::RECIPE:: Rhubarb & Raspberry Crostini

As soon as I bit into this scrumptious little dessert, I knew I'd be sharing it with you. My girls took a cooking camp a few weeks ago and came home raving about this recipe. We served it to Garland for his Father's Day dinner and it was a hit.  

What did the girls love about it?  It's YUMMY.

What did I love about it?  It's HEALTHY.

So...here you go--a fun, easy dessert that would be perfect for July 4th.  

Maybe just add a blueberry to the top?

Rhubarb & Raspberry Crostini

1 whole wheat baguette

1/2 cup mascarpone

2 pints raspberries

1/4 cup agave (original recipe called for honey)

1 tbsp canola oil

4 large stalks rhubarb

2 teaspoons sugar

zest of 1 lemon

Slice baguette into 1/2" slices. Lay out on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes on each side or until golden.

In the meantime, saute rhubarb and raspberries in oil over medium heat until soft.  

Transfer fruit to the food processor. Add sugar and blend until smooth.

Assemble your divine desert:

Spread some mascarpone on your slice of bread.  Top with blended fruit, a drizzle of agave (or honey), a little bit of lemon zest and a whole raspberry.

Take a big bite.

And then when you are done, spend time with your daddy cutting the rope.

And let your mommy sit back, observe and feel grateful.  

Oh yeah, and clean up the dishes.

Try it.  You won't regret it.

::WOOT WOOT:: Start of Farmers Market Season!

It was a gorgeous Sunday here in Chi-town to kick off Farmers Market season. 

I gotta say, it's incredibly easy to find inspiration when you are strolling around, checking out the fresh foods, baked goods, flowers, greens, etc. 

I could have taken pictures all day along.  Oh, and a little shout out to one of our most loyal readers who I happened to see at market today--Ann, can I get a woot woot?

I do love when a friend makes a comment to me that makes me realize *someone* out there actually reads our blog.  You know like, "hey, love the new banner!"

The mushrooms stopped me dead in my tracks.  

Can you say Giada's wild mushroom and pea risotto?

This picture goes without saying.  Seriously?  

These *might* be as pretty as my wedding day flowers.  Might.

I'm always on the hunt for local fare.  Could be in the form of the Mexican paletas down at the lake front, the Wisconsin cheese curds, OR possibly fish straight from Lake Michigan.  I am dying to try the walleye.

The gentleman farmer.  Does he wear bow ties and seersucker suits?

Which, btw, I totally bought my hub a seersucker suit shortly after we were married.  Like, maybe the week we got home from our honeymoon?

Jake's Country Meats had some serious homemade ham/pork jerky.

Can I just assume that it's healthy because it's labeled gluten free?

Now, the peonies were $5/bunch.  A steal, right?  The problem, see, is that we were short on cash from a fun night the night before.  So.......it was the peonies or the Vietnamese spring rolls and iced coffee?  Food won out.  Is that bad?

I mean, would you have turned these bad boys down?

Or, as the hubby always says, "She can eat crackers in my bed."

Ruh-roh.  The toy store by the farmers market had Ugly Dolls.

Suckahhhhhhhh.

God Bless the farmers market and the sun and time with the fam.  Even if it means an ugly doll in exchange for no complaints.