Great class, rhubarb ginger jam

This morning I had the absolute pleasure of teaching a canning class here at home. Five women, some I knew, some I'd not yet met, came over, and together we made Rhubarb Ginger Jam, a new concoction of mine. The bread I started yesterday rose beautifully both times and baked up nicely this morning; I popped it from the oven just before the group arrived, and truly, the smell of fresh bread in one's home almost can't be beat. I subbed white whole wheat for the AP flour, used active dry yeast rather than instant,  and did knead the dough for about 3 minutes before putting it into the pan, which I'd greased with olive oil rather than butter. Simple, quick, and a perfect base for sandwiches -hence the title- and jam tasting!

The jam was a hit with all, and the tasting was great. We must have sampled at least 10 different items ranging from oven-roasted tomato to apple chile chutney to plum basil and on and on. It was an absolutely delightful time!

Sunday at the FM

After a terrific rainstorm yesterday afternoon and evening, we awoke to a gorgeous, clear day. As I've mentioned before, I love fall in DC; it sparkles crisply, things seem more alive as if they can stop cringing against the final heat of summer. Jack and T went to batting practice while Ol and I went to the farmers market. I'm teaching three Canning 101 classes this week so needed a huge quantity of rhubarb. Oliver discovered a new cheese from Everona, the Williamsburg, with which he fell in love and which he has been eating since. Inexplicably, saying "Williamsburg" sent him into peals of laughter, as if he were saying something illicitly hysterical.

Borlotti beans are here! Thrill- we bought a huge bunch. I also nabbed more yellow Romas for more sauce, some turnips, broccoli, celery root and eggplant. Ol picked up some buffalo jerky for himself and Jack, and on our way out we bought a few final peaches. I wish I'd bought some of these gorgeous raspberries!

Peppers!

Yesterday, a mysteriously pungent package awaited me when I returned home. I eagerly, carefully slit the tape and unfolded the damp cardboard flaps.

Inside I discovered a New Mexican ristra, a garland of tied-together fresh red chiles. A friend in my writing group lives near Santa Fe, and at her local farmers market she can buy all manner of local specialty: peppers, quelites (a native green) and so forth. Her favorite stand seems to be that run by Tony Gallegos and it was there that she bought this ristra for me. I am extremely flattered and excited. Her part of NM has received a ton of rain lately so the peppers haven't dried as much as they usually would. A few had begun to mold, and she suggested that I oven-dry them. I tried to untie them in such a way that they stayed intact because I hope to restring them; a few stems and seed bundles fell out, but I'll just use those first!

Cool, huh?!? Thank you!