tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48860499782266286872012-03-04T07:06:39.637-05:00Fresh Local and BestFresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.comBlogger2771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-39673311393677559802012-03-03T02:07:00.001-05:002012-03-03T02:07:51.415-05:00Lentil Vegetable Soup<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9oWuNqYdSZg/T1Dj2sDd9HI/AAAAAAAAFyk/Qs_GsC8TyW4/s1600/IMG_4637.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9oWuNqYdSZg/T1Dj2sDd9HI/AAAAAAAAFyk/Qs_GsC8TyW4/s640/IMG_4637.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><br />It has been an unusually mild winter. I can probably count on one hand the number of days we had snow this season. Trust me I'm not complaining. The moderate temperatures have made for lighter moods, lighter jackets, and a long season of lighter soups, which in turn has kept me lighter on my feet. In addition to the clear broth soups, one of my favorites this season has been a vegetarian lentil soup that has been satisfying on all fronts, packed full of savory and herby flavors. It is so delicious that one could potentially overlook how healthy this soup is for you, and so good that I think I will be making it well past the winter season.<br /><br />Our little family will be on vacation over the next week so I won't be able to respond until we return. I hope everyone has a relaxing and delicious weekend.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cq78hy_OxGQ/T1HABpYDI9I/AAAAAAAAFys/hnHRd4sPYTc/s1600/IMG_3977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cq78hy_OxGQ/T1HABpYDI9I/AAAAAAAAFys/hnHRd4sPYTc/s640/IMG_3977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>The Barefoot Contessa’s Lentil Vegetable Soup</b><br />adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten<br />This recipe yields a lot of soup, but I make a full batch and freeze half of it in individual freezer bags and defrost it as needed. Halve the recipe if you don’t want to make quite so much. If you’ve got a Parmesan rind hanging around (I always store them in the freezer for soups and pasta sauces), add it to the soup along with the stock for deeper flavors.<br /><br /><b>Ingredients</b><br /><ul><li>1 lb (450 g) French green lentils</li><li>3 large yellow onions, chopped</li><li>2 leeks, white part only, chopped</li><li>1 tablespoon minced garlic (roughly 3 cloves)</li><li>olive oil</li><li>salt and freshly ground black pepper</li><li>1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried</li><li>1 teaspoon ground cumin</li><li>8 celery stalked, chopped</li><li>4 to 6 carrots, chopped</li><li>2 1/2 quarts (2 1/2 liters) vegetable stock</li><li>3 tablespoons tomato paste</li><li>2 tablespoons red wine or red wine vinegar</li><li>freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve</li></ul><br /><b>Method</b><br /><ol><li>In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.</li><li>In a large stockpot (one that holds at least 6 quarts) on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes. Add the stock, tomato paste, and lentils. If you have a Parmesan rind hanging around, add that in too. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the red wine and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.</li></ol><div>Serves 8-10</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3967331139367755980?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-65625084097871548822012-02-28T08:13:00.002-05:002012-03-01T00:49:27.525-05:0010 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ihUpGcglGYg/T0rZ1aIJjMI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/pZPDZU4LZww/s1600/IMG_4601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ihUpGcglGYg/T0rZ1aIJjMI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/pZPDZU4LZww/s640/IMG_4601.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: right;">"Parents don't care about justice, they care about quiet."</div><div style="text-align: right;">- Bill Cosby</div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/02/10-months.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6562508409787154882?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-76426701542515855382012-02-22T22:09:00.001-05:002012-02-23T03:21:18.681-05:00Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksy_BxhGPPE/T0HtXsFa84I/AAAAAAAAFyI/6ELY2VQR43U/s1600/IMG_4607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksy_BxhGPPE/T0HtXsFa84I/AAAAAAAAFyI/6ELY2VQR43U/s640/IMG_4607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've been looking for good solid quinoa recipes lately and have found virtually all of them are made for savory dishes, that is until I found this one. Nutty and warm with a touch of cinnamon spice, this simple quinoa recipe combines the comforts of oatmeal with the dainty textures of quinoa, freshly toasted nuts and berries. It is so good that I ate the entire batch of four servings myself. Now that is a healthy definition of gluttony and a great way to get your protein for the day.<br /><br /><b>Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa Recipe</b><br />I used a red quinoa here, but you may substitute with the more common white.<br />Slightly adapted from <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/warm-and-nutty-cinnamon-quinoa-recipe.html">101 Cookbooks</a><br /><br /><b>Ingredients</b><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ul><li>1 cup quinoa</li><li>1 cup milk</li><li>1 cup water</li><li>2 cups fresh blueberries or blackberries</li><li>1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon</li><li>1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted</li><li>4 teaspoons agave nectar</li></ul><b>Method</b><br /><ol><li>Rinse the quinoa. Combine the milk, water and quinoa in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Don't worry if you still see milk bubbling, turn off the heat; let it stand covered for 5 minutes, and the last of the liquid should get absorbed. </li><li>Stir in berries and cinnamon; transfer to four bowls and top with pecans or walnuts. Drizzle 1 teaspoon agave nectar over each serving.</li></ol>Serves 4<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7642670154251585538?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-56322497189941421592012-02-18T23:30:00.005-05:002012-02-22T22:24:05.342-05:00Almond Ginger Granola Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-6tJROxdIQ/TzTUxH1pSZI/AAAAAAAAFxk/9DF_BNcY1Co/s1600/IMG_4224-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-6tJROxdIQ/TzTUxH1pSZI/AAAAAAAAFxk/9DF_BNcY1Co/s640/IMG_4224-2.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>A couple of months ago I found a recipe for homemade granola via David Lebovitz's blog, which he has crowned his favorite granola recipe. Multiple batches have churned through our kitchen over the past few months and it has quickly become a staple in our household. What makes this recipe unique is the combination of almonds, wholesome seeds, coconut flakes, ginger and notably the brown rice syrup. Brown rice syrup is a mild sweetener with a lower glycemic index, which is considered favorable if you are seeking to curb your sugar consumption. However, if you happen to have caught a glimpse food news this week, you may have seen the warnings about findings of <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-16/-worrisome-level-of-arsenic-found-in-baby-formula-study-finds.html">arsenic in baby formula via organic brown rice syrup</a>. What I find alarming about this news is the <a href="http://www.usarice.com/">response from the USA Rice Association</a> which stated, "Much of the arsenic in U.S. rice is organic arsenic, the less harmful kind, versus the inorganic type..." Does anyone feel comforted by that statement? Less harmful. Hmmm.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/02/almond-ginger-granola-recipe.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5632249718994142159?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-50239898572347093742012-02-12T11:03:00.001-05:002012-02-12T21:04:17.433-05:00Di Bruno Bros. at the Ardmore Farmers Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojwgmo3K0iY/Ty9Mkw8hgoI/AAAAAAAAFxc/g-l236VJ1ZU/s1600/2012-01-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojwgmo3K0iY/Ty9Mkw8hgoI/AAAAAAAAFxc/g-l236VJ1ZU/s640/2012-01-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />One the of the things that we were sure to miss when we moved from New York was Murray's Cheese and Deli at Grand Central Station Market. So it was a tremendous delight when we discovered Di Bruno Bros. at the Ardmore Farmer's Market, which despite its name is not a conventional farmers market but an indoor collection of food vendors. Di Bruno Bros. features a wide range of cheeses, prepared foods and deli meats including the hedonistic Jamon Iberico which sells for a whopping $100/lb and a Capriole O' Banon, which is a luscious young goat cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves that have been soaked in bourbon.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YibcRWoNbVg/TzffjiXmxWI/AAAAAAAAFx8/d4zl3qCINk4/s1600/2010-07-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YibcRWoNbVg/TzffjiXmxWI/AAAAAAAAFx8/d4zl3qCINk4/s640/2010-07-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />On the day of our visit we picked up our favorite cheeses Comte and Pleasant Ridge and two sandwiches, one of which, the Napolean, a turkey sandwich stuffed with brie and sweet caramelized onion jam, has quickly become a favorite of ours and worth a try if you are in town.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5023989857234709374?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-67994873268674500032012-02-07T22:20:00.008-05:002012-02-12T11:03:53.192-05:00Chocolate Molten Lava Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_46CiHP3HE/Ty0DrF2WcEI/AAAAAAAAFxM/8WQP0govJqs/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_46CiHP3HE/Ty0DrF2WcEI/AAAAAAAAFxM/8WQP0govJqs/s640/IMG_4284.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Valentines Day is next week, and if you are like me you probably have dessert on your mind. Something chocolatey and scores well in the 'wow' and romantic category. So imagine a mint-chocolate river oozing from the cratered precipice of a piping hot buttery molten lava cake, creating a warm rolling lusciousness on your tongue. Sounds good doesn't it? And it is. This version of molten lava cake is unique and special for the mint fudge sauce that is spooned over providing a cool menthe contrast to a rich and creamy chocolate cake.<br><br></div></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/02/chocolate-molten-lava-cake.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6799487326867450003?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-44884439435443377132012-01-28T22:54:00.007-05:002012-02-02T09:18:38.430-05:00Beef and Bean Chili with Pickled Onions<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8y2Hvq0bhM/TyQOiErNSVI/AAAAAAAAFw4/R3h2Tb0oFvs/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8y2Hvq0bhM/TyQOiErNSVI/AAAAAAAAFw4/R3h2Tb0oFvs/s640/IMG_9589.JPG" width="640"></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><div style="text-align: left;">Are you a recipe tweaker? I'm a reformed recipe tweaker, formerly taking creative license to swap this for that, sometimes altering a recipe so much that it no longer resembled the original. I exercise more restraint these days, honoring the work that had been dedicated to develop recipes. However there are still days when I stray a bit. This recipe is one of them. Inspired by a popular recipe on one of my favorite blogs Healthy Delicious's <a href="http://healthy-delicious.com/2011/01/beef-and-bean-chili-with-pickled-onions/">Beef Bean Chili with Pickled Onions</a>, I took what was an elegant chili recipe made with beef stew cubes and red wine and boomeranged it back to a more traditional and humble bowl of beans with ground beef and beer. It would be ironic to call it creative since I may have reverted this chili back to its predecessor, but the result is quite good (as is the original) so a new recipe is born.<br></div></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/01/beef-and-bean-chili-with-pickled-onions.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4488443943544337713?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-57107894647371049822012-01-28T21:06:00.072-05:002012-02-12T13:15:08.857-05:009 Months<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yaQXqNOHPE/Tyo6fnycMxI/AAAAAAAAFxA/15qONQ-Pdhc/s1600/IMG_4202-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yaQXqNOHPE/Tyo6fnycMxI/AAAAAAAAFxA/15qONQ-Pdhc/s640/IMG_4202-1.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br>Dear Alex,<br><br>Last week marked your nine month birthday, that means you've been out for as long as you've been in. What have you been doing up it? After weeks of stubbornly resisting it you have started to crawl. The crawl was similar to a drunken inchworm wobbling his way on branch, but has grown more fluid recently. And it hasn't stopped there, you've started to pull up, climb, and open cabinet doors. And now I regret encouraging it.<br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/01/9-months.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5710789464737104982?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-44597907954639146082012-01-24T22:23:00.002-05:002012-01-25T06:17:00.019-05:00First Snow of 2012<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ8P5kno1kM/Tx9tgvxCXVI/AAAAAAAAFws/R_6UVFP0xu0/s1600/IMG_4166-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ8P5kno1kM/Tx9tgvxCXVI/AAAAAAAAFws/R_6UVFP0xu0/s640/IMG_4166-1.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><div style="text-align: left;">Our eyes dazzled this past weekend as we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow that was lofty enough to take our little boy on his first sled ride. Watching Alex squeal in excitement over the winter wonderland warmed our hearts to the ethereal quality of snow, it's quieting effect, the peace that hovers over the ground it covers and its novelty no matter how many times we've been dusted by this magic. </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4459790795463914608?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-54780559956710553502012-01-20T11:21:00.006-05:002012-02-02T22:29:36.440-05:00Minestrone Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8S3hoqaDSs/TxV4xN2J1kI/AAAAAAAAFwY/_Rw_fdtXV-4/s1600/IMG_9428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8S3hoqaDSs/TxV4xN2J1kI/AAAAAAAAFwY/_Rw_fdtXV-4/s640/IMG_9428.