Note to bloggers - Hazel's Bakery will not be at the market on Friday - Bill is still under the weather - but we expect our other bakers - including Black Forest (photo on right)What could be nicer on a hot Missouri day than an icy fruit smoothie? Bethany Lewis’ Stella Dolce is back at the market after a two year absence. Bethany took time off to start a family – and refine her product. She returned Tuesday to rave reviews with six fruit-filled flavors. Each smoothie is 100% fruit and fruit juice and made to order. And each has at least five grams of fiber and a full day’s requirement for fruit. The choices are strawberry fields forever, banana berry, fusion frenzy (you’d never guess from the taste but this one has a full serving of veggies), mango, island blend and tropical berry.
Stella Dolce will be at the market on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Look for Bethany on the northwest side of the pavilion.
With our excellent supply of blackberries right now, you may want to try making a smoothie at home. Here’s a simple recipe from Southern Living magazine:
1 cup fat-free milk
1 pint low-fat frozen vanilla yogurt, softened
1 medium banana, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup fresh blackberries
Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Serve immediately. Makes four cups.
Speaking of drinks, we expect Marlee’s Creamery to back on their every market schedule next Tuesday. Family concerns (the death of Lisa’s father, Marvin VanGilder, noted newsman and historian) kept them away from the market this week.
I am still away as I write and so can’t give you the menu for today’s meal, but I’m sure it will be lovely. The music today is by the Granny Chicks who always put on a great show.
Tomorrow the Neato Brothers play and the Master Naturalists host breakfast – sausage, biscuits and gravy, and eggs to order served until 11. Speaking of breakfast, you may have noticed the quality of our sausage has improved since last year. That is thanks to Mike Wiggins at Granny Shaffers. I asked him this spring for a good sausage source because, after all, Granny Shaffers is famous for their breakfast. And he offered to sell sausage at his cost to us. Now how many “competitors” would do that? Mike has been extremely generous to the market. He also recommended Wordens Meat several years ago when we were looking for a hamburger supplier for Cooking for a Cause and he sponsors our annual tomato contests. Mike supports many worthy local causes, but his fondness of tomatoes gives us a natural connection.
On the topic of tomatoes – we’re loaded with hybrids and the first heirlooms are coming in. Our annual tomato contest will be announced next week after I consult with our growers as to the best date. We’ll have best red, best other color, biggest and weirdest categories, so start babying those tomatoes (as if you weren’t already doing that!).
You might keep an eye out for the streetcar tomorrow. Lee Englert & son are installing a needed part in the morning and, if all goes well, they’ll take it for a spin a few times, with passengers welcome.
I should be back at the market on Tuesday. My friend and college roommate, Susan Warfield Brennan, died Sunday, one hand held by her husband John, the other held by me. I am so thankful for the privilege her family extended by letting me care for her in her last days and so thankful to the friends and family in Webb City who filled in for me, allowing me to be away. My wish is that each of you is blessed with such friendships. Friends can be found world-wide, but I have found Webb City to be an especially fertile field for friendships.
