The Taste of Summer

One of my first finds when moving inland was the little produce stand on Palomar Street very near my home. There were oodles of fresh fruits and vegetables and even eggs at great prices. I'd stop by several times a week, greeted by the sweetest folks available to help or just give a smile. 

Plowboys Market on Palomar, I come to find out, was just a mini market...the BIG one was in Murrieta :)

It was a wonderful surprise to walk into Old Murrieta Plowboys Market right off Washington in the heart of Historic Downtown Murrieta for the first time and behold all the glorious goodies: cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes and avocados, all ripe and ready for eating. I found salad fixings of every kind and even a section of the market is devoted to organics, nuts and sweets. Dairy and bakery items are available also and everything is FRESH, FRESH, FRESH.

One of the most amazing things about this market is the fact that I can literally fill my basket up for about $30 (that included a couple of melons too!). My girlfriend also told me that you can get a 10% off coupon online: http://oldmurrietaplowboysproduce.com/coupons/. Yep, it is true. Just cut and paste to your browser and print out. Easy peasy!

One of my favorite recipes for summer is: (serves two) 

1/2 lb chopped chicken (we use leftover white meat)

1/2 cup each seedless red/green grapes, halved

2 apples cored and diced

1/2 cup fat free or low fat mayonnaise

1 lemon, halved

2 cups lettuce leaves

1/8 cup chopped pecans

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:  In a mixing bowl, combine chicken, grapes, apple, mayo, lemon juice and pepper.

Next, place lettuce leaves on 2 small plates.  Divide chicken salad mixture into 2 portions and spoon onto lettuce.  Sprinkle with pecans :)  nummy!

I love the fact that I can give my family the food they want, support our community and the local farmers at a price that makes eating healthy doable.  Thank you Plowboys! Located at: 24683 Washington Ave. in Murrieta.