Off to Chicago: Renegade Craft Fair

Detroit Urban Craft Fair, November 21, 2009

Well, I'm off for the weekend! I'll be at the Renegade Holiday Fair in Chicago this Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is the hottest show in town this weekend and takes place at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse. Over 150 indie vendors will be selling their wares and spreading cheer, so come on down!

In the kitchen: Feta and Herb Stuffed Burgers with Polenta Fries

We tried out the ground beef from our Old Pine Farm meat CSA last night. I made Feta and Herb Stuffed burgers from one of the recipes included with our share. They were delicious. I've read that the biggest taste difference between corn-fed and grass-fed beef is in ground meat and after these burgers, I believe it. The meat has a stronger, naturally beefier flavor that the boy and I both really enjoyed. The meat is extremely lean, making for a denser burger, but wasn't dry at all.

Feta and Herb Stuffed Burgers
Adapted from The Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook by Kacey and Kelly Petersoon
Serves 3

1/3 cup crumbled feta (I used Greystone Creamery from the CSA)
1 heaping Tb fresh oregano, minced
2 Tb fresh spinach, chopped
1 pound ground beef
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Mix feta, oregano and spinach in a small bowl. Divide ground beef into three portions and form patties. Make a well in center of each burger and place 1/3 feta mix in it. Reform patty up and around stuffing, making sure it is all covered. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

I pan-fried the burgers in a cast iron skillet, though they could also be grilled. If you do cook them in a skillet, I like to cover with a lid when cooking the second side to create some steam to help cook them without drying them out.

Baked polenta fries are a great with these burgers. If you have leftover polenta, spread it in a dish that is a suitable size so that it forms a 1-1 1/2 inch layer and refrigerate. When you are ready to use it, invert the dish to remove the polenta and cut into 1/2 inch strips about 4 inches long. Place on lightly oiled baking sheet and bake at 425º until lightly browned and crisp, 25-30 minutes, turning once.

Driving full force into December

Welcome, December! I've had this festive fellow driving through my sketchbook for some time now and can't quite decide his fate. Maybe he needs a tree-lined shadowy, French-y boulevard in the background? For a card? a note book? Maybe driving through a snow storm? I know he's bound for something, I just don't know what.

From sophisticated to sweet: My Etsy Wish List

While I should have been printing, trimming, packing and cutting this morning in preparation for Renegade in Chicago next week, I got caught up in the spirit of Cyber Monday and spent the whole morning window shopping on Etsy. Here's a peak at what I put on my wish list after browsing through my favorite sellers' shops.

Jean Color Denim Handbag
by Crazy Boy from Thailand

Genteel Leather Wallet
by Urban Heirlooms from New Jersey

Sally coat
by Little Houses from Vancouver

Set of 4 Soft Cotton Bracelets
by Eastern Sky from Shropshire, UK

Printed linen sachets
by Designs Maya Made from upstate New York

Miss Knit brooch
by Crafty Folk from Portland, OR

Veekee Agenda/Midnight Tulip
by Veekee from Edmonton

Business card and address file box organizer
by Freestyle Gifts from San Francisco

Vintage Locker baskets
Old Crow Farm from Iowa

So while I drool some more over these gems, now's the time to take advantage of hot Cyber Monday deals on Etsy. My shop, as well as many others, has free worldwide shopping until midnight tonight. So don't delay! And let me know what favorites you find.