Cooking with Fresh Ingredients from the Pearl Farmers Market

When it comes to writing recipes, I need an outside inspiration before I'll make the effort. Take Central Market's Hatch Recipe contest, for example. There's a contest worth spending some time in the kitchen and taking the trouble to write down every blasted little thing you're putting into the concotion. (And scratching it out when it turns out to be a mistake.)

This weekend, I was inspired by a request from the Pearl Farmers Market for food blogs featuring recipes using ingredients from the market. I have never posted recipes on my blog before (not counting Hatch recipes, of course). So I decided, after our visit to the market this weekend, to come up with some recipes to share, based on what we found. Ingredients marked with a ** were sourced at the market.

I hope you enjoy!

Green Bean and Fennel Salad

Salad:

• ½ lb green beans, trimmed**
• ¼ c raw slivered almonds
• ¾ c fennel fronds (stems removed as much as possible), roughly chopped **

Dressing:

• 2 T champagne, cognac or wine vinegar (the better the vinegar, the better the dressing)
• 1 t Dijon mustard
• ¼ t salt
• 1 t sugar
• 7 T extra virgin olive oil (see note on vinegar)
• 1 T chopped fresh chives
• 1 T chopped fresh oregano
• 2 shallots, finely chopped

Blanch beans in boiling, salted water. Check after 8 minutes; they should be crisp/tender. Remove from water and place in an ice bath to stop cooking.

While beans are blanching, toast almonds in a skillet. (I don’t like toasting almonds in an oven; too easy too forget.) Remove from heat when they develop a little color and you start smelling the oil. If you’re across the kitchen and smell them, it’s too late.

Place blanched beans, almonds, and fennel in a large bowl.

To make the dressing, mix the first four ingredients together thoroughly. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking constantly. Stir in the herbs and shallots. Taste for seasoning.

Toss dressing with salad. (Do not overdress. If you have leftover dressing, put it on tomorrow’s green salad.) Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Scalloped Potatoes with Fennel

• 3 slices bacon, chopped
• ¾ c onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 T sage, roughly chopped (divided)
• 1.5 c cream
• 1 T salt
• Several grinds fresh pepper
• ½ lb red potatoes, thinly sliced (a mandolin works well) **
• 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced (mandolin again) **
• ¾ c parmesan cheese
• ¾ cup fennel fronds, roughly chopped (remove as much of the stems as possible) **

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a small casserole dish with cooking spray.

Render the bacon in a skillet. While the bacon is rendering, add the sage, salt, and pepper to the cream and slowly heat. (Do not let it boil.) Simmer gently until you’re ready to assemble the dish.

When bacon is fully rendered, remove to paper towel to drain. Sauté the onions in the bacon fat until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté another minute. Add half the chopped sage and rendered bacon; remove from heat.

Place 1/3 of the potatoes in the casserole. Top with 1/3 of the fennel. Then layer 1/3 of the onion/bacon mixture and 1/3 of the parmesan. Repeat 3 times. Top with a little more parmesan.

Cover and place in oven until potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (one hour to one hour, 15 minutes). Remove foil and continue baking 15 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and garnish the top with chopped fennel fronds.

The Beautifully Restored Mission Concepcion

Quick...name the nearest national park to San Antonio. Carlsbad Caverns, you say? Wrong. What about Big Bend? Nope. It's the often-overlooked San Antonio Missions National Historical Park along the San Antonio River south of downtown.

Several years ago, the Archdiocese of San Antonio launched the Las Misiones campaign to raise funds for the restoration of the missions. (Even though they're a national park, some also function as working churches.) Their first project: to restore the deteriorating interior of Mission Concepcion.

They removed the paneling installed in 1859 and discovered the original frescoes underneath. After noting the original colors and artwork, they set about restoring those original frescoes. The volunteer docent told me the walls now look as they did on Dedication Day in 1755.

The work is beautiful and understated. There are a couple of spots along the top of the wall where the restorers left uncovered the original, faded frescoes, so you can get an idea of what they looked like.

The capital campaign kicks off just as the US Army Corps of Engineers begins work on the restoration of the San Antonio River's "Mission Reach" section, along which Concepcion is situated.

Besides the interior, the mission grounds are lovely and well worth a visit.

