An Interview with Sara Foster

Upon walking into Foster’s Market, you automatically feel relaxed and at home. The food is always superb and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. There are two locations – one in Durham and one in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Both of the re-purposed buildings are architecturally interesting and filled with comfortable seating, unique tables, and quirky artwork. The menu offers a variety of favorites that are tweaked daily depending on what is in season. On any given day you will find local Duke and UNC students, professors, mothers with young children, professionals holding informal meetings, couples, etc. Foster’s Market is a place where you can be comfortable by yourself or with a group of people. One thing is certain – you will enjoy your meal!

Foster’s Market is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the powerhouse behind this success is Sara Foster, an accomplished individual dedicated to good, honest food. Aside from owning both café locations, she is a renowned chef, author of four cookbooks, and a personal friend of Martha Stewart. Sara was exposed to the freshest of ingredients at a very young age while visiting her Grandparents on their local farm in Tennessee. Experiencing work in the large garden, harvesting each season's bounty, preserving fruits and vegetables for the winter, raising hogs, and cooking the wide variety of produce all contributed to the young Sara's culinary education.

Sara began cooking professionally in the early 1980’s. She went on to work as a chef and caterer before graduating from New York Restaurant School. Sara then became a chef at Martha Stewart’s catering business. When asked what Martha is really like, Sara responds warmly that Martha is a very down-to-earth person. She has an insatiable curiosity and is constantly engaged in learning. Martha has been very supportive of Sara's career and has featured her work in her many publications as well as having her on the Martha Stewart Show to cook, discuss entertaining, and showcase her latest cookbook. Knowing Martha Stewart's very high standards, this speaks very well of Sara Foster.

Sara eventually opened her own successful catering company in Connecticut. After a few years, she and her husband were looking for a change of pace and chose to settle in Durham, North Carolina where they bought a farm and achieved the dream of opening a market and café. Thus, Foster’s Market was born. This region of North Carolina, known as the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) is a foodie’s oasis. The growing interest in local foods is a grass roots movement that has been quickly gaining momentum. Terms such as sustainable agriculture, organic, free-range, slow food, small farm, and seasonal eating are all part of the regional lexicon and dialog here. When it was pointed out that this has been part of Sara's food philosophy for over thirty years, she commented, "Fresh, local food, and prepared-in-season has always been a given in my restaurants.”

Sara’s latest cookbook Sara Foster’s Southern Kitchen (found here) is her first southern cookbook which traces back to her roots and pays homage to her family. In her grandparents’ time, cooking, growing, and preparation of food was a way of life and was done out of necessity. This cookbook is a combination of traditional family recipes as well as a modern approach to technique. Sara defines southern cooking as being focused on ingredients rather than being recipe driven. She also finds today’s southern cooking to be lighter, fresher, and more seasonal. With this being her fourth cookbook and with all that Sara has accomplished in her career, it will be interesting to see what she does next.



A Note from me:
It was a pleasure to sit down with Sara Foster and discuss her prolific career. I have been going to Foster’s Market since I was four years old and it will continue to be a fun destination for my family and friends. Not only is the food fresh and delicious, but we also enjoy the unique and creative atmosphere. I have tried many items on her menu, but I have my favorites. I always appreciate the many layers of flavor that is Sara Foster’s signature. By the way, we happen to share an affinity for Jack Russell Terriers (she owns two!). I hope that you all check out her latest cookbook!

Sweet & Spicy Pecans with Salty Dogs

With the holidays fast approaching are you looking for a delightful hors d'oeuvre and cocktail combination? The contrast of the savory, crunchy pecans and the refreshing citrus drink will have your taste buds standing up and taking notice. I recently served these at a get together and everyone was guessing at the ingredients and asking for the recipes. They can be found in Sara Foster's new cookbook Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen. I just had to include Yui in this photo shoot because I was making a salty DOG! In the last photo it looks like she is saying, "Oh, is this for me?"

