A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned the arrival of the Farmer's Market Festival season and I lemented the lack of bakers in the list of vendors. Well, I am happy to report that although they are not listed, there are two bakeries selling their products at the farmer's market: Great Harvest Bakery Company and a baker named Will (I think). Both make high quality products, though they are different styles of bread. Great Harvest mainly makes American-style loaves, with their cinnamon bread being one of their most popular products. Will drove over in a van from Denver with European loaves and pastries. I am fairly certain I saw him at a mall parking lot farmer's market last summer while visiting friends in Littleton.

So we have bakeries. Would a local dairy/cheese maker care to join in the fun?

Last Thursday's trip to the farmer's market was a quick one, as it opens at 5:00 and I had a 6:00 tee time for Men's Club at Tiara Rado. First I stopped at Z's Orchards booth for spring garlic, heirloom tomatoes (beefsteak, yellow, and green zebra) , English peas, Bing cherries, and the best strawberries I have seen since I was at a market in Brussels. You simply can't get strawberries, that small, ripe, and flavorful in a grocery store.

Next stop was Troyer's Poultry where I picked up a whole chicken and a pound of chicken livers. I chatted for a bit with Mike Troyer and found out they are raising their all-natural poultry just north of Olathe. Soon they will be offering duck and taking orders for goose and turkey.

Before leaving I stopped at Will's table and picked up a Ciabatta loaf and an elephant ear pastry (just to keep my energy up for the first tee).

On Friday, Lisa and I were supposed to meet our friend Greg for dinner. Inspired by my purchases I changed up our plans and invited Greg for dinner at our house. It meant a day of cleaning for company, but it was worth it.

My Farmer's Market Menu:

• Chicken liver pate with grilled crostini and Bing cherry-Balsamic relish
• Heirloom tomato salad with Feta cheese and olive oil
• Rotisserie chicken with spring garlic cream sauce
• Sauteed English peas and lettuce with nutmeg
• Truffle-infused Carolina gold rice pilaf
• Cognac macerated strawberries with pound cake and whipped cream

If you are interested in a recipe for any of these items, drop me a line via the Ask The Expert panel on this website. I'm happy to share them.

This week I plan to stop by the Roan Creek Ranch booth (really the tailgate of a pick-up) for one of the grass-fed beef ribeyes that I was eyeing. It will make a great cookout when I head up into the Colorado Rocky Mountains to go camping where those cattle range all summer.