I love it when new restaurants open in town… it’s a rarity around here in the Nickel Cities but in Chicago, where I moved from, a new spot would pop up weekly it seemed! So when I suggested to Andy that we try out the new Comfort Market in the Village this past weekend, he was game. The concept was really great too; yummy sandwiches and salads and mac and cheese dishes paired with affordable bottles of wine in a cute market-ish setting. It’s just want we need in Arroyo Grande and I’m sorry Andy didn’t think of the idea and patent it sooner!

The “market” itself though was a disappointment. I was hoping it would be stocked with homemade yum-yums from the owner/chef herself but instead I found items I could easily pick up at Von’s or Trader Joe’s. If I want a bottle of Siracha I’ll hit my local grocery store where it sells for less than five dollars rather than at the Comfort Market where it’s marked up to $7.25! And Carr’s crackers for three dollars more than I usually pay? Nah. However the menu was very interesting, our waitress Natasha was a hoot, the food was of high quality and I even got some good ideas for my blog there. Bottom line- I will be going back!

Andy and I split the Roasted Brussels and Root Veggie Salad that consisted of local greens tossed in a citrus vinaigrette with carrots, roasted potatoes, warmed roasted Brussels sprouts, and topped with candied pumpkin seeds and feta cheese. We also had the most amazing “FANCY” Ham and Cheese sandwich with Prosciutto, sliced apples, dried cherries, Brie and a smear of Dijon on wheat. Both were mouth watering. It inspired me to make my own fancy sandwich and salad for dinner last night and boy did it come out good! Definitely one of my favorite meals this month by far! 

I also hosted my first Wine Down Party last Friday night with 11 of my girlfriends. It was such a fun night, with a great theme and everyone brought really interesting wines- not the run of the mill ordinary stuff that I always seems to drink. I put out a charcuterie board with five different cheeses, olives, cornichons, hummus, and my friends brought cupcakes, and other fun desserts that were all gone at the end of the night. Sorry Andy, no leftovers for you! My friends and I are definitely going to have another one in August followed by my annual Clothing Swap and Libations Party (because it ain’t a party without drinks!) on Saturday, September 6. If you live in the area you should stop on by!

I’m obsessed with cooking with cherries as of late!

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I’m So Fancy Ham and Cheese Sandwich- serves two 

Ingredients:

-4 slices of bread (I used Rye)

-4 slices of ham

-1 apple

-1/2 cup cherries, pitted

-1/2 wheel Brie cheese thickly sliced (I used Goat’s Brie and Cow’s Brie)

Directions:

1. Slice the apples as thinly as possible or use your mandolin like I did. Also pit the cherries with your pitter (who knew these devices exist?) or with your hand and put aside.

2. On a skillet, lightly cook the slices of ham until they start to brown.

3. Take your bread and layer the ingredients on: the apples first, then the cherries, Brie cheese and ham.

4. Take the entire sandwich and place it on the skillet to grill for about five minutes or until the cheese begins to melt and ooze.

5. Spread mustard inside if you prefer and enjoy with this delicious side salad and Indian pickles that my student Ally gave me!

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Quick Spicy Indian Pickles- makes 24 spears 

Ingredients:

Best pickles I’ve ever had! Thanks Ally!

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And lastly…. here’s that yummy side salad I promised you with this easy peesy citrus dressing! Enjoy!

Take 2 cups spring mix, 1 sliced cucumber, a handful of cherry tomatoes and 2 packets of Trader Joe’s Oh! My Omega Nuts, and toss! Serve with this citrus dressing below!

Citrus Dressing: 2 T olive olive oil, 2 T rice vinegar, 2 T apple cider vinegar, the juice of 2 limes and a dash of sugar, salt and pepper. Easy Peesy!

 Wow! That’s a wrap! I’ll see you shortly to share my newest creation, Chocolate Zucchini Bread, that I made last weekend and was SO good that I’ll probably make it again on Friday! Happy Hump Day Friends!