Good Breakfast Food

I am on a farmers market kick and yesterday I made a terrific breakfast using ingredients I bought on Saturday at the North Union Farmer's Market. It was a pork sausage, oyster mushroom, asparagus and cheddar frittata (Italian omelet). Here is the recipe so that you can make and enjoy it. I made it in a cast iron skillet(my favorite piece of cooking equipment). You can make it in an regular skillet, but if your skillet has a plastic handle do not put it under the broiler, just flip the frittata to finish the top. It really is an easy recipe, so give it a try.

Makes 4 servings

Preheat your oven's broiler on the low setting and position the oven rack so it is on the second shelf bracket from the top.

Eggs ( Apple Tree Acres) 4

Oyster Mushrooms (Killbuk Valley) 2 ounces chopped

Whole Pork Sausage (Apple Tree Acres) 4 ounces cut into small pieces

Asparagus (Weaver) 1.5 ounces chopped

Cheddar Cheese (Ohio Farmer's Direct) 3 ounces shredded

Whole Milk(Ohio Organic Family Farms) 1.5 fluid ounces

Olive Oil 1 tablespoon

Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Black Pepper 1/4 teaspoon

1. Over medium-low heat, heat a 12 inch cast iron skillet and add the olive oil.
2. Cook the sausage until almost cooked through (about five minutes).
   
3. While sausage is cooking, mix the eggs with the milk, salt and black pepper.
4. Add the mushrooms and asparagus to the skillet and cook until the mushrooms are cooked through.
5. Add the egg mixture and cook until the egg mixture sets on the bottom.
6. Add the cheese and place the skillet under the broiler. Cook until the eggs have fully set and the cheese has browned.
7. Cut into four wedges and enjoy.

Note: If you don't own a good kitchen scale, I recomend buying one. It makes measuring so much easier and makes food prep go much faster.

Rainy Day

Yesterday was the second week of the North Union Farmer's Market, and boy it was a wet one. At the start of the day I was a bit concerned that due to the weather, no one would show up. I was wrong. It was fantastic to see that folks on the west side really support local agriculture by coming out in the rain to purchase the freshest food available in Cleveland. Thanks to everyone who stopped by my stand to purchase my organic and local bakery. It was exciting to have customers come back from the previous week because they really enjoyed what they got.

On a personal note, I really love participating in the market. It is just fun to meet and talk to all the vendors and shoppers. It truly is an eclectic mix of friendly people. I am looking forward to next week; hopefully the weather will be a bit nicer!

Opening Day (at the market)

Yesterday was the opening day of the North Union Farmer's Market at Crocker Park. This was my first attempt at selling my food in a retail setting since staring my company in February. The funny thing was that as I was driving to the market I felt like I was heading off to my first day at a new job. I had the nervous excitement, apprehension and fear that I thought would not happen now that I was my own boss. Like a new job, those feelings quickly went away as I began to focus on the task at hand. My father came along to help out and I must thank him because his efforts really helped things run smoothly.

The market was a ton of fun, the weather was fantastic and it was great talking to all the people who attended. I cannot wait until next week; hopefully the weather will be just as nice. Thanks to all the people who stopped by my stand. I encourage everyone to come to the market and support the local farmers, chefs, bakers and artists who are there.

Chef Matt