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>Rustic, comforting and wholesome, minestrone is an Italian vegetable stew traditionally composed of any vegetable in season. Since there is no set recipe for this soup it lends well to personal adaptation. Still you can count on seeing a couple of ingredients to show up in most versions of minestrones: cabbage, carrots, onions, zucchini, tomatoes and beans. In the recipe I chose, a medley of vegetables are flavored by bits of pancetta and thickened by pureed creamy white beans. Although, you can <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">skip the pork entirely and use vegetable stock to make it a vegetarian recipe. If you have parmesan rinds (I save them in the freezer) throw them in with the vegetables to create depth and infuse flavor, just don't forget to remove them when the soup is done.</span></b><br><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/01/minestrone-soup.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5478055995671055350?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-81666741048165428432012-01-11T00:32:00.004-05:002012-01-20T11:24:54.871-05:00Split Pea and Smoked Ham Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wqsIzQtjgBQ/Twx6fNnrAaI/AAAAAAAAFwE/sZwi9CD-A-g/s1600/IMG_3946-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wqsIzQtjgBQ/Twx6fNnrAaI/AAAAAAAAFwE/sZwi9CD-A-g/s640/IMG_3946-1.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br>I'm having a hard time believing that we are in a new year. The demarcation of 2011's end and 2012 beginning feels unsettlingly hazy to me. For one, the weather seems to have done one gigantic leap from autumn straight into spring here in the northeast, confusing the rhythm of the seasons. The days also seem to blur too but I blame that on chasing down an obstinately overactive infant from dawn to dusk. And for some reason I'm having a hard time committing to a New Year's resolution. Have you made a New Year's resolution? And what was it?<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/01/split-pea-and-smoked-ham-soup.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8166674104816542843?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-85541767606012761112012-01-03T10:43:00.004-05:002012-01-08T22:44:56.553-05:00Up, Up and Away to San Francisco<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ht07vjiKWQ/Tuir33m4c1I/AAAAAAAAFsM/pk70gFYbTNA/s1600/IMG_2858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ht07vjiKWQ/Tuir33m4c1I/AAAAAAAAFsM/pk70gFYbTNA/s640/IMG_2858.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year has been the first of many for our sweet little boy, but traveling has been by far the most exciting of these novel experiences for our family. Our first trip was to San Francisco to introduce Alex to friends and family. I've heard horror stories of babies crying for hours on end on planes so I was expecting the flight to be tearful and exhaustive, and possibly ending with my head stuffed between my knees from the shame of bringing chaos into an already uncomfortable situation. </div></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2012/01/up-up-and-away-to-san-francisco.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8554176760601276111?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com28San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.656712 -122.80934450000001 37.893147 -122.02948650000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-587175133179153942011-12-31T19:19:00.010-05:002012-01-02T22:48:01.881-05:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uCRS49gDyA/Tv-l0C1_c4I/AAAAAAAAFvk/cZvOsff0NSw/s1600/IMG_3729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uCRS49gDyA/Tv-l0C1_c4I/AAAAAAAAFvk/cZvOsff0NSw/s640/IMG_3729.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and delicious 2012 filled with miracles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My 2011 will be remembered in much the same way as the previous three years have been noted for big life changes. Only 2011 brought the biggest life change I've experienced yet: <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/05/very-special-mothers-day-first-of-many.html">the birth of a very special child</a>, my first one. It will also be noted for a couple of personal challenges and a move from one of the densest cities in the world to a <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/11/welcome-to-suburbs.html">quiet suburb in Pennsylvania</a>, much like the one in 2009 which took me away from San Francisco. Perhaps the biggest lesson 2011 has given me is to hold the reins more loosely on this wild ride we call life, one that I have not fully embraced, but should because every step has taken me to a happier place. What 2012 has in store for us, I don't know, but I'll look forward to savoring every moment of it one day at a time. </div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-58717513317915394?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-29394051630046697762011-12-28T09:53:00.002-05:002012-01-26T04:27:50.902-05:00Moroccan-Style Meatballs to Ring in the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnPmtALOJkc/Tvsg03Tvv3I/AAAAAAAAFvM/Wyh_UxEylOs/s1600/IMG_3131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnPmtALOJkc/Tvsg03Tvv3I/AAAAAAAAFvM/Wyh_UxEylOs/s640/IMG_3131.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>Did everyone have a nice holiday? There's still one big celebration around the corner, and the question is how will you ring in the New Year? Will it be a glamorous bash streaming with glitter and bubbly champagne? Or will it be a quiet evening made special by the company of good food and the ones you love?<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/12/moroccan-style-meatballs-to-ring-in-new.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2939405163004669776?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-39496478776666220052011-12-26T21:44:00.001-05:002011-12-26T22:42:13.857-05:00Christmas 2011<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t-pntNdmOA/TvkwZyhCvwI/AAAAAAAAFu0/bDl0bdrLZUo/s1600/2011-12-25.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t-pntNdmOA/TvkwZyhCvwI/AAAAAAAAFu0/bDl0bdrLZUo/s400/2011-12-25.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XjLA_L94oQ/Tvk-U1t5ZNI/AAAAAAAAFvA/ctgDiAAcg4E/s1600/IMG_3592-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XjLA_L94oQ/Tvk-U1t5ZNI/AAAAAAAAFvA/ctgDiAAcg4E/s400/IMG_3592-1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />Yes Santa, I do believe I have received the best present I could have asked for.<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3949647877666622005?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-43364354574819421042011-12-23T11:58:00.006-05:002011-12-24T11:02:56.248-05:00Happy Holidays!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2b8GHG6_hE/TvX3qZ2DNcI/AAAAAAAAFuo/hAqEWsYE4o8/s1600/3378+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2b8GHG6_hE/TvX3qZ2DNcI/AAAAAAAAFuo/hAqEWsYE4o8/s640/3378+b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wishing everyone a blissful holiday and new year!</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4336435457481942104?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-19561087139502884342011-12-17T07:27:00.006-05:002011-12-24T04:44:09.048-05:00Dear Alex<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1gER5gztPQ/TuyHd-CTquI/AAAAAAAAFtU/kITOR7We6OE/s1600/IMG_9338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1gER5gztPQ/TuyHd-CTquI/AAAAAAAAFtU/kITOR7We6OE/s640/IMG_9338.JPG" width="426"></a></div><br>Dear Alex,<br><br>A couple of months ago your father asked me how I viewed you. I replied, "I still look at him as our friend, he's just hanging out with us until he can take care of himself." Clearly I was trying to be funny, but there was more truth than comedy to my answer. Motherhood did not happen to me overnight, it had to mentally grow on me.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br>Over the past few months I've been surprised by the tenderness that has come over you. The sleepless nights, colic and crying has been replaced by sweet giggles, loving hugs and drooly kisses. My heart swells just thinking about it. What I find most riveting is the way that you look at me. The way that you cry inconsolably until you reach the comfort and safety of my arms. The way that your face lights up and legs kick with excitement when I walk into a room. It's more than a friendship. Somewhere along the way we fell madly in love with each other and that love has only deepened and from what I understand this bond is irreversible.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dear-alex.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1956108713950288434?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-21886624466526881062011-12-05T12:45:00.002-05:002011-12-17T07:28:52.933-05:00Dark Chocolate Mousse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEpB5uGfwIU/TrH8cL9cmLI/AAAAAAAAFpU/3cMrGasMGn8/s1600/IMG_8919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEpB5uGfwIU/TrH8cL9cmLI/AAAAAAAAFpU/3cMrGasMGn8/s640/IMG_8919.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>Plush and dark, chocolate mousse is a melding of contrasts, bringing together the decadent lusciousness of whipped cream and the overpowering austerity of bittersweet chocolate. The addition of strong coffee augments the irresistible earthy flavors of this chocolate mousse. If bittersweet dreams could be a good thing this would be it.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/12/dark-chocolate-mousse.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2188662446652688106?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-45617721640506421592011-11-21T10:20:00.011-05:002011-12-05T12:46:22.417-05:00Pursuit of the Perfect Traditional Pumpkin Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hkta0FPfUAA/TskayiIIfaI/AAAAAAAAFq0/12CTHvO6RUs/s1600/IMG_0262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hkta0FPfUAA/TskayiIIfaI/AAAAAAAAFq0/12CTHvO6RUs/s640/IMG_0262.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a recent visit to a small farmer's market in town, my husband's eyes lit up to a glorious orange row of pumpkin breads, and instantly sweet memories of spiced aromas emanating from his mother's kitchen were inspired. Excitedly he picked up two loaves, hurried home, cut off a slice and with much anticipation he took a hefty bite. Memories of the warm, moist, pumpkiny, spicy bread were quickly siphoned as disappointment fell across his face. So dry was the bread that he wondered whether it was stale, and the pumpkin was so indiscernible that it could have passed as zucchini bread. </div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/11/pursuit-of-perfect-traditional-pumpkin.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4561772164050642159?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-89333294166150762732011-11-13T22:08:00.002-05:002011-11-20T22:38:22.989-05:00Spicy Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-2XnXDph60/Tr8ruGA64-I/AAAAAAAAFqM/5vs1RUKUJWc/s1600/IMG_8517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-2XnXDph60/Tr8ruGA64-I/AAAAAAAAFqM/5vs1RUKUJWc/s640/IMG_8517.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWRud7xYhYY/Tr8sTwWZeLI/AAAAAAAAFqU/kvV3zurZUEQ/s1600/IMG_8383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWRud7xYhYY/Tr8sTwWZeLI/AAAAAAAAFqU/kvV3zurZUEQ/s640/IMG_8383.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/11/spicy-apple-orange-cranberry-sauce.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8933329416615076273?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-47784391986656711842011-11-02T21:57:00.001-04:002011-11-02T21:58:23.234-04:00Welcome to the Suburbs!<div style="text-align: right;">"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."</div><div style="text-align: right;">- Stanley Horowitz</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWnQwuRJxUQ/TrHtLWN3GrI/AAAAAAAAFpE/KN0APG34jUQ/s1600/IMG_8459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWnQwuRJxUQ/TrHtLWN3GrI/AAAAAAAAFpE/KN0APG34jUQ/s640/IMG_8459.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>There is a crisp newness in the air. The leaves are changing colors, farmers are harvesting the last of their crops for the year, and our bodies settle into a slower rhythm in tandem with the shorter days. We are well into autumn, although the northeast did receive a harsh preview of winter with this past weekend's snow storm. After all of the big events this year: a new baby and a new home, the slower pace has finally afforded me an overdue sigh of relief. <br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/11/welcome-to-suburbs.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4778439198665671184?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-75496725775961442102011-09-17T23:18:00.003-04:002011-11-02T21:58:45.550-04:00Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake with a Honey Lemon Syrup<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNVvXDtTqE8/TkH0eVZmzqI/AAAAAAAAFiI/jkiYIDXL6as/s1600/IMG_5892.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNVvXDtTqE8/TkH0eVZmzqI/AAAAAAAAFiI/jkiYIDXL6as/s640/IMG_5892.JPG" width="640"></a> </div><br>Simple, bright, lemony and springy. This Meyer lemon olive oil cake was the dessert I chose to serve for our last day living in New York. As I sat in my living room watching sequence after sequence of lightening and thunderstorms almost supernatural pummeling through the landscape of the Northeast, I reflected on the last two years. With a warm cup of tea in my hand, a slice of this fabulously moist cake in the other, I curled up in the corner of my sofa staring at the skyscrapers across the way. I almost couldn't believe that it was over. No more of those piping hot chewy Manhattan bagels, no more walking to La Maison du Chocolat for a chocolate macaroon whenever it struck me, and no more waiting in line for 20 minutes for the check out stand at Whole Foods.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/09/meyer-lemon-olive-oil-cake-with-honey.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7549672577596144210?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-32466349660217784722011-08-02T23:23:00.011-04:002011-08-09T23:18:54.377-04:00Dear Alex<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYzK6SYibOw/TizkVgo4RKI/AAAAAAAAFXs/owSIBTJ9Fx8/s1600/IMG_5778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYzK6SYibOw/TizkVgo4RKI/AAAAAAAAFXs/owSIBTJ9Fx8/s640/IMG_5778.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/08/dear-alex.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3246634966021778472?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-64756071413909006992011-07-11T22:41:00.002-04:002011-09-04T15:45:07.876-04:00Artichoke Hearts with Sun Dried Tomatoes Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NniGouN8uC4/TglaIuxjR0I/AAAAAAAAElo/PAuMH5PiFWQ/s1600/IMG_4558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NniGouN8uC4/TglaIuxjR0I/AAAAAAAAElo/PAuMH5PiFWQ/s640/IMG_4558.