Friday

Lentil Soup, vegan
Cock-a-leekie Soup, Scottish chicken and leek

Tuna Melt Panini

Thursday

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

Soups:

Cock-a-leekie Scottish chicken and leek soup
Tomato Basil (vegetarian)

Wednesday

Curried Cauliflower Pistachio Soup, vegetarian
Beef Barley Soup

UPDATE the CCPistachio is running low and we have added
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, vegetarian

SOLD OUT! Sorry! Spicy Black Bean Cheeseburger Panini - two black bean burgers, extra spicy jack cheese, salsa, lettuce and lime chipotle aoili served on a toasted chiabatta sub roll.

Spicy Jack is the evening special.

Another soup coming this afternoon and, when I know what it is, this post will be updated. The panini muse spoke early, the soup muse is awol.

Tuesday Specials

Curried Cauliflower Pistachio Soup, vegetarian
Beef Barley Soup
Split Pea Soup, vegan

Shaved Roasted Pork Loin with Caramelized Onions is our panino special today.

Monday Specials

San Pedro Panino, a grilled sandwich with avocados, roasted red peppers, grilled onions, provolone cheese, greens, and cilantro-lime mayo

Beef Barley Soup
Split Pea Soup, vegan

And scrumptious Gingerbread Butterscotch Scones.

Damn Good Porridge

Breakfast Specials
Wild Rice Porridge with dried blueberries and cranberries, toasted hazelnuts, maple syrup and cream. It is a recipe from Damn Good Food, a cookbook and memoir by bad-boy chef Mitch Omer, the owner of Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis.

Caramel Apple French Toast Casserole
the San Pedro panino, a grilled sandwich with avocados, roasted red peppers, grilled onions, provolone cheese, greens, and cilantro-lime mayo

Beef Barley Soup
African Peanut Soup, vegetarian

Thursday Specials

the San Pedro panino, a grilled sandwich with avocados, roasted red peppers, grilled onions, provolone cheese, greens, and cilantro-lime mayo

African Peanut Soup, vegetarian

An indugence before Lent begins?

Try the Loaded Baked Potato Soup - "the works" sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese. Regardless of your religious convictions, I'm pretty sure the Loaded Baked Potato Soup is a sinful indulgence.
Lentil Soup (vegan)
Mulligatawny Stew an anglo-indian chicken soup

Spicy Italian Panini turkey, pepperoni, shredded mozzarella and spicy red sauce grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Snow what's new?

Gypsy Soup - a sweet potato/tomato based vegetable stew that is scrumptious!
Mulligatawny Stew an anglo-indian chicken soup

Spicy Italian Panini turkey, pepperoni, shredded mozzarella and spicy red sauce grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

I'm also making a pot of Lentil Soup for this afternoon.
............................................................................................

If you asked about my favorite dessert I'd be hard-pressed to answer. A single, perfect truffle, ginger ice cream or a fresh rice krispy treat - my sweet moods are seasonal, emotional and hormonal. But recently it has come to my attention that for a number of years I have subconsciously been seeking my memory of Coconut Cake.

Seriously, regardless of season, temperament or unlikely origin (like the Safeway or Giant bakery) I've tried them all, but to say there was one disappointment after another is an understatement.

Sweet and creamy, fresh coconut and moist layers of yellow cake, I could not place the memory of this baked confection. I assumed my iconic Coconut Cake passed on with Granny Duff.

That is until Thanksgiving.

Out on the screened in porch where pies, cakes, brownies, puddings and cookies spread over 15 feet of counter space (no exaggeration) I spotted a well used cake carrier with a yellow base and a cloudy white cover that has seen better days. And in this modest container was THE cake. I knew immediately as it slumped onto my plate that this was it. And furthermore, someone ALIVE had baked the cake and brought it to dinner. Shortly after I stuffed a forkfull of cake into Michael's mouth yammering something like "this is it - the one - you know? this is what I've always thought coconut cake was....." I went to find the source. It was (and is) my mother's sister Polina. You would have thought I had three eyes the way she looked at me going on and on about THE cake. Guess everyone but me knew that Coconut Cake was a "Polina thing".

So very graciously she agreed to give me the recipe, assuring me that it was the easiest thing ever and one of the reasons it makes a good holiday dessert is the cake should be made and iced several days in advance.

Under no circumstances would I ever have tried the recipe she sent me if I hadn't tasted it for myself. It breaks about every rule and notion related to baking, but give it a try. With winter still upon us and no break in site, it will bring a bit of tropical delight to you and yours. And be forwarned - do not substitute the coconut found in the baking isle for the frozen!

Polina's Coconut Cake
2 cake layers (any yellow box cake) each cut in half horizontally
4 pkgs. frozen coconut (found near the frozen fruit in very flat little packages)
16 oz sour cream
1-1/2 cups sugar
Small container kool whip (God forgive me)

1. Freeze cake layers for easy slicing & filling; but if they are not frozen, dental floss does a neat job.
2. Mix 3 pkgs. thawed or semi thawed coconut with sour cream and sugar. Cover, set in fridge for a day or 2, stir occasionally if you think of it.
3. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture, fill layers.
4. Mix reserved mixture with a small Kool Whip (enough to cover the cake) and frost. Use 4th pkg of thawed coconut to sprinkle on cake.

For best results: back in the fridge for a couple of days.

Saturday Specials

Panino Specials
The Torpedo an italian sausage stuffed submarine
Basil Pesto Caprese

Soups
Mulligatawny Stew an anglo-indian chicken soup
Creamy Tomato Basil
Roasted Butternet

Friday Specials

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Roasted Butternut Soup

Today's special panino is Cuban Sandwich with roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard.

Later today we'll have The Torpedo Panino (italian sausage stuffed submarine), and Mulligatawny Stew (anglo-indian chicken soup).

Thursday and the cafe is open!

I've been snowed in for almost a week. As of today there are drifts well above five feet in front of my house. I haven't seen this much snow since I left Minnesota and at one point yesterday we had whiteout conditions on my street. Standing at the door, I literally could not see patio furniture that was only 3 feet away!

So for Michael and the rest of the Carma's Cafe staff a huge thank you. I know the cafe was kept open as much as possible and that meant a whole lot to the people of Charles Village (intrepid bunch that you are). And I've really missed living in the neighborhood this week. Can't wait to see you all.........soon, I hope.

This photo was taken before the second storm hit!