Note: the most direct route to the mission (from Southtown on St. Mary's, then on Mission Road) includes a detour (resulting from the Mission Reach work). Your most direct route is from Steves Ave.

Visit "Africa Live TWO" at the San Antonio Zoo!

I am a huge fan of our fabulous San Antonio Zoo, so when I heard that Phase II of "Africa Live!" had opened, I wanted to rush right out. But after hearing about 18,000+ crowds during spring break, I decided it could wait a week.

The key feature of Phase I is the enormous hippopotamus tank, a vast improvement over their old habitat (in which you mostly just saw their snouts). The tank has an underwater viewing area so you can view them in their natural habitat. (The vast plumbing system, set out back of the building, always fascinates me. Their original river habitats naturally flush and refresh their surroundings. Minus that flowing water, a rather robust plumbing system is obviously required to, um, keep things tidy and fresh.) The new section is out the back door of the Phase I building.

Walking outdoors into an enormous aviary, you're immediately surrounded by African birds, some flying around, some on the ground. Pictured is a blue-bellied roller. (My camera has a nice zoom, but I really was that close.) Other birds include starlings, ibis, egrets, and guineafowl. Colobus monkeys frolic in a glassed enclosure on the side. And the peculiar okapi (an odd mix of zebra, giraffe, and elk) has a nice open enclosure as well.

As you walk through the exhibit past the African wild dog enclosure, you come out at the existing elephant display. A new restaurant, Baraza Cafe, features grilled items and a nice overlook into the Phase II area.

You can view all of the exhibit from above as well. Continue on around, turning right across from the red river hog's home. There's a nice, small overlook area that provides a great view of the entire exhibit.

Zoo hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm year-round. Warning: parking can and does fill up on pretty weekends. I was there on a Friday, and the two closest lots filled and closed by noon.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Many San Antonians don’t realize it, but there’s a national historical park in our midst. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park features four colonial Spanish missions and related exhibits, such as an acequia (an irrigation system).

The park features four major missions, in varying stages of restoration. (Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo, was also a Spanish colonial mission. Since it’s owned by the State of Texas and operated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, however, it’s not part of this park.) All were built in the early 1700s.

Mission San Jose is the largest and best-preserved. The only mission to still hold public worship services, it was built in 1720 and feature the famous “Rosa’s Window.” On my visit to Mission San Juan (pictured), I was surprised to find signs indicating the presence of a community of Franciscan monks. The church and convento are the only major structures still standing. Other stops include Mission Concepcion and Mission Espada.

3” tan obelisks mark the driving trail. They’re clear in some places; not so much in others. Make sure you have a good map (available at the visitor’s center at San Jose and at all of the mission stops).

Admission to the park is free.

Browse the Exhibits at the San Antonio Museum of Art

Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery (built 1884), the collections of the San Antonio Museum of Art represent a wide variety of cultures. From Greek/Roman to Latin American to Asian, the collections span the globe.

The building features two distinctive towers, now connected by a glass walkway. When the museum was renovated, the builders put the original steel walkway into storage, rather than just throwing it away. It now serves as a pedestrian bridge over the new Museum Reach section of the Riverwalk (see previous post).

My personal favorites: the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture “Persian Ceiling” (located in between the main lobby and special exhibits wing) and the Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala (pictured). Monks usually ritually destroy these stunning creations shortly after completion, to represent impermanence. When a group of Buddhist monks prepared this piece in 2001, the museum obtained special permission from the 14th Dalai Lama to preserve it. It’s one of only four mandalas in the United States. (Funny personal story: this blogger’s son, when younger, looked puzzled when viewing the mandala. What’s the problem, I asked? How did they transport that thing, intact, from Tibet to here on an airplane?! he asks. LOL. Uh, no dear, created here.)

The museum is open Tuesday through Sundays, and admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $3 for children (4 to 11). Tuesday evenings from 4:00-9:00 pm, admission is free.

San Antonio Summer Travel Pass

Just in time for summer travel, San Antonio Attractions announces a seven-day attractions pass for many popular local tourist draws. Three different seven-day passes are available:

• Super San Antonio ($99 adults/$69 children 3-11): Includes a one-hour Alamo Trolley Tour, Tomb Raider 3D, Natural Bridge Caverns, Splashtown, and many more.