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every Spring season I look forward to two vegetables: asparagus and artichokes. And even though it is not summer, you can still find asparagus in the market. The season for artichokes, on the other hand, unfortunately never lasts long enough. Each year I make my favorite artichoke recipe: <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/sauteed-artichoke-hearts-in-parsley.html">sauteed artichokes in lemon parsley sauce</a>. This year I got a bit more creative with the recipe adding a fiesta of colors: bright red sun-dried tomatoes, deep green spinach and pasta to make it a complete meal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/07/artichoke-hearts-with-sun-dried.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6475607141390900699?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-39966523096667612792011-06-05T17:44:00.004-04:002011-07-12T21:48:46.674-04:00New York-Style Crumb Cake Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o8qfTiRruUQ/TeK8v0WqFiI/AAAAAAAAElM/h8S8NUyjkyQ/s1600/New+York+Crumb+Cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o8qfTiRruUQ/TeK8v0WqFiI/AAAAAAAAElM/h8S8NUyjkyQ/s640/New+York+Crumb+Cake.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been in a cocoon for the past month taking care of our<a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/05/very-special-mothers-day-first-of-many.html"> newly expanded family</a>, and only recently have started to emerge. Guests have trickled in recently to meet the new baby. Among my favorite homemade items to welcome visitors is a New York-Style crumb cake. The crumb cake is deliciously moist, stacked high with sweet cinnamony crumbs and oh so delightful for almost any occasion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-york-style-crumb-cake-recipe.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3996652309666761279?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-46055226622477523812011-05-10T14:05:00.006-04:002012-01-02T22:15:43.088-05:00A Very Special Mother's Day - The First of Many<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Every child begins the world again."</span></span></span></blockquote> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Henry David Thoreau</span><br><br><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1P8gmz4zwWo/Tcl8CfCwj-I/AAAAAAAAEkg/2usm8CBh2cU/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1P8gmz4zwWo/Tcl8CfCwj-I/AAAAAAAAEkg/2usm8CBh2cU/s640/IMG_2581.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640"></a><br><br>Today, May 10th was the expected due date of my baby, and it would have been a neat date for him to be born as it coincides with the anniversary of when we were engaged. However much like a lot things in life <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/breeched-turning-point.html">his birth didn't turn out as planned</a>.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/05/very-special-mothers-day-first-of-many.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4605522662247752381?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com83tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-40347166277765400022011-04-26T07:12:00.004-04:002011-05-07T20:26:56.964-04:00Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe and 38 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAsoetSnOkM/Ta9gzvJFmZI/AAAAAAAAEjs/dZyLGD4djf8/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAsoetSnOkM/Ta9gzvJFmZI/AAAAAAAAEjs/dZyLGD4djf8/s640/IMG_1850.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="424"></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">36 Weeks and 5 days, New York's Upper East Side</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br>I'm whipping up a batch of Dorie Greenspan's chocolate chip cookies today. Sometimes the best things in life are the classic comfort foods, and I count these soft gooey chocolatey cookies among them.<br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/dorie-greenspans-chocolate-chip-cookie.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4034716627776540002?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-15754036647236347862011-04-20T19:04:00.006-04:002011-04-26T15:34:02.284-04:00Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Chunkers Recipe & Cookiebar 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uuma0fNj59U/Ta9hk4jBujI/AAAAAAAAEjw/ecSCsnoL0hI/s1600/Dorie+Greenspan+Chocolate+Chunkers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uuma0fNj59U/Ta9hk4jBujI/AAAAAAAAEjw/ecSCsnoL0hI/s640/Dorie+Greenspan+Chocolate+Chunkers.JPG" width="640px"></a></div><br>Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Chunker's cookies have a knack for getting people into trouble. These cookies were inspired by a recipe that got Dorie fired from one of her first jobs out of pastry. You can read the story <a href="http://www.doriegreenspan.com/print/2009/03/chocolate-chunkers-the-cookies-that-didnt-get-me-fired.html">here</a>. These are also the cookies that got me into a whole heap of trouble a couple of months ago when my doctor gave me a good chastising for gaining too much weight. Admittedly these cookies weren't the only culprits, between this, <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/02/els-ultimate-dark-chocolate-cupcakes.html">El's chocolate ganache cupcakes</a> and <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/02/absolutely-sinful-flourless-chocolate.html">flourless chocolate cakes</a>, the scale was tilted towards trouble.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/dorie-greenspan-cookiebar-2011.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1575403664723634786?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-22128375705354269202011-04-10T04:50:00.003-04:002011-04-10T16:51:02.875-04:00Breeched - A Turning Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwWrN9cnj5M/TaFm89PRh5I/AAAAAAAAEjY/tHwZeYbzQPU/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwWrN9cnj5M/TaFm89PRh5I/AAAAAAAAEjY/tHwZeYbzQPU/s640/IMG_1435.JPG" width="426"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Riverside Park, Upper West Side, New York</span></div><br>That's me at 35 weeks and 4 days. In about a week, I'll be at 37 weeks, which means I'll be full-term and the baby could arrive any day thereafter, actually that was always the case even before this point. As these last few weeks wind down, I am feeling pretty good. Oddly I am wishing that this pregnancy could last a bit longer. I have a hunch that I'll miss carrying this baby, feeling his kicks, dreaming what he'll be like when we bring him into the world and having the security of knowing that he's well-protected in my belly right now.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/breeched-turning-point.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2212837570535426920?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-19074560205251789642011-04-05T20:13:00.016-04:002011-04-10T04:58:37.278-04:00Eleven Madison Park Restaurant, New York City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANNUwdcSLAY/TZqNnsHPXEI/AAAAAAAAEik/EuuUy0dsKYk/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANNUwdcSLAY/TZqNnsHPXEI/AAAAAAAAEik/EuuUy0dsKYk/s640/IMG_1140.JPG" width="426"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Yellow roses were peppered throughout the restaurant</span></div><br>Among New York City's must visit establishments is Eleven Madison Park, and after my visit I would argue it is a contender one of the nation's finest restaurants. Elegant, exquisite and tantalizing, the dishes invite you to bring all of your senses to the table and engage in taste, touch, smell, hear and most dramatically your visual abilities.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/eleven-madison-park-restaurant-new-york.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1907456020525178964?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-61081397319341566092011-04-05T19:00:00.001-04:002011-04-05T22:09:47.192-04:00Virtual Baby Shower Giveaway Winners<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/04/christines-virtual-baby-shower-giveaway-winners/babyshowerwinners/" rel="attachment wp-att-949" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #669900; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-949" height="400" src="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/baby+shower+winners.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="baby+shower+winners" width="351"></a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We had such an amazing turnout of comments across 3 blogs my virtual baby shower. Now… it’s about that time to announce our winners. Thank you to all of the readers that have stopped by to comment here and on <a href="http://www.highlowfooddrink.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #669900; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="High/Low Food/Drink">High/Low Food/Drink</a> and <a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/">A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa</a>.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/virtual-baby-shower-giveaway-winners.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6108139731934156609?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-35030834098754210232011-03-31T13:38:00.006-04:002011-04-05T20:14:03.619-04:00Snap Pea Shiitake Mushroom Tofu Stir Fry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ImDnZO9qKY8/TYwAqUkphcI/AAAAAAAAEiI/nffXQgeW8fI/s1600/Snap+pea+tofu+stir+fry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ImDnZO9qKY8/TYwAqUkphcI/AAAAAAAAEiI/nffXQgeW8fI/s640/Snap+pea+tofu+stir+fry.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I threw together this snap pea, mushroom and tofu stir fry, I had in mind that warmer and lighter days were around the corner. I had visions of taking long walks through Central Park wearing light sweaters and my favorite pair of ballerina Crocs. But alas, we are expecting snow tomorrow. It's a bit of a cruel April Fool's Day joke that Mother Nature is playing on us, but hopefully it will be the last one for a while.</div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/snap-pea-shiitake-mushroom-tofu-stir.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3503083409875421023?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-59426112935237446012011-03-25T11:58:00.002-04:002011-03-31T13:46:41.164-04:00The Final Giveaway for the Virtual Baby Shower: Beco Baby Carrier Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Of all of the baby-related giveaways happening this week, I am most excited about this one: The Beco Carrier. Here is Diana from <a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/"><b>A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa</b></a> to share with you about one of her MUST HAVE baby items. Aren't these pictures of Diana and her babies precious?</i><br><a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/03/the-final-giveaway-for-the-virtual-baby-shower-beco-baby-carrier-giveaway/logo-final/" rel="attachment wp-att-895" style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #990000; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Beco Baby Carrier" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-895" height="224" src="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4743377913_2477920e67.jpg" style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px auto; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline; webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px;" title="Beco Baby Carrier" width="520"></a></div><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t you get excited to find out a new friend is going to be a mommy? Having a “little” bit more experience it’s fun to be able to share tips and information about pregnancy, birthing and the ups and downs of having a newborn baby in the house. Of course, it’s never fun to be a know it all but to be able to share in your experiences and what you’ve learned and are still learning along the way.</div><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When it comes to sharing the most useful products to have, I always… always recommend a baby carrier. One thing to remember is no two children are exactly the same. Even between both of my boys, they are both so different. I really wish I would have known more about baby carriers when I had my first. My baby Nehe was a joy to my heart but he didn’t nap. Yeah, never… hated it… loathed his naps! For me, this meant that he wanted to be carried all the time and I honestly was losing my sanity.</div><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is when a baby carrier would have come in handy. Especially as they get older and still don’t want to nap, it makes it a struggle to get the easiest of chores done. The Lord blessed me with my little Zekie as he was and still is a sleeper. Oh the joy when you can place your child down and watch him shut his eyes and sleep in peace. However, with him, having experienced some of my trials with Nehe, I had him in a carrier from the get go.</div><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/03/the-final-giveaway-for-the-virtual-baby-shower-beco-baby-carrier-giveaway/img_3911/" rel="attachment wp-att-894" style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #669900; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/final-giveaway-for-virtual-baby-shower.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5942611293523744601?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-86826777855996005832011-03-23T13:57:00.004-04:002011-03-23T20:25:57.372-04:00I Love Central Park, Winter, NYC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oheSgfspwL8/TYovoDftQSI/AAAAAAAAEh8/Wl9_bGBvQmk/s1600/I+love+Central+park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oheSgfspwL8/TYovoDftQSI/AAAAAAAAEh8/Wl9_bGBvQmk/s640/I+love+Central+park.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>It is a rainy day with light snow today in New York, a nice Spring surprise. Today's sprinkling reminded me of how cold it was this winter, one of the coldest on record, and is the inspiration for today's post - pictures of Central Park following a big snow storm in January, 2011.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-love-central-park-winter-nyc.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8682677785599600583?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-25783259335486907362011-03-23T13:18:00.001-04:002011-03-25T11:50:37.209-04:00The Virtual Baby Shower Continues With a Baby Food Mill Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Diana and Andrea have been hard at work continuing the week of giveaways for my virtual baby shower. The next giveaway is a baby food mill, an essential kitchen item for introducing healthy and nourishing meals to your foodie baby. Here is Diana's guest post on the Kidco baby food mill. </i></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/03/the-virtual-baby-shower-continues-with-a-baby-food-mill-giveaway/screen-shot-2011-03-16-at-7-48-26-am-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-875" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #990000; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-875" height="393" src="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Screen-shot-2011-03-16-at-7.48.26-AM1.