The Best Kind of Shopping Day!

I love Spring and Summer weekends- Farmer's Markets, Flea Markets, fresh fruits and veggies- it doesn't get any better!

Last night we had another MAJOR storm. The lightening was incredible- several trees in our neighborhood were split in two- thunder roared and the rain was torrential! This morning the skies were trying very hard to be that beautiful Carolina blue we love so much. I figured I'd get out early just in case the weather decided to do a repeat performance and decided to go to the smallest of our local farmer's markets which, despite it's size, happens to have some of my favorite vendors. 

South Estes Market

Box Turtle Bakery

Box Turtle Bakery was my first stop today. Owner/baker Abraham uses only locally grown whole grains (he mills his own flours!) and ingredients and bakes in a brick oven built in his backyard. You all know I'm an avid bread baker, but these breads are wonderful. I was actually hoping for some of his spelt pitas with a Meatless Monday meal in mind, but I was out of luck today on that count. I did treat myself to a couple of yummy, sweet cream scones to nibble on as I browsed the other stalls. I'll be picking up the pitas next week, so stay tuned....

Next stop...

Now, as you all know, I'm Italian. that means that it would be physically impossible to walk by a cheese vendor without tasting- and BUYING. A lovely, very creamy sun-dried tomato chevre came home with me. 

The other wonderful thing about this particular market is that it happens to be right next to a wonderful little mall that houses my very favorite local kitchen shop. Since someone in my house decided to use my kitchen squirt bottles for paint while decorating T-shirts to wear at a concert (not naming names here, but a certain 16 year old comes to mind), a stop was in order.

Aaahhhhhhh....

I LOVE this place!

Kitchenworks is an indispensable source for baking supplies, pans, specialty gadgets, and anything else the die-hard foodie dreams about

The staff is incredibly nice and always helpful. Just look at the sugars, colors, and sprinkles! Sugar heaven!!

How fun is this!

Linens and dishes- I could get lost here

Napkins!

So squirt bottles (and a few other goodies) in hand I headed home. After safely HIDING said squirt bottles, I decided that my husband deserved a special treat- while I was drooling over fresh cheese and cast iron pots, he kept several antsy kids busy and prevented a few battles . 

Though a certain 11 year old is now the reason I have to go to the eyeglass place first thing in the morning to replace the THIRD pair of glasses in as many months. 

"But Mom!! I FORGOT I had them on when I jumped in the pool!"

Is 11 too young for contact lenses??

I digress...

Hubby is a confirmed chocoholic. Here's what I made him. 

Enjoy!

 Chocolate Cupcakes
adapted from a recipe from Cook's Illustrated, May 2010

 Ganache :
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate , chopped fine
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

Cupcakes:
3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate , chopped fine
1/3 cup (1 ounce) Dutch-processed cocoa
3/4 cup hot coffee
3/4 cup (4 1/8 ounces) bread flour
3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces) granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:
1/3 cup (2 1/3 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large egg whites
Pinch salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter , softened and cut into 1-tablespoon pieces
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate , melted and cooled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ganache: Place chocolate, cream, and confectioners’ sugar in medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high power until mixture is warm to touch, 20 to 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth; transfer bowl to refrigerator and let stand until just chilled, no longer than 30 minutes.

Directions for Cupcakes: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard-size muffin pan with 12 baking-cup liners. Place chocolate and cocoa in medium bowl. Pour hot coffee over mixture and whisk until smooth. Set in refrigerator to cool completely, about 20 minutes. Whisk flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

Whisk oil, eggs, vinegar, and vanilla into cooled chocolate-cocoa mixture until smooth. Add flour mixture and whisk until smooth.

Divide batter evenly among muffin pan cups. Place one slightly rounded teaspoon ganache on top of each cupcake. Bake until cupcakes are set and just firm to touch, 17 to 19 minutes. Cool cupcakes in muffin pan on wire rack until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Carefully lift each cupcake from muffin pan and set on wire rack. Cool to room temperature before frosting, about 1 hour.

Frosting: Combine sugar, egg whites, and salt in bowl of stand mixer; place bowl over pan of simmering water. Whisking gently but constantly, heat mixture until slightly thickened, foamy, and registers 150 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 2 to 3 minutes.

Place bowl in stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Beat mixture on medium speed until consistency of shaving cream and slightly cooled, 1 to 2 minutes. Add butter, 1 piece at a time, until smooth and creamy. (Frosting may look curdled after half of butter has been added; it will smooth with additional butter.) Once all butter is added, add cooled melted chocolate and vanilla; mix until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until thoroughly combined, about 30- 45 seconds, scraping beater and sides of bowl with rubber spatula as necessary.

To frost cupcakes, mound 2 to 3 tablespoons frosting on center of each cupcake. I poured the frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip and swirled it on. 

Yield:  12 cupcakes

By the way, all opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I am not in any way compensated for anything I'm posting here. I am a firm believer in supporting your smaller local businesses when possible and I urge you to do the same. My memories of daily walks to local vendors to purchase the days' food needs with my Nonna are priceless to me

As Always,

Buon Cibo, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie