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Pepper Place Market, Cooking Demo

September 16, 2007 By Rhoda 25 Comments

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I originally told you all about Pepper Place market a few months ago, when I visited there with my friend, Judy, who came over to visit from Atlanta. It’s a really neat farmer’s market here in Birmingham & they are open in the summer months, through October. This time of the year is perfect to visit, as it’s cooled down considerably from the 100+ degree weather we were having in August. This Saturday a.m. was bright, crisp & fallish feeling in the air. Heavenly! My hubby & I got there in time to find a seat & watch chef & owner of Ocean restaurant, George Reis, put together a really yummy bruschetta. This is one of the premier restaurants in Birmingham & they have only been open a little over a year. I’ve never been, but heard great things about it.
First, he chopped up heirloom tomatoes, which I didn’t know what those were exactly. He explained that those were original tomatoe plants that hadn’t been genetically altered to produce all sorts of hybrid tomatoes. These were large & beautiful tomatoes. He also chopped up some shallots, as well as basil. I always add minced garlic to mine too.
I’ve made bruschetta before & it is absolutely WONDERFUL! The first time I had it was in Italy back in the early 90’s and then I started seeing it here in Italian restaurants. It is so easy to make, with fresh ingredients, purely delicious. He did a little different spin with it & added goat cheese to the crusty sliced bread, then topped it with the tomato basil mixture.
He had lots already prepared & his helpers plated it up to hand out to all the hungry folks standing around watching.
Here he’s drizzling on a little more olive oil.

So, basically, it’s grilled fresh crusty bread (you can use any of the different fresh breads that you find out there). Chopped fresh tomatoes, chopped basil, shallots, olive oil, salt & pepper. You can add the goat cheese, which really was a tasty addition, serve it up on the bread & you have yourself a very delicious appetizer. I’ve made this at home many times during the summer with fresh basil & tomatoes…never added the goat cheese, but it was really good too. There is just nothing better to me that the combo of those 2, tomato & basil…they go together like salt & pepper. If you’ve never had bruschetta, try it! I promise, it’s amazing…simple, pure fresh food.
This little beagle was enjoying his day out with some people watching under the chair.
We picked up some stone ground grits from a local farmer in the area. I’ve already cooked up some of these & they are fabulous…no more regular grits for me. The place that makes these grits is out near my friend Debbie, so I’ll definitely be buying more. There is a WORLD of difference in stone-ground grits & I had no idea. We love our grits down here in the South!
Here’s an idea for ya’ll to try with your dried flowers. This merchant was selling old windows with dried flowers attached. Would look great in a shabby chic house.
Another variation. My batteries died before I could take pics of some of the pretty fall veggies that were displayed.

Hope you enjoyed our Saturday outing to Pepper Place Market. Enjoy this fall weather!

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Filed Under: Recipes and Cooking, Travel 25 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kari says

    September 17, 2007 at 7:46 pm

    I love bruschetta! My sister started making it several years ago after we tried it at a restaurant in New Orleans (of all places). I could eat it forever…

    Reply
  2. Cheryl Wray says

    September 17, 2007 at 9:18 pm

    Yummy….
    I have heard about the cooking demos down at Pepper Place, but havent been to one yet.

    Reply
  3. bellacolle says

    September 17, 2007 at 9:52 pm

    What a fab day! gosh, the goat cheese was a nice touch I bet… Amen to the grits!!(Being for GA. and all! LOL) Can’t find nothing like that up here in WI… only thing close is the yucky stuff at the grocery store.

    Reply
  4. ValleyGirl says

    September 19, 2007 at 7:17 am

    Thanks again for a great tour!! I’m so in love with your town!

    Reply
  5. jen says

    April 4, 2009 at 4:29 am

    I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Kaylee

    http://grillsblog.com

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me?

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