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Megans Cookin: The Napa Valley

Sunday, August 10, 2008

The Napa Valley

Heading to Bodega Bay, my husband likes to stop in Calistoga.

We stay at the fairgrounds in our 5TH Wheel trailer. That way, right outside our door is both a race track (He likes Spint cars) and a golf course. That makes him happy and there is plenty for me to do. Like sight seeing, wine tasting, a little gourmet shopping, and there was a farmers market on Saturday morning.
Yippee!!


Traveling through the countryside.


The farmers market was small but quaint. I got 3 jars of preserves.
Key Lime Curd
Jalapeno Garlic Jelly
Meyers lemon Marmalade
I also got tea!

Of course, my camera batteries died at the market, so...,
no pictures for you! (sorry)

The bounty looks plentiful!


We stopped at the Culinary Institute.



I've been by this place a number of times but I have never stopped.

Lunch for two will run you about $150.00.

I didn't think there was anything to see, unless you went to the restaurant.

I was wrong!


There is a store inside. More shopping!

These is even a cooking demonstration you can take for $15.00.

Now that I know... Next Time!!!



This is one of the classrooms.


Imagine..., you sitting there..., listing to the instructor,

Turducken on your mind...


This is where you would be sitting!
Cool! Huh?




We also went to Dean and Deluca.

Gourmet shopping at it's best!

I have to say, the first time I ever went in here, I was over whelmed.

I didn't have a clue what to get.


Still Don't!



What did I get?



Some cocoa nibs! -I have big plans for these.


Large pearl tapioca! -These just look fun!


Rose Flower Water-Marye has a scone recipe I want to try.


Tomato Paste-I needed some.


And some mini macaroons!




I also got some cheese!

See that slice with the herbs on it.
Well, lets just say it was dubbed as the stinky cheese.
At $49.99 a LB,(I only bought a 1/4 pound) it was not worth it.
I think I'll probably be returning home with leftovers of that.



But that container of cheese-see it?-
that was Cowgirl Creamery's Fromage blanc.
It was worth it's weight in gold. I will always pick up some of that when I see it.
The guy at the shop said you could use it any place you would use cream cheese.
He also said it would be wonderful stirred into polenta.

We just ate it on crackers.





And then there was my Tomato and Nectarine stack!
More about that in just a moment.





I'm excited about these macaroons. I see them everywhere in blog land and I want to know whether to invest the time and calories into perfecting these little gems.

We'll see!


With this little stack of goodness, I scored on the shopping trip.
I don't know what I thought it was when I bought it, but it wasn't that.

It is a cheese stack with nectarines and Heirloom tomatoes.

A little lavender with some chives sprinkled generously around it, this was great on crackers.

I wish I would of paid closer attention to the sign.

And asking a few questions would of been smart also. (Sigh!)





So that's it. My trip so far.

Sunday Morning we leave for Bodega Bay and

I wont have any Internet service. :(



I hope you enjoyed our little journey together.

See ya when I get home!







.

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13 Comments:

Blogger glamah16 said...

You lucky girl! I wish I was there.

August 10, 2008 at 12:34 PM  
Blogger April said...

Thanks for taking me along with you! Let me know how the rose water is, I have been looking everywhere for it here and I can't find it! Have a great rest of the week!

August 10, 2008 at 5:40 PM  
Blogger Laurie said...

Oh the cheese! :)
Have a wonderful and safe rest of your journey!

August 11, 2008 at 8:51 AM  
Blogger Shelby said...

Megan, I have lived vicariously through your vacations this summer! I really love that photo of the grapes (the last one!)

August 12, 2008 at 2:47 AM  
Blogger Glenna said...

Loved your post. It brought back memories from my trip to Napa Valley with my friend Sher of the What Did You Eat? blog. We ate at Mustard's Grill (fabulous) and then went to Dean & Deluca. I think we spent a couple of hours because I couldn't make up my mind and finally bought way too much stuff.

Beautiful country! Glad you had such a good time.

August 13, 2008 at 3:00 AM  
Blogger Dawn said...

Beautiful pictures! I feel like I am travelling right along with you.

August 13, 2008 at 8:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ahh, Napa Valley, what a wonderful place! Too bad your camera battery died, that happened to us a few time too, right when we needed the shot the most!

August 13, 2008 at 8:48 AM  
Blogger Veronica said...

I just hopped onto your blog. I just love Napa-wish it wasn't all the way across the country! It looks like you made some really great food purchases-that cheese looks amazing.

August 13, 2008 at 6:47 PM  
Blogger Prudy said...

Your panzanella looks delicious but your cheese has me swooning. Nectarines and tomatoes and cheese with herbs. I've died and gone to heaven.

August 14, 2008 at 6:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That cheese, peach and tomato thingy looks freakin' delish!

I'm not a big fan of road trips but I think I could go on one like the one you describe.

August 15, 2008 at 4:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a place! And that big tapioca does look like fun. :)

August 17, 2008 at 8:17 AM  
Blogger Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

How could things get any better...The Napa Valley, the wine, cheese and gourmet goodies. What a wonderful vacation.

August 18, 2008 at 5:50 AM  
Blogger Proud Italian Cook said...

I love Napa, we went there in May, now I want to go back!

August 21, 2008 at 6:48 PM  

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