Hello everyone! Ellen from The Daily Grind here! I am excited to be the Guest Writer of the West this week (makes me sound like the Wicked Witch!). It looks like a few of you regulars are missing this week, so if I missed you, please leave a comment here or on my blog and I’ll add it right away!
Donna at Chocolate Crayons got some inspiration from all of you and whipped up a scrumptious sounding local meal of Calzones and salad. Noting that even the local farmstands’ offerings are looking a bit sad, she made a special trip to a local grocery store and came away with some fennel (recipe ideas for her, anyone?). The bread dough and filling (cheese for Hurricane Andrew, meaty-cheesy-veggie filling for the grownups) were almost all locally sourced (except for mushrooms, which scare her. Hee!) and WOW does that calzone smell good from here! Well done, Donna! Stay inspired … this sounds fantastic and I’m going to try and copy you next week!
From Donna’s, I visited Katrina at Kale for Sale. She has been reflecting on “Normal” and what this challenge has done to change her perception. This is such a beautiful entry – I highly recommend you all read it. And find a nettle source with a hundred tattoos, just for fun!
Then came Michelle at Green Bean Dreams. She was pumpkin-crazed at her local farmer’s market, as anyone would be when reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle…food just IS a miracle, isn’t it? She produced a MOST impressive local meal from her mother’s recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart. YUM! She even made butter when she discovered she was out (what is with all the homemade butter? Is there a homemade butter movement? Mmm…) Her homemade gluten-free tart crust cradled the luscious filling of local onions, homemade butter, local olive oil, local green squash monster (hee!), local egg, local whipping cream, local goat cheese and backyard herbs. Barbara would be proud.
Joan at Old Dog..New Tricks was busy this week! She cooked a lovely roasted chicken and vegetables from all local sources that sounded perfect for these chilly winter evenings. She also made a wild salmon pasta sauce for her locally produced pasta. YUM! And to top it off, her two evenings out on the town were carefully planned to support local restaurants that are pledged to support locally grown and organic ingredients. Well done, Joan!
The Shibaguyz managed a 100% local meal this week and even took pictures (although not the pics referenced on the blog – what’s up guys? I want to see those brussels sprouts!). Their tempting dinner of roasted rack of lamb, brussels sprouts and beet (yes, one GIGANTIC beet!) was a big hit, and apparently the brussels sprouts were the MOST delectable! Great meal, guys!
Wow, what an inspiring evening! I want to try the calzone and the onion tart for SURE! My week was fraught with strep throat (not me, the kids) but I was so grateful to my deep freeze and we ate well. And my friend had a baby so I cooked a lot Friday and Saturday to stock her up. Zucchini Bread, Pumpkin Saag, Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup, and Chickpea Spinach Curry were my local meals this week. I am out of my CSA beans that replace chickpeas so more (CSA) black beans will be on the menu in the next month! And I planted my seeds for the Growing Challenge! That makes me feel like Spring is just around the corner!
Last but certainly not least, Idaho Locavore tasted her Cambozola and it was delicious! It looks gorgeous too, doesn’t it? Mmm…and it might even be better in a month!
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This is Laura adding a brief update to Ellen’s fabulous recap.
I accidently missed Melinda last week and this week she has up some great highlights from her trip to the Dominican Republic. You can catch up on all of them here.
Anita joined us shortly after Ellen’s recap went up, so be sure to check out her beautiful breakfasts.
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Possibly Related posts (newest to oldest):
Oops — we were a little late getting our post up, but its there now:
http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/02/24/dark-days-mornings/
I think somehow I’ve been missed the last couple of times. My Dark Days posts are here:
http://web.mac.com/elementsintime/creatinglandscape/Dark_Days.html
I posted about all the local foods I ate while in the Dominican Republic – thought that might be interesting…?
Thanks!