chardgirl
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Posts posted by chardgirl
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ok, I know the rules of these delightful food blogs, so I'll try not to hijack for long, but here's a photo of me circa 1987 in Beijing making jiaozi with one of my friends. I was all about the food then, instead of memorizing all the characters. No internet or digital cameras, though. (I was 22, aka a few lifetimes ago!)
Again to Fengyi: thanks for all the photos and postings. I find the high end dining somewhat fascinating, even if it was there in 1987 I wouldn't have been able to eat at those places. The first KFC arrived during my year there, so I saw the tip of the iceberg on the fast food.
We used to haunt the 'Friendship Store' for cheese, salami, chocolate syrup, etc. But now you have Walmart! Yikes. Is there still a Friendship Store or is that now not relevant?
-chardgirl
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Whereas, the minute I landed first in BJ, I felt at home here. The people can be terrifyingly rude, crude and direct; the food is stodgey, *full* of garlic, and relatively unsophisticated and the climate sucks, etc.... but I really like the BJ culture and mindset, for all its downpoints.
the quote above is hilarious! One of my vivid memories is of cranky young women in all white cotton uniforms yelling "Mei You!" ("not available!; Not here!; We don't have it! Go Away!": these are a few of the translations that I remember. exact = "not have").
Re: bean curd brains: I still don't like the dried tofu dishes I'm served over here, so I was strictly an egg burrito/yogurt girl. The closest I've found to the great Beijing suan nai (yogurt) is Straus whole milk yogurt here in California.
Thanks for all the photos!!!
-julia
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Egg Burritos! (that's what we called them....) I'm from California, and I lived in Beijing studying my 4th year of Mandarin in '87-'88. I've not been back since; and I was obsessed with food then(as I am now. hence the egullet lurking).
We ate these every day. I'm really enjoying this blog. I know Beijing has changed dramatically, it's fun for me to see a few of the things that haven't changed. Crowded buses, noodle shops, etc. happy blogging.
Here it is being eaten on the way home in the taxi:
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We grow lacinato kale (as many have said here: it's the same stuff that also called cavolo nero, tuscan black, or, unfortunately, 'dino' kale: it's the disneyfication of vegetables!).
Ours is grown in a farm setting, not a garden setting: we pick the bunches as full grown but on the young end and they are never, ever bitter. If it's grown in heat/summer it gets less sweet: this is a great vegetable when it has chill factor. If it's bitter, you're likely not eating kale, or eating it when it wasn't grown well. If it gets 'stressed' (ie not irrigated) it can get bitter. Find a new source, or wait for winter. That's my 2 cents!
All of your cooking ideas sound delicious. I just sauteed chopped lacinato kale (the only kind we grow since it's our favorite) straight up in a bit of oil; when it cools it will be tossed in my ongoing couscous salad project of the day: chopped raw fennel, sweet onions, olives, capers, parsley, lemon & sherry vinegar, chile flakes, grated carrots, & feta. I'll see what inspires me tomorrow.
cg
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I assure you this tasted a lot better than it looks!
I think this bowl of brown/greens looks great. My favorite breakfast is leftovers. My family just pretends they don't know me at breakfast...
thanks for the breakfast timing thoughts, I'm going to try to be better about this.
cg
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Hello, I'm loving this blog: thanks to all three of you for sharing. I love food and think about it way too much: and my doctor has been on my case for 4 years. (!). (my own special reason is that fat cells have estrogen and I had breast cancer at 35 years young and now 7 years later my doctor and I continue to plot how to NOT have it again!) I've got 20# to lose, maybe 15, but at 5' tall it's a fairly big chunk. ARGH. So you are all inspirational.
Question about Breakfast: anyone?:
I'm also not hungry in the am, but 'conventional wisdom' is adamant about this being an important meal so I try to eat something healthy and include a protein every morning.
Finally the question:
If I rise at 6am and don't get to my forced breakfast until 9am does it count for the 'helping your metabolism throughout the day' theory??
I don't want to highjack this great blog so I'll just briefly say that what has worked for me (I've lost 20 pounds and kept 10-15 off, just need to lose more) is making homemade food rich with vegetables and eating meat or protein everyday. And I'm a lucky one: I love lots and lots of regular water. oh: and lots of walking. and not keeping any sweets in the house!
I'm enjoying the practical thoughts/advice, and the delving into the issues too: again a big thanks!
-julia aka chardgirl
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Am I allowed to answer questions?
Habas are Fava beans are broad beans: all old world. Limas are not this same bean, but I don't know much more about limas. Rachel or Rancho Gordo can tell us more, perhaps?
cg
3 colors of dried 'habas':
http://www.mariquita.com/images/photogallery/favaseeds.jpg
youngish favas in their shell:
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Excelente. I'm looking forward to this blog. I miss Mexico very much.
