wonderful new magazine that just hit the stands: Edible Austin.

With its beautiful photography and interesting articles -- well -- it just whetted our appetite for farm-fresh goodies.

So look here in coming weeks as we explore recipes for using local foods for our Saturday dinner blackboard specials.

Meanwhile, you can be inspired in a number of ways:

Read the Austin Fresh Food Newsletter with a map and hours of Austin farmer's markets.

Visit the Edible Austin website and pick up a copy at your favorite restaurants and stores.

Saturday, you're invited to a giant party celebrating the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market 10th Anniversary.

Sunday June 10th, meet and eat with the celebrated people behind lots of good local food: Edible Austin Farmers Fair fundraiser ($10 suggested donation).

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