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Baby Food Mill" width="395"></a><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/virtual-baby-shower-continues-with-baby.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2578325933548690736?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-13735762569871769562011-03-21T09:56:00.008-04:002011-03-23T13:21:28.165-04:00Christine’s Virtual Baby Shower and Bravado Nursing Tank Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>The kick-off to my baby shower starts today! Please read Diana's guest post and visit </i><a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; color: #669900; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><i>A Little Bit of Spain from Iowa</i></a><i> and Andrea's blog </i><a href="http://www.highlowfooddrink.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; color: #669900; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><i> High/Low Food/Drink</i></a><i> for more chances to win this fabulous nursing tank!</i></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">***************************************************************************************<br>Christine’s virtual baby shower and week of giveaways starts today! Christine recently posted this picture below on Facebook that I had to share. She is now 32 weeks pregnant with her baby boy and radiating.</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/03/christines-virtual-baby-shower-and-bravado-nursing-tank-giveaway/christine-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-843" style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; color: #669900; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-843" height="792" src="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/christine3.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px auto; outline-width: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="christine" width="528"></a></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/christines-virtual-baby-shower-and.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1373576256987176956?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-61402279671061111962011-03-16T23:24:00.006-04:002011-03-23T13:06:57.597-04:00Tom Kha Gai Chicken Coconut Soup with Lemongrass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mRKJT9B-5a4/SwCNaZ5VEUI/AAAAAAAABQg/pK27W-AhxSg/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mRKJT9B-5a4/SwCNaZ5VEUI/AAAAAAAABQg/pK27W-AhxSg/s640/IMG_0542.JPG" width="480"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been monitoring the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, and my heart weighs heavily for those enduring tragedy and uncertainty from that disaster. I've only been in one major earthquake in my life, Loma Prieta in 1989, which registered 6.9 on the Richter Scale. And while that was considered a big one for California, it is in orders of magnitude smaller than the one in Japan. In fact, because of the logarithmic measurement of the Richter Scale - meaning that the magnitude goes up exponentially - the 9.0 Japanese earthquake was roughly 900 times stronger than Loma Prieta. That's astounding considering that Loma Prieta was able to topple the upper deck of the Bay Bridge and ignite several fires throughout San Francisco. I can't imagine the damage nor the human tragedy that Japan must be sustaining at this time and my heart goes out to them. </div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/tom-kha-gai-chicken-coconut-soup-with.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6140227967106111196?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-6146657625460749932011-03-16T12:17:00.005-04:002011-04-05T21:06:24.600-04:00Guest Post: A Virtual Baby Shower for Christine and Giveaway!I've been quite blessed to have been the recipient of much generosity and kindness over the last few months as I prepare for the arrival of our first baby Alexander, who is due in May. I am delighted to share with you a guest post from Diana of <a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/03/a-virtual-baby-shower-for-christine-and-giveaway/"><b>A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa</b></a>, who is co-hosting a virtual baby shower with my other fab foodie friend, <a href="http://www.highlowfooddrink.com/2011/03/easy-entertaining-springtime.html"><b>Andrea of High/Low Food/Drink</b></a>. When you have a chance, please visit Diana and Andrea to say hi and enter to win a couple of great baby giveaways next week!<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/guest-post-virtual-baby-shower-for.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-614665762546074993?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-27445509361229413852011-03-06T21:37:00.003-05:002011-03-06T22:50:13.000-05:00Roasted Marrow Bones with Lemon Parsley Shallots and Capers Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xMKf9eh-fh0/TXMnLt34mVI/AAAAAAAAEhM/6N19fPM5vLw/s1600/Roasted+Bone+Marrow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xMKf9eh-fh0/TXMnLt34mVI/AAAAAAAAEhM/6N19fPM5vLw/s640/Roasted+Bone+Marrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Chris Cosentino of Incanto in San Francisco refers to bone marrow as butter of the Gods, and I can't agree more. Sumptuous, luscious and primal, having a rich dollop of fat dripping marrow slathered across a crusty charred piece of bread can be a lusty experience. So when I saw roasted bone marrow featured on Andrea's blog <a href="http://www.highlowfooddrink.com/"><b>High / Low Food Drink</b></a>, I simply could not wait to try this recipe. From start to finish, this recipe can be made under half an hour. The acidity of fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley and shallots serves as a bright contrast to the hedonistic spread, and is especially good against the humble canvas of a chewy crusty country bread. Thanks Andrea for sharing this recipe!<br /><br />If you are in the New York area, you may find marrow bones at Dickson's Farm Stand at Chelsea Market, Hawthorne Valley Farms or at Grazin' Angus, both at the Union Square Farmer's Market.<br /><br /><b>Roasted Bone Marrow with Lemon Parsley Sauce</b><br />From New York Times via <a href="http://www.highlowfooddrink.com/"><b>High/Low Food Drink</b></a><b> </b><br /><b>Ingredients</b><br /><ul><li>8 to 12 center-cut beef or veal marrow bones, 3 inches long, 3 to 4 pounds total</li><li>1 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley</li><li>2 shallots, thinly sliced</li><li>2 teaspoons capers</li><li>1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil</li><li>2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice</li><li>Coarse sea salt to taste</li><li>4 1-inch thick slices of country bread</li></ul><b>Method</b><br /><ol><li>Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Put bones, cut side up, on foil-lined baking sheet or in ovenproof skillet. Cook until marrow is soft and has begun to separate from the bone, about 15 minutes. (Stop before marrow begins to drizzle out.)</li><li>Meanwhile, combine parsley, shallots and capers in small bowl. Just before bones are ready, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice and drizzle dressing over parsley mixture until leaves are just coated. Put roasted bones, parsley salad, salt and toast on a large plate. To serve, scoop out marrow, spread on toast, sprinkle with salt and top with parsley salad.</li></ol>Serves 4.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2744550936122941385?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-8859262724916025412011-03-01T23:02:00.006-05:002011-11-27T16:01:57.709-05:00Can't Stop Thinking About This Kale Waldorf Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PFBQvIYbrCQ/TW23uYD-xgI/AAAAAAAAEhI/-IvG2W5Qdho/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PFBQvIYbrCQ/TW23uYD-xgI/AAAAAAAAEhI/-IvG2W5Qdho/s640/IMG_0303.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Deb from <a href="http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/"><strong>Kahakai Kitchen</strong></a> wrote about the surprising positive reception of a kale salad that she served at demonstration she hosted at her local Whole Foods, my curiosity piqued. Have I had kale raw before? Not to my recollection. The intimidation of the rough looking, pebbly, dinosaur scale exterior of the leaves suggested that I needed to cook it before I eat it. But a simple bite disproved my assumptions. When eaten raw, dinosaur kale leaves are surprisingly tender. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/cant-stop-thinking-about-this-kale.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-885926272491602541?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-20959396857042931162011-02-27T17:04:00.005-05:002012-01-06T20:51:30.399-05:00Pan Seared Duck Breasts with Mushroom Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BK91KNDLako/TWq47-QLBmI/AAAAAAAAEg0/Y_AOzCe-rM8/s1600/Pan+Roasted+Duck+Breast+with+Mushroom+Sauce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BK91KNDLako/TWq47-QLBmI/AAAAAAAAEg0/Y_AOzCe-rM8/s640/Pan+Roasted+Duck+Breast+with+Mushroom+Sauce.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>This wonderful pan-seared duck breast recipe is a follow-up to the <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/easy-duck-confit-with-lentil-salad.html">duck confit recipe</a> that I posted last June on using all parts of a duck. Shame on me for taking 8 months to complete the second half of the post. Discipline has been my strong suit, and gets harder these days as I am more tired than a Whole Foods paper bag reused 10 times over. I have only 9 more weeks until my due date, and lethargy has set in early.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/02/pan-seared-duck-breasts-with-mushroom.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2095939685704293116?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-17765619118682640062011-02-15T22:26:00.008-05:002011-02-17T22:42:21.078-05:00The Courage to be Alone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jBPArabd9YQ/TVtCtVx5O1I/AAAAAAAAEgk/lLkMityOE2o/s1600/IMG_7956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jBPArabd9YQ/TVtCtVx5O1I/AAAAAAAAEgk/lLkMityOE2o/s640/IMG_7956.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640"></a></div><br>I saved this post for after Valentine's Day because it seemed out of place to talk about being alone on a holiday dedicated to coupledom. While I choose to keep this blog a positive space to record some of my favorite recipes, thoughts and memories, some of the most important lessons stem from the more difficult challenges in life. So this is a more somber post that was the ironic inspiration for <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/02/absolutely-sinful-flourless-chocolate.html">my last post</a> when I wrote about how lucky I am to have a such supportive husband. It's much easier to tell only half of the story, and while this is particularly hard for me to share, I thought it was important.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/02/courage-to-be-alone.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1776561911868264006?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-29599774682949245752011-02-09T08:30:00.006-05:002011-02-15T22:27:17.269-05:00Absolutely Sinful Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TVIR0t35MlI/AAAAAAAAEgA/0r2mkc2lFmc/s1600/IMG_9330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TVIR0t35MlI/AAAAAAAAEgA/0r2mkc2lFmc/s640/IMG_9330.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many years ago at an alley way entrance to the Irish Bank, a messy dive bar in the financial district of San Francisco, I laid eyes on a handsome gentleman. I still remember how gracefully the warm sunset cast an orange light onto his angelic brown locks, and the bright clarity of his hazel green eyes.</div></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/02/absolutely-sinful-flourless-chocolate.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2959977468294924575?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-81957240669677574752011-02-01T15:44:00.013-05:002011-02-09T19:43:31.386-05:00El's Ultimate Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Frosting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TUeDkG4bORI/AAAAAAAAEfU/QdoWjLem7xY/s1600/Ultimate+Chocolate+Ganache+Cupcake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TUeDkG4bORI/AAAAAAAAEfU/QdoWjLem7xY/s640/Ultimate+Chocolate+Ganache+Cupcake.JPG" width="424"></a></div><br>What does the perfect chocolate cupcake taste like to you? My version of good chocolate is a divine symphony of dark moist chocolate cake topped with a lustrous, glossy, silky smooth icing, one that straddles the hemispheres of celestial lofty whipped cream and the full-bodied lushness of melted bittersweet chocolate. <br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/02/els-ultimate-dark-chocolate-cupcakes.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8195724066967757475?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-80661127659317621572011-01-25T14:58:00.006-05:002011-02-01T15:47:15.929-05:00Daniel Boulud's Braised Short Ribs Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TT4L6C3MecI/AAAAAAAAEfM/ykag0KXxuRM/s1600/Braised+Short+Ribs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TT4L6C3MecI/AAAAAAAAEfM/ykag0KXxuRM/s640/Braised+Short+Ribs.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>Tender, succulent fall-off-the-bones short ribs braised in red wine, beef broth and a rustic melange of chunky vegetables and herbs. This dish is a hearty and warm welcome from the driving snow and frigid temperatures outside.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/01/daniel-bouluds-braised-short-ribs.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8066112765931762157?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-2699861737242141432011-01-19T23:47:00.001-05:002011-01-25T15:00:22.926-05:00Curry Quinoa with Cabbage, Carrots and Green Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TTZIErr5CFI/AAAAAAAAEe8/Lz_gG7bap5w/s1600/IMG_9506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TTZIErr5CFI/AAAAAAAAEe8/Lz_gG7bap5w/s640/IMG_9506.JPG" width="640"></a></div>The recipe for this curry quinoa salad came about from a conversation struck with a stranger on the bus. Intrigued by the two bunches of kale popping out of my grocery bag, a woman asked me how I prepared kale. We ran through the gamut of how to prepare this nutrient dense vegetable before she turned the conversation to quinoa. "Did you know that quinoa is the perfect food?"<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/01/curry-quinoa-with-cabbage-carrots-and.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-269986173724214143?