Before we headed down to the Bay Area to see Sweeney Todd at the Santa Rosa Junior College, I was an early bird this morning and  took a trip to the Nevada County Grower’s Market that’s held every Saturday morning at the North Star Family House.

I picked up fresh roasted garlic bread, whole grain bread, kumquats,  lots of fresh greens to include kale, cilantro, sweet onions and garlic. I even pick up a couple of apple shaped gourds. Everything smells amazing and fresh!

And while I was at the market, I snapped these shots.

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I try and pay attention to foods that are in season as much as possible. When the weather is nice, during the spring and summer months I try and visit our local Farmer’s Market as much as possible; not only for the fresh fruits and vegetables but to support our local farmers and community. It’s always fun to get tips and suggestions from our local farmers.  There are times though when I can’t get to the Farmer’s Market but still want to buy those fruits and vegetables that are in season.

So when I came across this widget, from this website that helps you figure out what’s in season where you live, I knew I had to include it in Noel’s Kitchen Tips. I find the community I live in really enjoys buying fresh local foods and I wanted to share with all of you. I’m blessed to live in a state that has some amazing fruits and vegetables.

I’ll be creating a link on the right side of the homepage so you can find this resource easily and tips and recipes on what’s in season and how you can eat local and enjoy smarter living. Stay Tuned!

PS: Here’s a peek at what’s in season for late March here in California:

LATE MARCH

Apples, Asparagus, Avocados, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Fennel, Grapefruit,Halibut, Pacific, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Oranges, Pistachios, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabaga, Scallions,Shrimp, Pink, Spinach, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips

Christmas Gifts From The Kitchen just makes me want to start baking cookies with the kids. Every year, we pull together some of our favorite baking mixes, hot cocoa mixes or soup-in-a-jar mixes and start making gifts. Mixes-in-a jar are a beautiful and yummy treat! Not only are they fun to make, but they are practical too!

You can make Christmas gifts using your favorite muffin, cornbread, scone, biscuit, brownie and even pancake recipes. Today, I’ve put together some of our favorite mixes-in-a-jar. Batter bowls like the one picture below are perfect for the mixes-in-a jar because you can decorate them with wodden spoons and a ribbon and they get the batter bowl as a gift too.

Celebration Cookie Mix

Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup sweetened dried cranberries
• ½ cup white or semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats
• ½ cups pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped

1. In small batter bowl or large jar, layer ingredients as follows, gently patting each layer before adding the next ingredient: granulated sugar, cranberries, chocolate morsels, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, oats and pecans. Cover with lid. Attach the gift tag recipe.

Gift Tag Recipe

Celebration Cookie Mix

¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 recipe Celebration Cookie Mix

Preheat oven to 375˚F. In large bowl, combine butter, eggs and vanilla; mix until well blended. Add cookie mix to butter mixture; mix until well blended. Drop 2 tablespoons scoops of dough 2 inches apart on baking stone. Flatten dough slightly using back of spoon. Bake 13-15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove to cooling rack. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Cowboy Chili Mix

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup dried cilantro or parsley leaves
• ½ cup dehydrated minced onions
• ½ cup dried black beans
• ½ cup dried kidney beans
• ½ cup pinto beans
• 2 snack sized (1 oz) corn chips, unopened

Directions:

1. In a small batter bowl or large jar, layer ingredients for chili mix in order listed, gently patting each layer before adding the next. Place corn chip packages on top of chili mix. Cover with lid. Attach gift tag recipe, below.

Gift Tag Recipe

Cowboy Chili

1 recipe Cowboy Chili Mix
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 garlic clove, pressed
4 cups water
1 jar (16oz) salsa
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

Remove corn chips, set aside. Heat oil in 4 quart pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add meat and garlic. Cook and stir 6-7 minutes or until browned. Stir in chili mix and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 ½ hours. Stir in salsa and tomato sauce. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes or until beans and meat are tender. Top with corn chips. Makes 8 cups.

Brownie Mix

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup sugar, divided
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup candy-coated chocolate miniature baking bits
• 1/2 cup white chocolate morsels
• 1/2 cup walnut halves, coarsely chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. In small bowl or large jar, combine 2/3 cup sugar and cinnamon, mix well and set aside. In a mason jar or decorative plastic bag, layer ingredients as follows, gently pat each layer before adding the next ingredient: salt, baking powder, 1/2 cup of the flour, cocoa powder, remaining 2/3 cup sugar, baking bits and remaining 1 cup flour. Top with reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture, chocolate morsels and walnuts(optional).
2. Cover with lid or tie with ribbon depending on what you choose to put the ingredients in. Attach the gift tag and give it as a gift and don’t forget to attach the recipe below.

Gift Tag Recipe

Batter Bowl Brownies

• 1 recipe Batter Bowl Brownie mix
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray square pan with vegetable oil. In large bowl, combine brownie mix, oil, eggs, water and vanilla; mix until well blended. Spread mixture into pan. Bake 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
.
Yields: 20 brownies

Thanksgiving has always brought some wonderful fond memories that just stand out in my mind. Each Thanksgiving with my family is a precious memory being made.  I am so blessed for my wonderful husband of 14 years and my beautiful loving children.  I can say I have truly been blessed in my life to have such a wonderful family!! 

And to you, my readers, I just want to say how thankful I am to you. Thank you for coming back each and every day and sharing my kitchen! My wish for you is to have a wonderful happy, loving and memorable Thanksgiving with your family.

Create memories and have fun!