Hummus, True Cod, Grass-Fed Beef at Farmers Market

Dill mint hummus, True Cod, a white flaky rich flavored fish, and grass-fed beef are available at today's Manhattan Beach Farmers Market. The market runs until 4 p.m. today on 13th Street at Morningside Drive in downtown MB.

If you're a hummus fan, the market has plenty, including a fire hot hummus, which gives a slow warm heat that is nice to eat with tabouli salad and pita bread or crackers, of course, according to market manager Susan Hillyer.

The MB Farmers Market welcomes Novy Ranches, owned by a retired veterinarian who raises cattle for angus grass-fed beef.

Hillyer says she's bee in the mood for mushrooms lately, adding them to soups and on the weekend creating an omelette with grueyere cheese, tomato and mushrooms. ABC Rubarb is offering a choice between shiitake, white buttons, oyster, and mushroom medley, a pre-mixed bag of all, for $10 for a one pound bag.

She also notes that Schreiners has a wonderful sausage they bring for their market customers: it has no preservatives, no fillers, is all white meat chicken with sun dried tomatoes and basil. It's the perfect dinner item, said Hillyer.

You'll also find delicious low-calorie drinks that contain fiber, electrolytes, leaves, grass, coconut, vegetable and pulp, according to Hillyer.

Dave from Dave's Korean is at the market today. Stop by to get answers to your health benefit questions about his products, including the U-cha green salad, which contains calcium, minerals, vitamin C and cayenne for a kick.

Vegan almond butter cookies areavailable at The Good Cookie and perfect for a gluten-free diet.

And If there was a season for dried fruit, this is it, says Hillyer. Try persimmon, crimson pluots, flavor queen plums and Asian pears. Add them to your breakfast, trail mix or snack--they're better than candy, says Hillyer.

Ruth Jaime of Jaime Farms is at the market today, too. Ask her about their row crops, including celery.

Ha's Apples has a special of Fuji and Pink Lady apples bagged for $5 and Mr. Gama has returned from his four-week holiday trip, bringing his blood oranges, pumelos, grapefruit, haas avocados [available until October] and sweet pink navel oranges back to the market.

Hillyer says the sweetest smelling farmer is Atkins with their citrus, herb plants and the Asian and Mexican Guava, which contains a high amount of vitamin C and is considered a super food.

JR Organics has expanded its flower selection lilies, tiger lilies, orientals and calla lilies. They also have an abundance of squash, greens, eggplant, tomatillo, a few bunches of red carrots and bags of basil and dill.

Santiago's strawberries are looking better and are full of flavor, says Hillyer.

Other items at today's market include grapes and dried fruit in jewel tones: dried
apricots, peaches, plums, pluots, apricots, nectarines and seven different varieties of raisins.

The MB Farmers Market is held every Tuesday rain or shine. It opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. this time of year.