Michelle Obama's Farmers Market

My subway stop for work is McPherson Square/White House. Michelle Obama decided that she wanted to close Vermont Avenue every Thursday for a Farmers Market (note the Secret Service guys on lookout).

My first thought as a dark suited/red power tie kinda guy was, "Dammit-this is going to totally screw up my commute. And there are going to be hippies everywhere". In fact, it did a make it a little bit more difficult but I finally gave in and went to the Market on Thursday on my way home. OK, so my snap stereotype was broken-these vendors knew their stuff.


I took my time shopping and tried a lot of the vendors' products. I talked to them about what would go well with whatever. There was a local bakery and the gentleman seemed genuinely pleased to discuss how he made his semolina bread with me. The array of fresh vegetables made my local Safeway seem like it was bush league. I stumbled upon one stall where the dude working it was selling bison meat.


I have always heard that it was excellent and tasted just like beef but much leaner and probably 100 times healthier. After talking to the guy for a minute I decided to go for it. I told him that I am a bison meat virgin and he simply said, "Try the burgers". So, I picked up some awesome bread, heirloom tomatoes, and some bison burgers. I made them on Friday night and we LOVED them. My wife really liked the fact that bison was so much leaner than beef and that it not only tasted pretty much like beef but tasted better. So, we may be doing bison burgers more often.

Michelle, good call. You are as smart as you are good lookin'. Thanks from just a regular Joe who works down the street from your house.

A girl? What? She can't grill!

So, Christy of What We Eat and I are now official nerds.

She has a blog about cooking, etc. as well. Recently, we were talking about who could make the best burger and we have differing opinions. So, its up to you my friends. Whose burger looks the best!

No pressure.... since girls really aren't supposed to be allowed to touch the grill! Ok ok ok-who cares, let the pictures tell the thousand words. Good luck to Christy.

Check out both of our sites to see the burgers and then vote for the one you like best over at her site.

My burgers were made with finely diced raw onion, Mexican hot chili powder, cumin, and S&P. I roasted some jalapenos and a pasilla pepper (of which for some reason I just have a pic of but no video). I also added some fresh chunky salsa from Trader Joe's, pepper jack cheese and red lettuce.

BUT FOR HONESTY IN COMPETITION.... I forgot the freaking avacodooooo!!!!!!!!!!

But who cares....

BBQ Contest in Louisa Virginia

The Virginia State BBQ contest and car show was this weekend in Louisa, Virginia.

Louisa is about a 2 hour drive into the center of Virginia from suburban DC. Basically next to James Madison's Montpelier. The contest was in a field next to a lake in the middle of the woods. A beautiful setting.

I could smell the smoke coming from the contestants' fires even before we saw the field. Some of these contestants were SERIOUS about their competitions! I had a great time, the kids had a good time and Kate..... well isn't a BBQ fan (I'll make it up to you honey).

We could only stay for so long due to it being very hot and the kids' relatively short attention spans... and the fact that we caught Oliver happily trying to get back into the moon bounce with blood pouring out of his nose. I think it got a little rough in there. But here are some pics of our trip! Next year will be even better when we go since the kids will hopefully try the BBQ, not try to dive into the lake or put their hands on hot smokers, not jump in front of moving contestants' cars, and actually sit still for pictures.

Fajitas?

Who doesnt love fajitas? I make them often. Today I made both chicken and beef.

1. The chicken breasts I marinated in mojo sauce for a few hours. Mojo is great becuase it gives a nice garlicky/citrus flavor to meats. Its also AMAZING on pork.The steak I rub with chili powder, garlic powder and S&P.


2. I slice an onion and a bell pepper and some chili peppers thinly and put them in a frying pan with olive oil and hit em with high heat at first just to brown some of them a bit. Then I turn the burner on low and cover until they are nice and soft.


3. I obviously light the grill. And grill the meats.


4. I also like to make rice and beans as well.
   

Fajitas are a very good dinner and are quite simple to make.

Taste of Summer on the Grill

Want to make an amazing taste of summer on the grill? I made something like this the other week for my mother in law. But tonight I decided to add some other stuff to it. Here it is:

Add all of this into a bowl with salt, olive oil & pepper:
3 Green squash - slice thinly like in the picture.
2 Red pepper - halved
3 ears of white corn
1 onion halved (think the equator)
4 Pasilla Peppers

Turn to coat.

The pasillas just need to blacken on all sides then move to the indirect heat side.

The onions go on the direct heat side and blacken both sides a little and then move to
indirect. But keep them close to the heat as onions take a while to really soften.

Red peppers need to blacken then move to indirect.

The corn needs to be burned a little on 2 sides and move to indirect.

Cook the squash directly until both sides are done (light green & soft should be gone). Move to the indirect & the coolest part of the grill.

Cover the indirect cooking veges (but make sure there is still a lot of air coming in) and use your best judgement.

Shave the ears of corn into a bowl.

Remove the charred skins from all the peppers.

Cut the rest (whatever size you like) of the vegetables and mix with corn in bowl. I added a few drops of the hot sauce as well.

Also: If anybody is listening.... This is what I want to do for Fathers Day. Just give me an hour alone and I will make you a nice dinner.