I’ve heard some murmurings from a few first time challenge participants that they can’t compete with the gourmet meals being cooked. I want to say loud and clear – this IS NOT A COMPETITION. It’s a challenge. And like any challenge, you start where you are and you try to go as far as you can.
I will admit right now that the first time I did an eat local challenge I was a bit embarrassed at the simplicity of our meals. But you know what? That’s the way we eat and that’s the way we cook. It might not always be sophisticated or gourmet but it almost always tastes really freakin good. Really good.
Some of that is my growing skill and confidence in the kitchen (modesty aside), but most of it is creditable to the high quality ingredients we use.
This week has included several complicated meals, one that I’m trying to write up dirtied an insane number of pots/pans for a seemingly simple meal. But the one that I’m choosing to feature first is what I ate while home alone tonight.
Homegrown potatoes diced and pan fried with bacon and a bit of salt. Local bread toasted with homemade raspberry jam. A two-egg scallion and cheddar omelet. And a glass of Washington Chardonnay left from the cooking extravaganza alluded to above.
Might not be fancy, but it’s one of our go-to lazy night dinners around here. We both like it and I’m extremely proud of the fact that I’ve finally mastered the pan fried potato. In fact, mine might be better than Mike’s these days 
Not to mention the fact that I’ve only recently learned to make an omelet without making a mess in the pan.
As the host of this challenge I’m here to tell you that what you cook doesn’t matter. Whether you enjoy finding the ingredients, preparing the meal and eating it does. So cook what you’ve got and be proud of it, we’re all just here to cheer you on.
Stay tuned for Sunday night when Kimberly will be filling in for me on the recap. I’m visiting my family in MN for a long weekend while Mike stays here and holds down the fort.
*****
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Laura- Thanks for the post. Couldn’t agree more with your thoughts. Thanks for the encouragement.
I don’t know where I should submit this, but here’s our Dark Days meal for the week. It’s not very gourmet (that’s not really us either), just a big stew type of thing, but tasty and about 99% local!
http://blue-skies-urban-farm.blogspot.com/2008/12/local-meal-dark-days-challenge.html
I agree with you 200% – local food doesn’t have to be “fancy” to be delicious (and IMO, neither does any food!). I certainly can’t/don’t make gourmet meals, its mostly the basics with the local ingredients as the stars. And I love it. Often these meals are more satisfying than the so-called fancy stuff for me. Your meal sounds delicious, especially the bread (mmmmm, yum). Can’t wait to read more of your simple, satisfying meals
Amy – you’re welcome
Robin – thanks! I’ve got you set-up on an RSS feed reader, so no need to submit if you don’t want to. Nice post!
MangoChild – I’m sure you’ll see lots. I usually only get ambitious/motivated for company!
I’ve been contemplating my first Dark Days meal and was thinking about bread. I started wondering where in the heck I was gonna get flour to make it. Then, I read this. I can buy local bread, or I can make my own. Either way, the flour isn’t local; wheat doesn’t grow here. So, do I add flour to my list of things outside the radius, or do I buy bread and pretend that it’s local because it was made here? You see my dilemma? These are the kinds of deep thoughts that keep me from cleaning my cupboards.