Traverse City Food

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4778943698/" title="traverse3358 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="traverse3358" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4778943698_a5959f0788_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />At the Red Mesa Grill before dinner one night during this past few days in Traverse City, we admired the large collection of hot sauces illuminated by the setting sun.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4778308813/" title="traverse3375 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="traverse3375" height="376" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4778308813_5a22ed0996.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />We also admired the box of "fudge" the size of an automobile on top of one of the many fudge shops in the area. I have no idea whether Northern Michigan invented this particular style of fudge, including the invitation to watch it forming under the wooden paddle wielded by a teenager on summer vacation and to try a teensy sample. However, I once entered a similar fudge shop on the High Street in Cambridge, England, right near the world-famous King's College, and was told that it originated in "Mitchigan" which is how the name of our state is pronounced over there.<br /><br />Traverse City was having a Cherry Festival, but we chose to visit the more scenic attractions instead. We spent a day exploring the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, where I believe there are some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. Unfortunately their beauty is best appreciated on summer days such as we enjoyed, and these days are very rare.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4778944132/" title="traverse3280 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="traverse3280" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4778944132_dd35033bff.jpg" width="500" /></a>

Traverse City Food

At the Red Mesa Grill before dinner one night during this past few days in Traverse City, we admired the large collection of hot sauces illu...

Baca selengkapnya »

What is good at Trader Joe's?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4753219046/" title="TraderJoe3209 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="TraderJoe3209" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4753219046_84a21ff147.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes I think Trader Joe's is an emporium of pseudo-healthy junk food. Organic high calorie snacks. Appetizer pastries that you see at parties and pot-lucks all the time. And they are effusively friendly as illustrated by this welcoming sign and all the employees in Hawaiian shirts. Our TJs is pretty small compared to the ones where I shopped in LaJolla and Santa Barbara, too.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4753218638/" title="TraderJoe3214 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="TraderJoe3214" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4753218638_eb5201d14a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> Irresistible candy and other sweets are the most appealing thing at TJs. Bargain prices for Belgian chocolate. Cocoa almonds, candy-coated dried fruit, great lemon curd in a jar...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4753218752/" title="TraderJoe3211 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="TraderJoe3211" height="122" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4753218752_d2c10cd59d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> Sometimes I find bargains. These veggie burgers are cheaper than the same brand at Whole Foods. But mostly, Trader Joe's has its house brands.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4753218942/" title="TraderJoe3210 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="TraderJoe3210" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4753218942_97dbe5592f.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />And sometimes I think Trader Joe's is a wonderful place to get a meal when I don't really feel like cooking. Gyozas (a.k.a. potstickers). Ready-to-microwave meatballs with a jar of ready-to-serve sauce. Chicken breasts and sausages to put on skewers and cook outdoors on the grill. Pita bread, hummus, torillas, little bite-sized cheeses, tasty crackers. Not expensive.<br /><br />Even at the huge TJs in California, one couldn't make it the sole source of groceries. There just isn't enough variety or basic materials. Olive oil, ok. Spices, almost none at all. If you want to make Asian food, just buy the ready-made version. This is not ok all day every day. And the produce is very disappointing -- cheap, but not local and not always as fresh as I would like. I also prefer the wine selection elsewhere.<br /><br />The store is around 6 blocks from my house, so I'll probably keep picking up one or two things and a bunch of candy there from time to time. Yup.

What is good at Trader Joe's?

Sometimes I think Trader Joe's is an emporium of pseudo-healthy junk food. Organic high calorie snacks. Appetizer pastries that you see ...

Baca selengkapnya »

I just don't undersand

Ice cream flavors listed in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/magazine/04icecream-t.html?pagewanted=1">an idol-worshipping article</a> in the <span style="font-style: italic;">NY Times</span>:<br /><ul><li>"Secret Breakfast" -- bourbon and toasted cornflakes</li><li>"Elvis" -- banana ice cream with bacon peanut brittle</li><li>Salted Licorice</li><li>Chocolate Smoked Sea Salt</li><li>Salt & Pepper</li><li>Hibiscus Beet</li><li>Foie-gras ginger-snap ice cream sandwiches</li><li>Fetal Kitten -- the proprietor's idea of a joke, like it's the only one that's not truly on the menu.<br /></li></ul>

I just don't undersand

Ice cream flavors listed in an idol-worshipping article in the NY Times : "Secret Breakfast" -- bourbon and toasted cornflakes &q...

