So good, they're almost Japanese-worthy facsimiles of pleasurably acid fruit flavor.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Two Best Flavors of Dum-dums
So good, they're almost Japanese-worthy facsimiles of pleasurably acid fruit flavor.
Our Daily Bread
A documentary film by Nikolaus Geyrhalter. Yes, a German film - all incidental dialogue is in German, but that makes it even better. It's scenes from industrial food production, and I can only assume that Germany has a much cleaner slaughterhouse system than America. Really, they hose everything down with jet-powered suds at the end of the day1? Amazing. Slaughterhouses state-side would never allow a camera into the kill booth, would never allow a camera to film piglets being castrated, etc.
The film gains in gruesome technological power as it goes along, but it's beautifully shot and riveting to watch. Almost tranquil, alien scenes in the hydroponic greenhouses. And I love/hate the machine that distributes exactly the right number of live chicks into shipping boxes. Watch out for the salmon vacuum and the poultry vacuum. I highly recommend this movie. Our Daily Bread.
Yes, watching it did make me want to slide more to the vegetarian side of the spectrum. Glad I push for free-range organic eggs every time, even if they're not really clucking and scratching on lush pasture...at least they can walk around a little. Better than a cage. I hope.
Great movie. Everyone should see it. I like how no comment is made on the images delivered. It's just a slice of day-to-day industrial production, and it leaves the viewer to make his or her own comments. Extremely thought-provoking.
Collards and Omelets
A very good combination. The non-stick wok from my mom is rapidly becoming my favorite pan for most things. Fast, high heat! My omelet took two organic eggs, a splash of skim organic milk, a little canola oil, a good handful of steamed sliced collard greens, and a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. Plus a little cayenne. Really nice. I even figured out how to fold it over and serve. Cooked through, with just enough gooey cheese. Very tasty. Toast was wheat, with a garlic-sage-balsamic white bean spread.
Now enjoying some Earl Grey with a splash of milk. A super breakfast.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Paleo vs. Meditteranean
Of course I can't remember what author recently wrote about the "diseases of civilization," and how those diseases can be related back to cereal grains and agriculture. Make a projection in your head, and we are dying of obesity-related diseases at an alarming rate due to our reliance on cereal grains as our major source of calories. CORN. WHEAT. And now soy, of course, but that is a whole other story of easy protein and phytoestrogens.
So in the era of Atkins and low-carb diets, the high-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet and the low-carb, high-protein Paleolithic diet clash with each other. New trend, new trend! But then, hunting and foraging are very relative to location, no? In the Arctic, there are no trees for fuel, so you are going to preserve those dried musk oxen patties until the last possible moment. Indigenous people of the Arctic ate meat raw, sliced right off the carcass. Seal sushi. Whale sushi. Plus fish and berries and eggs, of course - easier to gather and cook those in summer time. But then, you had American Indians on the New England coast fishing, eating oysters, growing strawberries, corn, and squash, and simmering venison stew with wild rice and herbs. And then you had plains Indians subsisting on the famed "buffalo" - they're bison! Bison! And then there are people whose diets revolve around breadfruit, or manioc, or plantains, or RICE, or SOY, or vegetables. It just depends on the geographic and climatic dice you roll.
So a paleolithic diet is impossible to define. It all goes back to eating whole foods, simple foods, and not too much food. We should eat food, as Michael Pollan wrote, that our great great grandmothers would recognize as food. Or was that our Indian great grandmothers?
Poke, anyone? Ramps? How about a paw-paw. Purslane? Lamb's quarters, otherwise known as goosefoot. Sorrel. Lots of things to eat that have fallen out of favor or simply out of common knowledge. If you can get any of these greens without a liberal application of weedkiller, consider yourself lucky. And well-fed? I'm personally still looking for purslane that hasn't been peed on by a thousand dogs. The search could take a while. Meanwhile, I can eat cattails and day lilies.
A fine article on NutritionData.com, weighing the pro's and con's of Paleo vs. Meditteranean.
