Fresh peaches at the Farmer’s Market

Doug Bowler

The Certified Farmers’ Market in Laguna Beach has been providing the

freshest, home grown fruit, vegetables, cheese, baked goods, honey,

plants and other goodies for eight years.

Quality and freshness are guaranteed because all the products come

directly from the growing source, avoiding storage and cooling stages

typical during the shipping process. Plus there are no middle-people

to compensate, reducing the basic food costs so you can afford a trip

to the movies, the Sawdust and Art Festivals or buy several books

from the Friend’s of the Library.

The Lewis Farm is one of the participants in the market. Every

weekend from mid-May to September Marilyn Lewis, friends and family,

including her daughter McKenzie and her son Mike Jr., head south from

their Kinsburg, Calif. Farm (40 miles south of Fresno). Their purpose

is to sell Mike Srs.’ peaches, nectarines and other goodies, all home

grown and picked the same day from the trees on their 250-acre farm.

The farm has been family run for 28 years.

Starting either very early Saturday morning or Friday evening, the

family packs up and heads south, staying with relatives on the way.

They sell Saturday at the Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar markets and

then move on to Laguna Niguel and San Clemente markets on Sunday.

The Farmer’s Market is open 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the Festival

days in the Lumber Yard parking lot next to City Hall. Parking on the

site is free.

Marilyn’s Peachy California Pizza

2 pounds of peaches sliced thin and set aside

1/2 roll ready-made sugar cookie dough

Press dough on to bottom of pan with a removable bottom (spring

form) to about 1/4 --inch thick and about 3/4-inch from the edge

(the cookie will expand); cook per instructions; cool.

Blend together in a large bowl with electric mixer and set aside:

8 ounce packages of cream cheese

8 ounce tub whipped cream

Combine all in a heavy sauce pan and cook (simmer) until thick

like a jelly, about 20 minutes; cool.

1 cup sugar

2 table spoons cornstarch

1 cup fresh orange juice

1/2 cup water

salt

1 table spoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated orange peel

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooked cookie in the pan.

Place the peaches over the cream cheese, then pour the glaze mix over

the peaches to cover. Chill overnight. Cut like a pizza slice.