A dinner party in Auburn

So this month the House 2 Home magazine brought me to Auburn to photograph the delightful Joanne Neft. She started the first Foothill Farmers' Market about 20 years ago, helped start the Mountain Mandarin Festival held in Auburn and is author of "Placer County Real Food Cookbook". Last year Joanne along with Chef Laura Kenny shopped the local farmers market on the weekends and on Monday evenings they would serve eight guests new and simple recipes they had created all from the foods bought at the farmers markets. They recipes are all compiled in this cookbook with all in-season menus all 52 weeks, starting in January and ending in December 2009. As soon as Betsy (the writer) and I arrived at the quaint cottage in the hills we were greeted at the door by the smiling faces of Joanne and Laura. Laura offered us a nectarine puree lemon-aid made fresh that afternoon and a appetizer of fresh salmon and dill dip with baby carrots, radishes and snap peas. Joanne shared with us the history of the farmers' markets start in Auburn and how Laura and her put the cookbook together. I was in heaven with the amazing window light in this house! Then it was time for lunch. Laura prepared steak over a bed of corn, cucumber, avocado and basil salad and bean sprouts and tiny tomatoes on the side. (lunch was made from food bought at the farmers market or from Joanne's personal garden) The portion size was just perfect because next came dessert! A lemon cream meringue with fresh picked blackberries, Raspberries and blueberries. It was so light, creamy and full of fruity flavors! I'm sorry all of you can't taste it, but please enjoy the images and check out her website! I Highly recommend buying this cookbook for yourself (and a friends or two). The recipes are simple, easy and amazingly tasty! Plus how great is it to support your local farmers!? Ok, enough talk and on to the images. Enjoy my friends! :)

Much Love & Happiness, Tiana