Friday, December 24, 2010

Happy Holidays

We are closing at 2:00 pm Christmas Eve and will reopen Monday, January 3rd.

And our big news for 2011? You can enjoy a peaceful Sunday morning coffee and muffin at Carma's Cafe beginning January 9, we will be open 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Sundays.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Sukkolat -- icelandic drinking chocolate -- free samples supplies last

Tuna Melt

16-Bean Soup (vegan)

Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup

Monday, December 20, 2010

Try some Sukkolat Drinking Chocolate! free samples while it lasts

The Applewood Panini

roast turkey, granny smith apples, farmers' bacon, cheddar cheese and a bit of dijon mustard grilled on a ciabatta subroll.

Potato Leek Soup (chick stock base)

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
(vegetarian)

The 16 Bean Soup (vegan)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Saturday Specials

The Applewood Panini
roast turkey, granny smith apples, farmers' bacon, cheddar cheese and a bit of dijon mustard grilled on a ciabatta subroll.

Potato Leek Soup (chick stock base)

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
(vegetarian)

The 16 Bean Soup will be done by dinner time....

Friday, December 17, 2010

Friday Specials

The Applewood Panini
roast turkey, granny smith apples, farmers' bacon, cheddar cheese and a bit of dijon mustard grilled on a ciabatta subroll.

Potato Leek Soup (chick stock base)

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
(vegetarian)

Roasted Butternut Soup (vegetarian)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Thursday Specials

Spicy Jack Panino
roast turkey with jalapeno jack cheese, caramelized red onions, and zebra sauce
vegetarians like to replace the roast turkey with our hummus, we call this the Spicy Jeremy

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (vegetarian)

Roasted Butternut Soup (vegetarian)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Spicy Jack Panino
roast turkey with jalapeno jack cheese, caramelized red onions, and zebra sauce
vegetarians like to replace the roast turkey with our hummus, we call this the Spicy Jeremy

Ribolitta Soup (vegan)
a traditional healthy and hearty tuscan vegetable with greens and squash from the local farm

Roasted Butternut Soup (vegetarian)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (vegan)
Chicken Noodle Soup
Mushroom Barley Soup (vegetarian)

Hot Italian Sub Panini - sopresatta, hot capicollo, provolone with marinated artichoke hearts, red onion slivers, black olives and red wine vinegar - grilled.

We also have Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars and vegan Hermits in the pastry case.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Saturday Specials

Pumpkin Pecan & Cranberry Muffins

and vegan Hermits that are great - vegan status not withstanding.

Robert Eggplant Panino

marinated roasted eggplant w/ mozzarella basil aioli roasted red pepper and greens


Tomato Fennel Soup vegetarian

Mushroom Barley Soup

Cauliflower Cheese Soup vegetarian

Friday, December 10, 2010

Friday Specials

Robert Eggplant Panino
marinated roasted eggplant w/ mozzarella basil aioli roasted red pepper and greens

Buffalo Chicken Panino
fried chicken breast in homemade buffalow wing sauce with blue cheese and carrot and celery matchstick salad

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup vegetarian

Hearty Lentil Soup vegan

Cauliflower Cheese Soup vegetarian

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Thursday Specials

Blue Ribbon Panini - turkey, farmer's bacon, bleu cheese spread on a grilled ciabatta sub roll.
We are also running a Savory Spinach Feta Scone and Tomato Soup special.

Creamy Tomato Basil
(vegetarian)
Split Pea Soup (vegan)
Hearty Lentil Soup (vegan)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Blue Ribbon Panini - turkey, farmer's bacon, bleu cheese spread on a grilled ciabatta sub roll.
Tuscan Sausage Kale Soup
Split Pea Soup (vegan)
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup (vegan)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Ooops!

Tuesday Specials - better late than never.....

Barbecue Pork Loin Panini
Tuscan Sausage Kale Soup
Split Pea Soup (vegan)
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup (vegan)

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Saturday Specials

Aaron made a Denver omelette inspired frittata we're calling the Denver Johnny that includes locally sourced sausage, eggs, sauteed onions and green peppers baked and topped with cheddar cheese.

The Roasted Cauliflower Soup and Homemade Chicken Noodle are both delish.

And with Rum Balls (compliments to Ren) in the pastry case you know it must be December!
................

It's somewhat awkward, but a Holiday Cookie Order Form can now be downloaded. These are very nicely packaged and can be shipped anywhere. Of course they may also be picked up at the cafe.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Friday Specials

Roasted Cauliflower Soup (vegetarian)
Chicken Noodle Soup

The Sicilian Panini - turkey, pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone and spicy red sauce.
Aaron's Tuna Salad/Melt

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

16 Bean Soup (vegan)

Aaron's Tuna Melt

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Spicy Jack Panini - turkey, very spicy Jack cheese, caramelized onions and zebra sauce.

Beef Chili

Jalapeno Corn Chowder
(vegetarian)

Monday, November 29, 2010

Monday Specials

Spicy Jack Panini - turkey, very spicy Jack cheese, caramelized onions and zebra sauce.

Jalapeno Corn Chowder (vegetarian)

I have a new food find from southwestern Virginia! If you are heading down Interstate 81 toward Roanoke, Blacksburg and points south, take a quick detour toward Daleville (Exit 150B - Route 220) to some heavenly donuts! Blue Collar Joe's is an old service station that sits on the opposite side of the road and is soooooo worth the u-turn! The donut case reads like a cross between Ben & Jerry's and Willy Wonka with flavors such as Chocolate Cheesecake (a "hole" stuffed with cheesecake!), Glazed Apple Cider, Nutty Buddy, Black Forest, Blueberry Pancake Breakfast (with smoked bacon), Botetourt Bog (triple chocolate) and German Chocolate Cake. These cake donutes are treated like... well, little cakes. Each one is beautiful and delicious.