Here's a photo of a volunteer epazote plant on our farm. I'm only posting the link since it's not my foodblog! I like epazote in beans: like fish sauce in Thai cooking a little makes it great but too much doesn't work at all.
cg
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Fascinating thread... I still love being a shopper at farmers markets, and I hope there's always room for them in communities that support them. There's no question that places that have started way too many in a small area ruin it for everyone: the San Jose area is classic: about 10 years ago there was a farmers market every 6 miles (or so it seemed) so in the end NONE of them was worth attending!
I think the success of the San Francisco markets is partly because it's so difficult to start up new markets there. Ferry Plaza is still a great market and several of the farmers/producers there depend on it heavily. We wanted to diversify to the point of not depending at all on it, and we were successful. Way too political! And yes, I'm the farm wife who didn't want to make herbal salts and jams, even though that would have been the smart thing to do.
Andy and I have talked about other markets we could do instead of Ferry Plaza but we're looking forward to a Market Free Life: not retirement, in fact working 6 days a week so we can actually begin to save for retirement! It's a gamble but in crunching numbers we think/hope we'll make more money not doing the market. No waste, and more brain cells available to be organized and make better decisions. Yes, spending more time with the youngin's while they're still in fact young is a good thing too.
Thanks to Russ for a great article!
-chardgirl (aka the evil Julia who left Ferry Plaza shoppers high and dry, or so the lugubrious emails I've been receiving would suggest.)
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Purple and Orange cauliflowers are fairly common at farmers market here in the SF Bay area of California. This variety is called 'graffiti', and another BRIGHT orange one is called 'cheddar'
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Spinach, Baby Greens! It's in the processing folks. Mr. Chardgirl has been farming for 3 decades, at least one of them in the earlier days of the spring mix/baby greens time. He just tonight wrote an article for our newsletters about it:
Spinach Opinions from a CA organic farmer
cg
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We are farmers and may or may not be salt of the earth. We don't haggle. We try to set fair prices and our regular customers never ever ask for discounts. The few that show up at the end of the day asking for discounts? My husband and I call that "head lice hour" and try to clean the tables up as quickly as possible so we don't have to shoo the head lice along.
I know that some of those folks are from other countries where haggling accepted, but if I show respect for their customs (not just haggling, I don't haggle when I'm abroad, maybe I'm too protestant too!) when I visit their countries why can't they do the same at our farmers market? We'd rather feed our goats with the leftovers than accept the lower prices folks might offer. It's the culture at our farmers market. The hagglers can haggle elsewhere in the market if they like. I find it demeaning.
cg
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Thanks to all for bringing this thread back, I never did post. I've mostly enjoyed the website that's in a nearby above post from the professor:
I get raw milk from some local folks: I have a 'share' in their cow and pay them in advance so they won't be busted. No one in my family is immune suppressed and I trust where the milk comes from so... I'm fine with it. We pay $8/gallon, and we have to supply our own jars (1/2 gallon mason jars) and go to their farm to get the milk.
We've been loving the cheese that I've been making: the closest it comes to is something like a 'farmers cheese': not as salty as a feta but maybe a similar consistency.
For a while we were milking some of our goats and that was good cheese too! When the next set begin to kid we might start milking 1-2: right now life is fairly complicated and full as our summer produce is just starting to explode and needs to be sold so....
The next time I make cheese (in the next week or 3) I'll try to take a photo and post here.
I've so far only used the junket stuff and nothing fancier. I did find an interesting simple cheese recipe in a library book called "Scottish Cooking" that was very simple and another one in an Amish cookbook. One of those recipes called for buttermilk.
I tried making yogurt but I left it too long and it turned into cheese.
One essential tool I've been happy I purchased is the real cheesemakers cheese cloth: not the flimsy supermarket stuff.
cg
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I have no idea where the purple cauliflower comes from or why it's purple. But it also comes in light green and orange. One of our grocery chains here has been selling them this year, but they never look good enough to try.
A regular white cauliflower if exposed to the sun while growing will naturally get some purple and orange and look somewhat like a black eye: not appealing! For white cauliflowers growers sometimes tie the leaves off with a rubber band. They are blanched with the leaves.
Purple and Orange cauliflower varieties have been selected to be just orange and just purple and gardeners and farmers can purchase seeds for them. They are modern varieties: They are hybrids (not genetically modified, just hybrids). The purple variety that we grow is 'Grafitti' and the orange is 'Cheddar.' I think they both have a few more nutrients (the orange might have more carotene, I'm fuzzy on this but I think it's true).
I know this is Kristins blog, but I'll just put this one photo of some of our purple cauliflower: (ps about the stuff in the grocery store not looking good: it was likely weeks old. look for these varieties at your local farmers markets, and let your farmers know you're interested. Assure them that Johnnys Seeds has the seeds for them.
) -cg -
The best beets I get are red, but not the normal bulbous shape. Instead, they are cylindrical, about an inch in diameter and four or five inches long. Don't know the variety name, but they are sweeter than any other beet of any other color I've ever had. I get them in the spring from Benuel Kaufman's stand at Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market, but I can't help but believe other farm stands might have them.