Baca selengkapnya »

Unoriginal Whole Foods Salad

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4749343268/" title="Whole_Foods3195 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="Whole_Foods3195" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4749343268_510222998c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />At her blog <a href="http://monthsofediblecelebrations.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-international-picnic-day.html">Months of Edible Celebrations</a>, my Blog Friend Louise is having a picnic. Each person brings -- that is, blogs -- an item, corresponding to a letter of the alphabet, and posts a corresponding blog entry on that item. [Sorry if this was confusing: it's a virtual picnic, based on a kids' game, with bloggers all over the country and maybe further than that.]<br /><br />I'm not really doing any original cooking and recipe experiments these days, so I volunteered for the most <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">U</span>npopular letter, and I'm bringing <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>noriginal Whole Foods Salad from the Salad Bar</span>. This also gives me the opportunity to talk about <span style="font-weight: bold;">Whole Foods Market</span>, one of the places I shop. (Inspiration for my series on shopping came from Blogger Lydia at <a href="http://www.theperfectpantry.com/">The Perfect Pantry</a>. This is my <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">U</span>noriginal month.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4749343078/" title="Whole_Foods3197 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="Whole_Foods3197" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4749343078_4b980718fe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I love to shop for high-quality cheese, meat, bread, bulk spices, olive oil, and produce at Whole Foods. But in a pinch -- like needing a picnic -- they also offer freshly made sushi, a steam table buffet (which I admit to not trying due to steam-table prejudice), a large prepared foods counter (pricy but very tempting), and a big salad bar: today's source of our imaginary picnic.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4748702227/" title="Whole_Foods3199 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="Whole_Foods3199" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4748702227_3aaba704e2_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4748701305/" title="Whole_Foods3203 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="Whole_Foods3203" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4748701305_dfd8416053_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4748701457/" title="Whole_Foods3205 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="Whole_Foods3205" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4748701457_d0dc1faac9_m.jpg" width="180" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4748701631/" title="Whole_Foods3202 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="Whole_Foods3202" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4748701631_49977b0f3f_m.jpg" width="180" /></a><br /><br />So, to play Louise's picnic alphabet game, I say <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm going on a picnic, and I am bringing the following beautiful and wonderful recipes that have been posted</span>:<br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">A- <a href="http://moderndayozzieandharriet.blogspot.com/2010/06/almond-joy-pie-for-picnic.html">Almond Joy Pie (Marjie) @ Modern Day Ozzie & Harriet</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://moderndayozzieandharriet.blogspot.com/2010/06/almond-joy-pie-for-picnic.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">B- <a href="http://grubandstuff.blogspot.com/2010/06/picnic-worthy-baked-beans.html">Baked Beans (Kasha) @ Grub and Stuff </a></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">C-<a href="http://dyingforchocolate.blogspot.com/2010/06/chocolate-picnic-cake.html"> Chocolate Picnic Cake Janet @ Dying for Chocolate</a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://dyingforchocolate.blogspot.com/2010/06/chocolate-picnic-cake.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">D-<a href="http://sporadiccook.blogspot.com/2010/06/dutch-funnel-cake.html"> Dutch Funnel Cake (Julie) Sporadic Cook</a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;"><a href="http://sporadiccook.blogspot.com/2010/06/dutch-funnel-cake.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">E-<a href="http://simplerecipes.me/?p=2166"> Easy Blender Chicken Pie (Juliana) @ Simple Recipes</a> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;"><a href="http://simplerecipes.me/?p=2166" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">F-5 <a href="http://moveablefeastscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/06/culinary-history-101-five-bean-salad.html">Bean Salad-(Barbara) @ Moveable Feasts<span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);"> </span></a></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">G-<a href="http://baskersfunfoods.blogspot.com/2010/06/picnic-game.html"> Granola Bars (Stephanie) @ Fun Foods on a Budget </a></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">H-<a href="http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/2010/06/herb-and-cheese-pasta-salad-for-picnic.html"> Herb and Cheese Pasta Salad<span style="font: 18px Arial;"> (</span>Reeni) @ Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice </a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/2010/06/herb-and-cheese-pasta-salad-for-picnic.