Smokey Rhubarb Bbq Chicken

Farmers Market Finds Ep. 1

Hello and Happy Wednesday :)

It’s been a while since I kicked off an official series in this newsletter, so I thought what better time than now? I’m excited to start a new series that highlights seasonal ingredients and helps you figure out what to cook with uniquely seasonal farmers market finds.

-The “interesting” ingredients you don’t always see stocked on the grocery store shelves. They might seem intimidating at first, but they’re my absolute favorite because they push you to get creative and step outside your comfort zone.

These days, it’s become a bit of a tradition for my mom and I to hit up our local farmers markets every Saturday. Over time I’ve picked up a few tips, and figured I’d share what I always stock up on while I’m there!

1. Get there early (if you can!)- The best items and some of the more “rare” finds go quickly. The early bird truly gets the worm here.

2. If you have multiple in your area, try them all out. You would be surprised by the vast difference between markets. Some will be more prepared food focused/vendor focused. Others will have more fresh produce vendors. (I visit 2 in my area for this very reason).

3. If you like meal prepping and shopping with a plan. Try visiting the farmers market before hitting the grocery store. Grab what you can locally, then fill in the gaps at the store. It’s a great way to stay seasonal and often, save money.

4. You can actually save money at farmers markets! Not everything is priced at a premium.

   1. I find that most of the basic herbs and lettuce/vegetables are cheaper at a farm stand vs. the grocery store.

5. Local Honey- the freshest that you can get will be here

6. Local Eggs- Considering the price of eggs at the grocery stores these days, a carton of farm fresh eggs range from $5-8 so why not support your local farmers/growers

7. Fresh Cut Flowers- While they might be a bit pricier, they last about twice as long and they always have more unique flowers to choose from.

8. Handmade Pottery- If you are in the Chicago/Suburb Area I love buying pieces from The Thankful Potter, she goes to multiple markets in the area and she makes the most beautiful plates and mugs. (She also makes my little ghostie friend who makes an appearance every October!)

Rhubarb:

An early spring and summer staple. Traditionally we see it used a lot in jams, tarts and sweet treats. The stalks are celery like with a bit more bend to them. The flavor profile is sour, tart, and slightly sweet.

I recently put a suggestion box out on Instagram asking what kind of rhubarb recipes you wanted to see, and to my surprise, a ton of you asked for savory ideas. I love a good challenge, and since rhubarb pairs beautifully with sweet flavors, I figured it could also shine next to smoke.

With grilling season officially underway, what better way to use rhubarb than in a homemade barbecue sauce? It’s the perfect way to explore its versatility, and bring a little spring tang to your next grill-out.

In case you are in the market for purchasing a grill, here is the one that I own and have had for 3 years. It’s affordable and has seen many cook outs throughout the years.

Charbroil Performance Series 4 Burner Propane Grill

This Smokey Rhubarb BBQ Chicken is paired with a crunchy celery salad. It’s a little tangy, sweet and perfectly astringent to offset this sweet and smokey bite.

For Grilled Chicken I like using a simple dry rub along with a sauce to lather on. This just ensures that the chicken is well seasoned throughout.