So in the era of Atkins and low-carb diets, the high-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet and the low-carb, high-protein Paleolithic diet clash with each other. New trend, new trend! But then, hunting and foraging are very relative to location, no? In the Arctic, there are no trees for fuel, so you are going to preserve those dried musk oxen patties until the last possible moment. Indigenous people of the Arctic ate meat raw, sliced right off the carcass. Seal sushi. Whale sushi. Plus fish and berries and eggs, of course - easier to gather and cook those in summer time. But then, you had American Indians on the New England coast fishing, eating oysters, growing strawberries, corn, and squash, and simmering venison stew with wild rice and herbs. And then you had plains Indians subsisting on the famed "buffalo" - they're bison! Bison! And then there are people whose diets revolve around breadfruit, or manioc, or plantains, or RICE, or SOY, or vegetables. It just depends on the geographic and climatic dice you roll.
So a paleolithic diet is impossible to define. It all goes back to eating whole foods, simple foods, and not too much food. We should eat food, as Michael Pollan wrote, that our great great grandmothers would recognize as food. Or was that our Indian great grandmothers?
Poke, anyone? Ramps? How about a paw-paw. Purslane? Lamb's quarters, otherwise known as goosefoot. Sorrel. Lots of things to eat that have fallen out of favor or simply out of common knowledge. If you can get any of these greens without a liberal application of weedkiller, consider yourself lucky. And well-fed? I'm personally still looking for purslane that hasn't been peed on by a thousand dogs. The search could take a while. Meanwhile, I can eat cattails and day lilies.
A fine article on NutritionData.com, weighing the pro's and con's of Paleo vs. Meditteranean.
Friday, September 25, 2009
My life is a long line of purees.
Tonight, I made more cream of tomato soup. With less salt! Stellar. Also, white bean dip with sage, otherwise known as Tuscan Hummus. Silky and delicious, featuring olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic, and a ridiculous amount of fresh garlic. Flu, stay away. Now I am making an acorn squash in the microwave. And then I may prepare some Brazilian-style collard greens with canola oil and garlic.
My steamed green beans were not so pretty this time, but still taste sweet. I guess they're a little bit tough and faded. Is this what happens to late summer beans? Still happy to have them, though.
Some very new and shiny Royal Gala apples at the Co-op. Excitement. Apples are my new dessert. Also, the wonderful and slightly expensive Packham pears. Looking forward to Clementines and better Navel oranges. I would enjoy some fresh figs right about now. Or papaya and lime and strawberries? Omg, FRUIT SALAD.
In the Lindsey Executive Suite, a seasonal fruit salad is currently being served with a fine cheese selection and multigrain toast triangles. Choose from a rotating selection of warm and cold savory salads. Sample tofu six ways at the hot buffet station! Add Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey to finish your meal with style.
There is a luxurious dining area for up to six, a large screen television with video game consoles, leather armchairs with overstuffed ottomans, and a thick futon bed with deep pillow top. For when you're too tired - or amorous - to continue eating! Simulated flickering, crackling, warmth-exuding fireplace to keep Fido safe and content on the hearth. Enjoy the faux polar bear rug with a friend. Mini-bar inside the replica 19th Century world globe! When you're well-rested, access the private gym with weight machines and virtual reality treadmills, as well as free weights. Jillian Michaels with a flat-top and Roman Centurion outfit is complimentary.
Your VIP Pass also gets you time on the matching set of heated suede beanbags for tired people and weary pups. Follow that up with a dip in our canine-friendly jacuzzi. Bison and carrot dog biscuits gratis, of course. Estate lawns and Chihuahua Stables open to Rover 24/7.
The temperature on the ground is 52 degrees Farenheit. Looks like lovely weather, folks. Thanks for flying with us today, and we hope you fly Lindsey Airways again soon.
My steamed green beans were not so pretty this time, but still taste sweet. I guess they're a little bit tough and faded. Is this what happens to late summer beans? Still happy to have them, though.