THURSDAY, OPEN

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Roasted Butternut Soup

Today's special panino is Cuban Sandwich with roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard. Yum Yum.

WEDNESDAY, CLOSING AT 1:00 PM

CLOSING AT 1:00 PM

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
16-Bean Soup (vegan)
Sausage Kale Soup

Today's special panino is Cuban Sandwich with roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard. Yum Yum.

Tuesday, Still Open

16-Bean Soup (vegan)
Sausage Kale Soup

Later today we'll have Tomato Basil Soup.

Today's special panino is Cuban Sandwich with roast pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard. Yum Yum.

MONDAY AND WE ARE OPEN

16-Bean Soup (vegan)
Sausage Kale Soup

A Turkey Pesto Panini or Pesto Caprese Panini and a cup of soup will be just the thing to fuel your snow shoveling efforts.

Snowman Latte with White Chocolate and Almond
Black Forest Cocoa - our signature chocolate sauce and cherry syrup

Keep Calm and Carry On

Well I said it wouldn't happen. Excuse me, but would you please pass a fork? I'm going to eat my words. The Cafe is Closed Until Monday.

Be safe!

Sausage Kale Soup and Mexican Corn Chowder (vegetarian) are on the menu today.

A Turkey Pesto Panini or Pesto Caprese Panini and a cup of soup will be just the thing to fuel your snow shoveling efforts.

Snowman Latte with White Chocolate and Almond
Black Forest Cocoa - our signature chocolate sauce and cherry syrup

I'm making a pot of 16 Bean Soup that should be finished by this afternoon and without a doubt the snow muse will hit the pastry case. Come see what's cooking.

We Will Stay Open Through Whatever Storm May Come

Tomato Garbanzo with fresh Rosemary (vegan) it's a lovely dairy free, almost fatfree soup. Half of the beans are pureed with the tomatoes and it gives the soup a nice body - hearty without being heavy.

Garlic Roasted Red Pepper Soup - (not vegetarian)

later today Mexican Corn Chowder (vegetarian)

Spicy Jack Panini - turkey, extra spicy pepper cheese, grilled onions and zebra (horseradish) sauce. Substitute hummus for the turkey and we call it a Spicy Jeremy.

Teriyaki Turkey Panini marinated roast turkey with a stir-fry gravy on a toasted bun. Get it while it's hot.

Winter Wonderland Specials

A new tomato soup today - Tomato Garbanzo with fresh Rosemary (vegan) it's a lovely dairy free, almost fatfree soup. Half of the beans are pureed with the tomatoes and it gives the soup a nice body - hearty without being heavy.

We have a bit of Garlic Roasted Red Pepper Soup - tasty roasted garlic and red peppers in a chicken stock base and Harvest Split Pea Soup (vegan).

Spicy Jack Panini - turkey, extra spicy pepper cheese, grilled onions and zebra (horseradish) sauce. Substitute hummus for the turkey and we call it a Spicy Jeremy.

It probably won't be ready by lunchtime, but there is the biggest turkey breast I have ever seen roasting. Seriously people, it may in fact be ostridge. Anyway, it's been marinated in teriyaki and will be served on a toasted roll with stir fry veggies - straw mushrooms, water chestnuts, bamboo and the like. Come by for dinner, a hot beverage and a Teriyaki Turkey Panini.

Too'sday Specials

Just because there's been too much to do this morning. But we have an old favorite from back in the day when we were just a wee-bit of a cafe, Garlic Roasted Red Pepper Soup - tasty roasted garlic and red peppers in a chicken stock base. Also a pot of Harvest Split Pea Soup (vegan).

Spicy Jack Panini - turkey, extra spicy pepper cheese, grilled onions and zebra (horseradish) sauce. Substitute hummus for the turkey and we call it a Spicy Jeremy.

Tex-Mex Chili - beef and spicy sausage with corn, black beans and green peppers.
Minestrone (vegan)

Basil Pesto Caprese Panino

Chocolate Peanut Cookies v.3.0 are in the pastry case!

Hot food for a cold day!

Tex-Mex Chili - beef and spicy sausage with corn, black beans and green peppers.
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup (vegan)
Lentil Soup (vegan)

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with a side salad

Chocolate Peanut Cookies v.3.0 will be in the pastry case shortly!

Friday Specials

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with a side salad

Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian)
Lentil Soup (vegan)

Big news for soda fans - Mexican Coca-Cola is being sold in the Latin refrigerated section at Shoppers Food Warehouse! It is the cola I remember sipping from small amethyst glasses at Grandma's house. If you are young enough never to have enjoyed Coke as God intended (sweetened with cane sugar and not the cheap, ubiquitous, processed slurry known as corn syrup), get yourself to the store. Sip slowly straight from the the little green pop-top bottle and ponder the implications of actually teaching the world to sing in perfect harmony...........

Wednesday Specials

Bring your appetite! The meatloaf is baking and smells great. Loads of caramelized onions form the base for the mushroom beef gravy.

Homemade Meatloaf Sandwich with Mushroom Gravy (served open-face)
Turkey Pepperoni Pizza Panino

Lentil Soup (vegan)
Creamy Mushroom Soup (vegetarian)
Mulligatawny Stew (anglo-indian chicken soup)

Tuesday Specials

Creamy Mushroom Soup (vegetarian)
Mulligatawny Stew (anglo-indian chicken soup)

Turkey Pepperoni Pizza Panino

Monday Monday

Mulligatawny Stew (anglo-indian chicken soup)
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup vegan

Basil Pesto Caprese panino

Saturday Specials

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup
Creamy Tomato Basil
Jalapeno Corn Chowder

Turkey Spinach Parmesan - turkey breast, spinach, parmesan, mozzarella and marinated artichoke hearts grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Friday Specials

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Jalapeno Corn Chowder

Falafel Sub stuffed with tomato, cucumber, red onion and tahini dressing.

Thursday Specials

the old-fashioned Tuna Melt, served panino style

Jalapeno Corn Chowder vegetarian

Wednesday Specials

Spicy Jack Panino
roast turkey, caramelized red onions, habanero chesse, and zebra sauce

Split Pea Soup vegan

Italian Wedding Soup
vegetable soup with pasta and meatballs
a vegetarian based soup with either homemade meatballs or vegetarian meatballs

Tuesday

Spicy Jack Panino
roast turkey, caramelized red onions, habanero chesse, and zebra sauce

Italian Wedding Soup
vegetable soup with pasta and meatballs
a vegetarian based soup with either homemade meatballs or vegetarian meatballs

Happy MLK Day

Vegetarian Potato Leek Soup and Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (vegan) are our soups today.

