South Lawn

The White House is planting a vegetable garden on the South Lawn.  Hopefully more people will realize the benefits of this and do the same. It cuts your food costs, uses less oil and manufactured energy while providing physical activity and fresh air.  Of course food tastes better too.  Even if people don't grow their own food perhaps people will become aware of the benefits of  local agriculture.  Maybe more small farms will be created as a result, that would mean more farmers markets in more communities.  People would eat better, and start losing weight.  The general health of communities would improve creating a more productive society with lower health care costs and more wealth.  The White House kitchen garden might be the unrealized saviour of the economic crises.  Wouldn't that be delicious. 

Great News

Food safety is making great strides with the new administration. Read more about that here Wouldn't it be something If they plant a vegetable garden on the lawn. Alice Waters is a fan.
If you missed the Alice Waters profile on 60 minutes last night then you can watch that here. She cooks her eggs on a spoon in a fireplace in her kitchen. Wish!

Oh Yes He Did

Let's talk about two things. Mushrooms and clams. Not together but that would work too. Yesterday we bought the oyster and shitake variety. Mushrooms will keep in a brown paper bag for one week in the refrigerator.



Every week at the farmers market as we make our way around the stalls I always call out to Chef as we pass the fisherman, "James, should we get fish?" Usually I am met with no reply so I'll cry out again and he'll mumble something about something and we move on. That's why I was so happily surprised when he shared his plans to make clams and pasta. It was such a lovely dinner! The clams where so fresh and tasted like sea, and there is something wonderful about pulling that meaty piece out of that hard shell. Like I'm the first person to touch my food. It felt very primitive and human. Sort of rare in the food we eat if you think about it.



The jus at the end was a delicious wine reduction mixed with garlic, shallots, basil, and parsley. Several slices of fresh baguette from Napoli Bakery where required to soak up all that goodness. Chef really did a great job with the clams but I don't think he took to them like I hoped he would. I am afraid it will be a while coming before he makes this one again. Still I applaud his big step towards diversifying his fish menu. Maybe next week mussels?

Fish N Chips

Something about this January has energized me. I have never felt so renewed and so open to the possibilities of this new year. A new President might be the biggest breath of fresh air, but the little things count too. For example, and I share this with you because it relates to the blog, the McCarren Park market has a fantastic new stand that sells mushrooms. The mushrooms are beautiful and the old farmer couple has such a wide variety. Chef made mushroom risotto the first week we bought them. I hope the farmers stick around to see how busy they will be come springtime. Ahhhh springtime....

Yesterday at the market we bought cod and potatoes with no plan in mind. Later we realized fish 'n' chips were written in the stars. It was delicious! Even if I felt fat and greasy afterwards, my guilt passed quickly because it was so well made and tasted so fresh. The batter for the fish was light and crispy and after frying the cod was perfectly steamed inside. Chef makes mouth watering hand cut french fries and deep fries them twice. Frustrating for me to come into the kitchen try to eat a fry and be told they aren't finished yet but worth the wait. Patience pays, a lesson I learn every time Chef makes french fries. A bit of red wine vinegar drizzled on top of the fish for acid, some mayo for the fries, a cold beer, and it was a dinner fit for a sea captain.

Autumn is Fallen

Last week of the CSA season.

Brussel Sprouts
Cauliflower
Collards
Butternut Squash
Carrots
Parsnips
Garlic
Potatoes
Lettuce

A hearty supply. I'm going to miss having so much fresh from the farm food around. Winter is come and once again we'll be left to eat like a Soviet Russian, potatoes, water and bread.
If I lived in California I could be eating farmers market pomegranates to my hearts content.

Drive-By Apple Picking

Last weekend James, Red and I went to Fishkill, NY to pick apples. I was not surprised that there were so many people, it was a warm Sunday afternoon, a great day to be outside. I was surprised to see most of the people DRIVE through the orchards. Am I crazy to think half the fun gone when you drive-by apple pick. They hardly get out of their cars, they just lean out, grab a branch and shake. Obviously these people don't eat fresh apples otherwise they wouldn't be so fat and lazy. Chances are they take the apples home, make a pie and deep fry it. Right, so after said fatties pick an apple, 90% of them time chuck it to the ground, probably because it is not perfect. If I know an American, I know they will take only the most untarnished, artificial looking fruit or vegetable they can find. The more it looks like a factory made it the tastier it will be.



Notice the car in the distance.

Obviously this raises issues with regards to the orchard as well. They talk about sustainable agriculture but there was a line of cars almost one mile long waiting to drive-by apple pick. I have never seen anything like it, I was astonished and kind of pissed off. Needless to say I wouldn't recommend going there for the experience of being immersed in nature and fresh air. Though the apples were good, I bet I could find good ones other places without an SUV roaring through the row next to me.

We had a good time and managed to get some fresh air when the exhaust and dust cleared. We got a good amount of apples. All of which we ate except for the 9 that James made into a delicious, golden braided apple pie that has me licking my lips and wishing he would disappear for a few hours so I can put that there pie in the deep frier and cook her up real crispy, the way
Jesus intended. Git n mah belleh.






P.S. I would never deep fry a pie. Ever. Unless it is Thanksgiving and the frier is already out for the turkey in which case yes I will deep fry the pie. If anyone would like to come over for Thanksgiving you are welcome to. Just bring something along- as long as it can be fried.

P.P.S Not really.

Living Locally

Over the years I have become more conscious when shopping in a grocery store about what country or state the produce is coming from. I try to eat local all the time but something like pomegranates are the exception. Every fall when California pomegranates hit the shelves I'm first in line. Something like blueberries, also a favorite fruit, I only eat in the summer when they grow locally. The idea of bringing blueberries from Chile or South Africa to NYC in the winter is too much and not worth it. Besides the carbon foot print, there is little to no regulation in customs when it comes importing produce. If I can't locate the place of origin on a sign or a sticker then I don't buy it. With the exception of the pomegranate. Judge me if you will. That's why I want to live in a place where blueberries and pomegranates grow. A new law makes it official that grocery stores will have to start labeling the country of origin that meats, produce and some nuts come from. You can read a short article from the NYT sbout that. Perhaps people will become more aware of eating and shopping locally.

Speaking of local, a man named WIll Allen in Milwaukee has an urban farm called Growing Power and it's changing the way people are eating in that city and in nearby cities. If only there were more people like him. Read the article from the NYT.

Even though the economic melt down of this country is going to have an adverse effect on a lot of things. It might be a good thing for the future of slow food and living locally.