We grew Danish Carrot Beets for 2 years and loved them: but they were a hard sell even to the chefs because they were "too different", so I think Andy gave up.
A photo (They are called 'Carrot' beets because of their shape.)
ps Hello to Andrea!
cg
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THAT is a garden! So why is your father so devoted to containers? Saving on fertilizers/compost and watering??? Quick turn-around between seasons?
While we wait for Kristin to queue up for the computer she's sharing (or maybe she's getting a good night's sleep!) I'm going to guess that the containers are a gopher proofing.
cg
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Here's a report from a farmers market customer:
beets roasted with just olive oil, S & P:
red ones were more dense, earthier taste
pink ones were sweeter; offered a better contrast with the salt
We are also growing the gold beets and some new-to-us white beets: they are both slightly mellower in flavor than the red. I continue to enjoy the red beets because I LOVE the deep red color, and they all 4 taste like BEETS to me: but the (many) chefs we sell to go mostly for the gold beets, with the red and chioggia (what you call Candy Stripe) are close seconds.
cg
three types of beets: gold, red and white
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For dinner I decide to go with the salad
The blue cheese was a perfect match for the beets and cucumbers, all served on a bed of spinach with a sprinkling bread toasts.
It was so good I ordered it again...
In between I cleansed my palate with a freshly baked bread seasoned with tomato and oregano, lightly dusted with cheesea nd alovely mushroom garnish.
For dessert, the seasonal fruit and fresh cheese platter sounded too good to pass up.
I'm thrilled you're blogging, even if it means I won't get *quite* as much done as I should this week! I love your way with words. I've endured 2 Chuck ee Cheese-y meals so far in my 11 years of parenting... There's only one other pizza I've tried that was worse: Little Caeser's. YUK.
How did your children like it? I'd guess your son was thrilled, and the photos show that: but how about your daughters? My kids find it over stimulating, especially by 11 year old. This from the boy who can watch 4 hours straight of Cardcaptor Sakura if left unmolested by the pesky parents.
I will patiently wait more Cleveland food posts through the eyes of the expat returned....
cg
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As for the subject of this blog, a couple of years ago some kids from San Francisco got some press for this, and I thought I might give it a shot. If you go to the link read the details, the national challenge is supposed to happen in May. Well, I had a lot going on then, and also July here in the southeast is brimming with fantastic produce. So you all will witness the first week of feeding myself, my partner, and my daughter for the entire month eating local as possible.
Phlawless: What a great blog subject! I'm going to lurk this week! Jessica Prentice is a friend of mine: she's a locavore, you and others might also be interested in their website, there are some great tips, and I find it interesting to read what folks post as their 'challenges' and 'exemptions'.
chardgirl
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We pop popcorn on the stove in a pan with a wooden handle; I just found this link on google:
Also about actually making the popcorn: the oil type is important. I was usuing safflower or corn oil with success: olive and walnut are not successful in my house.
toppings: Mr. Chardgirl prefers plain salt; I like nutritional yeast; our son likes gomaiso (sp?) and I like that too sometimes, and our daughter likes cheese powder and or yeast.
I'd like to hear what other chowhounders do to their popcorn!
cg
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I've no idea because I'm three generations away from Minnesota and Illinois. Yes, hopelessly a Californian, but I can't help it. I just enjoy our natural beauty.
I would ask farmers at your local market (when they open) or your local extension agent or any enthusiastic gardeners... Or ask at Johnny's seeds, they're full of that kind of information...
cg
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Yes, I promise to post about our experiences. I've already looked at the webpage that Rooftop1000 recommended and plan on trying that this week with the (human) kids. We're hoping to bite the bullet and start milking a couple of our milk goats, with neighbors promising to fill in when we want to leave for the day!
I've also ordered two cheese making books from our local library, then I'll decide which one to buy.
I also found your (Kristin) posting on paneer, but I know NOTHING about Indian food except how to eat it when it's served to me.
I'm looking foward to making the cheese! stay tuned, even for a photo or two in the next 3-5 days.
cg
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YES!! Thanks cg - alpine strawberries does sound right!! They were longer than fat and maybe half the size of a regular (American grocery store) strawberry but slightly larger than the round beauties pictured on your plate...
Where do you live to have such gorgeous fruit lying around your woods!?!?
u.e.
there are many varieties of the alpines, the ones Mr. Chardgirl found in the woods were in Big Sur, CA, USA.
an article Mr. CG wrote at this time two years ago that applies just as much today, and I believe to this topic:
cg
educational programs for local/organic farms
in Food Traditions & Culture
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Bavila: check out what our friends are doing at Live Earth Farm: they are a working family farm (CSA, farmers market, etc.) (just like our own family farm) and they've hired an educational coordinator. They have long term relationships with 1-2 schools and do multiple field trips, classroom visits (I think) and even overnights (I think). Their coordinator might be willing to talk with you. I don't know!
http://www.liveearthfarm.com/
there's a link to the left about education and describes lots about what they're up to.
cheers!
-chardgirl