The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ had a three evening, two day, foodie packed schedule this weekend, with the logistics of this event being nothing short of mesmerizing. A three ring circus has less going on at any given moment than the Basie did on Saturday and Sunday. Andrew Zimmern was on the stage Friday night, while Giada de Laurentiis took her turn on Saturday night. Both familiar food network names, filled the theatre seats.
The vegetable gardens this season have become a mixed bag of problems and prodigious produce. Colorado potato beetles have turned up and devoured one of our tomato plants. The words ewww and ick came out of me several times. However, other plants are a goldmine of green for the kitchen.
Mother Nature has been very nice to the Jersey Shore area so far this summer. The gardens are producing an amazing bounty of squash, tomatoes, green beans and peppers.
Some of the most beautiful things in the world start out covered in mud and soil. You have to get your hands dirty to get to the best bits, but it is worth it. If you aren’t growing beets in your garden this year, no worries, that’s what the farmers markets are there for.
Look past the dustiness and the huge green leaves. Don’t throw the leaves out though, they are full of vitamins and delicious to saute in oil with garlic.
Some say that it is little boys who are made from snips and snails and puppy dogs tails. They also say that little girls are made from sugar and spice. The Cinnamon Snail, a local vegan food truck has done a resounding job of putting what we all like together.
