Yesterday’s trip to the farmer’s market was quick and early. Andrew and I were headed into town for some holiday-related shopping (new Ray-Bans for him, nothing for me save a longing for a pair of Cathy Clubmasters in coral), so my flowers and veg were bought swiftly and efficiently.

For greens, I picked up a pointed English cabbage, a summertime favourite of mine. Whether it’s destined for a slaw or stir-fry, it’ll be a welcome addition to the table this week. A head of broccoli and six small artichokes (I’ll likely serve them on their own, but how decadent does this sound?) complete the week’s green quota.

The red flowers (Zinnias, I think?) came from my regular vegetable stall, and just spoke to me with their bright, graphic blooms. They look lovely with the tomatoes, which are finally appearing at the market in all their glory. I’m thinking of trying this Scalloped Tomatoes dish from Smitten Kitchen with those.

And that pretzel stick (or Laugenstange, if you’re a purist) was my breakfast, nibbled on the train later in the morning. It was absolutely delicious, so don’t be surprised if you see a pretzel recipe on here in the coming weeks.

What’s happening in your kitchen this week?

I had meant to post more than just one recipe this week, but I’ve been plagued by computer troubles over the last several days. A problem with our landline left Andrew and me without phone or broadband for several days. Though eventually resolved, it then appeared that my sites had been affected by the recent Media Temple/WordPress malware issue, which involved an evening of updates, code scanning and virus checking on our part.

But it seems that, for the moment at least (knock on wood), I’m free and clear of computer issues. Good thing too, because I’ve got some big cooking plans for the week ahead. See those peas, broad beans and green onions above? I’ve been dreaming of a summer quiche containing loads of good green stuff, and it seems like this is the week to make it a reality.

Also on my mind, a rustic and tasty strawberry galette. I’ve got a few ideas in mind to make mine a bit special, so come back later in the week if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat.

Also on my radar, Nigel Slater’s Roast Tomatoes with Thyme and Goat’s Cheese, and Not Without Salt’s Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting (via The Kitchn). I’m thinking the former will make a great lunch one day this week, and the latter a delicious dessert (and one that forces me to finally try making my own marshmallows).

What are you planning on cooking this week?

Well, I suppose since a) I shop at a farmer’s market, and b) that market is in London, my vegetables are never really Italian, anyway. But there’s a reason for that statement, and it’s not as rude as it sounds, honest. See, Andrew and I have just booked our summer holiday for this year, and while escaping to the Amalfi coast sounds like heaven, being bored of pasta, pizza and seafood by the second night there doesn’t. While I’m not convinced I could ever get tired of Italian food, I’m still going to make a concerted effort to focus on Asian, English and other non-Mediterranean cuisines until then.

So, how did this affect my shopping this morning? Well, it didn’t really. Though I’m not planning any Italian feasts with the above veg, I can’t say I have any other grand plans for them, either. I’ll do a roasted vegetable salad with the carrots, fennel and red onion. This is one of my favourite recipes lately, so stay tuned. The savoy cabbage will likely end up in a stir-fry or slaw, depending on my mood.

Those strawberries are half-used already. I’d been meaning to try Jamie Oliver’s recipe for Grilled Strawberries with Pimm’s for a good year already, but it took Tara at Seven Spoons to convince me. It was dessert tonight, and I’m still licking my lips.

Other items on my non-Italian radar this week? Ottolenghi’s Mee Goreng has caught my eye, as has this Farro and Herbs recipe from 101 Cookbooks. Oh, and if I wasn’t looking ahead to sporting my swimsuit on the beach, I’d be making this Root Beer Chocolate Bundt Cake right now.

What’s on your food radar this week?

I’m afraid I spent neither much time nor much money on my market trip yesterday. Some old friends were in London, kicking off a belated honeymoon across Europe, and we were in a hurry to meet them in town, show them our city and enjoy the sunshine together. As such, my weekly trip to the market was more of a mad dash from stall to stall, in an effort to spend the few pounds I could find in my purse (no time to wait in line at the cash machine, you see) on some food for the week ahead.

Despite my rush, I was thrilled to see the first season’s peas available. I love fresh peas, whether in tarts, pastas, dumplings or salads. No plans for these ones yet, but I can’t wait to sit down with a big bowl (perhaps in front of some bad TV) for some relaxing podding time.

