Yesterday was the first farmers' market of the season. Last year I was nervous the first time I went, but this year it was like seeing old friends. I got to see Kathy to get my eggs, got some spinach from Nick and talked about the CSA starting at the end of this month, and picked up some arugula from Luke, who worked for Nick last year but has now started a farm of his own with his wife. It was great seeing everyone again and picking up fresh food. Dinner was arugula sauteed with garlic, scallions, and soy sauce, fried eggs, and Tassajara toast.
I also made a very retro cake last night because my motto these days is: "Use it so we don't have to move it." This cake means there is one less can of pineapples to move the mile to our new apartment. Yeah that's right, we're only moving a mile. So maybe I just wanted cake.
This particular Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is one my mom and I fell in love with back in 2004 when our local paper printed the recipe. We made it once, loved it, and promptly misplaced the recipe. Mom called me last week with some good news. She'd been sorting through papers and came across our lost recipe.
The pineapple cake is just as delicious as I remembered. It's cooked in a cast-iron skillet, which I'm convinced makes it healthier. Flipping it out onto the plate reveals golden pineapple and toasted pecans coated in caramelized brown sugar. The cake is light, moist, and tangy. I'll definitely be making this again--the recipe is tucked away in my recipe folder for safe-keeping--and perhaps adapting it a bit so that I can post the recipe here. It's a good one!
Hope you're eating well and enjoying your week!
Yay for Farmer's Markets! Ours opened last Saturday, but I missed it (argh!). Good news is there's another one tonight (Yay!). I've never had a pineapple upside down cake, but now you've got me curious. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that top picture! Any picture with eggs makes me smile for some odd reason.
ReplyDeleteYour dinner sounds yummy. And that cake...I'd eat all my veggies without fussing for a slice of that.
Pineapple upside-down cake -- that is such a blast from my past. I remember making it as a girl and being in awe of how pretty it looked when flipped. I always added cherries to the pineapple innards -- just because it looked like a flower.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just signed up for my CSA -- unfortunately, there aren't any farmer's markets open in NY yet (oh the chilliness).
Hurray for Farmer's Market Season! Happy eating this season, Allison. Curious to see what other yummy things you'll be making.
ReplyDeleteI got there too late to score any eggs from Ralph and Kathy. I had thought to pre-order their ground beef but not the egss. Adam is doing an egg csa this year and I think I may join that just so I have a guaranteed dozen. That arugula is delish! I started eating it in the car on the way home!
ReplyDeleteYou'll never believe this, but I just asked my grandma to make pineapple upside-down cake for Mother's Day. What a coincidence! (I know I should be the one cooking for the holiday, but you know I can't cook! Plus, she loves to cook.) Anyway, it looks delicious, and I can't wait to try my grandma's this weekend.
ReplyDeleteHappy moving!
Hi friend, I am envious of your cooking talents. I have been saying for years that I am going to the farmers market. I will do it this year! Then I wll hand over all the fresh goodness to Chris and he will cook something wonderful. Your friend, Camille
ReplyDeleteYay for the farmers market, the first photo is beautiful : )And your cake mmm..looks wonderful!
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