• The First Farmers Market

  Filed under Eatable, Market Reports, Recipes, Vegan Food
  May 13
  

  The hallmark of summer in Birmingham, Michigan is the opening of its farmers market. Since its beginnings, ten years ago, the market has become one of the most festive in the Detroit area with special events, fresh food, organic produce, flowers and live music. As I entered the market last Sunday, the welcoming notes of blues singer Paul Miles filled the air. Excited patrons, families with their children and canine friends crowded around the stalls.

  

  My first stop was Nature’s Pace Organics represented by Jacob and Katie Mullane-Bach with their children Forest and Freeda. We caught up on our winter adventures and shared plans for the new season ahead.They were proud to tell me about the hoop houses installed on their farm and of plans to provide their carefully tended organic produce at some of the year round markets. Beautiful butterhead and romaine lettuces, leeks, young Swiss chard, black radishes and arugula flowers filled their stall. I bought a little of everything and then moved on.

  

  In addition to the tender spring produce, the warm weather brings a social season. Frequently, in the mid-west, neighbors only see each other when tending their yards or at the market. It is a happy time and every year people act as if they are experiencing spring for the first time.

  

  Arriving home, it was already lunchtime and I was excited to start cooking with the fresh harvest in my bags. The big leeks, procured from Nature’s Pace Organics only an hour before, inspired me to create a recipe which features the robust flavor of this freshly harvested vegetable of the allium family.

  

  White Pepper Leek Tart

  Filling

  2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  4 cups leeks, sliced thin
  1 cup water
  1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  1 cup blanched almond flour
  1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  2 teaspoons dill weed, minced
  1/2 teaspoon white pepper, fresh ground

  
  Using a sauce pan on medium heat, cook the olive oil, garlic and leeks until the leeks begin to stick.  Add water, cover and turn down to a simmer then cook for 5 minutes until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients, cook another 2 minutes and reserve.

  Crust
  1/2 cup almond flour
  1/2 cup garbanzo flour
  1/2 cup potato flour
  1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  1/3 cup water

  
  Place all ingredients in a food processor, make a dough and press into a parchment lined 10 inch springform pan. Add leek mixture and top with thin tomato slices. Pre heat oven to 375 degrees F and bake for 25 minutes . Take out of oven, let rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

  

  Whether at the market, in the garden, cooking in the kitchen or savoring at the table, I am often charmed by the unique experience each meal brings to daily life.  In the great food cultures of the world, life is measured by the succession of meals and food is the glue that links together family, friends and community.
  Tagged as: Birmingham, detroit, Eating, Farmers Market, gluten-free, local, lovavore, Organic, Royal Oak, Vegan
  
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