For that broccoli, I’m thinking something fresh and summery. My recent experiment with slaw having gone so well, I’m ready to branch out. This broccoli slaw from Smitten Kitchen looks great (minus the mayo, of course).

The rest of the veg will be for salads, pastas and stir-fries as needed. Those eggs? Why something delicious and sweet from the oven, of course. Stay tuned to find out what- I’m thinking an old-fashioned cake of some sort.

What are you making this week?

Beautiful, no? I think I’ve outdone myself with these summer veg; they’re just so pretty! Though the weather here in London can’t make up its mind, the vegetables are insisting that summer has begun. Yesterday’s trip to the market confirmed this with sunny weather, bright colours and produce galore.

This is the second week I’ve seen the little globe artichokes at the market. I’m a huge artichoke fan but have never been all that adept at cooking them. But this is the year that will change, and I’ve already got one good idea. While buying these babies, I overheard the veg-stall woman talking to another customer about an artichoke pesto. How good does that sound?!

The carrots and red onion will get roasted and tossed with some Israeli cous cous (I finally got my hands on some). This is a salad that I love at work and crave during my days off. Making it at home, and perhaps adding my own Kitchenist spin to it, will help with the separation pangs.

I’m still looking for an ideal radish recipe. I’ve learnt to like their sharp, refreshing taste, but am still searching for the tipping point; the recipe that will make me love them. Nigel Slater’s salad of radish, green onion and fennel has sparked a couple ideas, so watch this space.

The “London bloomer” loaf is destined for toast, sandwiches and the like. Actually, we’ve already enjoyed several slices in my favourite “snacky lunch” of late. Good bread topped with a scraping of butter, some peppery rocket and a couple slices of camembert cheese. Salt, pepper and apply to face- delicious.

What is summer looking like in your kitchen lately?

Today is the day my radio interview aired on BBC Radio 4‘s The Food Programme. While I listened to the entire thing with my hands over my ears, alternating tortured groans with cries of “Do I really sound like that?!”, I don’t expect you to. But should you feel like having a listen, the show – on amateur food photography – will be available soon here.

This momentous and embarrassing event meant that I needed to be home by 12:30, so I visited the farmer’s market early this morning. The sun was high and the crowds were thick today, but my mind was on the veg.

This was my first broad bean purchase of 2010, and I was looking forward to it. Last year, I made a Broad Bean, Mint and Lemon “Peasto” that I’m tempted to repeat this week. It sure would taste lovely on a grilled slice of that ciabatta bread. Another option is combining the broad beans and the asparagus; Nigella‘s Pasta Salad Primavera certainly looks tasty.

That green packet bottom right is organic rocket; I love its sharp, peppery flavour in salads and pastas. It’ll likely be the former this week, since I think rocket goes perfectly with the mild, watery crunch of good cucumber.

It isn’t really strawberry season yet, but given my surprisingly good experience a couple weeks ago, I couldn’t resist another punnet. Maybe you can help me decide- strawberry shortcakes or eton mess?

What are you cooking this week? Care to let me in on your grand culinary plans?

Oh, and if you’re new to Kitchenist, welcome! (Thanks Radio 4 x)

Truthfully, I don’t have any plans to “divide” this veg (it’s all for me, so back off) but the arrangement did remind me a little of grade 5 math class. On second thoughts, I did buy a lot of food yesterday (it was one of those days when everything at the market looked delicious) so maybe some dividing might be in order. At least between Andrew and me.

I’ve got a couple different recipes planned this week. The cabbage, carrot and spring onions are destined for a Thai noodle salad- something Phad Thai-esque. No sources yet for a recipe, so it’ll likely be a try-and-see affair. Who knows, I may throw in some of those radishes for extra crunch, too.

The little broccoli and the cauliflower (hiding under its leaves bottom right) were dinner last night- I made a variation on my favourite cannelloni recipe. The eggs are also half used up; a meal of soft-scrambled eggs was just the thing for a post-market breakfast yesterday.

I’m not sure why I went for a baguette this week, perhaps I was feeling particularly French yesterday. In any case, it will go well with the asparagus soup I plan to make for lunch one day soon.