Really, really, really make a point of stopping in if you're in the area.

Note to self: building pictures are nice, but try to refrain from jumping on the food until you take a picture of it too.

















Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesday Specials

The country cousin of the French Dip is coming to the cafe today - The Smithfield Dip roasted pork loin and savory vegetables sauteed in sage butter and, like its European kin, is also served with a side of essence - in Virginia we call pork essence gravy! And although you are welcome to any of our regular side dishes, The Smithfield Dip will come with a side of fresh green bean salad made with feta cheese, toasted walnuts and a light vinaigrette.

Make sure to stop by and pick up a cup of coffee for the road. Rumor has it traffic will be horrific especially if you are heading north.

And a bag of cookies will make a welcome contribution to the Thanksgiving dessert buffet. You do have a dessert buffet, right?

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Saturday is Special!

Cinnamon Raisin Apple Crisp French Toast Casserole! Also Orange Chocolate Chip Scones.

The Robert Eggplant Panino
roasted marinated eggplant with caramelized onions, mozzarella cheese, greens, and basil aioli
The Torpedo

an italian sausage stuffed submarine
Gypsy Soup (vegan)
sweet potato and tomato vegetable soup seasoned with smoked paprika, a long time cafe favorite
Cress Soup (not vegetarian)
traditional English watercress soup
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup (vegan)
a delicious curried twist to a classic fall vegetable - wildly popular.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Friday Specials

The Robert Eggplant Panino
roasted marinated eggplant with caramelized onions, mozzarella cheese, greens, and basil aioli
The Torpedo

an italian sausage stuffed submarine
Gypsy Soup (vegan)
sweet potato and tomato vegetable soup seasoned with smoked paprika, a long time cafe favorite
Cress Soup (not vegetarian)
traditional English watercress soup

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Wednesday Specials

The Torpedo
an italian sausage stuffed submarine
Gypsy Soup (vegan)
sweet potato and tomato vegetable soup seasoned with smoked paprika, a long time cafe favorite
Cress Soup (not vegetarian)
traditional English watercress soup

Monday, November 15, 2010

Spicy Jack Panino
roasted turkey slices with habanero jack cheese, caramelized red onions, and zebra sauce
ask for the Spicy Jeremy for the vegetarian version with hummus instead of turkey
Senate Bean Soup
the traditional served in the Senate cafe with bacon and ham
Cauliflower Cheese Soup (vegetarian)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Saturday Saturday

Rowhouse Panino
sun-dried tomato basil parmesan cream cheese, greens, cukes, red onions, sprouts, swiss cheese
Bagels & Lox Platter
smoked salmon, thin slices of red onion, tomatoes, capers on your choice of bagel and cream cheese
Senate Bean Soup (not vegetarian)
Tomato Fennel Soup (vegan)
Cauliflower Cheese Soup (vegetarian)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thursday Specials

Rowhouse Panino
sun-dried tomato basil parmesan cream cheese, greens, cukes, red onions, sprouts, swiss cheese
Tuna Melt Panino


Morrocan Chick Pea Soup (vegan)

Ribolitta Soup (not vegetarian)
a traditional Tuscan soup hearty and delicious, full of healthy vegetables from local farms

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Tuna Melt Panino

Morrocan Chick Pea Soup (vegan)

Ribolitta Soup (not vegetarian)

Monday, November 8, 2010

Monday Specials

Robert Eggplant Panino
roasted eggplant, caramelized onions, mozzarella, and basil aoili

SOUPS:
Bean & Butternut (vegan)
Tortilla (vegan)
Good Luck Chicken with mushrooms, orzo, fresh herbs

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Saturday Specials

Robert Eggplant Panino
roasted eggplant, caramelized onions, mozzarella, and basil aoili

Navy Bean w/ Butternut Soup (vegan)

Tortilla Soup (vegan)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Friday Specials

Robert Eggplant Panino
roasted eggplant, caramelized onions, mozzarella, and basil aoili

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (vegetarian)

Tortilla Soup (vegan)

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Thursday Specials

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Three Cheese Sourdough Grilled Cheese

Thursday, October 28, 2010

San Pedro Panino
avocado, roasted red peppers, greens, provolone, caramelized onions, and cilantro lime mayo

Pork Loin Panino with Cranberry Chutney

Gypsy Soup
a hearty vegetable and tomato soup with sweet potatoes and smoked paprika

Sausage and Kale Soup

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Pork Loin Panino with Cranberry Chutney

Potato Leek Soup (vegetarian)

Gypsy Soup (vegan)
sweet potato tomato vegetable soup with smoked spanish paprika

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Wednesday Specials

The Sicilian Panino
turkey, pepperoni, special sauce, provolone and mozzarella cheeses

Harvest Vegetable Pot Pie

Soups:

Pumpkin Black Bean

Creamy Tomato Basil

Monday, October 18, 2010

Monday Specials

Spicy Jack Panino
turkey, habanero jack cheese, caramelized red onions, and zebra sauce
(also available vegetarian the Spicy Jeremy)

Soups:

Tuscan Sausage
Hearty Lentil (vegan)
Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Beef Chili

Roasted Butternut Soup
(vegetariain)

Spicy Jack Panino
turkey, halapeno jack cheese, caramelized red onions, zebra sauce
- also - available vegetarian version (Spicy Jeremy)

Monday, October 11, 2010

Monday Specials

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

Tomato Basil Soup

Spicy Jack Panino

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Thursday Specials

Grilled Cheese on Sourdough

Robert Eggplant Panino
roasted eggplant with basil aioli, grilled onions and peppers, mozzarella, served on homemade foccaccia

Soups:

Tortilla Soup (vegetarian)

Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Tuesday Specials

The Mexicalli Panino with blackbean hummus, sauteed onions and green peppers, spicy pepper cheese rilled and served with salsa verde and sour cream and Turkey Guacamole, havarti and tomatoes.

