Patch Picks For The Farmers Market: August 2

You might have to wait in line for a few minutes for your bread at Grand Central Bakery, but it is well worth the wait. As the daughter of a baker, I do love my bread, and you have a variety to choose from here.

Try the Irish Soda Bread, and get ready to savor the comforting flavor-mix of currants, orange zest and caraway seeds.

Other breads to try this week include the multi-grain, pumpkin muffins, peasant bread, brioche, sourdough, or one of my all-time favorites – kalamata olive bread.

A three-year repeater at the is McSweet Gourmet Pickled Vegetables. They offer a super variety and are happy to share recipes. I tasted the Gourmet Olive Bliss, the sweet and sour pickles, and the garlic.

The olives are fresh and tasty — and there is no icky preservatives stuff in these olives—simple, wholesome ingredients—canola oil, olive oil, garlic, orange peel, lemon peel, spices and vinegar.

I intend to test a summer salad recipe from a McSweet employee, who suggested I use the marinade from the olives as my dressing. It’s a simple summer salad comprised of fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, chopped cucumber, and a spring mix of salad greens (plentiful at the market).

McSweet also offers cocktail onions, pickled beets and giardiniera (a delicious relish of carrots, beans, celery, cumcumber, garlic and red pepper in a dill brine). This is a winning super side for any grilled meat this summer.

Have you tried yet? If you haven’t – you are really missing a new Renton gem.  They are a and are operated by St. Matthew Lutheran Church. They serve flatbreads, sandwiches, soups, sausages, and biscuits and gravy (among many other items).

Named after theologian Martin Luther, it is a comfortable spot to enjoy a coffee, a conversation, and enjoy live music, or worship on Monday evenings. They aren’t church-y here at all. All are welcome. Ninety percent of the staff are volunteers, and all tips are given to local charities.

How did Luther’s Table make it into my Farmers Market story?

Well, they are the Chef Demonstration folks at Renton Farmers Market this Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Catch a sample of some of what they serve.

This is the last week for the market to host a booth for WIC—Women, Infants and Children. Mothers can pick up coupons that allows them to by fresh fruit and veggies, and is part of the Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.

A special shout-out goes to Emily Griffin. She was the first to respond to my inquiry for 'what-on-earth-do-I-do' with kholrabi.

Here are her suggestions:

"Blanch the leaves for a minute or two--to remove the bitterness and then quickly saute with garlic and olive oil. Dress with lemon juice. I love the roots raw. Kohlrabi makes fantastic slaw--a bit of celery seed, salt, greek yogurt and golden raisins, grated onion and carrot... Use the slaw on a fish taco! Yum!"

Thanks, Emily for the tips! We'll see you at the market!