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-58657177843153547422011-01-13T10:03:00.007-05:002011-01-20T00:06:02.239-05:00Rustic Caramelized Onion and Chanterelle Quiche<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TPcUV4Y9HYI/AAAAAAAAEdA/HradaqOxuqk/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TPcUV4Y9HYI/AAAAAAAAEdA/HradaqOxuqk/s640/IMG_8717.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>This morning I woke up to the warm memory of a dream that I had from a distant past. At the time, my current husband was just a promise, someone who I had met less than two months before. In the dream I was sitting in his sun swept living room looking out into a rare clear blue sky over the San Francisco bay. While it was the same house Keefer was living in at that time, in the dream we were just moving in, the place was bare, furnished with only a white twill sofa. Situated next to me was an infant roughly six months old. I wondered who this little stranger was, so calm and peaceful in his carrier. Then all of the sudden, Keefer walks into the room from playing a game of catch with a five year old boy. Who are these kids? I remember asking myself. They were two people who I had never met before... and yet, they were so familiar.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/01/caramelized-onion-and-chanterelle.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5865717784315354742?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-74583757634182459842011-01-03T23:46:00.011-05:002011-01-13T14:34:37.796-05:00Fresh Local and Best Top 10 in 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TSKkKMLXyKI/AAAAAAAAEe0/H380TW8SlnY/s1600/IMG_7169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TSKkKMLXyKI/AAAAAAAAEe0/H380TW8SlnY/s640/IMG_7169.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>2010 marked a turning point in a sequence of tough years for my husband and I. We, along with the rest of the world, were grappling with one of the worst recessions in history, one that for better or worse brought us to New York City in early 2009. Amidst a flurry of big changes in our lives, there are three big events that made 2010 a memorable year.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2011/01/top-10-in-2010.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7458375763418245984?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-14268603060989901562010-12-28T20:31:00.008-05:002011-01-03T23:51:22.253-05:00Chicken Liver Porcini Pâté with Pistachios<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TRYMBXUBC3I/AAAAAAAAEec/peRzoLAOyo8/s1600/IMG_9232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TRYMBXUBC3I/AAAAAAAAEec/peRzoLAOyo8/s640/IMG_9232.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you think of when you hear the word <i>chicken liver</i>? I am sure there is a wide spectrum of responses. I grew up eating pâté in delicious banh mi sandwiches without ever knowing that what I was really eating was liver, which is probably why my response to this question falls towards the favorable end of the spectrum. For the holidays I made a luxurious pâté from Nikki Stitch's cookbook<a href="http://www.deliciousdays.com/"> Delicious Days</a>. Nikki is a food blogger and cookbook writer in Germany who will be releasing a new book soon. I've cooked through most of the recipes in Delicious Days, so I'm looking forward to seeing what she has in store in the next book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/12/chicken-liver-porcini-pate-with.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1426860306098990156?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-72716341553185534592010-12-24T10:34:00.003-05:002010-12-27T14:43:32.221-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TRS4DcgWzkI/AAAAAAAAEd4/SYNCi1_iZ80/s1600/White+Christmas+in+Paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TRS4DcgWzkI/AAAAAAAAEd4/SYNCi1_iZ80/s640/White+Christmas+in+Paris.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The picture above was taken by my good friend</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://culinarygetaways.com/"><b>Sherry Page</b></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, who is currently sampling every macaron-adorned Bûche de Noël that she encounters in Paris.</span><br /><br />Christmas is a spiritual time for reflection, gratitude and for me personally - compassion. For as much joy that is being filled in our hearts, I hope that everyone is imbibing the magic and wonder of this holiday too.<br /><br />Merry Christmas everyone! I hope the New Year brings much happiness and prosperity to your families!<br /><br />Avec l'amour,<br /><br />Christine<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7271634155318553459?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-81399659142951249622010-12-16T12:48:00.003-05:002010-12-24T10:35:24.369-05:00Dark Chocolate Almond Biscotti and a Baby Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TQl2FwMu8VI/AAAAAAAAEdY/iB7hFI9Y1eE/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TQl2FwMu8VI/AAAAAAAAEdY/iB7hFI9Y1eE/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>I've been inspired by the numerous holiday cookies that have appeared across the blogosphere. Recently I returned from a trip to San Francisco where I encountered a collection of creative gingerbread houses at the Palace Hotel.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/12/dark-chocolate-almond-biscotti-and-baby.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8139965914295124962?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com79tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-26924570378692068492010-12-06T19:19:00.004-05:002010-12-16T12:50:07.969-05:00Better Than Mashed Potatoes Celery Root Purée<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TPxfRv_stpI/AAAAAAAAEdI/Yzz6oDIpU-8/s1600/IMG_8786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TPxfRv_stpI/AAAAAAAAEdI/Yzz6oDIpU-8/s640/IMG_8786.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>Celery root may be one of the homeliest vegetables in season right now, and probably takes the cake for the ugliest vegetable all year round. But this vegetable, which is also known by the name of celeriac, does a tremendous job of adding panache and elegance to creamy soups, salads and purées. With a pat of fresh golden butter and cream, the concentrated flavors of celery can be coaxed and tamed into a sublime nostalgic mashed potato-like concoction - flavors that are familiar but intriguing with hints of parsley and sweet parsnip nuances that will keep guests guessing.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/12/better-than-mashed-potatoes-celery-root.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2692457037869206849?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-40807249482532692272010-11-22T22:29:00.017-05:002011-01-03T23:46:28.414-05:00Classic Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TOs3oQKnMfI/AAAAAAAAEcs/5KlzSO_An2U/s1600/IMG_7870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TOs3oQKnMfI/AAAAAAAAEcs/5KlzSO_An2U/s640/IMG_7870.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>Pumpkin pie, it's the sweet ending to our family's celebration of gratitude that we look forward to all year long. The warm spices are woven into a custard puree of sweet and creamy pumpkin, all of which is cradled in a delicate, flaky and buttery crust. I use a recipe that is perhaps not out of the ordinary, but I do take measures to ensure that the ingredients are top-notch, which is<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the</span></i> difference that makes this pumpkin pie a classic. For example, the sugar pumpkin is freshly roasted, which yields a much more intense fresh naturally sweet flavor. The spices are freshly ground and grated whenever possible, and the butter - the main ingredient in the pie crust - must be of good quality.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/11/classic-thanksgiving-pumpkin-pie-recipe.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4080724948253269227?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-32488584081236466982010-11-09T22:54:00.011-05:002010-11-25T23:50:02.840-05:00Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Spinach Lasagna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TNoHZAyWe0I/AAAAAAAAEcY/Fdh5eUUcghw/s1600/IMG_7787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TNoHZAyWe0I/AAAAAAAAEcY/Fdh5eUUcghw/s640/IMG_7787.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you everyone for your amazing comments in my <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/10/when-dreams-come-true.html"><b>last post</b></a>! It's a special experience to be showered with enthusiasm for such a big change in our lives. My husband and I are very excited (and nervous) about becoming parents. There's so much that we are looking forward to.</div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/11/roasted-red-bell-pepper-and-spinach.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3248858408123646698?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-55720905704910923262010-10-26T08:01:00.010-04:002010-12-24T22:53:22.260-05:00When Dreams Come True<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TMYz4cTmCiI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/ijlfqxntzm4/s1600/IMG_6552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TMYz4cTmCiI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/ijlfqxntzm4/s640/IMG_6552.JPG" width="426"></a></div><br>A couple of months ago, I received an e-mail from one of my dearest friends, Gloria, who lives in San Francisco. As I've written <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/one-thing-i-know-for-sure.html"><b>here</b></a> and <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-dear-friend-gloria.html"><b>here</b></a>, my friends mean the world to me. Here's how the letter went:<br><br><i>"Hi Christine! It was great to hear your voice today from your voice message. I am sorry I have been amiss in being in touch with you as well... I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing. I really wanted to email you this weekend after you were in my dreams last week. In the dream, I thought you looked overweighted, and it turned out you were pregnant!"</i><br><br>I wrote back:<br><br><i>"Gloria,</i><br><br><i>It always makes me smile to read your e-mails, mostly because I can imagine how the conversation would unfold if we were talking in person. I'm glad to hear that C is doing well. It must have been anguishing to sit through the surgery and have to wait minute after minute. It must have driven you crazy.</i><br><br><i>Me prego? You might know something I don't know. Funny enough the conversation about starting a family came up this weekend, but it's not in our near-term plans. Wouldn't it be funny if we looked back, and you predicted something that neither Kiefer or I had any idea about. That would be really cool!"</i><br><br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/10/when-dreams-come-true.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5572090570491092326?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com102tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-22798541178273957462010-10-26T08:00:00.004-04:002012-01-29T17:04:48.284-05:00Lamb Curry with Pumpkin and Buttery Saffron Rice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TMYLNrtL39I/AAAAAAAAEb8/x2GrfnUygOE/s1600/IMG_8038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TMYLNrtL39I/AAAAAAAAEb8/x2GrfnUygOE/s640/IMG_8038.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>I've had a busy and exciting week. My friend Allison had her first baby late last week, a beautiful little girl who has been a blessing ever since her parents found out she was on her way into their lives. And while there really isn't quite a comparison to the magnitude of the first news, it's also been an exciting week because the <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-san-francisco-is-so-foggy-and-look.html"><b>San Francisco Giants</b></a> are playing in the World Series! The company of baseball and friends have made life so blissful lately. It's the simple pleasures that give life so much meaning.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/10/lamb-curry-with-pumpkin-and-buttery.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2279854117827395746?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-49372867437617598252010-10-16T15:00:00.004-04:002010-10-16T22:09:16.865-04:00New Amsterdam Market & Apple Season in New YorkThis week's post is featured on <a href="http://oysterfoodandculture.com/"><b>Oyster Culture</b></a>, where I share a bit about the New Amsterdam Farmer's Market. Below is an abridged post. When you have a chance, please visit LouAnn, and say hi.<br><br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TKqCamU01aI/AAAAAAAAEaY/8pMKYN9ozxw/s640/IMG_5491.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640"></span><br><br>These things often start in abandoned parking lots. Hard working people congregate early in the morning with packs of wooden crates, unhinging them with crow bars. Fold-out tables are set up to offer the real prize, fresh farm grown produce, and pretty soon it becomes an exchange. And what was formerly an empty parking lot over time becomes a lively center of commerce.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-amsterdam-market-apple-season-in.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4937286743761759825?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-19615437287654443902010-10-10T08:00:00.004-04:002010-10-16T19:06:51.327-04:00La Fromagerie du Comtat Cheese Shop Provence, France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TLEXFifsJlI/AAAAAAAAEbY/gIBlm-1sH7k/s1600/IMG_7063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TLEXFifsJlI/AAAAAAAAEbY/gIBlm-1sH7k/s640/IMG_7063.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br>I've been following the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Culinary-Getaways/360658231877">Facebook updates</a> for <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Culinary-Getaways/360658231877">Culinary Getaways</a>, and Sherry Page, travel and foodie extraordinaire, is yet on another exciting Culinary Getaway, this time a week in Paris and another week in Provence.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/10/la-fromagerie-du-comtat-cheese-shop.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1961543728765444390?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-16790381192852294012010-09-26T08:00:00.009-04:002010-10-02T10:41:06.099-04:00Mark Bittman's Salmon Burger Recipe & Experiences from Colorado<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TI1MsX9A0iI/AAAAAAAAEZU/HuW3K3vNF-c/s1600/IMG_4064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TI1MsX9A0iI/AAAAAAAAEZU/HuW3K3vNF-c/s640/IMG_4064.JPG" width="640"></a><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been on the road quite a bit lately, most recently visiting the stunning prodigious landscape of Colorado. Colorado has a particularly gripping effect on me. The sweeping mountain ranges born by the hot brewing molten earth, and the deep chasms between canyons brings to my attention how grand, and precarious life can be out here. There's something quite thrilling about being at the edge of this beautiful part of earth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/09/mark-bittmans-salmon-burger-recipe.