Panini special is the Pesto Caprese made with fresh mozzarella, provolone, pesto, marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Saturday Specials

Vegetarian Potato Leek Soup, Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (vegan) and Beef Chili Con Carne are our soups today.

Panini special is the Pesto Caprese made with fresh mozzarella, provolone, pesto, marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

And there may be a couple Apricot Oatmeal Scones left....

The week that flew by....

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (vegan) and Beef Chili Con Carne are our soups today. We also have a bit of the Green Lentil with Coconut Milk Soup left.

The cookie experiment produced mixed reviews. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookie had a great texture but I thought it was not chocolate enough. Jack (who is a bit of a cookie wolf) was meh, but Lisa loved them and looked at me like I was crazy when I suggested they were not chocolatey enough. Next batch will bump up the pb in the cookie and replace the too sweet pb chips with chocolate chips. If all life's problems offered such a sweet solution.....

Thursday Specials

Pesto Caprese Panini with fresh mozzarella and Beef Chili Con Carne are on the menu today, as well as Green Lentil and Coconut Milk Soup. There some cookie experimenting going on and today a Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookie is in the pastry case.

It's Wednesday!

... not Tuesday. Just in case you and I woke up in the same time warp.

The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich special is back for one more day - don't miss it! Spicy chicken with a blue cheese sauce and matchstick celery carrots on a toasted ciabatta roll. The Spicy Jack and Spicy Jeremy are also available.

Green Lentil & Coconut Milk Soup (vegan) and Chicken Noodle Soup are our soups du jour.

Praise a bit overdue

While I'm sitting in the back handling more mundane administrative tasks everyone else is cooking up a storm, figuratively speaking. Michael is up to his elbows in buttermilk, breadcrumbs and blue cheese making a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich special. Spicy chicken with a blue cheese sauce and matchstick celery carrots.

Kasey started today's Butternut Squash Soup yesterday by preparing a roasted vegetable stock (which is the secret to many of our vegan/vegetarian soups). We also have Chicken Noodle Soup.

Just off Interstate 81 near Roanoke, Virginia is the best Mexican food I've ever eaten. Now in fairness I should qualify this statement. I've never been a huge fan of what is called Mexican food in the States. I like the idea of beans, chilis, rice, mole, etc. but assumed the only way I'd get good Mexican food was to head southwest towards the Texas/Mexico border. Rumors abound about where to find authentic Mexican cuisine - some say Wisconsin, especially around Madison, is littered with little Mom & Pop eateries, my brother is very fond of a place in Easton, but without an exprience guide, Mexican cuisine is a miss-more-than-hit proposition, in my experience. Which made this an extra special "find".

Tucked into the corner of the most generic strip mall (adjacent to a huge Goodwill Store) is one of three Alejandro's Mexican Grill locations. The original downtown location is standing room only from about 10:30-2:30 and then again in the evening, so I was tickled to find out there was a larger location which is actually a bit closer to home for me.

Alejandro's claim to fame is their fresh salsa bar. The minute we at down a basket of fresh, hot tortilla chips was rushed to our table and the "salad" bar in the corner? More than 12 varieties of salsa made fresh daily (there were 16 at the time of my visit) - green ones, red ones, creamy ones, chunky ones, hot ones and mild ones. It was a lot of fun making several trips to the bar and try out a whole bunch of them (the Pomegranate Margarita I washed them down with was pretty special too!). Beverage choices include beer, soda, aguas frescas and margaritas.

The Plato de Carnitas - chunks of pork served with rice, black beans, pico de gallo and tortillas was fabulous. The pork was tender and moist with a great crunchy exterior and the accompanying sides - far from being obligatory mounds of rice and beans, actually added texture and flavor. There was no room for dessert but flan, xango, churros and tres leche cake are a few of the offerings.

I really can't say enough good things about Alejandro's except that I look forward to many future meals in this delightful, family-style Mexican restuarante.

Monday Specials

Soups today are Chicken Noodle and Minestrone with brussell sprout, chestnuts &butternut squash (vegan).

The sandwich special is Spicy Jack - turkey, extra spicy pepper jack cheese, grilled onions and zebra (horseradish) sauce grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

By the way, if you are a grad student at Hopkins the GRO Coffee Hour is on!

Saturday Specials

Citrus Cranberry Scones with Pecans!

Soup today is Minestrone with brussel sprout, chestnuts &butternut squash (vegan).

The sandwich special is Pesto Caprese - fresh basil pesto, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, provolone and mozzarella grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Go play in the snow!

Then come by for some Peppermint Hot Chocolate or a bowl of soup!

Soups today are Minestrone with brussel sprout, chestnuts &butternut squash (vegan) and Potato Leek (vegetarian).

The sandwich special is Pesto Caprese - fresh basil pesto, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, provolone and mozzarella grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Thursday Specials

I'm making a pot of vegetarian Potato Leek Soup this morning and the Sausage Chowder is coming to an end. It will probably be tomorrow, but Michael has a really exotic sounding soup up his sleeve in the next day or two.

The sandwich special is the Spicy Jack - turkey, extra spicy pepper jack cheese, grilled onions & zebra (horseradish) sauce. Replace the turkey with hummus and call it a Spicy Jeremy!

Wednesday Specials

Sandwich Special
Banh Mi (Vietnamese Pork Sandwich)
Roasted pork loin with a salad of carrots, cucumbers, hot peppers tossed in Asian dressing with peanuts & cilantro.

Soups
Sausage Kidney Bean Chowder
Pumpkin Black Bean

Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread

Very Special Tuesday Sandwich!

Sandwich Special
Banh Mi (Vietnamese Pork Sandwich)
Roasted pork loin with a salad of carrots, cucumbers, hot peppers tossed in Asian dressing with peanuts & cilantro.

Soups
Sausage Kidney Bean Chowder
Pumpkin Black Bean

Dinner Special
Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread

Happy New Year!

Today's soups are Pumpkin Black Bean (vegan) and Sausage Kidney Bean Chowder.

How nice is it to be back?! Missed you folks but, frankly, enjoyed the time off). So tell...were you on the Nice List? I got yummy cookies from Jack's mom and baklava from Ren, so it's pretty clear who is on my nice list ;-) Highlights from my holiday include receiving a great fuzzy blanket that my 15-year old niece Alex made (brought a tear to this ol' crafter's eye I tell you), a great basket from my brother Charles, tons of music from brother William and a Kindle from Santa.