For soups we have Sweet Pepper Black Bean Soup and Italian Vegetable Soup - both vegan.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are cooling on the rack!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Saturday Brunch Specials

Apple Crisp French Toast Casserole, Pumpkin Cranberry Scones, Deluxe Mulled Cider (with caramel and whipped cream) and Molasses Crinkles - it's autumn at the cafe!

Friday, October 1, 2010

FRIDAY SPECIALS

Tuna Melt Panino
Turkey Club

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup (vegan)
Chicken Noodle Soup

Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday Specials

Oops! Guess I made too much guacamole, so without further ado today's specials are....

Turkey Guacamole Panino

African Peanut Soup


...oh, and Ren has Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies in the oven.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Saturday

Turkey Guacamole Panino

African Peanut Soup

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Friday Specials

SOUPS:
Classic Cream of Mushroom Soup (not vegetarian)
African Peanut Soup (vegetarian)

PANINO SPECIAL:
Turkey Guacamole
turkey breast with fresh guacamole, tomatoes, and havarti cheese

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Today we have a Hearty Lentil Soup as well as Gazpacho. The gazpacho season is drawing to a close and it won't be available much longer. Which brings us to the good news....

Molasses Crinkles are back in the pastry case!

The special sandwich is the Buffalo Chicken Panino - marinated sauted chicken breast with buffalo sauce, match stick salad, and blue cheese

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Heading hanging....

..I've been nicely (and correctly) chastised for not blogging the past two weeks. A combination of crazy busy and feeling a bit "out in the ether" are the culprits. This weekend is my brother's wedding, so starting next week a concerted effort will be made to blogging regularly!

So today's special is The Torpedo - our Meatball Rocket's Italian cousin. A hollow ciabatta sub roll stuffed with sweet Italian sausage and peperonata (stewed pepper and tomato) sauce.

Hot soups, mulled cider and molasses crinkles are right around the corner! I love autumn.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Thursday Specials

tuna salad or tuna melt

pulled bbq pork with coleslaw

gazpacho


Saturday, August 28, 2010

Saturday Specials

Grand Marnier French Toast Casserole

Spinach Salad with pecans, dried cranberries and blue sesame dressing.

And Tuna Salad - stuffed in ciabatta sub roll or as a Tuna Melt on health bread.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday: hello move-in weekend!

Welcome back! We've missed you and it's been a long, hot summer. School starting means fall is right around the corner......

Today's specials include a Spinach Salad with pecans, dried cranberries and blue sesame dressing.

And it is BLT season so fresh local tomatoes, farmer's bacon, romaine lettuce and mayo on sourdough toast.

There are also a few Pizza Panino with pepperoni, three cheeses, onions, green peppers and spicy red sauce grilled on a ciabatta subroll and Cubans with pork loin, ham, pickles, mustard and mozzarella.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wednesday Specials and an unapologetic plug

Today we have several specials. The Asian inspired Eggplant Tomato Salad is greens lightly dressed with a sesame soy dressing, fresh yellow tomatoes, itty-bitty-teeny-weeny eggplants marinated in a variation of Korean barbecue, sweet white peppers, scallions and toasted sesame seeds. All the veggies (except the salad greens) from the fine folks at One Straw Farm.

The Spicy Pizza Panini is pepperoni, green peppers and onions, three cheeses and a spicy red sauce grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Finally, a Four Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Hearty Rye.

.................................

Apropos to nothing, just wanted to show off my latest "find". Home Depot makes a shop vac that snaps onto a five gallon bucket! I think my Annapolis Paint Shop Vac is trés sexy and since Brother No. One gave me the bucket, it only cost $19.99. It works like a charm, is easy to carry around and even hooks up to my miter saw for a low-budget dust collection system.

If you are driving "down the ocean" on Route 50 make a right turn at Dover Road then a sharp right onto East Dover Street to find an extraordinary, locally owned paint and decorating store in Easton, Maryland. Buy some of their high quality unfinished furniture and he might just throw in a bucket for you too.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tuesday Specials

We made a fresh basil sun-dried tomato pesto and are using it two ways:

Tuscan Turkey Panino
on a toasted ciabatta sub roll we add locally foret fed bacon and garden tomatoes along with our pesto

the Round House
pesto, sprouts, cucumber slices, red onion, mesclun, provolone on a toasted bagel

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday Specials

Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad

Ham & Swiss with Honey Dijon

Rainbow Chard and Japanese Eggplant Tart in an herb crust

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wednesday Specials and my weekly snark

Tuscan Turkey Club - basil-sundried tomato cream cheese, swiss cheese, turkey, farmers' bacon, lettuce and tomato on toasted chiabatta.

Rowhouse Panini - sun-dried tomato basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumbers, red onions, greens and swiss cheese served on our health toast.

Swiss Chard and Japanese Eggplant Quiche compliments of One Straw Farm.

Speaking of OSF, here's this weeks CSA "believe it or not" pics. At the height of a great growing season Cromwell Valley CSA has.....






















