Zingerman's Creamery and some truffles

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4798934777/" title="zingermans3483 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="zingermans3483" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4798934777_6ff72a8132.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4799568356/" title="zingermans3486 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="zingermans3486" height="374" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4799568356_c299c2abf0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />We were testing our old GPS and comparing it to the instructions on the iPhone, and decided a good place to go was Zingerman's Bakehouse and their Creamery, which are somewhat tricky to find. The downloaded "sync-my-ride" directions on the iPhone were better than the GPS.<br /><br />When we got there, we started tasting cheese. We also bought a San Francisco dry sausage, and from the Bakehouse, sourdough bread. On the way back -- map mode only and we didn't really need it -- we went to the <a href="http://regional-food.blogspot.com/2010/06/produce-station.html">Produce Station</a> for tomatoes and fruit. Lots of good things to do in Ann Arbor -- we didn't buy any of these:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4798934623/" title="producesta3487 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="producesta3487" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4798934623_4a9117baea_b.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Zingerman's Creamery and some truffles

We were testing our old GPS and comparing it to the instructions on the iPhone, and decided a good place to go was Zingerman's Bakehouse and their Creamery, which are somewhat tricky to find. The downloaded "sync-my-ride" directions on the iPhone were better than the GPS.When we got there, we start…

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Fascinating history of Greek food

In the <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/07/classic-greek-cuisine-not-so-classic/59600/">Atlantic food section</a>, a very interesting historic view of Greek food and when it originated -- especially moussaka. I always thought that Greek food (at least as I experienced it in American restaurants) was closely related to Turkish food -- which I think is wonderful. But it has other influences as well, and according to this author, has been the subject of efforts to purify it of Turkish influences. Says the author:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">"Moussaka, <span style="font-style: italic;">pasticcio</span>, Greek salad, and maybe <span style="font-style: italic;">youvetsi</span> (baked lamb with orzo in tomato sauce) are the dishes most non-Greeks consider to be the epitome of Greek cooking. Yet most of these dishes have very little to do with traditional foods. They were developed, or drastically revised, by professional cooks and restaurant owners who were particularly interested in pleasing the Athenian upper class of the early 1900s. The cosmopolitan Greeks of Smyrna (Izmir today) and Alexandria, in Egypt, were brought up eating mainly French-inspired foods in these prosperous cities of the Mediterranean, and thus favored tamed, sweet-and-creamy combinations of traditional favorites like the eggplant casserole, dishes that also pleased the palates of European and American visitors."</span></blockquote>

Fascinating history of Greek food

In the Atlantic food section, a very interesting historic view of Greek food and when it originated -- especially moussaka. I always thought that Greek food (at least as I experienced it in American restaurants) was closely related to Turkish food -- which I think is wonderful. But it has other infl…

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Pittsburgh Museum

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4788185670/" title="a-pitt3399 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="a-pitt3399" height="523" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4788185670_3249005976_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4788185492/" title="a-pitt3404 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="a-pitt3404" height="533" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4788185492_4a8c319299_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Honore Daumier's caricatures titled "Types Parisiens" (around 1840) include some wonderful depictions of restaurant scenes and chefs. Quite a few of his works were on view today when we visited the museum in Pittsburgh. We spent the late afternoon here with Aparna, Delia, Elaine, and Larry.<br /><br />Of course there are also plenty of still-lifes that show all sorts of food from many times and places, like this one from the 19th century:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4788185300/" title="a-pitt3409 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="a-pitt3409" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4788185300_8d664864aa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Delia seemed to enjoy it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4788185030/" title="a-pitt3380 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="a-pitt3380" height="481" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4788185030_eb55324f62_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I found a lot to like, such as this conceptual art work:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4788221194/" title="a-pitt3415 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="a-pitt3415" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4788221194_0d19fd9c59.jpg" width="500" /></a>

Pittsburgh Museum

Honore Daumier's caricatures titled "Types Parisiens" (around 1840) include some wonderful depictions of restaurant scenes and chefs. Quite a few of his works were on view today when we visited the museum in Pittsburgh. We spent the late afternoon here with Aparna, Delia, Elaine, and Larry.Of course…

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Markets Where I Shop

I'm a mad mad grocery shopper! I love to get fresh food, but I also love lots of other things. I have a nice big pantry, but I don't keep a vast oversupply of stuff onhand, probably because I like to shop and to plan meals only a day in advance, or even just a few hours before I do the cooking. I like to pick the nicest fruit and vegetables I can find, the best-looking meat, or fish that's on sale (usually that's because it's freshest and most abundant, and indeed I'm devastated by what's happened in the Gulf). Is the weather nice? I can get something to barbecue. Is it cold and rainy? I'll make a stew. But let me to to the store and decide just in time.<br /><br />So I've been posting on my favorite markets.<br /><br /><a href="http://regional-food.blogspot.com/2010/06/unoriginal-whole-foods-salad.html">Whole Foods:</a><br /><br /><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 /><a href="http://regional-food.blogspot.com/2010/06/farmers-market.html">The Ann Arbor Farmers Market</a>:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4735095625/" title="farmersmkt3186 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="farmersmkt3186" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4735095625_5a04a0f90a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://regional-food.blogspot.com/2010/06/produce-station.html">The Produce Station</a>:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4731533910/" title="produce-sta3139 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="produce-sta3139" height="375" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/4731533910_747da6ce32.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://regional-food.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-is-good-at-trader-joes.html">Trader Joe's:</a><br /><br /><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 />and Hiller's -- I'm flattered that Lydia has included my choice to kick off her market series: see <a href="http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2010/07/market-to-pantry-1-hillers-market-michigan.html">The Perfect Pantry</a> for July 10, 2010.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12003515@N05/4721586765/" title="hillers3123 by mesander2000, on Flickr"><img alt="hillers3123" height="375" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1060/4721586765_a70c3ba18f.jpg" width="500" /></a>

Markets Where I Shop

I'm a mad mad grocery shopper! I love to get fresh food, but I also love lots of other things. I have a nice big pantry, but I don't keep a vast oversupply of stuff onhand, probably because I like to shop and to plan meals only a day in advance, or even just a few hours before I do the cooking. I li…

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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 illuminated by the setting sun.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 wheth…

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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 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 p…

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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"Elvis" -- banana ice cream with bacon peanut brittleSalted LicoriceChocolate Smoked Sea SaltSalt & PepperHibiscus BeetFoie-gras ginger-snap ice cream sandwichesFetal Kitten --…

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