Jingle Bells - Farmers at the Mall

If you missed the first of the week of the East Towne Holiday Farmers Market inside the mall, you missed a great day and a wonderful array of items available.

The prize for most economical travel to the market goes to Forest Academy Alpacas, who brought their items in a bright yellow Smart Car pulling a small motorcycle style trailer - kudos!  Eggs and mushrooms flew out the door as Keene Organics did anything but lay an egg at this first market.  And the hand crafted wreaths from Nehmer's Produce  own trees certainly added to the holiday spirit.

For a moment lets talk about Malls and Farmers Markets.  They don't always seem like a good matching.  Many of the farmers market customers remarked that this was the first time they'd been inside the mall.  Some went as far to express concern about the non-localness of the mall and their shopping values that exclude malls and strip malls.  Even some of the vendors felt a little awkward setting up inside the wide decorated aisles of the Mall.

And while we all have our own lines in the sand about where we shop and from whom we buy, the folks at the mall have been generous and gracious in helping set up this indoor market.  Finding indoor space that can accomodate 10-15 twenty-foot stalls for four hours once a week is a challenge.  A place with adequate parking adds another layer of difficulty.  East Towne Mall is the perfect spot.


So, as you discuss your Sunday shopping plans, add the East Towne Mall Holiday Farmers Market to your list of must do's.  There's easy parking and entry on the eastside of the mall, near the Sears Store side entrance.  If all you want to do is patronize the farmers market, easy.  If you'd like to do more of your holiday shopping, the rest of the mall beckons.  No problems walking around Santa with an El Bollio Mexican pastry or the Elvis Wheat Free Bread from Waterhouse Bakery.  And the gift boxes from Le Claire dairy are the envy of any discriminating shopper.  They've supplied a great recipe below, just to whet your appetite.

Goat Cheese and Basil Stuffed Chicken

• 1 tsp finely shredded lemon peel
• 4 tbls lemon juice
• 2 tbls melted butter
• 1/2-1 c. shredded evelon goat cheese (amount varies to your desires taste)
• 2-3 tbls fresh basil crushed or 2 tsp dried basil
• 2 tbls melted butter
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1lb)

 To prepare the sauce combine lemon peel, lemon juice, and 2 tbls melted butter (set aside)

To prepare the stuffing combine the cheese, basil, 2 tbls melted butter and garlic in a small bowl and mix well

Use a meat mallet to pound chicken out flat. It makes less mess if you place the chicken breast inside of a storage bag that is not sealed and use the flat side of the mallet.

Lay chicken out and spread on forth of the stuffing across the chicken. Fold the chicken in half and secure with tooth picks.   Continue the same with the remainder of the chicken.

Brush with lemon butter sauce.  Prepare charcoal grill for indirect cooking.   Cook chicken for approx 20-25 min or until juices are no longer pink.  Brush with remaining sauce several times or until sauce is gone.