For a full share:
1 lb green beans
3 individual jalapeno peppers (about 1 1/2 inches long)
1 individual yellow hot pepper
2 individual golden zucchini
3 individual summer squash
1/2 pound lamb's quarter

You may remember in the spring and early summer when CVCSA pulled immature radishes. Well, the summer squash were left on the vine much too long. They are so huge as to be useless - nothing but string and seed. The quarts and quarts of tender golfball size patti pan we got from One Straw Farm early in the season made great bread and butter pickle. The weeds, dinner plate size patti pan and zucchini as large as my forearm we left on the Cromwell Valley CSA farm.

One Straw Farm (full share is pick eight portions) had pints of jalapeno peppers and a beautiful selection of bell peppers - white, purple, yellow, orange and green. As well as watermelon, cantaloupe, new potatoes, zucchini, japanese eggplant, dark purple and white eggplant, rainbow chard, sweet potato greens, red onions, purple onions, red banana peppers, and other stuff I'm sure to have forgotten.

::sigh::

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Saturday Specials

Southwestern Strata Breakfast casserole of black beans, onions, green peppers and habenero jack cheese.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, Blueberry Muffins, White Chocolate Apricot Scones, and Cranberry Walnut Scones

Spicy Jack (or Jeremy) Panino - turkey (hummus for the veggie version), habenero jack cheese, grilled red onions, and zebra sauce.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday Specials

Spicy Jack (or Jeremy) Panino turkey (hummus for the veggie version), habenero jack cheese, grilled red onions, and zebra sauce.

the Greenhouse Panino

guacamole, hummus, sprouts, cucumber, havarti on multi-grain toast

Turkey Guac Panino
turkey, guacamole, tomato, and havarti

Panzanella
an italian style tomato bread salad, tomatoes from the garden make this a summer treat

This week's csa report. From One Straw Farm pick-up at Kennilworth Farmers' Market (Tuesday 3:30 - 6:30 pm) any eight portions from a great selection!



















































.....and from Cromwell Valley CSA. There was also a pound of lamb's quarter available that I didn't pick up.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Thursday Specials

the Greenhouse Panino
guacamole, hummus, sprouts, cucumber, havarti on multi-grain toast

Turkey Guac Panino
turkey, guacamole, tomato, and havarti

Panzanella
an italian style tomato bread salad, tomatoes from the garden make this a summer treat

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Sinful Saturday Specials

Jelly Donut French Toast

Bad A** Breakfast Burrito (veggie or beef) with egg, black beans, onions, green peppers, habanero jack cheese and fresh salsa verde

Friday, August 6, 2010

Friday Specials

Deviled Ham and Cheese Panini with homemade summer squash bread and butter pickles. The deviled ham spread is made with salt-cured country ham and, much like prosciutto, is intense and salty.

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich

Beef and Black Bean Chili


Thursday, August 5, 2010

Thursday Specials

Avacado and Tomato Sandwich

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich

Panzanella (Italian bread salad) with fresh organic tomatoes from One Straw Farm.

Beef and Black Bean Chili

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Wednesday Specials













Hello from Plank Road! I'm down in south western Virginia visiting friends and family. Made Mom Wild Rice Porridge for breakfast and now I'm heading the the City Market downtown Roanoke.

San Pedro Panini - avocado, provolone, grilled onions, roasted red peppers, and cilantro lime mayo on a grilled ciabatta sub roll.

Panzanella (Italian bread salad) with fresh organic tomatoes from One Straw Farm.

Beef and Black Bean Chili

Monday, August 2, 2010

Monday Specials

Roast Pork Loin Wrap
with chipotle cherry chutney and pecan buttermilk coleslaw

the San Pedro Panino
avocado, provolone, grilled onions, roasted red peppers, and cilantro lime mayo

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thursday Specials

Today we are having the Spicy Jack Panino - turkey, habanero jack cheese, zebra sauce and grilled onions. The veggie version, the Spicy Jeremy is also available.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

CSA Weekly Update

Another CSA report. This week I didn't even bother picking up the produce at Cromwell Valley CSA. One large share was (once again) one quart of purslane, one pound of lamb's quarters, 2 small heads of garlic and one squash. Seriously, folks. One single, individual summer squash. You know the jokes about zucchini plants, right? One healthy plant will feed half of the neighborhood. Mothers grate them up and sneak them in pancakes just to get rid of them. Did I mention I paid $650 for this aggravation?! The disbelief is behind me, anger and bargaining got me nowhere. Somewhere between depression and acceptance, grieving for the hands-on csa experience I had hoped for.

This past week I posted a very civil comment on their facebook wall suggesting interns should not be left to face frustrated members alone and recommended a member of the board make themselves available during pick-ups. My post was censured - removed from the wall.

Oh well, let this be the wall of shame.
























On a much happier note, look what I picked up from One Straw Farm! And across the way is Three Springs Fruit Farm and I got super delicious white donut peaches. My face is all sticky and sweet from munching them right out of the bag.

Usually when I pick up the csa it is for the cafe so I tend to get a lot of only one or two items. This week I decided to eat the share so you could appreciate the nice selection of veggies available. And welcome to my back porch! By the way, Carma's Cafe, One Straw Farm, Three Springs Fruit Farm and Cromwell Valley CSA all have facebook pages as well as websites and/or blogs.




Rainbow Chard (1 bunch)
Onions (3)
Gorgeous Eggplants (3)
Yellow Squash (2 portions=9)
Cucumbers (3)
Tomatillos (pint)
Tomatoes (4)









Tuesday Specials

the Rowhouse Panino
sun-dried tomato basil cream cheese, red onions, cucumbers, sprouts, and swiss cheese on a toasted ciabatta sub roll

starting around 2pm
Pulled Pork Panino
with coleslaw and potato salad

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Thursday Special

Today we have The Mexicali - black bean hummus, habenero jack cheese, grilled onions and peppers served with a side of salsa verde, sour cream and yellow corn tortillas.

