Happy New Year!

By the time this blog posts we will be 18 hours into 2026.

Personally, I'm happy to give 2025 the heave ho. What am I looking forward to in 2026? Simple pleasures. In spades. 

You can't control what is happening in the world around you, but you can control what you bring into your world. And to your plate! After a month of holiday celebrations and excesses, I'm looking forward to some steamed cod or flounder from Pura Vida with some steamed bok choy from Titusville or Halal Pastures, both drizzled with some Agape Premium EVOO.

Some might call it “spa” food. I call it straight-forward deliciousness. I've said it before and I'll say it again: with ingredients this fresh, you really don't need to work so hard in the kitchen. But if you want something a little less plain Jane, try this recipe for coconut-poached fish with bok choy.

In January, I usually go through a ramen binge. Ramen is a great way to showcase everything we offer at the market right now, from fish to chicken to pork tenderloin or belly,  to fresh ginger, winter greens and shiitake or enoki mushrooms, and yes, those jammy eggs  (Six minutes, folks). 

Did you know that Letterbox Farm sells Tonkotsu broth so you don't even have to make your own? (quick side note: Hudson Valley Fish Farm will not be attending the winter markets but. you can find their smoked trout at the Letterbox tent). 

For many, ramen is considered an art form. Up to you if you choose to make it as authentically as possible. (For example, you could simply add your soft-boiled egg at the end or marinade it in a mirin and soy sauce for several hours, first).

Here's a time-consuming but oh-so-rewarding Alison Roman recipe for  making authentic Shoyu ramen at home.  If you want something less elaborate, try this easy chicken ramen recipe.

And, it's going to be mostly apples for the next few weeks at the Orchards of Concklin tent, so let's make the most of it, shall we? Try this apple almond crisp recipe from ZoeBakes.com.

See you at the market. And, from everyone at the Hastings Farmers Market, we wish you a healthy, peaceful and happy New Year.