The renovation/expansion of the cafe commenced over the holidays and the newly improved kitchen space looks great. A crew came in on Saturday to clean up the construction mess and get a head start on food prep for today. We're here. We're ready for you. Come and get it!

Happy New Year!

Thank you...

...for another great year! Michael and I wish you and yours a happy, healthy, prosperous, exciting, loving, silly, creative, inspired, peaceful .... well, just all of the good things a year can be.

We will see you on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Countdown to Christmas

Panino Special
The Sicilian, grilled panino with turkey, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and melty cheese.

Soups
Chicken Chili Stew Creamy Mushroom (vegetarian)
...............

An unexpected consequence of opening the cafe is that people quite cooking for me. It's sad, really, but I seldom get a box of homemade cookies and dinner invitations are almost always offered with qualifications. So how excited was I to get my first homemade baklava for the holidays?! It's doubly special since it came from an employee. Ren rocks the baklava!

















Speaking of employees, have you seen our latest?

Monday Monday

Panino Special
The Sicilian, grilled panino with turkey, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and melty cheese.

Soups:
Chicken Chili Stew
Creamy Mushroom (vegetarian)

SNOW DAY!

While I'm enjoying the snow from my living room, the intrepid staff of Carma's Cafe is whipping up hot drinks, Chicken Chili Stew and all manner sweet things. Prop your sleds outside and come in to warm up!

Better late than never....

I'm making a really hearty Chicken Chili Stew that smells crazy good. We also have Curried Cauliflower Pistachio Soup. We also have The Rowhouse Sandwich - sundried tomato/basil cream cheese, sprouts, cucumber, red onion, Swiss cheese on toasted ciabatta.

Thursday Specials

Harvest Split Pea Soup (vegan)
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup (vegan)

The panini specials are The Greenhouse - hummus, guacamole, havarti, cucumber & sprouts, Turkey Guacamole - turkey, guacamole, havarti & tomato

Wednesday Specials

Tomato Basil Soup (vegetarian)
Harvest Split Pea Soup (vegan)

The panini specials are The Greenhouse - hummus, guacamole, havarti, cucumber & sprouts, Turkey Guacamole - turkey, guacamole, havarti & tomato and Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad.

Tuesday Specials

Tortilla Soup
Cauliflower Pepperjack Soup.

The panini specials are BBQ Chicken Breast & Provolone & Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad.

Peppermint Mocha Lattes and Peppermint Hot Cocoa.

........

Well for anyone that hasn't heard I "fixed" our panini machine over the weekend. Sparks flew, a 220v breaker was destroyed, several frantic phone calls were made and even the professionals could not resuscitate it. So we've cobbled together a series of home machine until the new one arrives. Thanks for your patience if things seem a bit slower and try one of the no-grill sandwich specials.

Hello......ello...ello...ello...ello...ello

Where are you?! This place is Dead City and I just made a killer Cauliflower Pepperjack Soup. The panini special is The Sicilian - turkey, pepperoni, provolone and a sauce made with pickled Italian vegetables.

We also are rolling out Peppermint Mocha Lattes and Peppermint Hot Cocoa.

We've got just the stuff to warm you up, 'cause baby it's cold outside!

Warm memories

Panini Roast Turkey Stuffed Panini - all homemade, with cranberry sauce, sausage dressing, and gravy.
The Sicilian Panino - turkey, pepperoni, provolone and a sauce made with pickled Italian vegetables.

Soups
Gypsy Soup -- a sweet potato stew with lots of veggies and north african spicing (not spicy). (vegan)

Borscht (vegetarian)
..........................

Nothing evokes comfort food cravings and memories like the bitter cold blast of winter. I suppose folks from more temperate climates have more subtle triggers, but for me the fourth of July is potato salad and country ham biscuits; falling leaves mean apple butter and pumpkins; winter is bean soup, macaroni and cheese and gravy (on anything - biscuits, potatoes, rice, toast....); and Christmas is brandy-soaked fruit cake and sparking Christmas cookies made with fresh lemon zest.

A hearty cassoulet with crusty bread, a snifter of nice cognac, a fondue or racqlette with friends - all these I would share with you today (preferably by a fireplace), but the food memories that touch my primordial foodie brain are not so swanky. So on this frigid December day I share with you recipes from my childhood. In the left-hand cabinet behind the kitchen table, Granny Duff kept a Tupperware® container of each of these mixes. Go to the store and get the stuff together soon. On the next snow day stop by the cafe for a hearty breakfast of oatmeal with granola, hit Wyman Park for some sledding then go home to dry off and warm up with some Russian Tea and Hot Chocolate (maybe stir some of the hot chocolate mix into a mug of coffee oe heck, splash some cheap brandy in the Russian Tea!).

Russian Tea
3 c. instant tea
3 c. Tang
1 1/2 c. pre-sweetened lemonade
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. cloves
3 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container. Stir 2 teaspoons of mix into one cup of hot water. A stand mug will take a heaping tablespoon. Note: all of the powdered drinks are available sugar-free and the sugar may be replace with Splenda®.

Hot Chocolate
2 lb Nestle Quick
8 qt box powdered milk
1/2 c. powdered sugar
6 oz Cremora

Mix all ingredients (I like to sift these together) and store in an airtight container. Combine 3-4 tablespoons of mix and hot water in a mug. This also makes cold chocolate milk, just add cold water or milk and stir well.

Thursday Specials

Roast Turkey Stuffed Panini, all homemade, with cranberry sauce, sausage dressing, and gravy.

Gypsy Soup -- a sweet potato stew with lots of veggies and north african spicing (not spicy). (vegan)

Roast Butternut Soup (vegetarian)

Borscht (vegetarian) later today

Thanksgiving All Over Again

In a panini we stuff sausage dressing, roasted turkey breast (yes real turkey), homemade cranberry sauce, with a nice big side of homemade gravy.

Gypsy Soup -- a sweet potato stew with lots of veggies and north african spicing (not spicy). (vegan)

Roast Butternut Soup (vegetarian)

Tuesday Specials

PANINI
Spicy Jack w/ Turkey, caramelized red onions, habanero jack cheese, and zebra sauce
Turkey Guacamole w/ tomato and havarti
The Greenhouse, cucumber, hummus, sprouts, and guacamole on health bread

SOUPS
16-Bean (vegan)
Potato Leek (vegetarian)
Roasted Butternut (vegetarian)(later in the day)

Monday Specials

PANINI
Turkey Guacamole w/ tomato and havarti
The Greenhouse, cucumber, hummus, sprouts, and guacamole on health bread
Pork Loin w/ cranberry chutney

SOUPS
16-Bean (vegan)
Potato Leek (vegetarian)

Saturday Specials

Panini Special
Roasted Pork Loin with Cranberry Chutney
The Sicilian Panino - turkey, pepperoni, provolone and a sauce made with pickled Italian vegetables.