Our CSA pick ups this week ......

From One Straw Farm eight items (which is guaranteed every week). We had a lot to choose from including eggplant, fresh corn, several types of greens, cauliflower, new potatoes, several varieties of summer squash. Here are a few pics...






































































Cromwell Valley CSA does not have a set number of portions but divides the harvest evenly among members. This week it was two small heads of garlic, one extremely small head of green leaf lettuce, a quart of purslane and one and a half pounds of lamb's quarter.



Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Today we're doing the Spicy Jack (and Spicy Jeremy, the veggie version) turkey, habanero jack cheese, zebra sauce and caramelized onions.

Sorry but the CSA update will be tomorrow. I'm having technical difficulties getting the photos from my phone on to the 'puter. Meanwhile, the veggies for Spicy Summer Squash Bread and Butter Pickles are salted, weighted and draining; the Damson Preserves are cooking; and a big pot of hot water is on for their hot water baths (canning).

Did I mention the HUGE bottles of gin and spiced dark rum I picked up yesterday to make infused liquors? The fine folks at Beltway Liquor are always so helpful. After listening to my plans for the hooch, the salesman took time to explain his recommendations. I had no idea that in a number of cases, the same distilleries produce a "top rail" spirit and a generic "call liquor" that is less expensive. That was my learn something new every day for yesterday.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Friday Specials

Barrell Roll Wrap pineapple jalapeno cream cheese, sauteed onions & peppers, smoky beans, arugula and feta. A non-veg version is also available with ham.

Ren made Persian Lime Bars and of course we have Gazpacho.

If you've found yourself wondering if the Rowhouse Robot could really save our fair city from the evil Turkey Guac, I encourage you to revisit some of Aaron's daily specials art at his blog gonk droid.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Thursday Special

Barrell Roll Wrap pineapple jalapeno cream cheese, sauteed onions & peppers, smoky beans, arugula and feta.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Open letter about our CSA expriences...

Last year the cafe bought one and a half shares at One Straw Farm CSA and overall it was a great experience. This year we decided to buy one share at OSF and one share at another local csa to expand our commitment to supporting local agriculture and to broaden the variety of produce. It’s one of the great things about supporting independent businesses - ironically, shopping in smaller venues actually increases your options.

Case in point, every Michael’s Craft Store carries the same brands of yarn with only some variation in color selection. On the up side that means a limited number of items are available in unlimited quantities. But by shopping locally owned yarn stores I get an almost unlimited variety of yarns, but in limited quantities.

Yesterday marked our 5th pickup from both farms. As usual, One Straw Farm has come through in spades. Before the season even started we got an e-mail from Joan announcing the strawberries were in early! I ran by Mill Valley General Store and picked up well over a quart of beautiful berries. During the regular season we select 8 portions of produce each week - that can mean one of eight different items or 8 of the same item. Portions of each item vary. For example a head of cabbage or a watermelon may be one item, but a bunch of beets, three pounds of zucchini or a quart of beans are also one item. For about $23 a week you can feed a family of four at least one serving of veggies every day - that’s 35 meals worth so far.








Week 3: One Straw Farm CSA share on left, CVCSA on the right



Sadly, our initial experience at Cromwell Valley CSA has been ...... well, unbelievable frankly. The pre-season strawberry pickup was less than a pint of small berries. Michael and I enjoyed them on the drive back to the cafe and that was the last positive experience associated with Cromwell Valley CSA. In four pickup weeks (one pickup was canceled) we have received less produce than would fit in a five pound bag. At Cromwell Valley CSA produce is divided among share holders - everything is divided equally. One week "everything" was six immature radishes and a few spindly garlic scapes. The next week it was another bunch of immature radishes, half a pint of snow peas and a few scapes. The third week I walked away without picking up anything - there was a green identified as bok choy that had been so bug-eaten it was more hole than leaf! Week four was canceled and week five was three heads of garlic and a pound of weeds. I kid you not. Keep in mind the dandelion that is a plague on your lawn can also be eaten, this week’s allotment was a pound of lamb's quarters (to quote the csa handout “widely considered a weed in North America it is extensively cultivated and consumed in Northern India as a food crop”).

Don’t get me wrong, as an exotic treat I’m all over it, but I have this vision of the unfortunate csa interns traipsing through the forests in Baltimore County scavenging something...anything...to pass off on csa members.

At $27 a week (or $135 five weeks in) we have not received enough food in total to feed a family of four one single meal.

Week 5:
One Straw Farm












CVCSA











I wouldn’t dream of going to a new hairdresser without a referral, why did I join a csa without doing a bit of digging? Just a cursory ask among friends and customers (what csas have you joined? what did you think of it?) would have saved me $650 and a lot of disillusion.

Oh well, stay tuned. The CVCSA board declined my request to withdraw our membership. Leading a revolution is a lot like running a cafe, it doesn’t leave much time for anything else - someone else will have to lead the revolt. I just hope if a csa-curious consumer googles CVCSA they also come across our blog.

Over the next 20 or so weeks I’m going to blog our csa experience on Wednesdays. I sincerely hope that people who have not joined a csa or have had a bad experience will be excited and inspired by a local, family run farm that consistently turns out beautiful organic veggies (and some fruits), operates with integrity and occasionally throws a great party out on the farm!

Stop by the cafe facebook page for discussion, pictures and more dirt on the farms.