• Museum Pass ($39 adults/$29 children): Features many San Antonio-area museums, including the McNay, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the San Antonio Children's Museum, and more. (Note that many museums are closed on Mondays.)


• Downtown Pass ($79 adults/$39 children): Features downtown-attractions such as the IMAX Theatre Rivercenter, UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, and more.

The passes are activated the first time you use it and are then valid for seven consecutive days. You may visit each attraction only once.

Their new three-day pass ($89 adults/$69 children) includes eight attractions, including the Buckhorn, Guiness World Records Museum, and more.

To purchase, visit their website, or the Visitor Information Center at 317 Alamo Plaza, directly across the street from the Alamo. Happy traveling!

Stroll Through the San Antonio Botanical Gardens

Located just off Broadway at 555 Funston, the San Antonio Botanical Garden features a wide variety of flowers and plants, with a particular focus on plants native to Texas. They’re open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for kids (ages 3-13). Make sure to visit their website before you go to print out their extensive birding checklist, including several species of hummingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, and many more.

The garden path includes sections on the Hill Country, South Texas, East Texas Piney Woods, Texas Nature Trail, and the Palm and Cycad Pavilion (which is that metal-and-glass contraption you can see from Broadway).

Grab a quick bit to eat at their bistro (Tuesday-Sunday 11:00 am-2:00 pm).

During the summer, they feature “Summer Concerts Under the Stars” on June 25, July 9, and July 23 at 7:00 pm. General admission is $5. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. No outside food or drink is allowed, but you can call in advance (368-8686) by Wednesday at noon to order a Central Market picnic box (pick up at the Garden when you arrive).

The San Antonio Farmers Market Association visits every Thursday from 8:00 am- 1:00 pm. The market features a wide variety of local fresh fruit and vegetables.

Through June 26, you can also enjoy viewing the work of Icelandic sculptor Steinunn Thorarinsdottir. (Thank goodness for copy/paste. What a name.) His freestanding aluminum and iron sculptures are featured in the overlook area.

Que Lindo! The Spectacular New Riverwalk Extension

For those of you who don’t live here (or for those of you who do and have spent the last two weeks in a cave), the spectacular new Riverwalk Extension, named “Museum Reach,” opened on May 30. The 1.3-mile extension runs from Lexington Ave. to Josephine Street, with more expansion planned for the future. Twenty-five access points (several of which are wheelchair-accessible) provide easy access.

And I do mean “spectacular.” Lush landscaping and comfortable sidewalks make for a lovely stroll along the river. Eight of the underpasses and access points feature an eclectic mix of public art. A school of eight-foot fish hand from the IH-35 overpass at Camden St (pictured). Yes, really. And they light up at night! Further down, there’s a grotto to explore.

To surmount the nine-foot elevation difference between the new section and the “old” Riverwalk, engineers installed a cool lock system at the Brooklyn Ave. bridge. Completely operated by the power of gravity (look, Ma, no pumps!), the lock attracts many bystanders as barges motor through.

A new river landing at the San Antonio Museum of Art provides a new backdoor entrance. Just outside, the original metal bridge from the restored 1884 brewery has been re-purposed as a pedestrian bridge.

Barge rides on the new section cost $10. (If the ticket booth at the Brooklyn Ave. bridge isn’t open, purchase tickets from barge operators.) An additional $5 gets you service all the way to the original Riverwalk. On the new section, the barges serve as taxis, so you can get on and get off whenever you please.

I’ve visited several times, and it’s clear that this extension is an instant hit. I just wish it could have opened during the cooler months.

For a very useful interactive map, visit the San Antonio Express-News website.

(And it means “how pretty!”)

Visit the San Antonio Zoo

Recently awarded a “Ten Best Zoos for Kids” prize by Parents magazine, the San Antonio Zoo is a lovely place for a family outing.

From gibbons to toads to jellyfish, the Zoo boasts an impressive collection of over 3,500 animals. My personal favorite is “Cranes of the World.” The San Antonio Zoo has led the way in the rehabilitation of the whooping crane population, which nearly went extinct in the 1960s. Phase II of the popular “Africa Live!” exhibit is under construction.

