Top Chef, Daisy Mae Style

Around our house, Dad has always been the featured chef. When the kids weren't calling me the "Casserole Queen" or complaining about my meatloaf, they were asking Dad to make a pasta, bake homemade bread, or fire up the grill. Even though Dad receives most of the attention in the kitchen, it has never bothered me because I come out ahead when delicious meals appear effortlessly on our table.
Having our daughter home from college this summer has ramped up the cooking again. Not only is Dad back at it making her favorites, but the college kid has become Chef #2. She's taken a real interest in developing her culinary skills, and it's been a welcome relief to have Chef #2 in charge of an occasional meal. Now dinner conversation has turned to marinades, spices, and techniques, and rather than be totally left out, I decided it was time to pull out all my Google and Food Channel resources and join in the fun.
The other night I made a Vegetable and Beef Stir-Fry with Brown Rice that received 5 stars from the other Top Chefs in the family. I started with a flank steak that I marinated a few hours. Then I chopped up a bunch of fresh vegetables from Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market.  After a quick stir-fry, I served it over rice and the judges went wild.
I may not be the Top Chef in the family YET, but at least I'm back in the game!

Graduation? Try Findlay Market Stress-Free Party Plan

I can't believe a year has past since we were on the whirlwind graduation circuit. Last May, our son graduated from the University of Virginia. Since then, he has completed a year of real-world employment and traveled to places I've only seen on television. A few days after his UVA graduation, our daughter graduated from high school. She has since completed a year at the University of South Carolina, expanded her horizons immensely, and continues to impress us with her ambitions and creativity. Where in the world has the year gone?
If a graduation is in your family's near future, you may be feeling not only the pressure of change at home, but you may also be feeling the stress of the celebration itself.  
To relieve some anxiety, I recommend you follow the Findlay Market Stress-Free Party Plan. These easy step-by-step directions are sure to make your graduation party a hit!


1. Go to Findlay Market. Park in one of the 3 convenient adjoining free lots, or grab a meter on the street. 
2. Decide on your main entree. We chose fajitas. We got Amish chicken breasts from Busch's Country Corner and flank steak from Mackie Meats. We marinated everything overnight. If you need help with a marinade, talk to the Colonel at Herbs & Spice. (If you prefer more of a traditional cookout with sausages, metts, or brats, check out Kroeger & Sons or Eckerlin Meats.) To make the fajitas complete, we grilled whole peppers and onions, too. 

3. For side dishes, think fresh produce. We served veggies and dip, fruit salad, slices of watermelon, tossed salad, and sweet corn. You can feed A LOT of people with fruits and vegetables at a very reasonable price. You can even call ahead to Daisy Mae's Market at 513-602-5601 and we'll package your order and have it ready for quick pick up. 

4. For dessert, choose gelato from Dojo Gelato, waffles or pastries from Taste of Belgium, or a special cake from Skirtz & Johnston. 
5. Or if you're not quite the planner that I am, just wander around until you see or smell something you like at Findlay Market. Whatever you decide to serve, it's easy to find, reasonably priced, and convenient. You'll be glad you chose one-stop shopping at Findlay Market.

Are You Bored?

My dad in Florida told me about a newspaper ad there that encouraged visitors to check out the local Flea Market. It was one of those ads that started on one page with "I was bored..." and then continued onto another page with "the other day"...followed by "so I went to"..."the Flea Market"...and "WOW!" Each part of the ad enticed the reader to go on and find the next part of the message...because you knew something good had to be at the end.
I was thinking such an ad would be perfect for Findlay Market here in Cincinnati. "I was bored...the other day...so I went to...Findlay Market...and WOW!" Food, handcrafted items, beer, wine, music, people-watching, and more are yours for the taking if you make up your mind to put a little "Wow!" in your life. Just like the ad suggested, as you wander the aisles at Findlay Market and turn each corner to see something different, you'll be amazed at the experience. Maybe your "Wow!" at the end of your visit will be a cup of DojoGelato, a taste from Market Wines, a waffle from Taste of Belgium, or a Christian Moerlein from the Biergarten. Or maybe your "Wow!" will be a minute talking spices with Colonel De...Or perhaps your "Wow!" will be picking up a new recipe from the friendly staff at Daisy Mae's Market...
So if you're looking for something new to do, come find your "Wow!" at Findlay Market. We're open Tuesday through Sunday, year-round, and we have everything here...except boredom!