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">I- <a href="http://raspberryandchipotle.blogspot.com/2010/06/international-picnic-day.html">Incredibly Fruity Raspberry Cakes (Tessa) @ Raspberry & Chipotle </a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; min-height: 22px;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">J-<a href="http://rochellesvintagerecipes.blogspot.com/2010/06/jeweled-picnic-bars.html"> Jeweled Picnic Bars Rochelle @ Rochelle's Vintage & Frugal Recipes </a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; min-height: 22px;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">K- <a href="http://petrafoede.de/blog/2010/06/29/aus-omas-kueche-kaltschale/">Kaltschale (Cold Fruit Soup) Petra @ Kaffeeklatsch</a> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">L- <a href="http://culinarytypes.blogspot.com/2010/06/long-island-lemonade-cocktail.html">Long Island Lemonade Cocktail (T.W.) @ Culinary Types </a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; min-height: 22px;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">M- <a href="http://gherkinstomatoes.com/2010/06/27/anatomy-lesson-rustic-mushroom-tart/">Mushroom Tart (Cynthia) @ Gherkins & Tomatoes</a> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;"><a href="http://gherkinstomatoes.com/2010/06/27/anatomy-lesson-rustic-mushroom-tart/" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">N- <a href="http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com/2010/06/going-on-picnic-with-nutroast.html">Nut Roast (Johanna) @ Green Gourmet Giraffe </a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; min-height: 22px;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">O-<a href="http://comfycook.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/olive-nut-bread-and-time-to-play/"> Olive Nut Bread (Chaya) @ Chaya's Comfy Cook</a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); min-height: 22px;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">P-<a href="http://morethanamountfull.blogspot.com/2010/06/caponata-international-picnic-day.html"> Pomegranate Mousse Cake (Chef Dennis) @ More Than a Mouthful </a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://morethanamountfull.blogspot.com/2010/06/caponata-international-picnic-day.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">Q<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-</span><a href="http://sweetsav.blogspot.com/2010/06/q-is-for-quiche-lets-play-game.html"> Quiche (Chaya) @ Sweet & Savory(also does comfy cook) </a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://sweetsav.blogspot.com/2010/06/q-is-for-quiche-lets-play-game.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">R-<a href="http://annesfood.blogspot.com/2010/06/raspberry-chocolate-macarons.html"> Raspberry Chocolate Macarons-(Anne) @ Anne's Food</a> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://annesfood.blogspot.com/2010/06/raspberry-chocolate-macarons.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">S-<a href="http://hisperfectpromises.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-time-for-picnic-game.html"> Spicy Glazed Shrimp and Veggie Kabobs (Tamara) @ God's Perfect Promises<span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);"> </span></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://hisperfectpromises.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-time-for-picnic-game.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 18px Verdana;">T- <a href="http://girlichef.blogspot.com/2010/06/im-going-on-picnic-and-im-bringing.html">Turkey and Pear wraps w/ Curried Aioli!! (Heather) @ Girl Chef</a><br /></p><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span></span> - AND now it's up to me. I'm going to Whole Foods, and select my favorites from the salad bar and maybe a package of sushi too:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4749433330/" title="Whole_Foods3207 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="Whole_Foods3207" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4749433330_2e5bc95024_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> U</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">noriginal, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">U</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">nimaginative, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;">U</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ncreative, </span>and giving me<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;">U</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ndeserved</span> status in this picnic game --<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1Uh5UyEy1ifOV21AVRr8H9ygi8zymULJhWVTJ8JB8kpk_BXRcQxTZpsuLI8Gc0AGYakxoKuQl15wzXCjXPotQnj-5WFPaJQLOqziQvbiOva3D7uupZ0rb52r1XS8XFItikxhnO1Sk_0b/s800/picnic.day.logo.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1Uh5UyEy1ifOV21AVRr8H9ygi8zymULJhWVTJ8JB8kpk_BXRcQxTZpsuLI8Gc0AGYakxoKuQl15wzXCjXPotQnj-5WFPaJQLOqziQvbiOva3D7uupZ0rb52r1XS8XFItikxhnO1Sk_0b/s800/picnic.day.logo.png" /></a>

