Summer is here! At least it feels like it for now. It’ll probably go back to being near-freezing and sleeting next week based on recent Chicago weather patterns, but for now give me a giant ice cream cone from Annette’s (the above was their incredible carrot cake flavor) and I’m the happiest gal in the world.
Last summer, I waxed poetic about my all-time favorite kind of salad: panzanella. I mean, it’s a bread salad. What’s not to absolutely love? I made this salad a million times last summer and I don’t see this summer being any different. But while I’m waiting for those perfectly plump tomatoes to hit the farmers market, I decided to whip up a spring version that I have to say I – gasp! – might like better than the original.
I think the giant hunks of thick-cut bacon and the bread toasted up in bacon fat might have something to do with it. Maybe.
A fresh blueberry-peach smoothie and a giant bundle of asparagus from the farmers market
First things first: I had the best time at the Green City Farmers Market’s first outdoor weekend of the year. Brad was busy Saturday morning, so I had a “me” morning of strolling the farmers market leisurely, sampling everything, and watching adorable dogs and babies run around everywhere. Take-home spoils included: a fresh peach and blueberry smoothie made by a girl on a bike (seriously), a rhubarb spelt scone, an enormous bundle of asparagus, and an embarrassing amount of samples of Wisconsin cheese curds. I love the Midwest! I’m going to try to make it to the farmers market much more this year + hopefully share the seasonal goodness with you all on the blog! (Side note: why is every single person at farmers markets wearing gym clothes? There is NO WAY you ALL already worked out by 9am! Right…right?????)
The best, best thing about living in Chicago is that as soon as the weather shows even the slightest signs of heating up, people really freak out. The lakeshore path is filled with runners and bikers, restaurants bust out their outdoor patio furniture, and everywhere you look, people are drinking beer outside and laughing with their friends. The upside about the weather being absolute crap for much of the year is that people don’t waste a second of a sunny day, and there’s nothing like the energy in the city in the summer. It makes the rest of the year (almost) totally worth it.