Soups
African Peanut (vegetarian)
16 Bean Soup (vegan)

ETA: And THE holiday shopping event of the season is today! Don't miss the Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap at St John's Church on St Paul and 27th.

Tasty Thursday Treats

Panini Special
Roasted Pork Loin with Cranberry Chutney
The Blue Ribbon - turkey, farmer's bacon, tomato & herb bleu cheese aoli

Soups
French Chicken and Red Wine Stew (Coq Au Vin)
African Peanut (vegetarian)

...and Kasey made Gingerbread Butterscotch Scones.

Riddle me this.....

Panini Special
The Blue Ribbon - turkey, farmer's bacon, tomato & herb bleu cheese aoli

Soups
Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian)
Pumpkin Black Bean (vegan)

.... how can the drive to Natural Bridge take five hours and the drive back take nine when there is no traffic? Well this answer is Carma and Michael did the "stop, shop and stroll" all the way home. There is a great book fair just outside of Harrisonburg that is held six times a year, one of which is always Thanksgiving weekend so this has become a bit of a ritual. This year in addition to many cookbooks I also got some DYI construction references and a biography of Colette by Judith Thurman. We staggered out of there under the extreme weight of our purchases.

My youngest brother is getting married next September so some time was spent scouting locations for his rehearsal dinner (and I think it's going to be crazy outrageous fun, but the details will have to wait). And finally, we had a sweet little dinner at Johnny Appleseed in New Market, Virginia.

There was much food and fun on this trip so make sure to check back.

Tuesday Specials

Panino Special
Tuna Curry Parmesan

Soup Specials
Pumpkin Black Bean
Creamy Tomato Basil

Welcome Back

Panino Special
Tuna Curry Parmesan

Soup Specials
Pumpkin Black Bean
Creamy Tomato Basil

You're at the top of my list!

Cafe will be closing early on Wednesday and remain closed until Monday.

Things are slowing down for the holiday weekend and Michael and I are heading into the mountains of southwestern Virginia to visit my family. For the past five years, you have been at the top of my "what I'm thankful for" list. As the economy struggles, business close and we all reel at the cost of health care and gas prices, Carma's Cafe is experiencing growth! My father always said grace was like grits in South Caroline - you get it even if you don't ask for it. This year I am particularly aware of my good fortune and the people who have made it so - my best friend and business partner, several generations of fun and enthusiastic employees, our customers who have become more like friends and family and the generous divine spark that moves the fates and brought it all together - it's so much more than just a cafe.

Be safe and have a wonderful, festive, outrageous Thanksgiving!


Cranberry Salad
1 bag fresh cranberries, pulsed in a food processor
2 finely chopped red apples, unpeeled
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/2 cups seedless green grapes, halved
1/2 cup raisins (I like golden)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 (8 oz) cartons vanilla yogurt

Mix all ingredients except yogurt and chill. Just before serving stir in the yogurt. Kids love it!

Tuesday Specials

Minestrone alla Milanese (vegan)
Creamy Mushroom Soup (vegetarian)

Spicy Jack Panini

Saturday Specials

Cherry Crisp French Toast
Orange Date Scones

Minestrone alla Milanese (vegan)
French Lentil Soup

Friday Specials

SOUPS:

Romanesco Parmesan -- a creamy soup with Romanesco style cauliflower, potatoes, and parmesan. (not vegetarian)

French Lentil (vegan).

PANINO:

Spicy Jack -- turkey caramelized onions spicy habanero jac cheese and zebra sauce.

Thursday Specials

SOUPS:

Romanesco Parmesan -- a creamy soup with Romanesco style cauliflower, potatoes, and parmesan. (not vegetarian)

African Peanut, a sweet potato soup with curry and vegetables and of course some peanut (vegetarian).

PANINO:

Roasted local apples with brie and pecans.

CSA season ends

Today's Soups are Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (vegetarian) and African Peanut Soup (vegetarian). I'm also making a soup with the Romanesco Broccoli I got from the CSA this week. They call it Cosmic Cauliflower for obvious reasons.

We still have some of the Weenie Panini (which got very nice review from customers) and really, is one day enough to properly celebrate such a great guy?

Yesterday was our last pick up of CSA from One Straw Farm. Mostly, it has been a positive experience. Usually I shop for ingredients with a more-or-less specific purpose in mind - to make soup or to grill for example. I found myself approaching the CSA pick-up each Tuesday with a completely different paradigm. Typically I would pick one main vegetable - often one that I had little or no experience preparing, then go about doing a bit of research online. This approach has made me a better and more adventurous cook. Dishes I probably would have never tried turned out fantastic like the roasted chard salad.

There are a lot of farms that offer CSA (believe it or not, there is a wool CSA in New England that raises fleece for fiber artists). Look around and see if there isn't one you'd like to join.

Another birthday!

Happy birthday, Michael!

To mark this special occasion I'm making a cafe variation of one of his favorite foods - the hot dog. Yep, today's sandwich special is The Weenie Panini - roasted 100% beef hot dogs, homemade chili and cheddar cheese stuffed inside a ciabatta sub roll.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (vegetarian)
African Peanut Soup (vegetarian)
Sweet Potato Dahl Soup (vegetarian)

By unspoken consent, Michael and I aren't specific about how long we've been friends, but suffice it to say it has been a long time. Early on I was regaled stories of the mythical Teo's hot dogs of his youth. These mini dogs are served on buns from a local bakery and are eaten 3-4 at a time. "With the works" means onions, mustard and their signature chili heaped on mini red hot dogs nestled in a soft steamed bun. Paired with the locally brewed Genesee beer and a bag of chips, it sounds like a real treat and the kind of place visitors are unlikely to patronize unless taken there by a local. Bring cash.

I've never been to Teo's but a pilgrimage to Pittsfield, Massachusetts to try these weenies seems inevitable.

Monday Specials

African Peanut Soup (vegetarian)
Sweet Potato Dahl Soup (vegetarian)

Pesto Caprese Panini - pesto, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, provolone and mozzarella grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

A very November day....

