Tigers and Rams and Cupids, Oh My!!
In the Lunar New Year, 2022 is the year of the tiger. You can bet the Cincinnati Bengals are also hoping that to be true in the big game on Sunday! Whether you’re celebrating Lunar New Year, Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day or something else, we have plenty of ways to make it extra special.
Red and gold symbolize good fortune and the enjoyment and gifting of fruit are among Lunar New Year customs. Apples are said to bring peace to whoever eats one, because the Chinese word for “apple” sounds like the word meaning “peaceful.” Stop by Caradonna Farms for some golden pears and red and yellow apples.
Red fish are also in demand as the new year begins. How about some of that beautiful red tuna or red snapper from Pura Vida?
If you’re fishing for ideas for big game fare, why not a simple smoked salmon dip with hot or cold smoked salmon from Pura Vida or steelhead trout from Hudson Valley Fisheries? You’ll still find plenty of crudité choices between 4E Farms, Orchard Hill Organics, Letterbox and Madura. Accent with colorful, nutrient dense Guoz Garden micro greens, then add in thinly sliced baguette from Bien Cuit or Wave Hill and some soft pretzel chunks from Knot of this World Pretzels.
If you’re not into making your own dips and spreads, Anthi’s Greek Specialties offers a selection as does AYA Hummus. Jenny has some limited edition special hummus flavors this week including pickle, buffalo and chocolate. Speaking of pickle, Doc Pickle tells us their hot pepper relish blended with cream cheese also makes an excellent dip, as does Forward Roots Kimchi with this recipe on their website.
Grab your vegan red bean pozole from Jody’s Kitchen, chili and pulled pork, chicken and beef from Farm Eats, sandwiches from Joe Mozzarella, risotto balls from diRiso, and your spread will be as popular as the half time entertainment!
Plenty of sweets for your sweetie... and you certainly can be your own Valentine! Silvia’s Kitchen has Valentine Gift Boxes available to pre-order. Filled with brigadeiros, alfajores, cupcakes, decorated sugar cookies and a 5 inch chocolate marquise...text 646-283-5938 to reserve.
You’re probably already a fan of La Petite Occasion, Marcelina Orange Treats and Raw Chocolate Love so here’s another reason to restock your supply of toffee, caramels (special appearance of vegan coconut raspberry), chocolate dipped orange peel and pure organic raw chocolate.
Rumor has it some people do not have a sweet tooth. If you have such a Valentine, consider jerky from Mangalitsa or R & M Farm, a bag of calming rose tea from Teagevity or a kitschy apron from Ztudio Zsa Zsa made of vintage tea towels.
Build a simple romantic dinner around La Trafila Fresh Pasta. The meeting of pasta makers Jiselle & Luigi Speranza, a couple whose passion for cooking brought them together from opposite sides of the world, is a love story in itself. Their market offerings include a revolving choice of artisanal filled and unfilled pasta, sauces and compound butters, and a weekly cannoli flavor.
Chef Thierry of Escargot Voyageur is bringing his usual soup, quiche, turnovers and creme brûlée and daily specials of short ribs bourguignon with butter mashed potatoes and crepes stuffed with pastry cream and fruit...
LOVE-ly.
We know you’ve been loving the food trucks; this week we have Leila’s Crepes and Hand Held Kitchen.
Chicken with bacon kale Brussels hash from Dobbs Ferry resident Jenny Rosenstrach's aptly named cookbook, “Dinner: A Love Story”, is an enticing dish with almost every ingredient currently available at the market.
The Irvington Farmers Market Committee is seeking a farmers market lover to serve as its Secretary/Village Liaison. The person in this role would keep market records up to date, keep minutes for occasional meetings and serve as a liaison between the market director, Pascale Le Draoulec and the Committee and Village departments (Rec, schools and Village board). This role requires just a few hours of work a month, but is incredibly rewarding and gives you a wonderful glimpse into the inner workings of our Village's fantastic market. Interested? Learn more about it by contacting Melinda Chappelear.
And, speaking of fantastic markets...once again, we've made the final round in the Best Farmers Market category of the annual Best of Westchester awards anointed by Westchester Magazine.
We already know we are one of the best markets going, but if you want the little plaque that confirms it, please vote before 9 a.m. 2/14:
https://westchestermagazine.com/bowvoting, category #11.
Thanks, and see you at the market!