About 30 feet of beautiful organic produce from One Straw Farm at the Kenilworth Farmer's Market, held each Tuesday evening from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Wednesday Specials

Mexicali Panini!
Black bean hummus, very spicy jack cheese, sauteed peppers & onions served with fresh salsa verde and sour cream. It's my new favorite thing!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tuesday Specials

The San Pedro
avocados, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, provolone, salad greens, and cilantro lime mayo

Eggplant Parmesan
Beautiful Italian eggplants tossed with herbed breadcrumb, fried, then layered with roasted red pepper marinara, fresh basil, mozzerella and parmesan and baked. Served with a small mesclun salad and grilled garlic parmesan ciabatta.

Eggplant Parmesan Panini
The eggplant, roasted red pepper marinara and mozzerella grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Saturday Specials

Farmer's Strata
bacon, mushrooms, ham, leeks, peppers, jack cheese, farmer's market sausage, cheddar cheese served with chimichurra sauce

Wild Rice Porridge

Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad

the San Pedro
avocados, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, provolone, salad greens, and cilantro lime mayo

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Thursday Specials

Classic Tuna Salad Sandwich (or Melt)

Buffalo Chicken Panino
Spicy wing sauce on chicken breast with bleu cheese, matchstick celery and carrots.

Warm Lentil Chard Whole Grain Salad with Grilled Eggplant. This is a riff on a dish I made last summer that was hugely popular with both customers and staff.

And Michael has made a Blueberry Boy Bait. I know. My tongue is practically raw from biting it and the snorting giggle is not ladylike by any standard. Basically a blueberry coffeecake.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Buffalo Chicken Panino
Spicy wing sauce on chicken breast with bleu cheese, matchstick celery and carrots.

A bit later this afternoon I will have a Lentil Chard Whole Grain Salad with Grilled Eggplant. This is a riff on a dish I made last summer that was hugely popular with both customers and staff.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Buffalo Chicken Panino
Spicy wing sauce on chicken breast with bleu cheese, matchstick celery and carrots.

Swedish Cucumber Salad
Refreshing with sour cream, dill, and mint.

Kasey made us some spiced wheat scones and oatmeal black forest scones.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Saturday Specials

Assuming it's going to be a slow day (folks are heading out of town, right?) I just made a couple treats. Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones and Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Have a great holiday (and we'll be open on Monday).

Friday, July 2, 2010

Friday Specials

Pork Loin and Sour Cherry Chutney Panini

The Sicilian
- turkey, pepperoni, provolone and homemade red sauce grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Also have a Cherry Coffee Cake in the oven! The recipe I used is from ifood.tv and will let you know how it turns out.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Thursday Specials

San Pedro - avocado, caramelized onion, roasted red pepper, cilantro lime mayonnaise, provolone and mesclun.

The Sicilian - turkey, pepperoni, provolone and homemade red sauce grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Wednesday Specials

The Sgt. Pepper - grilled cheddar and jalapeno jack cheese with roasted cauliflower and fried onion rings

The Sicilian - turkey, pepperoni, provolone and homemade red sauce

Gazpacho

... from our friends at One Straw Farm - Beet Blue Salad - beautiful beets, both orange and red, served as with a tangerine vinaigrette on greens with blue cheese.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tuesday Specials

The Sicilian Panino - turkey, pepperoni, provolone and a sauce made with pickled Italian vegetables.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Monday Specials & Sugar-free Raspberry Jam in just 5 Minutes!

Mediterranean Turkey Club - turkey, olive cream cheese spread, marinated artichoke hearts, bacon and mesclun on lightly toasted ciabatta....

....and of course, GAZPACHO!

You're at the farmer's market and see a whole tray of very ripe (insert your favorite fruit here) for $3 but there's no way you can use all that fruit before it goes bad. What's a girl to do?!

Make freezer jam! No hot water, no sterilizing jars, no special equipment, no processing in sweltering heat - as a matter of fact, there is no heat involved. And since the fruit has never been cooked, freezer jam generally tastes more like fresh fruit.

Take two pounds of soft, ripe fruit and mash with a potato masher. If you are working with berries that's all you need to do. For peaches or apricots you need to peel them, remove the pit and dice before mashing.

In a separate bowl combine one package of instant fruit pectin and 1 1/2 cups sugar or sugar substitute. Combine with the mashed fruit and stir for three minutes. Ladle into containers (I like the Ball® freezer jars because they are re-usable plastic, stack neatly when stored either full or empty and are very inexpensive at less than $4 for five jars). Let jam sit for 30 minutes before freezing.

So for less than $10, including the jars which will be re-used many times, I have made five 8-ounce containers of sugar-free raspberry jam. Next time you are at the grocery store check out the cost of jam (and the ingredient list!).

The Ball® freezer jars and instant pectin are available at our local Ace Hardware Store.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Saturday Specials

Sour Cherry French Toast Casserole
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Scones
Cheddar Dill Scones

Mediterranean Turkey Club
- turkey, olive cream cheese spread, marinated artichoke hearts, bacon and mesclun on lightly toasted ciabatta.

And don't forget Charm City Craft Mafia's Pile of Craft at St John's at 27th and St Paul!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday ::pant, pant:: Specials

These are trying days. Even the most intrepid cook finds the heat in the kitchen unbearable, so I offer you a Mediterranean Turkey Club - turkey, olive cream cheese spread, marinated artichoke hearts, bacon and mesclun on lightly toasted ciabatta.

Do come in for an Iced Latte, fresh Lemonade or one of our Iced Teas - green, black, mint or sweetea.

UPDATE
Added a Lemon Dill Shrimp Salad to the menu - enjoy as a sandwich or on a bed of dressed greens. And welcome home to my friend Peta who recently introduced me to the joy of a good shrimp salad!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Blame it on the heat...

I have been so negligent in posting specials! We have them. Every day.