....cold, wet and rainy.

Back by popular demand, The Nutter Butter! - peanut butter, bananas and either bacon or granola grilled on a ciabatta sub roll. I must confess, this is strictly a "give the people what they want" special.

The Blue Ribbon
turkey, bacon from Springfield Farms, tomato, and Ren's herb-blue cheese aioli.

Soup:
Sweet Potato Dahl - sweet potatoes, apples and yellow split peas seasoned with cardamom, garam masala, cayenne and corriander. Both sweet and spicy. (vegetarian)
Pumpkin Black Bean (vegan)

Friday

Panino Special:

The Blue Ribbon
turkey, bacon from Springfield Farms, tomato, and Ren's herb-blue cheese aioli.

Soup:

Pumpkin Black Bean (vegetarian)

Thursday Specials

Potato Leek Soup
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

The Torpedo is back! - spicy Italian sausage, provolone and pepperinade sauce stuffed in a ciabatta sub roll.

Tuesday Specials

Smoked Sausage & White Bean Soup

Gypsy Soup - a sweet potato and tomato based vegetable soup that is one of our most popular soups.

The Spicy Jack Panini -turkey, grilled red onion, zebra sauce (a horseradish mayo spread) and a very spicy jack cheese grilled on a ciabatta sub roll.

Happy Birthday Cafe!

Smoked Sausage & White Bean Soup

Gypsy Soup - a sweet potato and tomato based vegetable soup that is one of our most popular soups.

The Greenhouse Panini - hummus, guacamole, havarti cheese, sprouts, cucumbers on health bread.

The Turkey Quacamole Panini - turkey, guacamole, havarti cheese, and tomato on a ciabatta sub roll.

Today is the cafe's fifth birthday! On November 9, 2004 Michael and I hung out the specials board and unlocked the door. It was exciting and terrifying in equal measure. For the first several weeks I barely poked my head outside of the kitchen and carefully scrutinized every dish as it was brought into the sink. More often than not, the only thing left on the plate was an olive pit!

So five years later I'm happy to report that customers come back smiling and plates still come back empty. And we are experiencing another "growth spurt". In the spring of 2010 Carma's Cafe will open a "grab & go" location on St. Paul Street, just around the corner (and in the same building) from our current location. And while we don't gain any additional indoor seating, we will get additional outdoor seating, and shift the take-out traffic to the new location which should help with the congestion.

Before the first paint brush was lifted or the first tile laid, Michael and I sat outside on a crisp spring day looking down into the windows and imagining our customers. And you know what? It was you! All ages, all ethnicities, all levels of education; college professor sitting next to a 20-something spoken word artist; three generations having breakfast during family weekend at Hopkins. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the outpouring of love and appreciation that you brought in with you. It's a little awe inspiring, very humbling and very much felt.

Thank you.

Welcome to the parents

Pumpkin Cranberry Scones
Cinnamon Raisin French Toast Casserole
Asparagus, Spinach and Sweet Pepper Strata with Swiss Cheese

Turkey Wrap with farmer's bacon, avocados, fresh avocado & bleu cheese dressing and mixed greens.

Soups:
Smoked Sausage & White Bean Soup
Roasted Butternut Squash (vegetarian)
Cuban Black Bean

Friday Specials

Zucchini Avocado Panino
smokey marinated grilled zucchini with fresh avocado dressing, roasted red peppers, farm fresh spinach greens, and provolone

Soups:
Roasted Butternut Squash (vegetarian)
Cuban Black Bean (vegan)

Zucchini Avocado Panino
smokey marinated grilled zucchini with fresh avocado dressing, roasted red peppers, farm fresh spinach greens, and provolone

Soups:

Cuban Black Bean (vegan)
Broccoli Cheddar Chowder (vegetarian)

Tuesday

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

Spicy Jeremy Panino
hummus, caramelized red onions, habanero jack cheese, zebra sauce

SOUPS:

Jalapeno Corn Chowder
Creamy Mushroom
both vegetarian

Saturday

Lots of breakfast baked goods including scones and ginger muffins with gran marnier frosting.

and a Tuscan Black Bean Strata

Soups:
Borscht - vegan
Creamy Mushroom - vegetarian

Panini:
The Torpedo is back! Italian sausage and pepperonata stuffed in a ciabatta sub roll.

Friday Specials

Soups:
Borscht - vegan
Cauliflower Potato Curry - vegetarian
Harvest Split Pea- vegan

Panini:
The Torpedo is back! Italian sausage and pepperonata stuffed in a ciabatta sub roll.

Thursday Specials

Soups:
Harvest Split Pea (vegan)
Cauliflower Potato Curry - vegetarian

Panini:
Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad

There are also Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones and Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins.

Wednesday Specials

Soups:
Cauliflower Potato Curry (inspired by Alu Gobi Masala, my favorite Indian dish)
Potato Leek - both are vegetarian

Panini:
Green Gobbler - turkey, guacamole, havarti, red onion and mesclun on a toasted ciabatta sub roll

Spicy Jack - turkey, grilled red onions, very spicy jack cheese and zebra sauce (horseradish mayo spread) grilled on a ciabatta sub roll

Tuesday Specials

Spicy Jack Panino --
Turkey, Caramelized Red Onions, Habanero Jack Cheese, and Zebra Sauce

Soups:

Morrocon Chick Pea
Tomato Basil (while it lasts)
Potato Leek

Monday Specials

Soups:
Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup
Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian

Panini:
Pesto Caprese

Happy Birthday Sophie!

Breakfast Special: French Toast Jumble - french toast casserole made with cinnamon raisin, blueberry & egg bagels, a layer of raspberry cream filling, and a handfull of blueberries and chocolate chips. Oh yea, sometimes it's great to be a grown-up.

We also have Spicy Sausage & Cheddar Scones.

Today's Soups are Mulligatawny - an anglo-indian chicken soup and Creamy Tomato Basil.

Happy Birthday to Miss Sophie who is having a "Geology Rocks!" birthday party today. I find it encouraging there is a little girl who chose geology as her party theme and I was delighted to make her a pile of geodes cake.

Fabulous Fall Friday

Soup: Creamy Tomato Basil (vegetarian), the Anglo-Indian chicken soup Mulligatawny and Potage (poe-tazh)- a thick French vegetable soup (ours is vegetarian, traditionally there might be scrapes of all sorts of meat).