Visit the blog Thursday to read my article on Sara Foster after interviewing the famous food guru herself!

Acorn Delight!

There is something quite charming about an acorn. They are so cheerful with their little beret hats. This is why I have been happy to dedicate this week to the little guys.

I had to put on my thinking cap (or acorn cap?) for some budget-friendly DIY projects involving acorns. I also wanted to offer a different color scheme from the normal fall colors. Hello green, white, and silver!

Here is a little explanation on each craft:

1. Acorn Centerpiece: You can't get much simpler than this! Just pick up acorns off the ground and fill a hurricane vase with a candle. This is a beautiful natural decoration for next to nothing! I must note that this display only lasts a few days as the acorns eventually give off moisture. There are ways to dry acorns in a low oven if you want them to last longer.

2. Acorn Place Card: Make a small slice in the bottom of an acorn using a Dremel tool. Make sure you select an acorn that stands up well on its top. Write your guests' names on a leaf with a silver paint pen.

3. Scrabble Tile Wine Charm: Screw a tiny (11mm) eye-hook into a Scrabble tile. Loop ball chain (the type key chains are made of) and use a connector to finish. You can also find these individual materials at most bead stores and hardware stores. You need at least six inches to fit around a wine stem or beer bottle. Guests can choose their initials to keep track of their beverages. Oak leaves also provide a fun and natural coaster for your drinks!

4. Acorn Mobile: Tie silver thread around acorns to make a whimsical mobile.

5. Acorn Magnet: Glue a heavy duty magnet to an acorn for a fun way to display items on your fridge. Use a strong glue such as E-6000.

6. Acorn Bowl for a Fairy House: My Daddy and I used to make these fairy houses when I was a little girl and we found that acorn caps made enchanting little bowls (Yes, that is a real toad! I had to work quickly so Mr. Toad wasn't traumatized).

7. Acorn Necklace: Remove the cap from the acorn and use a heavy duty glue to re-attach it to ensure it never comes apart. Screw a small eye hook into the top. Use silver or gold Rub'n Buff on the outside of the acorn. Seal it with clear resin to make sure none of the silver rubs off. String it on a chain and you're good to go!

8. Beret Finger Puppets: Use Zots (glue dots) to keep the acorn tops attached to your fingers. Draw with skin-friendly markers and have fun animating them! This is a great craft to do with kids.


Enjoy the acorns this season!

Autumn Acorn Squash Recipe

Let me give you some really sound advice: DO NOT eat this in bed. You are actually ten times more likely to spill the entire thing in your bed if you have white sheets (statistics source: Murphy's Law). No, of course I am not speaking from experience... Don't judge.

I hereby declare this to be acorn week! There really should be such a week. Come back Wednesday to see my post on an acorn table setting and some fun acorn crafts!

The Best Way to Cook an Artichoke

 

So what does Yui have to do with artichokes? Absolutely nothing, of course! She was just very interested in the artichoke and decided she had to be in this shoot. The weirdo.

I applaud the first person who bravely ate an artichoke. As beautiful as they are, they do not look very appetizing with their intimidating prickly leaves. I have tried cooking an artichoke many ways - boiling, steaming, baking... but I have found that the best way is by microwaving them! It seems to retain the most flavor. I am someone who only uses the microwave for popcorn. I wish I could tell you some sophisticated way to cook them, but this is the method that honestly works.

My husband and I eat artichokes all the time (especially when they are in season and cheaper!). They can be pretty filling when you have one all to yourself. Artichokes are like crab legs in that you have to work hard to get your prize. The delicious heart at the center is definitely worth it!

As someone who loves flavor and spicing things up, I find that artichokes are one of the few things that I prefer to stay as true to nature as possible. That being said, it is pretty much essential that you dip them in butter! :)



If you have never tried an artichoke, I dare you to go out and buy one this week.
Let me know what you think!

It Seems That I Collect Vases!

I couldn't resist this sea urchin vase from the very chic and fun store Furbish.
Check it out!