The kids will enjoy walking amongst the butterflies in “Butterflies! Caterpillar Flight School” ($1 entrance fee). For $1, you can purchase a container of nectar to feed the birds at “Lory Landing.” The “Tiny Tot Nature Spot” and “Fun Farm Petting Zoo” feature interactive exhibits.

The Aquarium (cool jellyfish display!) focuses on the importance of water conservation and habitat preservation. The Zoo is a designated refuge for two species of endangered salamanders from Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs. During a drought (like now), when the springs dry up, the salamanders can be housed at the Zoo until the springs return to a more normal flow.

Many visitors bring coolers and wagons. Glass containers and straws are not permitted. The Zoo is situated on a very hilly section of Brackenridge Park, so you’ll get a workout!

Entrance fees are $10 for adults, $8 for kids 3-11, and $8 for 62+. (There’s also a $1 military discount.) Parking is free. Get there early on weekends and pretty days, or you’ll have a hike to the remote lot near Alamo Stadium. The Zoo is open every day of the year. Summer hours are 9:00 am-5:00 pm, with extended hours for Zoo members.

Hike and Bike At Government Canyon State Natural Area

Covering over 8,500 acres, Government Canyon State Natural Area opened in October 2005. Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the land in cooperation with the Edwards Aquifer Authority, the San Antonio Water System (both of whom wanted the land to protect the aquifer recharge zone), and a couple of other agencies.

There are over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails. Mountain biking is not only OK, it’s encouraged. Pets are welcome, also, but they must be leashed and must stay on the front country trails. The park hosts several programs every weekend; check their website for a schedule. Picnic tables, grills, and activity pavilions are located near the Visitors Center.

Opening hours are Friday through Monday from 7:00 am-10:00 pm. Currently, overnight camping is not permitted, but the park may be further developed for that purpose in the future. There’s a $6 entrance fee for adults, 65 and older cost $3, and children 12 and under are free. The turnoff for the park is three miles north of Loop 1604 on Culebra Rd.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you go during warm weather, make sure to take plenty of water, for both you and your pet. There are no facilities whatsoever on the trails. Past summers have seen park rangers making rescues of hikers with poor planning skills.

(Author's note: sorry about my absence the past couple of days. Crazy busy. Taking Monday off was an, um, tactical error of the first order.)

A New Chef's Table in Town

I do go on about the Pearl Farmer’s Market, but here’s yet another reason to visit.

True Flavors Catering and Chef Johnny Hernandez have started MesAlegre (“joyful table”) every Saturday at 11:00 am. Chef Hernandez and his staff roam the farmer’s market and choose products from the various stalls. They then cook/prepare it on site, and serve it to eager guests.

Last weekend, I saw flats of blackberries and ears and ears of corn on the cob.

Cost is $20 (children $12), and you can reserve online. Call their office with any questions (210-434-4388).

I encourage you to visit this weekend…but do be aware. It’s the Grand Opening of the Riverwalk extension, and the crowds may be heavy.

Enjoy a Game of Missions Baseball!

The Spurs aren’t the only game in town! Why not check out the Missions baseball team this summer?

The Missions play in the Wolff Municipal Stadium (pictured) just off Hwy 90. The games provide a family-friendly environment, with activities for kids and fun, short entertainment between innings. Many game nights are themed, such as “Military Appreciation Night,” “Dollar Night,” and “Family Night.” Some games feature fireworks afterwards. The Missions are a minor league farm club for the San Diego Padres.

Most tickets start at under $10 each. You can also purchase season tickets and 20-ticket voucher books at very reasonable prices.

Enjoy the View at Wildseed Farms

Located just east of Fredericksburg on Hwy 290, Wildseed Farms boasts over 200 acres of wildflowers. According to their website, it’s the largest working wildflower farm in the nation. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when many varieties are in bloom, but don’t avoid in the fall/winter. The grounds are always beautifully decorated, and the nursery well-stocked. And it’s the best place to purchase your own wildflower seeds for planting in your yard.

In addition to a wide variety of plants, flowers, and herbs, the Market Center features a large selection of gifts, food, ladies apparel, and jewelry. A personal favorite: a large collection of bluebonnet-themed merchandise. We walked out this weekend with a colorful frog planter made in Mexico.

You can pick your own bouquet, visit the Butterfly Haus (extra fee applies), or enjoy a beverage in the Brewbonnet Biergarten. They host Texas wine tastings on the weekend in the Biergarten.

