Twitterific!

I was looking back at some of my old posts and saw that a year ago I was writing about the wonders of Twitter. A post from October 2009 focused on how I had become acquainted with Findlay Market merchants Josh @worldfoodbar, Jean-Francois @tasteofbelgium, and Michael @dojogelato...all via Google and Twitter.
A year later, I continue to be impressed by the power of Twitter. Just yesterday, Mr. Daisy Mae ran into someone on an elevator while making a delivery. When he told them he was with Daisy Mae's, the woman immediately replied, "Oh, sure...I follow you on Twitter." You'd be surprised how often that happens or how often someone makes a reference to a specific tweet.
Reflecting on those first three Findlay Market merchants that I met, I wonder how much Twitter has helped them grow their businesses...Josh now operates a restaurant called Mayberry and will soon open a small grocery store in addition to his Findlay Market World Food Bar. Jean-Francois seems to be everywhere with his waffles, crepes, and more...including his most recent expansion at the Wexner Center in Columbus. And, Michael has nothing short of a legion of dojomaniacs who make pilgrimages to Findlay Market and follow his DojoGelato cart around like 8-year-olds follow an ice cream truck. I have to believe the growth of these businesses can be partly attributed to the use of social media. The connections made not only between company and customer, but also between businesses have surely contributed to rapid expansion.
I'm amazed www.twitter.com/daisymaesmarket has 700 followers and keeps growing. I hope our use of Twitter is valuable and somewhat entertaining for those followers. I also hope our use of Twitter allows Daisy Mae's to grow like the businesses of my first three Twitter acquaintances. Twitter is quick, targeted, and perfect for busy entrepreneurs like us. A tip of Daisy Mae's hat to Josh, Jean-Francois, and Michael for showing us how twitterific social media can be. Here's to continued success for all of us, and I'll tweet ya later...

Suppengrün!

The French have Mirepoix---the culinary combination of onions, carrots, and celery that is used as the basis for so many delicious stews, soups, and sauces. Some people call it the "Holy Trinity" of cooking. Now, in celebration of German Heritage Week at Daisy Mae's Market, I'd like you to meet the German version...Suppengrün.
Suppengrün means "soup greens" and generally consists of leeks, carrots, and celery root. Like mirepoix, this German threesome is often used like herbs to impart strong, hearty flavors in soups and sauces. The Germans keep these cold climate roots on hand because of their long shelf life and because they adapt so easily to many traditional recipes. It's common to find the trio sold together in a small bunch...sometimes the bunch also includes parsley, onions, or even thyme. The suppengrün may be boiled to make a stock, or it may be chopped and browned or pureed for a sauce.
This week at Findlay Market we will have baskets of suppengrün ready for you. It seems like a good time to try a new recipe for soup or sauce...and what better way to start than with this touch of Germany.
Auf Wiedersehen bis morgen!

Around the World with Daisy Mae

Last week we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Week at Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market. It was such a success, we've decided to take the ball and run with it...We will continue to highlight different countries and cultures. Next week, October 19-24, we will celebrate the German heritage.
In Cincinnati, the German influence is everywhere...Over-the-Rhine, goetta, Oktoberfest, German brewing traditions, and even a street named Essenstrasse at Findlay Market are just a few of the connections. I can understand why our community has such an active German-American Citizens League that coordinates the various German societies and organizations.

Next week we will feature some favorites for your special German recipes. We will have plenty of potatoes, apples, cabbage, onions, radi, and more...So make it a point to stop by and share a cooking tip or recipe with us. We're open Tuesday-Friday from 9-6, Saturday from 8-6, and Sunday from 10-4. Start planning your menu today...potato pancakes, apple strudel, cabbage rolls...sehr gut! 

Squash...Not Just for Squanto Anymore!

Even though we have temperatures like summer this week, the trees are changing colors and it's looking like fall. Fall means Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and now I know why Squanto was so anxious to share his bountiful harvest...The squash was "good to go" and definitely a cause for celebration. 

At Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market, we carry a variety of squash this time of year...Yellow squash, acorn squash, kabocha squash, butternut squash, and everyone's favorite...spaghetti squash! 
Our newest DaisyMaeologist, Dan from Prospect Hill, shared a delicious spaghetti squash recipe that we recommend...It's really simple to prepare, but it will definitely bring a new look and taste to your table. 

Thanks, Dan, for a great new suggestion that might really impress the relatives this time of year!

1 spaghetti squash

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, chopped

2 tomatoes, seeded and skinned, chopped

1/3 cup black olives, sliced

3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

fresh basil, chopped

parsley, chopped

salt, pepper, to taste

dash of hot sauce

fresh parmesan, optional

Halve and seed the squash. Bake 40 minutes at 350, cut side down, on a greased baking sheet. Remove from oven and let cool briefly.

Meanwhile, saute garlic and onion in olive oil until softened. Add tomatoes, cook about 5 minutes. Add olives and season to taste.

In a large bowl, use a fork to shred the squash pulp into strands resembling spaghetti. Toss everything but the parmesan in with the squash.

Serve, topped with parmesan.

Hispanic Heritage Week

It's Hispanic Heritage Week at Daisy Mae's Market. We are featuring many of your favorites like tomatoes and avocados, but we also have some items that may be new to you. Tomatillos, chayote squash (cho chos), cactus leaves, and jicama are just a few specialty items waiting to meet you. It's been fun sharing samples and recipes. One woman warned us that she was from New Mexico and knew good fresh salsa when she tasted it...When she sampled ours, she gave it her "seal of approval!" Several other visitors turned their noses up at our chayote soup samples, but most who tried it picked up a couple cho chos and a recipe and went home to try something new.

Hispanic Heritage Week will continue through Sunday at Daisy Mae's. Look for the colorful flags and rainbow umbrellas  decorating our stands at the Race Street end of Findlay Market. We're waiting to meet you to hear about your own ways of preparing and cooking Hispanic favorites. After all, food is fun...whether it's something traditional or something new...and it's more fun when you share it with friends and family!

I Spy at Findlay Market

Mark your Halloween calendar now to join us at the Findlay Market Fall Food Festival on Sunday, October 31 from 10-4. The Findlay Market Business Association will be serving up food samples and celebrating Halloween, inside and out, throughout the market area. Not only will the event feature the wonderful food of Findlay Market, but there will also be beer and wine, music, cooking demonstrations, and various booths set up by local non-profit groups. Daisy Mae's Market is proud to announce that Cooking with Caitlin will join us at the Race Street end of the market house from 12-1 to grill up some of our famous fresh produce. In addition, Daisy Mae's will present Cincinnati's favorite father/daughter duo Anna and Milovan for your musical enjoyment from 12-3. And for the kids, we're organizing a fun, family "I Spy" Halloween Hunt. Bring the kids to Daisy Mae's to pick up your instructions. The whole family will have fun trying to find hidden Halloween objects all over Findlay Market. Complete the hunt any time between 10-4, and you'll win a prize.
This is an event you won't want to miss and is sure to please everyone in the family. The Veggie Gals will be there--and so should you!