Posts Tagged ‘Pepper Place’

Farmers Market Recipe of the Week: Poached Salmon Tomato Broth for Six

Thursday, August 25th, 2011
State fruit - Tomato

Image via Wikipedia

“Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.”

-Julie Child

It feels like a quote kind of day, so we found one by Julia Child. The more I read, the more in love with cooking I became. If you have any quotes about cooking, please post them in the comments.

Let’s get straight to the recipe, courtesy Chef Franklin Biggs.

Poached Salmon in Tomato Broth:

3 lb. Salmon fillet, cut into 5 ounce portions about 1 inch thick

6 potatoes, peeled

1 cup pesto

Olive oil

To taste salt and pepper

1 onions, chopped

3 TB roasted garlic

8 roma tomatoes, chopped

1 cup white wine

1/4 cup fresh basil

As needed salt and pepper

Boil the potatoes in water, cool. Whip in the mixer with pesto and olive oil to obtain a good texture. Season to taste and keep warm.

Saute the onion, garlic and tomatoes and add the white wine. Add 3 cups water and simmer for 10 minutes. Season the fish, and add to the broth. Poach for 10 minutes. Remove the fish and reserve. Bring the broth to a boil, strain and season to taste. Just before serving add the fresh basil and a little roasted garlic.

Serve the fish in a shallow bowl on top of the mashed potatoes surrounded with the tomato broth.

We have one more quote from Julie Child: “Bon a petiet.”


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Farmers’ Market Recipe of the Week: Potato Soup with Pesto, good warm or cold

Thursday, August 18th, 2011
Bamberg potatoes

Image via Wikipedia

It’s that time of the year when squashes, herbs and tomatoes begin coming into season. This week we’re highlighting a potato soup seasoned with pesto courtesy Chef Franklin Biggs and the Farmers’ Market farmers. This soup is good cold as well as hot.

8 potatoes, peeled and sliced

12 cups chicken or vegetable stock

As needed corn starch

To taste salt and pepper

4 cups cream

1 cup fresh pesto made with 2 cups basil, 1/4 cup browned garlic, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 1/2 cup parmesan or asiago, 1/2 cup olive oil

If serving cold, chill in refrigerator, or in an ice bath. Just before serving stir in the fresh pesto to give a wonderful color and fresh flavor.

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Meet Renowned Photographer Chip Cooper at King’s House Oriental Rugs

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

Chip Cooper, renowned Alabama photographer

It’s almost that time again! King’s House Oriental Rugs is prepping for a full house for the next Third Thursday scheduled for August 18th at 11:30 am. As always, you can call 205-244-1933 or email kingshouseorientals@gmail.com for your complimentary reservation.

This month, King’s House Oriental Rugs owner Christin Terrell has invited renowned Alabama photographer Chip Cooper. Chip recently completed work at Alys Beach and will provide tips on capturing the perfect shot.

Chip is the the Artist in Residence in the Honors College and a faculty member at the University of Alabama. Prior to this, he was the Director of Photography at the school.

He has photographed a bevy of authors including Margaret Atwood and Pulitzer Prize-winning Frank McCourt. Chip himself is an award-winning photographer having received recognition in Communication Arts magazine and is a past recipient of the Artist Fellowship from the Alabama State Council of the Arts.

He has published over six books, including his most recent book, Charlie Lucas: The Tin Man.

The first 25 reservations enter a chance to win a free Dash & Albert rug of the winner’s choice.

If you want to see photos from previous Third Thursdays, check out King’s Facebook photo albums. And make sure to like and comment while you’re there.

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Farmer’s Market Recipe of the Week: Ratatouille, Southern Style

Friday, August 5th, 2011

Each week, in preparation for the Farmer’s Market, we highlight a recipe that includes ingredients that you can expect to find that Saturday. This week, we chose this recipe by Chef Franklin Biggs. It’s a Southern take on a French classic.