Going international! Japanese greens and French soup

Sandwich Special: Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad with Mizuna (a spiky Japanese green)

Soup: Potage (poe-tazh)- a thick French vegetable soup (ours is vegetarian, traditionally there might be scrapes of all sorts of meat). This is the first time I've had this soup and it is delicious! It's also loaded with some of the more unusual root vegetables - celeriac and jerusalem artichokes to name a couple.

Tuesday Specials

Spicy Jack Panini - turkey, grilled red onions, spicy jack cheese and zebra sauce.
Tortilla Soup and Cauliflower Pistachio Soup, both of which are vegetarian.

Manic Monday

Spicy Jack Panini - turkey, grilled red onions, spicy jack cheese and zebra sauce.
Tortilla Soup and Cauliflower Pistachio Soup, both of which are vegetarian.

A comfort food kind of day.....

Breakfast Special:
Sausage Gravy on Cracked Pepper Scones (okay, so it's really just biscuits & gravy, but it's really, really good biscuits and gravy!)

And Chocolate Chocolate Chip Scones

Veggie Grill Panino with hummus, red onions, grilled zucchini and eggplants, and swiss cheese.

BBQ Chicken served up in toasted ciabatta with ooey gooey mozzarella. Tangy !

SOUPS:
Cauliflower Pistachio (vegetarian)
Seems to be everyone's favorite this year Pumpkin Black Bean (vegan).

Friday Friday Friday

Veggie Grill Panino with hummus, red onions, grilled zucchini and eggplants, and swiss cheese.

BBQ Chicken served up in toasted ciabatta with ooey gooey mozzarella. Tangy !

SOUPS:

Seems to be everyone's favorite this year Pumpkin Black Bean (vegan).

Split Pea (also vegan).

Rainy Thursday Specials

Soups:
Autumn Chowder
Split Pea Soup (vegan)

Panini:
Nutter Butter - peanut butter, banana & bacon
BBQ Chicken with Gooey Mozzarella

Wednesday Specials

"Stuffed" Pork Loin Panini with Gravy - pork loin on a toasted roll with gravy - yum!
The Rowhouse sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasted ciabatta sub roll

Autumn Chowder with potatoes, corn, squash, bacon and cheddar cheese
Creamy Mushroom Soup
Tomato Fennel Soup

Lights. Camera. Action!

We have a couple really nice specials today including Homemade Mac & Cheese served with a Green Salad, a "Stuffed" Pork Loin Panini with Gravy and The Rowhouse sundried-tomato-basil cream cheese, crunchy sprouts, cucumbers, sliced red onion, swiss cheese all on a toasted ciabatta sub roll. There is also a tray of Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones - which are fast becoming a signature pastry for the Cafe.

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

This afternoon I'll be making dinner for one of my favorite local groups - Wide Angle Youth Media. WAYM is a non-profit organization that creates opportunities for Baltimore's youth to express themselves and tell the stories of their lives through video technology. The organization and participants harnass the power of media and use it to make a difference in the lives of young people and our community. Throughout the year WAYM works through after school programs, community events (including the annual Youth Media Festival) and a youth-run television program. By fostering self confidence and the skills to articulate a message, Wide Angle Youth Media is giving Baltimore's youth a powerful tool to make their voices heard.

Wide Angle Youth Media is also a new neighbor! They have taken one of the commercial spaces at Miller's Court at the corner of 26th and Howard.

If you would like to support this great program, I encourage you to take a look at Wide Angle Youth Media's 2009 Wish List or call Susan Hayman at 410-338-0947.

Notice to Good Patrons of Cafe

Today our soups are Creamy Mushroom and Tomato Fennel.

The Panini Special is Turkey Swiss.

It seems that every year I realize the Maryland Renaissance Festival is going on just a week or two before it closes for the season - in large part because I've tied RenFest to autumn when it actually starts the last week of August. So Maid Katie and I made our way down to Revel Grove (the "16th century" village in Crownsville, MD) on Sunday past and enjoyed much merriment, revelry and food on sticks.

There are only two weekends left until you have to wait almost a year for the opportunity to eat turkey legs, cheesecake on a stick and scotch eggs while watching jousting and women in chain maille lingerie.

Baltimore Marathon Day

I have made a Spicy Sausage, Black Bean & Corn Strata with Cheddar Cheese and a Broccoli Mushroom Strata with Swiss Cheese. There are also Cinnamon Rolls, Blueberry Muffins, Pumpkin Cranberry Scones and Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones.

Soups:
Tomato Fennel vegetarian
Potato Leek Soup vegetarian

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

Friday Specials

Vegetable Barley Soup vegetarian
Potato Leek Soup vegetarian

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

Thursday

Soups:
Kale & White Bean
Mixed Mushroom & Barley vegan

Kasey is making Potato Leek soup for later today.

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

The cheese really does stand alone!

Soups:
Smoked Beef Sausage, Kale & White Bean
African Peanut vegetarian

Panino:
The Lighthouse is a sweet delight with brie, fresh fig spread, and candied pecans, grilled to gooey perfection.
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If you find yourself down the Jersey Shore (as the locals say), stop by the Seaside Cheese Company and tell them I sent you. Steve is a gregarious guy who can dish out some of the most elegant cheeses, perfectly describe their character and, in the next breath, tell a "pull my finger" joke.















Cheeses from all over the world including many excellent American cheeses are available to sample. The shop also carries a great selection of crackers, locally baked breads, spreads, patés and olives. They make a small number of sandwiches that are just the thing to satisfy your beach picnic needs.















I love all types of cheese but am not that knowledgeable about them. Steve was great about asking the right questions and suggesting new cheeses to try. Anne on the other hand, has quite a bit of cheese knowledge (you know, being Swiss and all) and she was very impressed with the selection and was delighted to find cheeses she had not seen for sale in the U.S.

Especially, if you are planning an off-season visit consider booking a tasting party. SCC hosts private cheese parties for $30 per person and can accommodate up to 10 guests. You are welcome to bring a selection of wine (stop by Collier's Liquor Store which is just off the downtown area).

I know one thing for certain. The cheese, olive, bread/cracker, pickles and spreads "knosh meal" has become a Cape May tradition for me.

Tuesday

Soups:

African Peanut vegetarian
Jersey Clam & Corn (while it lasts)

Panini:

Spicy Jack turkey, caramelized red onions, habanero jack cheese, and zebra sauce. FYI vegetarians, this sandwich is also delicious when replacing the turkey with our hummus, and this sandwich has been dubbed the Spicy Jeremy.

