Farmer's Market, Lobster & Latkes

I have to thank Christine over at Fresh Local and Best for opening my eyes to a really great farmer's market in Manhattan.  After reading her post about the New Amsterdam market, I planned a trip for the following Sunday.  To get the kids excited, I promised a tour of the ships at the South Street Seaport with their dad who met up with us there which we did prior to exploring the market stalls.

The New Amsterdam Market is very impressive.  All the vendors I visited were so friendly and knowledgeable.  I didn't buy much, but will be going back again soon.  What I did come home with was a tub of fresh Maine lobster meat, some lovely brie and a huge bottle of fabulous Vermont maple syrup.  Oh, and there may have been a few donuts purchased, but they never made it home.  :)

 

The camera was in tow, but I never took any pictures at the market.  Feel free to check out the link to Christine's blog above to see her gorgeous and appetizing photos.

Dinner is always awesome after a visit to the market!  I started out with a slightly modified version of Julia's Brie Stuffed Latkes.  To. Die. For.

4 large potatoes, parboiled, peeled, grated

2 large eggs

1 medium onion, grated

4 cloves garlic, grated

2/3 pound brie, rind on

handful of garbanzo flour

1 tsp baking powder

dash of skim milk

salt and pepper, to taste

olive oil, for pan

Combine your shredded potatoes, onion (I would've used white, but all I had on hand was a red) and garlic in a bowl.  Add salt and pepper, mix.  Add in eggs, flour and baking powder.  Mix and add a dash of milk.  Adjust your milk and flour amounts until you see batter beginning to coat the potatoes (I actually kept mine quite moist).

Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.  Have your cheese sliced and ready to go .  Place a tablespoon (or more) of batter onto pan.  Place a slice of brie on the top and press in slightly.  Top with another tablespoon of batter.  Flip when browned on underside and press down slightly making sure you don't squeeze out all that delicious cheese.

Drain on paper toweling when done.  Eat and enjoy!!

It is hard to get a photo of these babies that looks appetizing, but I promise you, they are.  When the brie melts it just kind of permeates the entire latke with a creamy flavor.  My husband couldn't resist and had some later on as an evening snack and then dished them out the following morning at breakfast with scrambled eggs.  By the time my lunch hour rolled around, they were gone.  I totally have to start hiding some leftovers for myself!!

I served these with a wonderfully delicious lobster salad (check out the pic above - hello claw meat, yum).  Recipe to follow tomorrow.  This was one really awesome dinner.  Possibly in the top 3!

Anybody have a dish they just love to make after picking up fresh ingredients from the market?