It's one of my favorite seasons - Sour Cherry time! The big, sweet, dark cherries are lovely to eat out of hand, but that classic cherry taste associated with pies, jams and cobblers is the sour cherry. We have a Roasted Pork Loin with Cherry Chutney Panini today. The season only lasts a few weeks - please enjoy it while we can! Saturday I'm pulling out the Cherry Cobbler French Toast Casserole....

Today we also have a classic Tuna Salad (also available as a Tuna Melt).















If you have the chance make a trip out to one of the pick-your-own farms for cherry picking. Larriland Farm, just off I-70, has a lovely orchard. Step into the tree - toward the truck - then turn to look out. The cherries are like drops of stained glass. It's 10° cooler out in the country away from cement and asphalt, but take a water bottle.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Saturday Specials

Michael made a beautiful Apple Berry French Toast that we are serving today. There are also Brownie Scones (what's not to like about that?!) and the special is our Spicy Jack Panini. I love that habanero cheese but availability has been spotty so enjoy it while you can!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Thursday Specials

Eggplant Panini with Rosemary Parmesan Aoili
Roasted eggplant, artichoke hearts and grilled onion on toasted ciabatta subroll with a sweet caramelized garlic, fresh rosemary and parmesan sauce.

And we are offering Cole Slaw as an optional side with our sandwiches today.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Spicy Jack Panino
turkey, habanero jack cheese, grilled red onions, and zebra sauce

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Spicy Jack Panino
turkey, habanero jack cheese, grilled red onions, and zebra sauce

Chopped Salad w/ Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing

Monday, June 14, 2010

Chopped Salad w/ Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
mixed salad greens, roasted asparagus, yellow tomatoes, red peppers, and scallions
small or large sizes

Guiseppe's Wrap
spinach herb wrap w/ olive spread, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, sprouts, red onions, mixed greens, and swiss cheese

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Gazpacho

Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad (as sandwich or salad)

Today is the first regular pick-up from our CSAs. I'm expecting some beautiful dark greens - maybe spinach or chard and possibly asparagus and some herbs. The farm also has some geese and there have been rumors of a few precious eggs to be had. If the stars align a fabulous golden asparagus frittata or wild mushroom and herb strata will make an appearance in the next few days...

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Saturday Specials

We have Italian Wedding Soup and Gazpacho for soup today.

In the pastry case are Carrot Nut Scones, Walnut Scones with Raspberry Jam and a Traditional Cream Scone with Raisins and a hint of lemon.

The local strawberry season has started a couple weeks early and both of our CSA farms are having pre-season strawberry pick-up! From One Straw Farm we got beautiful, large berries and are offering them with a splash of sweetened cream with either steel cut oatmeal or our homemade yogurt. The Cromwell Valley CSA has produced precious, gem-like berries that are perfect for preserving whole. Strawberries have very little natural pectin so if you want a jam-like preserve pick up a box of Certo®, otherwise the following recipe will produce strawberries in a thick syrup that is fabulous over ice cream, pancakes, pound cake, pork roast.... you get the idea.

Strawberry Preserves
Clean and hull strawberries. In a non-metallic bowl, layer berries with sugar 1:1 (one pound berries, one pound sugar) beginning and ending with a layer of sugar. Drizzle two tablespoon of acid for every pound of berries (lemon juice is typical, balsamic vinegar is also crazy good) over the sugar/berry mix. Cover and let sit 4-12 hours. Gently give a stir about half way though if you think about it.

Transfer the now liquid mixture to a heavy kettle and gently bring to a boil. Keep mixture at a low boil until it reaches 220° on a candy thermometer. DO NOT WALK AWAY! This is very prone to boiling over so keep a close eye on it, lowering the heat as needed to keep the mixture in the pot. Try not to stir, but if you must do it gently.

Ladle into sterilized jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Graduation Day 2010

Thursday Specials

Gazpacho and Potato Leek Soup

Tuna Salad Sandwich or Tuna Melt

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Hummucide Panini - roasted red pepper hummus, olives, cucumbers & havarti on a ciabatta sub roll.

Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich (also available served on a bed of greens)

Gazpacho (vegan) and Potato Leek Soup Soup (vegetarian)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Thursday Specials

San Pedro - avocado, caramelized onion, roasted red pepper, cilantro lime mayonnaise, provolone and mesclun

Soups today are Gazpacho and Split Pea, both of which are vegan.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The new blender has arrived!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chevre, toasted almonds and strawberry poppyseed vinaigrette.

Classic Tuna Salad Sandwich
or Tuna Melt
Rowhouse Sandwich
- sundried tomato/basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumber, red onion, Swiss cheese on toasted ciabatta.

Buffalo Chicken Panino is served with gorgonzola, julienned carrots and celery.

Soups today are Split Pea (vegan) and Jalapeno Corn Chowder (vegetarian).

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chevre, toasted almonds and strawberry poppyseed vinaigrette.

Rowhouse Sandwich
- sundried tomato/basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumber, red onion, Swiss cheese on toasted ciabatta.

Buffalo Chicken Panino is served with gorgonzola, julienned carrots and celery.

Soups today are Jalapeno Corn Chowder (vegetarian) and Italian Garden Soup (vegan).

Monday, May 17, 2010

Monday Specials

Rowhouse Sandwich - sundried tomato/basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumber, red onion, Swiss cheese on toasted ciabatta.

Buffalo Chicken Panino is served with gorgonzola, julienned carrots and celery.

Soups today are Jalapeno Corn Chowder (vegetarian) and Italian Garden Soup (vegan).

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Saturday Specials

Italian Garden Soup (vegan)
Curried Cauliflower and Lentil (vegan)

Spicy Jackie Panini with turkey, jack cheese, peperocini, grilled red onions and zebra sauce.