Some very new and shiny Royal Gala apples at the Co-op. Excitement. Apples are my new dessert. Also, the wonderful and slightly expensive Packham pears. Looking forward to Clementines and better Navel oranges. I would enjoy some fresh figs right about now. Or papaya and lime and strawberries? Omg, FRUIT SALAD.
In the Lindsey Executive Suite, a seasonal fruit salad is currently being served with a fine cheese selection and multigrain toast triangles. Choose from a rotating selection of warm and cold savory salads. Sample tofu six ways at the hot buffet station! Add Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey to finish your meal with style.
There is a luxurious dining area for up to six, a large screen television with video game consoles, leather armchairs with overstuffed ottomans, and a thick futon bed with deep pillow top. For when you're too tired - or amorous - to continue eating! Simulated flickering, crackling, warmth-exuding fireplace to keep Fido safe and content on the hearth. Enjoy the faux polar bear rug with a friend. Mini-bar inside the replica 19th Century world globe! When you're well-rested, access the private gym with weight machines and virtual reality treadmills, as well as free weights. Jillian Michaels with a flat-top and Roman Centurion outfit is complimentary.
Your VIP Pass also gets you time on the matching set of heated suede beanbags for tired people and weary pups. Follow that up with a dip in our canine-friendly jacuzzi. Bison and carrot dog biscuits gratis, of course. Estate lawns and Chihuahua Stables open to Rover 24/7.
The temperature on the ground is 52 degrees Farenheit. Looks like lovely weather, folks. Thanks for flying with us today, and we hope you fly Lindsey Airways again soon.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Food News
But first, I added sharp cheddar cheese to my broccoli potato puree, accented with herbes de provence. Really, really good. Added a tangy richness to the soup. I know, broccoli and potatoes and cheese are practically a holy trinity. I was overwhelmed by the angelic cheddar choirs, I guess.
Now for the news: Gourmet Magazine has a clever online slideshow of Oscar-inspired cocktails. For instance, he Meryl Streep (Persecco, Benedictine, and Goldschlager - for all those Oscar statuettes), and the Angelina Jolie (single malt scotch, elderflower liqueur). Hot stuff. I also like the Kate Winslet, the Sean Penn, and the Mickey Rourke cocktails.
Next, do you know about the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck in NYC? A guy bought an ice cream truck, and decided to let it all hang out with a giant rainbow ice cream cone on top of the truck. Lots of exotic ice cream toppings, like sea salt, balsamic vinegar, cardamom, and cayenne. And tshirts, of course, that are selling out almost faster than the ice cream. Check out the blog, don't forget to check twitter for location updates. I haven't gotten Big Gay ice cream yet, but I plan on it.
I had another link about pasta and eggplant puree, but you know what? I closed the page already. Tough.
Now for the news: Gourmet Magazine has a clever online slideshow of Oscar-inspired cocktails. For instance, he Meryl Streep (Persecco, Benedictine, and Goldschlager - for all those Oscar statuettes), and the Angelina Jolie (single malt scotch, elderflower liqueur). Hot stuff. I also like the Kate Winslet, the Sean Penn, and the Mickey Rourke cocktails.
Next, do you know about the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck in NYC? A guy bought an ice cream truck, and decided to let it all hang out with a giant rainbow ice cream cone on top of the truck. Lots of exotic ice cream toppings, like sea salt, balsamic vinegar, cardamom, and cayenne. And tshirts, of course, that are selling out almost faster than the ice cream. Check out the blog, don't forget to check twitter for location updates. I haven't gotten Big Gay ice cream yet, but I plan on it.
I had another link about pasta and eggplant puree, but you know what? I closed the page already. Tough.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Verdant Mystery
This is some candy or "dessert" available at one of the Chinatown banh mi shops. I love the color. I must find out what it tastes like - or, does anyone already know?? I like to think of it as Grass-flavored Candy. But who can say.
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