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1679038119285229401?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-8780301582768683502010-09-09T22:04:00.005-04:002010-09-11T18:52:52.687-04:00Why San Francisco is So Foggy and a Look into the Giants Baseball Stadium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TImR5Ngft8I/AAAAAAAAEYM/CvPxsW6ah5M/s1600/IMG_9835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TImR5Ngft8I/AAAAAAAAEYM/CvPxsW6ah5M/s640/IMG_9835.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>Autumn is probably the warmest season of the year for San Francisco. It's when that thick gray blanket of fog that stubbornly hovers over the city relents and rolls back to allow the sun to take its turn to dominate the skies for a few precious months.<br><div></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-san-francisco-is-so-foggy-and-look.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-878030158276868350?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-44101138216234236622010-09-02T08:12:00.009-04:002010-09-09T19:05:26.462-04:00Mediterranean Eggplant and Dried Tomatoes Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/THspZX2IX4I/AAAAAAAAEV8/S5dhKbp9TyY/s1600/IMG_4849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/THspZX2IX4I/AAAAAAAAEV8/S5dhKbp9TyY/s640/IMG_4849.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>There are only three more weeks until summer is officially over and I am desperately clinging onto this season's bounty of heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, berries and stone fruits. It is during this time of year when the vibrant flavors of summer explode, the aroma of fresh herbs are more intense, the tomatoes are sweeter, and the variety is so extensive that there never seems to be enough time to explore all the possibilities in each year's harvest.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/09/mediterranean-eggplant-and-dried.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4410113821623423662?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-48508415416016986772010-08-25T00:50:00.023-04:002010-12-31T23:11:35.288-05:00Pastis French Restaurant New York & One of My Most Embarrassing Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TG809Epi0tI/AAAAAAAAEUo/a7xKooTuVv4/s1600/IMG_5740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TG809Epi0tI/AAAAAAAAEUo/a7xKooTuVv4/s640/IMG_5740.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><a href="http://www.pastisny.com/"><b>Pastis</b></a> (pă-stēs')<br>1. <i>noun</i>. French licorice-flavored liqueur, typically served as as an apéritif.<br>2. <i>noun</i>. Lively casual French bistro in New York City's Meat-Packing District known for good libation, fun, and a gorgeous crowd<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/08/pastis-french-restaurant-new-york-and.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4850841541601698677?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-18345483992718921072010-08-21T09:22:00.015-04:002010-08-25T00:50:52.573-04:00Fresh From New York Union Square Farmer's Market August<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TGtAQ02PYQI/AAAAAAAAEUU/KS-A64ttr7w/s1600/IMG_4863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TGtAQ02PYQI/AAAAAAAAEUU/KS-A64ttr7w/s640/IMG_4863.JPG" width="426"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heirloom tomatoes, $4.50/lb</div><br><div>It's Saturday morning in the city that never sleeps, and no I have not gone on my morning run. As far as I know I don't own a pair of sneakers, or a body that has the machine-like physique to carry me through town, but I'm hoping that will change.<br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/08/fresh-from-new-york-union-square.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1834548399271892107?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-19957775473355644702010-08-15T12:34:00.010-04:002010-08-20T17:58:03.558-04:00Barbacco Restaurant San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TFIk1oT9vnI/AAAAAAAAENw/CcNhQy0NgAo/s1600/IMG_8679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TFIk1oT9vnI/AAAAAAAAENw/CcNhQy0NgAo/s640/IMG_8679.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div><br>Meeting new friends and experiencing exceptionally good food are among my favorite memories. Wherever I am, each fills my heart with tremendous joy. On a recent trip to San Francisco I had the great pleasure meeting LouAnn of <a href="http://oysterfoodandculture.com/">Oyster Culture</a>, who writes a fascinating blog focused on the integration of food history and culture, where she researches in-depth the root and evolution of certain foods. How deep? If you want to get an idea read her post on <a href="http://oysterfoodandculture.com/2010/05/09/chorizo-you-strain-my-brain/">Chorizo You Strain My Brain</a>, where she dissects no less than 30 different styles of chorizo.</div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/08/barbacco-italian-restaurant-san.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1995777547335564470?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-72054204209242989362010-08-07T15:07:00.015-04:002010-08-21T09:43:35.014-04:00The Many Faces of David Lebovitz in New York City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TFzRLUBe5xI/AAAAAAAAEQw/CbWYMRbA0_Q/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TFzRLUBe5xI/AAAAAAAAEQw/CbWYMRbA0_Q/s640/IMG_2801.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Hello, my name is David and I like to write.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/08/many-faces-of-david-lebovitz-in-new.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7205420420924298936?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-49531267349549691512010-08-02T08:00:00.012-04:002010-12-13T12:32:30.679-05:00Sherry's Radish Tops Pesto Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TFIhXtQmMTI/AAAAAAAAENI/tvPfUBeMuLY/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TFIhXtQmMTI/AAAAAAAAENI/tvPfUBeMuLY/s640/IMG_1044.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>"Can you guess what's in there?" Sherry asks me as I bite into the pesto crostini."<br>"Um. Sun dried tomatoes, almonds, garlic ... I don't know, but it's really good!" I replied between bites.<br>Each time I visit my friends Bob and Sherry in California it feels like opening up an unexpected gift as they graciously offer a lavish spread of appetizers accompanied by excellent wines from their extensive collection, and always with good company. This time, in addition to several small dishes, Sherry had whipped up a bowl of pesto composed of radish tops, a novel appetizer replete with exciting pesto flavors with a unique kick from the spicy radish tops.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/08/sherrys-radish-tops-pesto-recipe.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4953126734954969151?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-68404973774280115942010-07-25T17:23:00.022-04:002010-08-04T22:48:52.725-04:00Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Save the Gulf Dinner - Lessons on Impact, Oyster Shucking and More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TEzpWn6DzsI/AAAAAAAAEMg/Q2VPxXYoJl0/s1600/IMG_1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TEzpWn6DzsI/AAAAAAAAEMg/Q2VPxXYoJl0/s640/IMG_1445.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br></span></span></div>I was thrilled when Foodbuzz announced July's 24x24 Gulf Ambassador Event, bringing 24 bloggers around the world to host a food event over a 24 hour period and to blog about it. This month, Foodbuzz had a special request, asking bloggers to host a "Gulf inspired" event, one that would highlight the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In lieu of the $250 stipend typically given to participants, Foodbuzz will donate that amount - a total of $6,000 to benefit the struggling Gulf Coast fishery community via <a href="http://www.gnof.org/">Greater New Orleans Foundation</a> (GNOF).<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TEypLdcFY9I/AAAAAAAAELo/r3m6ruzpAEM/s1600/IMG_8072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TEypLdcFY9I/AAAAAAAAELo/r3m6ruzpAEM/s640/IMG_8072.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>It has been more than three months since the Deep Horizon oil rig explosion, and some of you may be wondering the toll of this enduring oil spill. There are no exact numbers, but here are a few figures to assemble a picture of the ramifications.<br><br><b>Here are a few statistics:</b><br><ul><li>4.9 million barrels of oil is estimated to have spilled into the ocean (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/us/05oil.html?src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Fnational%2Findex.jsonp">source</a>)</li><li>35,000 - 60,000 barrels (about 1.5 - 2.5 million gallons) of oil gush into the ocean daily (<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/28/gulf.oil.disaster/?hpt=Sbin">source</a>)</li><li>Approximately 630 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline has been contaminated by the BP oil spill (<a href="http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/florida-outlines-bp-gulf-oil-spill-response-for-july-23-2010-36032.html">source</a>): </li><ul><li>89 miles in Florida</li><li>364 miles in Louisiana</li><li>107 miles in Mississippi </li><li>and 70 miles in Alabama</li></ul><li>Roughly 1.84 million gallons (7 million liters) of dispersant have been applied (<a href="http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/florida-outlines-bp-gulf-oil-spill-response-for-july-23-2010-36032.html">source</a>): </li><ul><li>1.07 million on the surface and </li><li>771,000 subsea</li></ul><li>17,000 jobs estimated to be lost by year-end because of the oil spill (<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-19/gulf-oil-spill-may-cost-17-000-jobs-moody-s-says.html">source</a>)</li><ul><li>At risk is the livelihood of family businesses that took generations to build.</li></ul><li>$1,200,000,000 projected to be lost by year-end due to the oil spill (<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-19/gulf-oil-spill-may-cost-17-000-jobs-moody-s-says.html">source</a>)</li><li>400 species estimated to be at risk, from the base of the chain with oil-eating bacteria, shrimp, crab to endangered sea turtles, brown pelicans and whales. (<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hWoG6oIbGIUiRvIs8NPaEkJ776eg">source</a>)</li></ul><b><span style="font-size: small;">No one can predict the long-term impact of such high levels of oil and toxins released into the ocean, however it is becoming more and more evident that the damage from the oil spill will span beyond the food chain and through the entire lifecycle of the Gulf's eco-system.</span></b><br><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b><br><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/foodbuzz-24-24-24-save-gulf-dinner.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6840497377428011594?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-33221136247472071682010-07-20T08:17:00.008-04:002011-01-03T23:43:38.251-05:00One Thing I Know for Sure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TEUvQJF26ZI/AAAAAAAAEJw/KSNH6spdXsI/s1600/IMG_8691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TEUvQJF26ZI/AAAAAAAAEJw/KSNH6spdXsI/s640/IMG_8691.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>I'm back home following a two and a half week work-vacation in San Francisco. I've had a few good moments of solitude to reflect upon life on my way back to New York City. One of the things I determined a long time ago is that the life that I am living is one that is better than I ever imagined for myself and that I am a pretty lucky person. And that luck doesn't stem from the family I was born into, or any extraordinary personal characteristics; if you've met me you'd know I'm a pretty ordinary Jane. Rather, my luck has been fulfilled by the incredible friends I've made along the way, people who have enriched to my life so deeply.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/one-thing-i-know-for-sure.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3322113624747207168?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-90774249258559908712010-07-11T15:59:00.016-04:002010-08-06T23:41:22.621-04:00Fresh from San Francisco - Ferry Building Farmers' Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TDk7wksutOI/AAAAAAAAEEU/0Lo7dIGiICc/s1600/IMG_9111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TDk7wksutOI/AAAAAAAAEEU/0Lo7dIGiICc/s640/IMG_9111.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>It seems impossible, but each year the San Francisco Ferry Building Farmers' Market gets better and better. Newer heirloom varieties, more organic choices and as always married with the same passion and commitment to quality that spawned this amazing location.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/fresh-from-san-francisco-ferry-building.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-9077424925855990871?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-81873341500182425322010-07-08T08:15:00.014-04:002010-07-24T23:32:44.426-04:00Hog Island Oyster Bar San Francisco Ferry Building<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TDQQvHKIRbI/AAAAAAAAEDc/30uPXyQ4Zw4/s1600/IMG_8498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TDQQvHKIRbI/AAAAAAAAEDc/30uPXyQ4Zw4/s640/IMG_8498.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">"It hit 103 degrees in Central Park in today!" my husband exclaimed. My skin started to curl as I let out a deep groan, just thinking about the sweltering heat was giving me hot flashes. I am so grateful to be shrouded in San Francisco's gray fog, where it has been a cool and breezy 65 F. It's the type of weather when you can stay comfortably snuggled in bed and sip on hot chocolate all day long. </div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/hog-island-oyster-bar-san-francisco.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8187334150018242532?