Farmer's Market Bounty & Independence Day 2012

On Sunday morning I awoke so excited to explore the Farmer's Market to see what they had to offer. What a wonderful bounty I was to find!! I find it interesting that when I see things on the farmers table and I am not sure what I am looking at, I just ask the farmer: "What is it? How do I cook it?" And then I buy it! I have bought things like... Brussel Sprouts! Yes, I know!! I have come to love them too!! Beets! They are so good... and Mom and I developed a recipe for "Beet Rice" (even Dad eats it:) Cheddar Cauliflower is my newest find... and I brush it with a bit of olive oil and just salt and pepper it and roast it in the oven for 25 minutes. I did this (on 400) and it was fabulous!! It tasted so buttery and there was NO BUTTER anywhere! Swiss Chard is something you have probably read about on here often... I LOVE IT!! It is one of the most simple and easy things that I make! It is fresh, colorful, low in calories and high Vitamins A, C & K! I saute' it in olive oil with a bit of minced garlic and a dash of Tobasco, until slightly wilted! It takes about 5-8 minutes! Very simple and healthy! I was also fortunate enough to get fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil... this if you are on my Facebook, turned into Caprese Salad! It was scrumptious!! Oh, so perfect!! Just add a bit of sea salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and you are set! Blueberries and peaches were the fruit pick for the week! I have eaten a peach every day! They have been so good and perfectly ripe, there was nothing needed to do... Just slice and eat! The blueberries are going to be eaten today on this Independence Day 2012! Today's menu will include a Pesto, Sun Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper GF Pizza; Grilled Chicken Sausage and Yellow Squash; more Swiss Chard & Blueberry Shortcakes! Sounds like a wide variety to make everyone happy! Happy Independence Day 2012!