Hot Shots - July 5, 2024
Charmaine Yam

It's going to be a scorcher this weekend. The valley is already feeling the heat, hitting the 30s by mid-week. How do you all feel about the heat? Personally, I think anything above 18°C is only tolerable if I'm in Hawaii, shaded by a gigantic palm tree with no coconuts threatening to fall, enjoying an ice-cold poke bowl with a gentle breeze at my back.

Last weekend, I made a 12-hour roast lamb shoulder. I cooked it in the oven at 210°F while I slept. I woke up drooling—not from poor sleep, but from hunger! LOL. I reduced all the stock and juices, plus a bottle of leftover wine, on the stovetop into a silky, viscous liquid, or as the fancy folks call it, a demi-glaze. We served this with pan-seared Brussels sprouts and a trio of mushrooms sautéed in butter with a pinch of black garlic.

Hotshots has been MIA for the last few weeks, but guess what? We have an abundance of new items and fresh arrivals waiting to be plucked from our warehouse and into your stores for everyone to enjoy.

Let’s see what I have uncovered this week:

The 1st of the local cherries from **Harker’s Fruit Ranch**

Garlic scapes from **Longview -** great pickled or pan fried with some bacon!

Radicchio castelfranco from **Coke Farm**

Legend has it that an elegant lady from the castle named this unique Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco. She adorned her home with these beautiful chicory heads during the winter months, giving them their curious name.

Green asparagus from **Devine/Double D Organics**

Cotton Candy grapes from **Divine Flavor**

Japanese eggplants are prized for their tender, creamy texture and mild, sweet flavor, which is less bitter than other varieties. With smaller seeds and a long, slender shape, they are ideal for easy slicing and uniform cooking. Perfect for grilling, stir-frying, and various dishes, making them one of my favorite variety.

Bulk blueberries from **Regehr Farms** - product of BC

Green kohlrabi from **Two EEs** - product of BC

Bridget and I were in the parking lot yesterday, rearranging compost bins when we discovered a huge spider. Taking this as a good omen, I gently collected the pristine specimen into a clear lunch tub and brought him into the office. It felt like childhood show-and-tell, asking each staff member, "Do you have arachnophobia? If not, want to see what we found today?"

You could hear the tub clicking as I showed the spider to interested parties. Carter from purchasing looked back with wide eyes, probably wondering if he should run. Irene from sales, the adventurer, suggested we release him into the community garden across the street and asked to join. Of course, I said yes, seeing it as a bonding moment with nature and coworker camaraderie. Everything is better with gusto and good vibes, even if it's made up!

By the time we were ready to release the spider, he had been named "Peter." How this happened remains a mystery, but some things are better left unexplained. Although I don't have kids, I imagine this is how attachments form: you bring home something interesting, and bonds develop before you know it.

Before things got out of hand, Irene and I released Peter into a lovely, shaded spot in the community garden. We waved goodbye and did a small happy dance to celebrate our bond. The myth, the legend, the spider—Peter.

Stay cool, hydrated, and as always, safety first. Thank you for reading along, and I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!
- The Compliance Officer

Hot Shots - July 5, 2024

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