Unoriginal Whole Foods Salad

At her blog Months of Edible Celebrations , my Blog Friend Louise is having a picnic. Each person brings -- that is, blogs -- an item, corre...

Baca selengkapnya »

The Farmers Market

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4735095625/" title="farmersmkt3186 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="farmersmkt3186" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4735095625_5a04a0f90a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />For several years I've been taking photos of the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, which rents stalls only to the primary growers of fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, bedding plants, and meat. Bakers, potters, and other craftsmakers can also sell their own products. Farmers drive in from the area perhaps 50 miles around -- one orchard from Traverse City brings cherries in a few times a year. The cherries I bought today are from closer to home, though. The potatoes were dug yesterday, and the farmer said it's only the second time he's harvested them this year -- so they are NEW potatoes! It's the end of the season for sugar peas -- I hope the ones I bought are really tender.<br /><br />Obviously, this means everything is local.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4735734106/" title="farmersmkt3184 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="farmersmkt3184" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4735734106_0f1f93605a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4735096077/" title="farmersmkt3182 by mesander2000, on Flickr"> <img alt="farmersmkt3182" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4735096077_7b2331fa31_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4735095937/" title="farmersmkt3183 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="farmersmkt3183" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4735095937_f7de9f529a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Today was my first trip to the market this year. It definitely belongs in my little series on my favorite markets and supermarkets!

The Farmers Market

For several years I've been taking photos of the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, which rents stalls only to the primary growers of fruit, vege...

Baca selengkapnya »

The Produce Station

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4731533910/" title="produce-sta3139 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3139" height="480" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/4731533910_747da6ce32_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Since I seem to be grocery shopping often these days, I decided to post pictures of some of the markets and supermarkets where I am spending my time. The Produce Station offers a wide selection of local fruit and vegetables, gardening plants, prepared meals, and quite a few other things.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4730891037/" title="produce-sta3155 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3155" height="375" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1004/4730891037_cc37e57a50.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Today the most exciting local produce was Michigan cherries.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4731534490/" title="produce-sta3156 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3156" height="180" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/4731534490_0f2572d121_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>...but if you want something more exotic, it's available!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4730891329/" title="produce-sta3159 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3159" height="328" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/4730891329_a27a1a38e8.jpg" width="500" /></a> Zingerman's bakehouse is marvelous -- the best thing the Zingerman's empire does, as far as I'm concerned. Driving to the bakehouse itself takes a little more time: The Produce Station has around half of the kinds of bread from the bakehouse.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4730891801/" title="produce-sta3172 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3172" height="180" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/4730891801_d797c59b22_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>Plenty of vegetables...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4730891981/" title="produce-sta3175 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3175" height="375" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/4730891981_81988434dc.jpg" width="500" /></a>... and cheese...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4731534902/" title="produce-sta3169 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3169" height="240" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1358/4731534902_46eacf5f1a_m.jpg" width="212" /></a>...candy in packages and also bulk candy, nuts, fancy mixes, dried fruit, and even a small wine selection. I took photos of all this, but it's way to extensive to show.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4731534738/" title="produce-sta3164 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3164" height="172" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1034/4731534738_59ffca95e0_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>pizza, quiche, macaroni and cheese, burritos, soups, a salad bar. So many temptations.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4730890795/" title="produce-sta3143 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3143" height="530" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1404/4730890795_6e49bc87fe_b.jpg" width="640" /></a>Outside, you can buy lots of herb plants, flowers, tomato plants, cages to grow them on, beautiful flower pots, even small trees. The most amazing thing is that the store is so small that you can hardly get past the other carts.<br /><br />Thanks to Lydia at <a href="http://www.theperfectpantry.com/">The Perfect Pantry</a> for giving me the idea to write about my markets!

The Produce Station

Since I seem to be grocery shopping often these days, I decided to post pictures of some of the markets and supermarkets where I am spending...

Baca selengkapnya »

Quiet, Quiet, Quiet

After our very exciting travel in the Galapagos, we are enjoying a very quiet month. Our garden is beautiful, thanks to frequent rain storms. I am cooking plain but tasty meals with foods from various markets and supermarkets.<br /><br />I read one good travel and food article in a current <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span>: <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/travel/20PersonalJourney.html?ref=travel">A Liberian Tour With Fork (and Fingers)</a>. The author writes: "Liberian food is my weakness. Hearty, spicy and influenced by the immigrants and settlers who have over the years made this tiny coastal country home, it incorporates the best of West African cooking with traditions from the American South"<br /><br />I'm reading the endlessly long <span style="font-style: italic;">Les Miserables</span>, having decided to follow up <span style="font-style: italic;">Anna Karenina</span> (read on the long plane ride to Ecuador and on some of the quiet afternoons in the hotel) and <span style="font-style: italic;">Moby Dick</span> (read when I returned from the trip). I don't like Victor Hugo as well as Tolstoy or Melville.<br /><br />But it's all very quiet. And that's why I haven't posted any new thoughts on food.

Quiet, Quiet, Quiet

After our very exciting travel in the Galapagos, we are enjoying a very quiet month. Our garden is beautiful, thanks to frequent rain storms...

Baca selengkapnya »