And I made a huge pile of Dark Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts. Yum!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Thursday Specials

Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich & Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Curried Cauliflower Lentil Soup
Beef Chili

We also have The Torpedo - our Italian sausage sandwich and The Spicy Jackie - a twist on the Spicy Jack - turkey, cheese and banana peppers.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Pesto Caprese Panini

Curried Lentil and Cauliflower Soup
(vegan) and Sausage Kale Soup.

Michael and I went out to Sherwood Farm to pick up our first goodies from the CSA - a quart of fresh, damp from the rain strawberries! We ate the whole thing before we even got back to the cafe. The farm was especially verdant is the cool afternoon drizzle. What a beautiful place - the creek, meadows, freshly turned soil and gorgeous trees are the very definition of bucolic.

But there is a scoundrel afoot! More than two dozen chickens have gone missing. Chicken thief! One of the things about CSA membership is you share both the bounty and the loss, so there goes my egg allotment. Happily, I have an unlimited supply of great, locally produced eggs delivered weekly from Springfield Farm, but I'm disappointed for the other CSA members who will have a much more limited access to eggs.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Loaded Pizza Panini with Italian sausage, pepperoni, roasted onions, green peppers and mushrooms, black olives, pepperocini, four cheeses, Italian herbs and tomato sauce. Or try the Veggie Pizza Panini - same veggies, no meat.

Sausage Kale Soup or Potato Leek Soup (vegetarian).

Just got a note from Cromwell Valley CSA that there is a surprise pre-season harvest of strawberries! Evidently the first fruits have ripened and need to be picked before the rain comes in tomorrow.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Friday Specials

Soups today are Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (vegan) and Gazpacho (also vegan).

The Buffalo Chicken Panini is served with gorgonzola, julienned carrots and celery.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

The Rowhouse - sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasty ciabatta sub roll.

Small Plate Special: Guacamole and Chips

Gazpacho (vegan) and Split Pea Soup (vegan)

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Friday, April 30, 2010

Friday

Black Bean Cheeseburger Panini with salsa

Gazpacho (vegan) and African Peanut Soup (vegetarian)

Don't forget it Maryland Sheep and Wool weekend! The best free, family-friendly fun to be had. Seriously folks, even if you're not a knitter/crocheter/weaver go enjoy the food, music and animals at the Howard County Fairground this weekend.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Thursday Specials

For soup to day be have Gazpacho (vegetarian), African Peanut Soup (vegetarian) and 16 Bean Soup (vegan). We also have the Rowhouse Sandwich - sun-dried tomato basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumbers, red onions, and havarti served on our health toast.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Today's soups are Curried Cauliflower Pistachio (vegetarian) and Hearty Lentil (vegan). We also have the Rowhouse Sandwich - sun-dried tomato basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumbers, red onions, and havarti served on our health toast.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tuesday

Today's soups are Thai Chicken Soup, Hearty Lentil (vegan) and Curried Cauliflower Pistachio (vegetarian). We also have the Pesto Caprese Panini and some lovely Cheddar Scones.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Monday Specials

Soups today are Thai Chicken Soup and Hearty Lentil Soup (vegan). We also have the Pesto Caprese Panini.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Saturday?!

We have Wild Rice Porridge with toasted pecans and dried cranberries, blueberries and cherries. We also have Hearty Lentil Soup (vegan) and Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian). The sandwich special is The King Eggplant Panini with grilled eggplant, caramelized onions, feta and greens.

I'd like to apologize to all of you who check the blog for our daily specials and soups. A combination of computer issues and moving to a new home have made life a bit hectic and posting to the blog has become a casualty.

So far I've refrained from publicly airing moving antics on the blog, but in the days and weeks to come I'm sure to need a virtual sympathetic ear. The boxes (and boxes) of cookbooks, the postage stamp size kitchen, wanting to make curtains and fun do-dads for the new place when packing should clearly be the priority.... all of this and more will will be pulled out to regale you (and as a legitimate excuse for avoiding the unpacking).

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wednesday Specials

Soups today are a traditional Potato Leek Soup (chicken stock based) and the Moroccan Tomato Chickpea Soup (vegan).

For sandwich specials we have the Rowhouse Panini - sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasty ciabatta sub roll and Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad Sandwiches.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Monday Specials

Tuna Melt

Gazpacho
Cuban Black Bean Soup (vegan)

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Saturday Specials


The Torpedo
- Italian sausages and pepperonata stuffed into a hollowed ciabatta sub roll

Soups today are Italian Wedding Soup and Cuban Black Bean (vegan).

We also have a Wild Rice Porridge with blueberries, cherries and pecans, as well as Carrot Nut Scones.

By the way, have you signed up for your CSA yet? Shares are limited and on a first come basis. I know Cromwell Valley CSA still had shares left a day or two ago.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Thursday Specials

The Torpedo - Italian sausages and pepperonata stuffed into a hollowed ciabatta sub roll

Soups today are Italian Wedding Soup and Jalapeno Corn Chowder (vegetarian).

Spinach Salad with dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, reed onion, feta & creamy herb dressing.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Tuesday Specials

Today we have an Avocado and Spinach Salad Wrap and the Turkey Guacamole Sandwich. Soups are Split Pea (vegan) and Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian).

Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday Specials

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, vegetarian
Tuscan Bean and Sausage Soup

Roasted Portabello with Soy Ginger Glaze Panini, Feta & Greens

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Thursday Specials

Soups today are GAZPACHO! and Tuscan Sausage & Bean Soup.

And two wrap specials - Mango Salsa, Turkey & Greens and Mango Salsa, Spicy Black Beans & Wild Rice.