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-19841873134574895772010-07-06T02:35:00.017-04:002011-04-05T23:28:12.459-04:00Mario Batali's Del Posto NYC<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br></span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAQPmORnvcI/AAAAAAAADxs/Ydago6NhSw8/s1600/2010-05-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAQPmORnvcI/AAAAAAAADxs/Ydago6NhSw8/s640/2010-05-31.jpg" width="640"></a><br><br>If there is only one restaurant that I am to recommend for lunch in New York, <a href="http://www.delposto.com/"><b>Del Posto</b></a> would be it. Del Posto is Mario Batali's most superb expression of his love and passion for good Italian cuisine and fine dining. Located on the western edge of the meat packing district, Del Posto is a bit out of the way, but well worth the effort to pursue as it offers an upscale, elegant and memorable dining experience. If you're free during the weekdays, you can enjoy Del Posto a fraction of the price when a generous $29 pre-fixe lunch is offered. It is a deal not to be missed by both visitors and Mahattanites alike.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/mario-batalis-del-posto-nyc.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1984187313457489577?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-30758603201327127462010-07-03T00:01:00.003-04:002010-07-06T02:38:31.723-04:00San Francisco to New York and Back with Nature's Pride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TC6n3BAaQWI/AAAAAAAAEC0/fAXWACX0V_g/s1600/IMG_7047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TC6n3BAaQWI/AAAAAAAAEC0/fAXWACX0V_g/s640/IMG_7047.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>I'm heading back to San Francisco this evening for a friend's wedding, and to spend time with friends and family. It has been a bit more than a year since I've moved to New York, and I still can't quite call it home. It probably doesn't help that I return to San Francisco so frequently.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/san-francisco-to-new-york-and-back-with.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-3075860320132712746?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-72388611867364096702010-06-29T11:04:00.017-04:002012-01-29T15:08:26.534-05:00Chez Bruno The Ultimate Truffle Dining Experience Provence, France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TClOk-R4bdI/AAAAAAAAEBk/AJNrZdLEKYM/s1600/IMG_6512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TClOk-R4bdI/AAAAAAAAEBk/AJNrZdLEKYM/s640/IMG_6512.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br>Chez Bruno is one of the most unique restaurants in the world, specializing in dishes that include one of the rarest and most prized ingredients: <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-of-many-truffle-dinners.html"><b>black truffles</b></a>.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/chez-bruno-ultimate-truffle-dining.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7238861186736409670?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-14104232259410550402010-06-25T17:56:00.004-04:002010-07-25T14:40:12.685-04:00Simple Oven Roasted Corn Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAWyL_zbuAI/AAAAAAAADz0/gfrblLM88Co/s1600/IMG_4984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAWyL_zbuAI/AAAAAAAADz0/gfrblLM88Co/s640/IMG_4984.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is an easy peasy recipe that I am keeping in my files for corn season as it hits its stride in the Northeast. Since I live in an apartment in New York without access to a a grill, boiling corn in salted water used to be my favorite method. Also, I try to avoid using the microwave whenever possible. Oven roasting ears in the husk is so easy with less clean-up that I've decided this will be how I will cook corn on the cob going forward. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Simple Oven Roasted Corn Recipe</b></div><b>Ingredients</b><br />(from Tyler Florence)<br /><br /><ul><li>4 ears fresh corn</li></ul><br /><b>Method</b><br /><br /><ul><li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place corn husks directly on the oven rack and roast for 30-45 minutes or until corn kernels are soft. Peel down the husks and use as a handle when eating.</li></ul><div>You may also consider brushing the corn with melted butter, sprinkling with chili powder or lime juice. This recipe also lends well to apartment dwellers without access to a grill, but desire that charred flavor. Simply pull off the husk from the roasted corn, brush olive oil, and place directly under the broiler for a few minutes on each side, watching to make sure the corn browns but doesn't blacken. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1410423225941055040?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-2020383641487488822010-06-22T10:00:00.009-04:002010-08-21T19:28:57.699-04:00The Dirty Dozen: A List of Fruits and Vegetables to Aim for Organic<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TB7YoBASybI/AAAAAAAAD6s/MUfyVLrX3yA/s1600/IMG_6422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TB7YoBASybI/AAAAAAAAD6s/MUfyVLrX3yA/s640/IMG_6422.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>You may want to think twice about noshing on that celery stick, and perhaps that carrot stick too. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), conventional (non-organic) celery could contain 67 different pesticides. The study released by the EWG, which was based on the analysis of the Dept. of Agriculture and FDA, found astonishing levels of pesticide across at least 12 common fruits and vegetables. Consider the findings by EWG*:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/dirty-dozen-list-of-fruits-and.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-202038364148748882?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-20349132913402710222010-06-21T08:00:00.015-04:002010-07-08T07:18:13.412-04:00GIVEAWAY: All-Clad 12-Inch Stainless Steel Fry Pan<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TB7dxz7l3LI/AAAAAAAAD7M/-8mDTZsMaBw/s1600/IMG_6731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TB7dxz7l3LI/AAAAAAAAD7M/-8mDTZsMaBw/s640/IMG_6731.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/giveaway-all-clad-12-inch-stainless.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2034913291340271022?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com207tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-11039485761437934982010-06-20T00:41:00.009-04:002011-01-02T23:09:50.765-05:00Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/Sw4F6YvahmI/AAAAAAAABYo/sZx9ibr5DSI/s1600/2009+06+24+NY+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/Sw4F6YvahmI/AAAAAAAABYo/sZx9ibr5DSI/s640/2009+06+24+NY+025.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">Versatile, refreshing and satisfying, Vietnamese Spring rolls are one of my favorite summer recipes. The combination of fresh crisp vegetables, comforting rice noodles, and fresh brightly flavored herbs all bundled into a cold roll makes this an ideal healthy recipe to keep in the refrigerator for an appetizer. This recipe is meant to be a guide as to the amount of a certain ingredient you add in the roll, your taste should dictate the ratio. Also, the ingredients substitute well in this recipe, the key is simply to bundle together a good combination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/vietnamese-shrimp-spring-rolls-recipe.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1103948576143793498?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-82790387664506537882010-06-16T08:30:00.010-04:002010-12-31T23:11:30.110-05:00Gramercy Tavern One of New York's Best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TArXRENX8-I/AAAAAAAAD2M/jhlb9fxd5QI/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TArXRENX8-I/AAAAAAAAD2M/jhlb9fxd5QI/s640/IMG_3411.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">Old classic American cuisine served in a rustic yet sophisticated and elegant New England style setting. When you walk into Gramercy Tavern you can expect a few things: simple yet stunning floral arrangements to lift and awaken your senses, a gracious staff that is attentive and accommodating, and food that consistently delivers on the solid reputation of this fine establishment.</div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/gramercy-tavern-restaurant-nyc.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8279038766450653788?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-66123450486990165282010-06-13T15:45:00.015-04:002010-10-16T19:06:03.408-04:00Easy Duck Confit with Lentil Salad Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAMfNzkMwzI/AAAAAAAADws/9pOUoNi8WpI/s1600/IMG_4846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAMfNzkMwzI/AAAAAAAADws/9pOUoNi8WpI/s640/IMG_4846.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">Inspiration abounds at the farmer's market, where I inhale just about every petal, root, leaf and fruit it has to offer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/easy-duck-confit-with-lentil-salad.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6612345048699016528?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-81902465033507365452010-06-09T22:00:00.011-04:002010-06-15T23:53:33.175-04:00Fresh from New York Farmers' Market June Spotlight on Strawberries<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAvuzCL6wEI/AAAAAAAAD5k/jXM0jxL5LR0/s1600/IMG_5249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAvuzCL6wEI/AAAAAAAAD5k/jXM0jxL5LR0/s640/IMG_5249.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>We're coming upon the peak season at the farmer's market on the East coast, although we're not quite there yet. At the market were loads of red and green colored produce. These gorgeous ruffle layered and blushed peonies are a gorgeous reminder of the stunning flora and fauna available here. $10 per bundle.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/fresh-from-new-york-farmers-market-june.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8190246503350736545?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-17839632865180804342010-06-07T22:12:00.006-04:002010-08-18T18:55:48.320-04:00Pomelo Salad with Shrimp and Chicken Goi Buoi Tom Thit Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAWuUSeqtYI/AAAAAAAADzc/yekQpvl_3h4/s1600/IMG_5031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAWuUSeqtYI/AAAAAAAADzc/yekQpvl_3h4/s640/IMG_5031.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>When I think of Vietnamese food, I think of fresh herbs, crisp shredded vegetables and small tender chunks of meat woven together with bright savory umami flavors. So when it came time for me to think of a dish to submit for June's Delicious Vietnam round-up, I naturally chose a salad that combined many of those wonderful exciting flavors.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/pomelo-salad-with-shrimp-and-chicken.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1783963286518080434?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-65337167685256669952010-06-06T08:10:00.007-04:002010-06-07T22:14:13.201-04:00Saffron Fish and White Bean Soup Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAr2-ta4IyI/AAAAAAAAD38/E6Wq9snzbrg/s1600/IMG_5360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAr2-ta4IyI/AAAAAAAAD38/E6Wq9snzbrg/s640/IMG_5360.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">Flaky chunks of white fish swimming in a saffron laced clam broth with buttery beans and diced tomatoes. This is a quick, easy and satisfying soup that can be prepared within half an hour, perfect for this busy weeknights. </div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/saffron-fish-and-white-bean-soup-recipe.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6533716768525666995?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-63923404766071318542010-06-02T08:33:00.003-04:002010-06-03T22:43:03.020-04:00Le Cirque NYC Restaurant Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAZMgQFs-UI/AAAAAAAAD0E/fV4rs6eezks/s1600/IMG_4514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAZMgQFs-UI/AAAAAAAAD0E/fV4rs6eezks/s640/IMG_4514.JPG" width="428"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/le-cirque-nyc-restaurant.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6392340476607131854?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-14883083970765792132010-06-01T08:00:00.009-04:002010-06-04T22:19:57.792-04:00Finger Lickin' Good Grilled Fava Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAKQkGMbn0I/AAAAAAAADv8/q74N8a0mtRY/s1600/IMG_4302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/TAKQkGMbn0I/AAAAAAAADv8/q74N8a0mtRY/s640/IMG_4302.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">Once upon a time, while cleaning out my kitchen pantry I encountered a jarful of dried organic fava beans that had been around longer than I could remember. When in doubt throw it out, right? Back then I had a productive vegetable garden, was an avid composter, and my favorite place to throw away anything organic was in the ground. It was the dead of winter in the bay area, a short rainy break between two gorgeous seasons. As I watched my hyacinths and tulips come up, I remember seeing vigorous sturdy stalks emerge. It wasn't unusual to see foreign plants sprout from the ground because I threw just about everything into the garden, and often lost track of what was in the ground. Very soon those stalks sent out beautiful white viola-like looking flowers, which eventually gave way to generous fava beans that fanned upwards much like the way bananas grow. It was an incredible surprise to me. Later on that Spring I had more fresh fava beans than I knew what to do with, and let me tell you after that season, I've become one fast moving mother shucker.</div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/06/finger-lickin-good-grilled-fava-beans.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1488308397076579213?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-5326741097097452762010-05-30T08:11:00.005-04:002010-06-01T08:41:36.122-04:00Gone Bananas With Fried Green Plantains & Garlicky Twist<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S__5nojsy9I/AAAAAAAADvs/mCl2zjvY3r0/s1600/IMG_4453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S__5nojsy9I/AAAAAAAADvs/mCl2zjvY3r0/s640/IMG_4453.JPG" width="640"></a><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I grew up eating plantains. Every week my mom would bring home bundles of these muscular green bananas, allow them to ripen under the kitchen counter until the skin was mottled with black streaks against a yellow canvas. She'd then pop one into the microwave for 4-5 minutes, carefully slit open the steamed black peel, which would reveal a concentrated, sweet and dense cooked banana. It was almost like a warm doughy banana pudding, very comforting.</div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/gone-bananas-with-fried-green-plantains.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-532674109709745276?