They also host a variety of events throughout the year. Upcoming:

• Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival, July 24-26


• Fall Planting Days, September 11-13


• Monarch Butterfly Celebration, October 17-18

They’re open seven days a week from 9:30 am-6:00 pm (summer hours).

Three Fine Articles in Today's Express-News

In lieu of a regular post from me, see the follow three excellent articles in today's Express-News (and on www.mysa.com) on previous Alamo A La Carte posts...two about the river extension and one on Cinema Tuesdays:

• "Dream Becomes a Reality on River" by Tracy Idell Hamilton


• "For Museum Reach, artists take to bridges" by Elda Silva


• "Genre-spanning film series includes several special requests" by Deborah Martin

Enjoy!

Terra Cotta Warriors Invade Texas!

Most of the time, my posts will focus on San Antonio and the Hill Country. But sometimes, an exhibit arrives nearby that’s worth exploring. (I am still vexed that I missed the Tutankhamen exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art. Now I gotta go to Egypt.)

China’s famed Terra Cotta Warriors arrive today at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, each figure was individually styled and painted to resemble a different person. No two are alike. According to the museum’s website, it’s the largest display of terra cotta warriors and tomb artifacts ever in the US. The exhibit displays 14 of the warriors as well as a collection of tomb artifacts, including a suit of armor.

Given the exhibit’s probable popularity, the museum strongly advises purchasing tickets in advance (timed entry). Tickets are $25 for adults and $18 for children/seniors. You can purchase tickets on the museum’s website and pick them up at the will-call window when you arrive.

(Having grown up in Houston…..if you haven’t been to the museum in a while, it’s worth a re-visit. They’ve come a long way from the oilfield-and-dinosaur exhibits they had in the 70s.)

The exhibit moves to Washington DC after Houston, so don’t miss your chance. The show closes October 18.

Pearl Farmers Market Grand Opening!

The Pearl Farmers Market Grand Opening is Saturday! Stop by and check it out! Chef Andrew Weissman will do a cooking demo at 9:30.

San Antonio Riverwalk Extension Nearly Ready!

For years, city leaders have coveted the funds to extend San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk to points beyond downtown. The bond election from a couple of years ago and some funding from the US Army Corps of Engineers have finally made it possible. And the first section of the expansion (Museum Reach – Urban Segment) celebrates its Grand Opening on Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 am near the lock and dam structure at Brooklyn Ave. More events take place all weekend long. River barge rides and walking tours will be available, along with music, food, and family-friendly activities. Surrounding properties (the El Tropicano Hotel, the Pearl Brewery, and the SA Museum of Art, among others) also plan special events that weekend.More details at the San Antonio River Authority website.

Check Out the New Salado Creek Greenway!

Still under construction, this new linear park works well for both biking and hiking. Four sections are now open. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department website has maps.
I shot this photo on the Huebner-to-Blanco stretch.

There are currently two main access points. (There’s a third from the Summerfield subdivision, but unless you live here, you can’t get to it.) The first is in the 15000 block of Huebner, between NW Military and Churchill Estates. You can easily see the sign and ramp from Huebner. Major problem: no parking whatsoever, other than four street parking spots a short walk away. (A nursing home located at the trailhead has sprouted a forest of “No Public Parking” signs since the park opened.)

The second access point has adequate parking. Find Old Blanco Road, off Blanco just south of Churchill Estates. (Two small directional signs are easy to miss.) Drive to the end, through the construction for Voelcker Park, to find the parking area.

More sections will open throughout the year. Eventually, this section of the greenway will connect with the under-construction Voelcker Park, near Wurzbach and NW Military. (Watch for a post on this as it gets closer to opening.)

Keep in mind:

• Do not lose track of time and linger after sunset. A) They lock the vehicle gate at sunset, and you’ll be stuck. B) Due to vandalism problems, the SA Parks Police have stepped up their nighttime patrols, and if they find you there after sunset, your next stop might be the pokey.
• Do not visit during an inundating rain (assuming such a thing ever happens again here). Not for nothing is it called “Salado Creek.” Most of the time, it’s bone dry, but visit during one of our gully-washers, and, hey presto!, you’re going to be underwater.