We’d love to hear how your dish turns out in the comments. For this and other recipes, you can sign-up for our weekly newsletter by going to www.PepperPlaceMarket.com.

Ratatouille, Southern Style

1/2 cup olive oil

2 cups onions, diced

1 cup zucchini, diced

1 cup yellow squash, diced

1 cup eggplant, peeled and diced

2 cups fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced

½ cup garlic, browned (or roasted), chopped

2 cups fresh lady peas (or black eyed peas), cooked

2 cups sweet corn, stripped from cobs (roasting optional)

½ cup parsley, chopped

1 cup fresh basil, chopped just before use

to taste salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar

Cook peas and reserve.

Saute onion in part of the olive oil until soft. Remove from saute pan and add to large pot.

Saute separately, in succession, zucchini, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, adding each to large pot.

Add garlic, cooked peas, corn and parsley to large pot and stir together.

Add water, if necessary, to keep from sticking.

Simmer for ½ hour, stirring occasionally or cook partially covered in oven for 1 hour.

Season to taste.

Serve by itself as a side dish, as part of the following Tortilla Samfaina, or as a base for fish or pork.

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Top 10 Reasons Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery is Worth a Visit

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

Off the main parking lot of Pepper Place, an oasis greets customers Monday through Friday and on busy Saturdays during the Pepper Place Farmers’ Market.  Tucked in the corner and down a flower laden path, you will not want to miss the charming courtyard and shop of Charlie and Cindy Thigpen, owners of the Garden Gallery.  Upon entering the relaxing courtyard, you will immediately slow your pace to absorb all the sights, sounds and fragrant smells of this blooming heaven.  Here are our top 10 reasons why you should not miss a visit to this charming “mom and pop” garden shop:

  1. The tranquil sounds of cool, splashing water trickling from the focal point water feature.  Be sure to drop your bags and take a rest on the comfortable ball seats nestled around the fountain.
  1. Friendly smiles and knowledgeable advice on what to plant in your garden.  Usually, Charlie is always on hand to lend an ear and offer tips to questions from patrons, giving that personal touch of customer service.
  1. The variety of selections of annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables.  Surely one (or more!) would be perfect in your landscape.  In addition to popular plants available, there are always several unusual and unexpected surprises to browse.
  1. Garden gifts and whimsical yard ornaments crafted by local artists await you inside and outside the shop! Don’t miss the selection of sketches, oil paintings, and award-winning photography. Several choices abound and range in price points to suit any shopper’s wallet.
  1. Ring the bell!  The tank bell that is.  Created by a local craftsman and perfect for hanging on your porch to call children in from a day at play.  See if you can find the one to ring in our courtyard!
  1. On busy days, the convenience of an outside tent where you can purchase your items with check or cash.  Of course, inside the shop takes credit cards as well.
  1. Three words…the fan mister.  This attraction you will not want to miss.  Young and old cannot resist standing in front of the oscillating misty breeze!
  1. The mosaic matron found by the courtyard fence cradling a flowerpot overflowing with seasonal color.  Presiding over the creatively designed borders, she seems to whisper ideas and “go bys” for customers to fashion in their own garden.
  1. Clever uses of discarded materials such as bicycles and worn garden tools, becoming planters and yard art.  See all the tired, ordinary items repurposed into amazing treasure!
  1. The wide variety of houseplants found inside the shop.  Shoppers can find a range between 4 inch ferns to 8 foot fiddle leaf figs.  An added bonus?  Supporting the local growers in that 99.9% of the plants inside and out are cultivated right here in the state of Alabama!

Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery is located in Pepper Place, 2805 2nd Ave. S, Ste 300, Birmingham, Alabama 35233.  The phone number is (205) 328-1000 and the email is gardenersgallery@att.net.  STORE HOURS are Monday—Friday 8:00 – 6:00 and Saturday from 8:00 – 4:00. Visit us on the web at: http://www.charliethigpensgardengallery.com/

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