Huge pile of random veggies from your farm share? Here's a recipe for CSA Sauce

You know that really special dress in the back of your closet? Guys, go along with me here, or maybe you have a dress in the back of your closet, in which case I am guessing it is really special. Anyway, said dress, which may or may not be hypothetical, has red bangles and that wild looking V cut, and, I don't know, tassels or something. And anyway there it sits in the back of your closet, being a really good idea (or not) that you promise yourself you will get to one day.

Well, I've got lots of dishes like that in my cooking repertoire. Cassoulet, homemade wontons, spanakopita -- I swear, I am going to make this soon, really, I just need to find matching shoes.

And then there are the dishes that are like the three pairs of black trousers that hang in the front of my closet. They work, they fit, and I don't have to worry about what shirt I wear or whether anyone will be offended. And, most important, they do not require me to be awake when choosing. In my kitchen the black-trouser dishes are things like burritos, braised chicken, salad and fried rice.

People appreciate the trouser dishes, but fried rice doesn't get cat calls, or moans of approving pleasure. And, you know, sometimes a girl wants a little something more than mid-week appreciation.

What if there were a secret-weapon-dress-for-a-Friday-night-that-never-comes kind of dish that you could make when you are half asleep, after work, while wearing black trousers? The kind of thing that can reduce three loud and rambunctious children to a quiet pile of slurps and grunting yum-yum sounds. The kind of dish that makes your husband give you his phone number.

Well, right now, this dish is as close as I've got.

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Questions? Looking for an ingredient in the Albany area? Ask Celinabean.

Are you looking for a place to buy a freezer lamb? Do you wish you could find fresh chrysanthemum leaves? Or maybe you've got answers. Are you holding out on the best fresh pasta or the yummiest takeout sushi. Come on now, give it up. Pleeeeeaaaasssse.

This is a place to post your food and food community questions and answers.

(06-25-08)

Hello Celinabean folks, I've got both answers and notes this week. Let's start with the answer. Matty Hart, a farmer, asked how much he should charge for shiso leaves.

Matty, Kim's is the only place I know of in Albany that sells them. I went to check out the price yesterday. For a two-fist bundle of the larger leaves, they charge $2.99. They don't sell the smaller leaves that are best for pairing with sashimi. I've seen the smaller leaves for sale in NYC. Usually they are 10 leaves or so for $2-$3. I'm not sure where you are selling, farmers markets, your own stand, wholesale to restaurants (hint hint), etc… That would make a big difference in terms of price. Also, are you selling to people who know and appreciate shiso? Or do you need to introduce people to its charms?

A little shiso goes a long way, unless you are cooking it down. So, if you are selling the small tender leaves, I'd probably start with a small handful for $2 or so.

Here's a picture of my shiso plants in the garden.

In other notes, my favorite find this week is Full Circle Organic refried beans.

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10 Things to Love # 9: Crisan Bakery, Albany, NY

It usually takes more than a single encounter to make me declare my love, but give a girl a hearkens-back-to-walks-on-the-Italian-Rivera cup of strawberry gelato for $1 and there is no telling what she'll do.

I try to be patient here on Celinabean. If I like a place, I go back. If I still like it, I go back again and bring my camera. If I like it a third time, I start thinking about telling you about it.

But my patience is contrived at best. I'm really more the jump-up-and-down type who slobbers like a puppy and obsesses like a love-sick teenager. And this time my instincts have won out.

Crisan Bakery is the whole package. Beautiful pastries that beg (in a thick French accent) for a good cup of coffee to go with them.

Espresso and cappuccino at the ready. Lovely tables and funky stools. And, oh yes, the one-dollar gelato.

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