"My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine, you make me smile with my heart....is your figure less than greek, is your mouth a little weak, when you open it to...". Stop. Forget the real lyrics, how about 'is your mouth a little weak...for chocolate.' Yeah, yeah, doesn't rhyme, but in my case no truer words could be said when it comes to my favorite food group: chocolate.
I really need no excuse to eat dark chocolate everyday, it is afterall, good for you (hello, antioxidants). Yes, I am talking the dark stuff, and the darker the better in my book. You can have all the milk (and white, but that isn't even chocolate...) chocolate you want-- okay, admittedly been know to down a M&M or two, but for real chocolate satisfaction it's gotta be the finest quality dark stuff I can find. I have convinced myself that by indulging in the best, and darkest, I don't need to consume as much...hum, guess I do indulge in more than just a bite.
Now, in my constant quest for fabulous chocolate, and all things made locally, I have found three 'to die for' chocolate products, and all from hanging out at the Farmer's Markets. See, it ain't just about the fruit and veg. And, as much as I might like to, I just can't be selfish and keep these a secret:
Katherine Anne Confections -- Can't judge a book by the cover? In this case, trust that nestled inside the gorgeous (not to mention handmade, just like the contents, and sustainable) packaging, are some of the most wonderful handmade truffles, crafted with the finest natural ingredients. I know, I am all about the chocolate but, you must indulge in Katherine's caramels as well. OH. MY. GOD. Heavenly. Katherine will be at the Daley Plaza farmer's market this coming season, but meanwhile click thru to her
website for her list of retailers.
Rarebird Preserves and
GrownUp KidStuff -- love your chocolate in the form of a sauce to drizzle (yeah right, just drizzle) over ice cream or cake, or use as a fondue, slathered on crepes, or a really kicked up peanut butter sandwich? The chocolate sauces from both of these artisans are, well, let's just say, have the ability to leave me speechless.
Rarebird Preserves specializes in fruit preserves made with seasonal, local and sustainably grown fruit. Now, since fruit and chocolate pair so beautifully, owner Elizabeth Madden started cooking up batches of fruit infused chocolate sauces. One taste, and who needs anything but a spoon? I found Rarebird Preserves at the
Andersonville Farmers Market, but for now
click here for where to get your hands on these jars of fruit and chocolate heaven.
GrownUp KidStuff is the newest kid on the block, hailing from my 'hood, Rogers Park (represent). Constance and Don, the dynamic duo behind
GrownUp KidStuff, have been perfecting their chocolate sauces for years. Oh why didn't I meet them sooner, and could have been one of the friends, or family members, who was gifted their decadent chocolate sauce? Get yourself a jar (or two) of
GrownUp KidStuff duing one of their tastings this winter at the
Andersonville Galleria, or order directly from the
website. Once you get a jar of this chocolate heaven home, go beyond dessert, and try your hand at a braising short ribs, or mixing up a vinaigrette to dress roasted vegetables, or keep it simple, and stir into your morning cup 'o' coffee.
Hum, now I have to decide if I am going to share my chocolate finds with my valentine ;)
mo
moira@efete.net
p.s. want a wonderful flourless chocolate cake recipe made with one of the above products? email me at moira@efete.net
Labels: chocolate, food artisans, Grownup Kidstuff, Katherine Anne Confections, Rarebird Preserves, seasonal organic produce
...the Chicago French Market! Je ne sais pas, really? Oui, really. As of last Thursday (12/3) Chicago is officially the proud host of it's first, okay at least in the last four decades or so, indoor year-round market. Seattle has it's Pike's Place Market, Philadelphia has the Reading Terminal Market, New York City has the Grand Central Terminal Market, even Cleveland, Ohio can boast having an indoor year-round market. And now finally, instead of whining, 'why can't Chicago have an indoor market', we can now toot our horns and say that we too have an indoor market. Thank you thank you to the Bensidoun family who has been running markets here and in Europe for four generations. With that kind of experience, I am guessing we are in good hands.
As you have all guessed by now (if you have been reading my posts, you are reading aren't you?) I have a real thing for the markets, indoor and out. Whenever I travel, whether an hour away, or a 14 hour international flight away, the first thing I like to do, once at my destination, is check out the local market(s). Be it a small roadside stand or ginormous indoor market like La Boueria Market in Barcelona, I think there is no better place to get your finger on the pulse of a place and it's people. And based on the streams of folks coming into the Chicago French Market since last Thursday, I would say visitors to our fine city will get a sense of us real quick.
No big box here baby, but real local food purveyors and artisans. Some with established presence at other markets and brick & mortar locales, and others for whom this is their first location. At the Chicago French Market we will have the opportunity to develop relationships with these folks, just like our parents and grandparents had relationships with the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker...okay maybe not the candlestick-maker but for sure the egg & milk guy. They are all extremely knowledgeable and tremendously passionate about their products, and getting them directly to you, their customer.
Located in a 15,000 square foot piece of the Ogilvie Center (ya know, the old Northwestern train station for those of you still kickin' the 'old school' terms). This part of the city (the west loop hood) has been booming with an influx of new residents, but retail, entertainment and food options not so much. Well no more, with 25 purveyors in the market, residents and commuters (remember, major train station right above the market) will have a 'one-stop shop' option. Everything from beautiful fresh and organic produce, fresh seafood, meats and poultry, beautiful artisan cheeses, and wine to go with said cheese, freshly baked breads, pastries and baked goods, gorgeous handmade chocolates, and stunning fresh flowers all to help ready you for holiday entertaining. Feeling a bit peckish after all the sensory overload? So many yummy options to sit down and enjoy right there, or pack up to take home, or to the office: from a yummy green curry, to Bi Bim Bap, to tacos, to crepes, to fresh juices, to raw food options, to sandwiches, to fresh roasted nuts (which always smell so good), to OMG Belgian fries, wait are we in a market in Europe or in Chicago?
Now if you are like me and don't reside or work in the area, but are close to a Metra train, this is such a stress-free way to get to the market. Or if you are planning to really load up, there is free parking available for up to an hour, with a $20 purchase at the market, and in a city that likes to charge a lot for parking, this is a MAJOR plus.
So being that I did go into sensory overload at the market and too full to make dinner (yes, you can say Belgian fries) no recipe to share this week. So get your self to the Chicago French Market and find inspiration. And let me know what your favorites are at the market and what you were inspired to cook. Email me at moira@efete.net.
For more information and hours go to www.chicagofrenchmarket.com
photo credits: Steven Johnson Photography
Labels: Bensidoun, Chicago Farmers Markets, Chicago French Market, food artisans, indoor market, organic food
"My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine, you make me smile with my heart....is your figure less than greek, is your mouth a little weak, when you open it to...". Stop. Forget the real lyrics, how about 'is your mouth a little weak...for chocolate.' Yeah, yeah, doesn't rhyme, but in my case no truer words could be said when it comes to my favorite food group: chocolate. 
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