What are your cooking plans for the week?

Apologies for the tardiness with this post. Today is (was?) a Bank Holiday Monday here in the UK, so I’ve had other things on my to-do list. The day was one part delicious (scones in the morning, slow-scrambled eggs for lunch), one part productive (defrosting the fridge, a run in the park) and several parts lazy (watching Mary Poppins and That Thing You Do! on TV). I figured I’d better get these veggies live before Glee starts, though.

Because yesterday was slightly more usual, and I did manage to buy food for the week- or rather, Andrew did. I was stuck at work, but if this gorgeous selection is the result of staying away from the market, well- I wouldn’t mind a repeat.

It’s nearing the end of asparagus season, and this bunch of stalks is thicker than ideal. Still, I’m intrigued by Smitten Kitchen‘s Shaved Asparagus Pizza, and think I’ll be trying that technique in some form or other.

If it’s late for asparagus, it seems a bit early for strawberries. But the few days of hot weather we’ve had seem to have paid off- those two punnets were a lot sweeter than I imagined. They’re almost all gone, eaten as a snack with vanilla yogurt.

That gigantic lettuce will serve me well if the hot weather returns. I like salads with bite, so this Panzanella looks great to me. I can add in cubes of that lovely bread, and maybe even the beets (roasted), as well.

What are you cooking this week?

Today’s trip to the farmer’s market was the most bizarre I’ve had yet, let me tell you. Instead of doing my shopping in usual solitude, I was followed around by two women I’d only just met, one of whom held a microphone in front my face while the other narrated my actions.

Let me explain. This morning I was interviewed by Sheila Dillon of BBC Radio 4‘s The Food Programme. Shelia and her producer Sukey picked me up at my part time job and recorded an interview with me there, before accompanying me to the market while I did my shopping. How did this happen? A few weeks ago, The Food Programme did a show on food photography, ending with a request for readers to send in their own photos. With a little encouragement (okay, a mandate) from Andrew, I complied. Several emails later and voilà! I’m a radio star.

Well, not quite. If I’m honest, it was terribly nerve-wracking; it’s amazing how difficult a simple thing like talking can become when you’re being recorded. But for better or for worse, you’ll be able to hear me on BBC 4 sometime next month; I’ll keep you posted on the details.

Focusing as I was on creating coherent sentences, I admit that I had little attention to spare for my actual shopping this week. I bought some bread for toast and sandwiches throughout the week, a lettuce for some fresh summer salads, and some eggs for baking.

I also picked up a green cabbage; my recent experiment with slaw has whet my appetite somewhat, so I’m thinking of branching out a little. Smitten Kitchen‘s Cabbage and Lime Salad with Roasted Peanuts looks great. If I opt for something hot, I might try a variation on my favourite spicy cabbage dish.  I wonder how it would be with some tofu or prawns added, tossed with noodles?

The potatoes and tomatoes (so pretty on the vine!) do have a specific purpose, but you’ll have to wait a couple days to find out. An intriguing recipe from a new cookbook of mine, all I’ll say about it now is that it’s a kind of pizza. Sort of.

Has anything exciting been happening in your kitchen lately? What’s cooking this week?

It’s been quiet in the Kitchenist kitchen recently; last week was a busy one for me, and I took the whole weekend (Friday, too) off for some birthday celebrations (not mine). The break was nice but I was happy to be back at the market yesterday; perhaps you can tell by the riotous colour of my vegetables?

Okay, it’s really just the chard that’s colourful, but still. When faced with a whole display of it at the market, I couldn’t decide between a purple or orange bunch- so I got both. I’m thinking it will have to be enjoyed in a pasta or tart of sorts, because I definitely want those lovely colours to be visble.

Fresh lettuce is just beginning to appear around here, and after all the tough cabbages of winter, I’m ready for it. This purple bunch will make a lovely side salad- perhaps an opportunity to share my favourite dressing recipe with you?

It doesn’t seem like a lot of food, I’ll admit. But I’ve got some leftovers lying around in the fridge, so I won’t be starving this week. Also coming up in the days to come: a favourite rice salad recipe, a simple veggie side dish and some yummy home baking (what, I haven’t decided yet).

What’s happening in your kitchen this week?