It will be a much better party if you come to the MIFM Benefit “For the Love of Food”,  Just 1 week away, Sunday May 19, 6-9 at Aljoya Mercer Island.

Purchase tickets, $50 each,  online at  Tickets                                                                      or send a check with guest names  to MIFM, P.O. Box 71, Mercer Island, WA 98040, T

Hard sell:  Vendor fees only cover 2/3 of the MIFM costs.  We hold one annual benefit a year to help ends meet. We have NO government funds to support us!

Soft sell:  We will have great food, live music and a lot very fun people. There will be some wonderful items for raffle and silent auction, e.g. hot air balloon rides, homemade pies and desserts, Salish Lodge and other wonderful getaway destinations, fine wines, beer lovers package and lots of ideas for cooking and gardening.

This Sunday Alvarez Family Farm will be roasting peppers at the market.  Try roasted peppers on pizza, on pasta, wrapped in tortillas, sauteed with eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes.

On the Music Stage – Vehicle Collector – Progressive Music

At the Children’s Table – Vegetable Prints

All Over The Market The Fall Bounty Is In -  Apples, Pears, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Peppers Hot & Mild, Squash, Onions, Cabbage – Don’t Miss Out!

McIntosh apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Happy Autumn, everyone! I love this time of year, when fall’s bounty is rolling in, and my summer favorites are still available.  I’ve got apple cider in the fridge, and we still have peaches on the counter.  My current favorite treat is grilled peaches, (halve a firm-ripe large peach, remove the pit.  Sprinkle a little brown sugar and balsamic vinegar on top, let sit while you heat your grill or eat your dinner. Grill on medium heat cut side up about 5 minutes.  Serve with slivered basil leaves, chevre, more balsamic or vanilla ice cream,) but sometimes I can’t be bothered to fire up the grill, so I just slice one up and toss it in a pan sprayed with Pam.  Layer it on top of a slice of toast with your favorite nut butter (I like Justin’s Honey Almond Butter), and it is like a gourmet PB&J. I had one for breakfast this morning and it was so tasty, I had another!

Another favorite from the market is apple sausages with sauteed kale and fresh apple sauce.  Easy, easy, easy! No recipe, just cook them up with whatever you like.  I like nutmeg in my apple sauce and oil and garlic in my kale.

Today’s market will have loads of delicious apples and pears, nutritious greens and lovely baked goods from our three delicious bakeries: Grand Central, Snohomish and Manini’s Gluten Free.

Sampling Table: Taste the Difference –  Apples or Pears

Music: Hot Cider String Band http://www.facebook.com/hotciderstringband

Children’s Table: Amazing Squashes

Winter squash from Hand-Farmed Organics at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Hey Islanders, let us cook for you on October 4th! Please join us for a delicious “Fall Harvest”community dinner from 5:30-7:00 pm at a new location, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. Chef Tom from Experience Food Project http://www.experiencefoodproject.org/staff.html will be creating a mouth-watering menu that the whole family will love:

Butternut Squash Soup

Harvest Chicken with Roasted Fall Vegetables

Garden Medley Salad

Apple Crisp

Entertainment provided by MI’s own Sophie Feldman

Admission is first come, first served and by donation. Suggested donation is $10 per adult. We hope to see you there!

Mercer Island Food Revolution is an island-wide group with representatives from Lakeridge, West Mercer, Island Park, IMS, the High School and MIPA PTAs who advocating to improve the quality of school lunches in our district.  We encouraged our district’s food service to provide fewer dessert items and more fruits and vegetables.  Our ultimate goal for school lunches:  freshly prepared using organic, local ingredients when possible. We are also advocating for healthier, more delicious food choices for snacks at school and sports practices and opportunities to learn about healthy eating.  We have partnered with Experience Food Project, a local nonprofit, to bring cooking classes and community dinners to our island to help kick start our revolution.

With our encouragement the district has eliminated high fructose corn syrup and is serving wheat bread, buns and rolls as well as more fresh fruits and vegetables when possible.

To learn more about Mercer Island Food Revolution and RSVP visit usathttp://www.facebook.com/events/442891635748572/

Summer may be coming to an end, but summer fruits and vegetables are at their peak this week.  Believe it or not berries are still available and in excellent condition!  Don’t miss out on peaches and nectarines this Sunday.  They are perfect!  Sweet, tasty, vine ripened tomatoes, peppers and corn will be in abundance at the Market.  Bring an extra shopping bag, you are going to need it!

At the Music Stage:  Joe Ross and Friends

At the Children’s Table:  Sweet Smells of Plants

Sunday August 26th, Mercer Island Farmers Market presents “Books & Bites”

From 11-1 Explore 3 local cook books, meet the authors & taste recipe samples!

• Dining In Seattle, Past and Present presented by Andrea Umbach. Features recipes by top restaurateurs such as Tom Douglas.  Will lead you on a nostalgic culinary tour of Seattle’s golden era as the gourmet revolution began. Sample “Apricot-Pecan Baklava with Chèvre Mousse and Riesling-Poached Apricots”.
• Urban Pantry Presented by Amy Pennington. Covers lots of interesting ingredient and storage ideas and how to use simple ingredients and turn them into simple, lovely meals. Sample preserves such as “Apricot Mustard” (see Recipes tab),  “Indian Pickled Carrots” and “Toasted Almond Crackers”.
• Yesterday’s Mavens, Today’s Foodies: Traditions in Northwest Jewish Kitchens presented by Cindy Masin.  Through the lens of your kitchen and your grandmother’s kitchen you will see how food illuminates the history Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions. Sample “Italian Plum Shortbread” samples, see Recipes tab.
•   The Cook Books will be available for purchase from the author.