Lemonade by the glass

Tags

Beverages, Drink, farmers market, Lemon, Lemon juice, Lemonade, sugar, Summer, vegetarian

At the same farmers’ market where I got my sweet corn, I impulsively bought a cup of lemonade. This wasn’t your average lemonade stand. These kids meant business. They handmade each cup of lemonade upon order, squeezing the lemons in front of your very eyes.

I tried to recreate it, and, if I do say so myself, I’m pretty stinking close. Consider yourself warned, this makes one tart lemonade. If you don’t think that you’re going to be a fan and prefer a sweet lemonade, juice only 1 lemon, instead of one and a half.

Lemonade by the glass

In order to make yourself a cold glass of fresh lemonade, you’ll need:

• two glasses (or, one shaker and one serving glass)
• a citrus juicer
• two lemons (1 and a half for juicing, half for a garnish)
• water
• 1 Tbs. sugar
• Chop your lemons in half, and juice each three of the halves by pushing on the top of the lemon, and twisting. Pour the resulting juice into the glass.
• Add 1 cup of water and 1 Tbs. of sugar. Stir (or shake, if you went the shaker route)!
• Pour over ice in the serving glass.
• Chop the remaining half a lemon into halves, and use as a garnish.
• Kick your feet up and enjoy!

The great part about lemonade is that you can totally tweak it to suit your preferences. Want it sweeter? Add another teaspoon or 3 of sugar. Like your lemonade really tart? Try juicing the leftover half a lemon and add it to the glass.

I wanna know: How do you like your lemonade? Tart or sweet?

Homemade Applesauce

Tags

Apple, applesauce, farmers market, Fruit, recipe

My roommate inspired me a couple of weeks ago with a batch of yummy-looking homemade applesauce. I never buy it from the store, mostly because it just doesn’t taste as good and it’s chock full of processed sugars, etc. Not worth my money or the calories.

When I was at the farmer’s market last weekend, I asked around for what was the best apple at this time of year to make applesauce. I settled on some Red Romes, but was told that there are many good options depending on the sweetness or tartness I desire. Just ask your friendly produce manager or farmer’s market stand owner. They know where it’s at!

Here we go…step by step applesauce:

First, gather your apples and start peeling. This was by far the most time consuming part of the process.

Peel them, core them, and then chop them into 1/8ths (about…depends on how large your apples are. You don’t want them too thick or they’ll have to stew forever before you can mash ‘em).

I used about 4 lbs of apples, so I could have leftover applesauce in the fridge for the week

Once you’re done peeling and chopping, pour in 1/2 cup of water and put the pan, covered, on the stove on medium heat.

Stir periodically. Once the apples and water start to boil, you’ll need to stir more often so that they don’t start to stick to the bottom of the pot.

We’re getting there! They smell so good! Who needs fall scented candles when you make applesauce?

Once they get really soft, turn down the heat to low and pull out a potato masher and go to town.

If you want a really smooth sauce, you’ll have to use a food processor or blender. I’m a big fan of applesauce with chunks though, so potato masher it is. Alright! When you feel that you’ve sufficiently smooshed your stewing apples, add 1 Tbs. cinnamon, 1/8 cup of honey, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix it up!

If you want to, take the potato masher to it again. But you don’t have to. This really is all up to you. You’re in complete control here.

Serve warm, because it’s tasty like that. It feels illegal, like you’re eating apple pie filling. YUM!

Keep the leftovers in the fridge. It is equally as yummy served cold.

Happy applesauce making!

Just a heads up, I’m disconnecting for the weekend and going camping. Can’t wait!

I wanna know: do you like to technologically disconnect while you’re on vacation? Or do the phone and the computer come with you?

I love disconnecting from technology for short periods of time. It’s nice to remind myself what peace in my head feels like When I’m on vacation (even camping) I’m not always really disciplined about it though.

Welcome to Grand Rapids!

Tags

ArtPrize, farmers market, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Since I was in Grand Rapids today, I missed my farmer’s market back home. Tears. Instead of dwelling too long on the sadness, I seized the day and found the farmers market here. It’s cold enough that the goods will stay fresh in the trunk of my car.

It was such a great market! If you live in the GR area, I highly recommend the Fulton Street Farmer’s Market. There are 4 more weeks…take advantage of it. They have great variety of produce, home-mades, and baked goods at quite reasonable prices. Also, it’s 100% locally grown. I wish that I lived closer! I have a couple of new-to-me squashes to try out, as well as an eggplant to redeem myself from the last (failed) experience.

This afternoon, we headed downtown to check out ArtPrize. How awesome was it?! If you are within a 3 hour radius of GR, you NEED to come see this amazing city-wide art exhibit. It’ll be running through October 10. Just do it…you won’t be sorry.

I really liked several of the pieces at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art.

This was an interactive piece based on the art of confession. Very “Post Secret.” Sharpies available, if you felt so inclined.

This was a 2 ft tall, eye level collage strip that spread over several walls. It included saying after saying (varying levels of pessimism and optimism.) I liked the use of colors and fonts.

The front half of a race horse. Made completely out of white plastic kitchen utensils. With Abs and her fierce expression to set the tone.

Wanna learn how to waltz? This diagram was kindly painted on the sidewalk for your practicing convenience:

Don’t mind if I do.

After the UICA, we headed to the BOB. Apparently Grand Rapids is big on acronyms…this one stands for Big Old Building.

This piece was made entirely out of wine bottle corks and was called “Grace.” Make that two reasons for me to absolutely love it: wine and grace.

Guess the medium of this one. I dare you:

Are you guessing?

Are you?

Legos. It’s made entirely of legos.

Photo op! Ha.

Outside the BOB there were several large exhibits. Flying pig! Flying mechanical pig, to be exact.

There was also world’s largest greeting card for the city to sign, a greeting card for the world, actually:

The front says “Size Matters,” and inside, it continues, “The size of your dreams, the size of your heart, the size of your determination. So, elevate your dreams, unleash your heart, ignite your determination. Go big! Live and love large!”

All together now. “Awww….” How inspiring. Feel free to read a small amount of sarcasm in there

It was a great day to wander around the city, and contemplate some art and its philosophical implications (because I’m weird like that). I wish I had more time here, and might just have to come back before it’s over…