The Lighthouse is a sweet delight with brie, fresh fig spread, and candied pecans, grilled to gooey perfection.

A Jersey Girl in a New York State of mind

Cape May Clam and Corn Soup (pescaterian) and Pumpkin Black Bean Soup.

Aaron made a delicious Tucson Strata with jalapeno jack cheese, corn, and beans.

Panino Special: The Lighthouse - a flagrant rip-off of a lovely lunch prepared for me by Steve at Seaside Cheese Company. Brie, fig spread and candied pecans grilled to gooey sweet perfection.

Thank you so much for being the driving force behind our success. Michael and I share a passion for food and hospitality, but without the best customers and staff we could wish for it wouldn't amount to a hill of (coffee) beans. The New York Times article has absolutely thrilled the cafe family and extended family. And it is just the beginning of exciting news and changes coming in October.

Aren't I a shameful tease?

Saturday

SOUPS: Gypsy Soup a customer favorite with sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and smoked spansih paprika. Pumpkin Black Bean Soup. Both soups are vegan.

Aaron made a delicious Tuscon Strata with jalapeno jack cheese, corn, and beans.

Panino Special: Basil Pesto Caprese

Who says it's just for summer?!

Today's Soups:
Potato Soup au Gratin (vegetarian)
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (vegetarian)
Roasted Garlic Red Pepper ABC Soup (vegan)

We also have Pumpkin Cranberry Scones with Walnuts.

I'm running away for a three day weekend in Cape May and started celebrating early by having Moorenko's Red Hot Chocolate Ice Cream for breakfast. It's a locally produced ice cream that is available at Eddies Market in Charles Village. Chocolate ice cream with bittersweet chocolate chunks, hot pepper flakes and cayenne make a tasty, tasty treat. During blueberry season Michael got a pint of their blueberry ice cream made with wild blueberries and it was delicious. They also make sorbets and I am dying to try the Grapefruit Campari.

Some of the other stand-out flavors are Gianduia - chocolate hazelnut; Cherries with the Works - Bordeaux cherries, semi-sweet chocolate flakes, toasted pignolis; Banana; Cotton Candy Gummy Bear; Pistachio White Chocolate; Megajolt - coffee ice cream, made with Italian ingredients and semi-sweet chocolate flakes. Richer, deeper and smoother than regular old coffee ice cream; Lemon Custard; Dried Plum Armagnac; Fresh Ginger; and Lavendar.

If you happen to be in Silver Spring you can stop by their retail location at 8030 Georgia Avenue or buy at pint at Eddies and enjoy it in your pajamas.

A sad yarn

Roots & Shoots with Baba Ganoush - 100% locally grown! A root salad of roasted fingerling potatoes and Austrian turnips (don't ask) with balsamic-wilted chard and rainbow radishes served atop a bed of fresh arugula and pea sprouts served with a side of baba ganoush and pita.

Roasted Garlic Red Pepper ABC Soup (vegan)
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (vegetarian)

Sweet and Sour Pork Loin Sandwich
..............

Wooly Wednesday has been a tradition at the cafe since we first opened almost five years ago. We meet every Wednesday evening from 6-8pm usually at the cafe, but when the weather turns cold and it gets dark out early we move up to the Barnes and Noble. We knit, crochet, kibitz and talk yarn.

The reason for spinning this tale is the sad announcement that, for personal reasons, my friend Andrea is closing Spinster Yarns and Fibers at 4337 Harford Road (below the Red Canoe). This little jewel of a yarn store specializes in eco-friendly textiles. Among the yarns she carries are organic cotton & wool, predator-friendly wool, naturally dyed fibers, and yarn made from hemp, bamboo and soy - all of which are 50% off. She also carries beautiful needles, bags and books, all of which are 40-50% off to clear her inventory.

If you knit or crochet (or have one on your holiday shopping list) this is an opportunity not to be missed.

To the point Tuesday

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Moroccan Lentil Soup

Sweet and Sour Shaved Pork Loin Sandwich

Orange Poppyseed Scones

The most delicious day of the week!

Are you ready? We have.....

Gingerbread Muffins
Blueberry Muffins
Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones
Sundried Tomato & Parmesan Scones

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast Casserole
Asparagus Mushroom & Swiss Strata

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup
and, by early afternoon probably, Lentil Soup.

First time blog readers, this concludes todays post.
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Are you still there?
So I have a confession to make. I have been unfaithful. I dream of this new obsession. Maybe the illicit nature of this love is what makes it so tantalizing.


















I have found a sweet, crunchy, crumbly muffins that makes my morning coffee sing. They call it Dangerous for a reason....

Some Sunday, Gental Reader, head over to the Evergreen on Coldspring and try one of these completely decadent cinnamon-sugar coated beauties. Rumor has it that a baking diva by name of Amanda is responsible, but frankly was afraid a stalker vibe would frighten her so it is unconfirmed.

But if you're out there Amanda, that is one fine damn muffin!

Friday Specials

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup (vegan)

Spicy Jack Panino - turkey, very spicy jack cheese, grilled onions and zebra sauce.

Wednesday Specials

Soups to day are Creamy Mushroom Soup (vegetarian) and Minestrone (vegan). Michael is preparing a special sandwich - and sort of a departure for us - a New England-style Halibut Roll made with beautiful fresh, wild caught halibut. We also have Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad. Now if he'd have just made Clam Chowder we would have a fish trifecta.

Baked Ziti with Roasted Summer Vegetables is the farm fresh special made with organic veggies from One Straw Farm.

Just the facts

Jalapeno Corn Chowder (vegetarian)
Minestrone (vegan)

Curried Parmesan Tuna Salad
Eggplant Parmesan Panini

Cheddar Dill Scones

An ideal Sunday evening

Today's soup special is Jalapeno Corn Chowder and the last of the Cowboy Chili. We also have Eggplant Parmesan Panini and The Rowhouse Sandwich - sun dried tomato cream cheese, sprouts, cucumber, red onion, lettuce and swiss cheese. Yum! I think that's what I'm having for lunch.

So yesterday, a couple of the women from Carma's drove out to White Hall, Maryland for Music Night at One Straw Farm. We had a great time! The band, Tumblehome, rocked! The air was sweet (well, except for that one time - ewww!), the company top notch and not a bug in sight. We hung out while the band played, children ran about and a few folks tossed around a football. My only regret is it was the last Music Night of the season. Next year, I'll make an effort to attend more often.