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-90751183426263205482010-05-26T07:42:00.019-04:002011-01-02T23:11:56.976-05:00Zested Lime Cilantro Quinoa Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S_sle4U9KZI/AAAAAAAADuk/H8NbDVZ0t3k/s640/IMG_4400.JPG" width="640"></div><br>My 2010 New Year's resolution was to eat more grains. Now that it's close to the mid-year mark, my assessment of personal success is somewhat mixed. Have I been trying out new grains? Yes, from red quinoa, millet, wheat berries, buckwheat to amaranth, check, check and check. But eating a variety of grains consistently, well I'm afraid that's one criteria that I haven't fulfilled. I do have another half year ahead of me, don't I?<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/zested-lime-cilantro-quinoa-salad.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-9075118342626320548?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-3907843661738751002010-05-23T23:54:00.017-04:002010-05-26T07:42:55.445-04:00Smoky Shrimp and Wine Basted Sausage with Red Bell Pepper Rice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S_iPdf3i53I/AAAAAAAADuM/VPywkUxltLo/s1600/IMG_4093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S_iPdf3i53I/AAAAAAAADuM/VPywkUxltLo/s640/IMG_4093.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br>I have a very loving and supportive husband. Someone who makes my journey through life so much more fulfilling, tolerates my idiosyncrasies, and most importantly, believes in me. Recently we were sitting on the sofa staring into each others' eyes when I declared, "I love you."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/shrimp-and-sausage-with-red-bell-pepper.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-390784366173875100?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-382886855242917102010-05-18T22:46:00.011-04:002010-06-01T16:49:42.202-04:00Mas des Barres Olive Oil Mill South of France Provence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S_HRhBPyWNI/AAAAAAAADsc/nQAQ4lgIBeA/s1600/IMG_6087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S_HRhBPyWNI/AAAAAAAADsc/nQAQ4lgIBeA/s640/IMG_6087.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">A <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-of-many-truffle-dinners.html"><strong>trip to the South of France</strong></a> doesn't seem complete without a visit to an olive mill, after all some of the best olive oils in the world are produced here. While driving through the Vallée des Baux of Provence, our <a href="http://culinarygetaways.com/">Culinary Getaways group</a> visited Mas des Barres, a family owned and operated olive mill.<br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/mas-des-barres-olive-oil-mill-south-of.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-38288685524291710?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-18060851076539632982010-05-16T23:44:00.014-04:002010-05-22T13:13:34.396-04:00Grilled Shrimp, Tofu, and Pineapple Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S_Cr_CzX9wI/AAAAAAAADro/y_OT5UwgbC8/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S_Cr_CzX9wI/AAAAAAAADro/y_OT5UwgbC8/s640/IMG_3331.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">It has been abnormally chilly in New York for this time of year, it actually feels much more like <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2009/12/fresh-local-best-in-san-francisco-day-1.html">San Francisco</a> with highs in the mid-60s. To get myself in the mindset of warmer weather, I made an Asian fusion salad with a tropical flair from ingredients such as caramelized pineapples, crisp jicama and fresh mint. This salad always transports me to the lazy afternoons in California on our garden terrace when I'd have my feet up, sipping on a glass of ripe chardonnay, basking in the sun's warmth, and watching the boats sail quietly through the bay. It was during one of those amazing clear afternoons when I first made this salad, so I have very warm memories affiliated with it.</div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/grilled-shrimp-tofu-and-pineapple-salad.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1806085107653963298?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-86577157694004912322010-05-12T22:56:00.009-04:002010-06-19T14:00:29.938-04:00Fresh from New York Farmers' Market Spring Season's Spotlight on Ramps<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S-YJybcS7AI/AAAAAAAADqA/5BqifiEwMOE/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S-YJybcS7AI/AAAAAAAADqA/5BqifiEwMOE/s640/IMG_3553.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>Over the weekend, my husband and I strolled a few blocks down to the <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2009/09/saturday-farmers-market.html"><strong>Union Square Greenmarket</strong></a>, following a fabulous lunch at the <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/gramercy-tavern-restaurant-nyc.html"><strong>Gramercy Tavern</strong></a>. It's still early in the season, it will be a few more weeks before we see berries, tomatoes and stone fruits hit the market. I'm looking forward to it. During my recent visit I found a great seafood stand, <a href="http://seatuckfish.com/"><strong>Seatuck Fish Company</strong></a>, that was selling razor clams for $6.50/lb harvested off the shores of Long Island.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/fresh-from-new-york-farmers-market.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8657715769400491232?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-40520927384442793592010-05-09T12:03:00.017-04:002010-12-18T10:02:36.296-05:00Sauteed Artichoke Hearts in Lemon Parsley Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S-YJDnqw68I/AAAAAAAADp4/tUa73-1v0sM/s1600/IMG_3334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S-YJDnqw68I/AAAAAAAADp4/tUa73-1v0sM/s640/IMG_3334.JPG" width="428"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br>When <a href="http://culinarygetaways.com/home/"><b>Sherry Page</b></a> and I headed down to the <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/04/pebble-beach-food-wine-festival.html"><b>Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival</b></a> a month ago, we drove past fields of bushy green artichoke plants. It was a breathtaking sight, miles and miles of maturing buds ready to be harvested. It was just the inspiration I needed to jumpstart my work on this thistle vegetable. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/sauteed-artichoke-hearts-in-parsley.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-4052092738444279359?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-71484939644523948272010-05-09T11:47:00.003-04:002010-05-21T23:59:18.041-04:00SoyJoy Whole Soy Nutritious Blueberry Goodness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S-X32atj0FI/AAAAAAAADpY/zu304vWiiWw/s1600/IMG_3689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S-X32atj0FI/AAAAAAAADpY/zu304vWiiWw/s640/IMG_3689.JPG" tt="true" width="640"></a></div>As part of the <a href="http://www.foodbuzz.com/pages/tastemaker-program"><strong>Foodbuzz Tastemaker program</strong></a>, I received two complimentary bars of blueberry SoyJoy. <br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/soyjoy-whole-soy-nutritious-blueberry.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7148493964452394827?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-9229077636237409002010-05-04T00:38:00.007-04:002012-01-29T15:08:56.257-05:00Bistrot Découverte Charming Restaurant in Saint Remy South of France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S9ujXAw2yYI/AAAAAAAADng/9hrfkscXVJM/s1600/IMG_5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S9ujXAw2yYI/AAAAAAAADng/9hrfkscXVJM/s640/IMG_5991.jpg" width="427"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">During <a href="http://culinarygetaways.com/home/"><strong>Truffle Week</strong></a> in February, following a lovely tour of the farm fresh foods at Saint Remy outdoor market, our hungry group headed to Bistrot Découverte. I was quite excited about visiting this cute bistro after reading <a href="http://mycarolinakitchen.blogspot.com/"><b>My Carolina Kitchen</b></a>'s review of <a href="http://mycarolinakitchen.blogspot.com/2009/03/bistros-of-provence-part-2-le-petite.html"><b>this restaurant</b></a>. Sam, who writes a food column for her local newspaper in North Carolina, considers the experiences at <a href="http://www.bistrotdecouverte.com/presentation_en.php"><strong>Bistrot Découverte</strong></a> among her favorite memories of her two month long trip.</div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/bistrot-decouverte-charming-restaurant.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-922907763623740900?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-27305926772684346982010-05-02T23:23:00.008-04:002010-06-02T22:32:10.235-04:00Otarian Restaurant West Village NYC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S9ZX1-s5MYI/AAAAAAAADmg/r7v0ZbR6ZY0/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S9ZX1-s5MYI/AAAAAAAADmg/r7v0ZbR6ZY0/s640/IMG_2960.JPG" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For Earth Day, I visited <b><a href="http://www.otarian.com/">Otarian</a></b>, a vegetarian restaurant that focuses on serving an environmentally conscious mission by offering meals made with fresh ingredients are sourced primarily from local farms. Moreover, a majority of the restaurant's design is built from recycled materials from the floor, table and chairs to the ceiling decoration which is made from recycled aluminum.</div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/05/otarian-restaurant-west-village-nyc.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-2730592677268434698?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-56253715272997534702010-04-25T22:16:00.012-04:002010-11-27T15:44:36.451-05:00Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S9SvSWzfF2I/AAAAAAAADjA/2C6lXWRolY8/s1600/IMG_3217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S9SvSWzfF2I/AAAAAAAADjA/2C6lXWRolY8/s640/IMG_3217.JPG" width="426"></a></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br></div><div style="border: medium none;">I grew up in the bay area, where the arrival of May 5th marked a day filled with delicious spicy Mexican food, festive music by brightly colored mariachi bands, and the gleeful squeal of children chasing after treasures of a freshly broken pinata. Cinco de Mayo, which translates into the "Fifth of May," celebrates Mexican heritage and pride, specifically Americans of Mexican ancestry. And although I am not of Latino descent, the lessons and fond childhood memories affiliated with this day remain fervently with me.</div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/04/foodbuzz-24-24-24-cinco-de-mayo-fiesta.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-5625371527299753470?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-82049674612171615372010-04-20T15:17:00.008-04:002010-12-31T23:06:40.028-05:00A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa Meets New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S839xp-xPHI/AAAAAAAADi4/RGBMWITzIJ0/s1600/IMG_9609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S839xp-xPHI/AAAAAAAADi4/RGBMWITzIJ0/s640/IMG_9609.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>It's been months since I met <a href="http://spaininiowa.blogspot.com/2009/04/about.html"><b>Diana Bauman</b></a> of <a href="http://spaininiowa.blogspot.com/"><b>A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa </b></a>but I can still remember the intense sparkle of enthusiasm that radiated from her eyes upon our meeting. It's always a neat experience when the worlds of virtual and tangible collide. In early February, she and her husband, Gabe, visited New York City when she won the opportunity to participate in the <a href="http://spaininiowa.blogspot.com/2010/02/kellys-cake-off-for-cause-and-cookie.html">Electrolux Cake Decorating Contest</a> to raise money for ovarian cancer research. And even though I was dazed from a long <a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-of-many-truffle-dinners.html">international flight</a>, I was only excited to meet her.<br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/04/little-bit-of-spain-in-iowa-meets-new.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-8204967461217161537?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-71200827694843965562010-04-15T19:34:00.012-04:002010-04-20T10:10:11.707-04:00Simply Orange Review & Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S7o-P24MIEI/AAAAAAAADKI/iiFlkR2QZjU/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S7o-P24MIEI/AAAAAAAADKI/iiFlkR2QZjU/s640/IMG_1529.JPG" width="428"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently I received a complimentary sample of <a href="http://www.simplyorangejuice.com/">Simply Orange</a> juice, which is one of several juices in the Simply line. In the past I've purchased <a href="http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=10994">Simply Apple</a>, which I can testify tastes just like freshly pressed apple juice right from the farm, so I didn't expecting that Simply Orange was going to be any different. Simply Orange has a pure sweet citrusy freshness that makes it a superior product to most other orange juices in the supermarket aisle. While nothing will replace home-squeezed orange juice, especially if you are lucky enough to have a generous orange tree in your backyard, Simply Orange is a good way to get your fresh-squeezed experience with this orange juice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/04/simply-orange-review-giveaway.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-7120082769484396556?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-7055142701529627712010-04-12T21:45:00.021-04:002010-04-17T15:53:41.669-04:00Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S8PODfIq-LI/AAAAAAAADfs/c98vESjAn0U/s1600/IMG_2504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S8PODfIq-LI/AAAAAAAADfs/c98vESjAn0U/s640/IMG_2504.jpg" width="426"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;">It has been a whirlwind of a trip, first San Francisco, then Sausalito and next a stop in one of the most beautiful coastal regions of America - Pebble Beach! I was one of the very lucky ones to receive complimentary passes from <a href="http://www.foodbuzz.com/">Foodbuzz</a> to attend the <a href="http://www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com/">Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival Grand Tasting</a>, a grandiose hedonistic affair bringing together some of the top chefs of the bay area with some of the best wineries of California. Even with the torrential rain and relentless gusty winds over the weekend, foodie extraordinaire Sherry Page from <a href="http://culinarygetaways.com/">Culinary Getaways</a> and I made the trek to Pebble Beach to experience all of the incredible food and wines. It's tough to capture extravagance of food and wines that were showcased, but I here are a few that were most memorable to me.</div><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/04/pebble-beach-food-wine-festival.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-705514270152962771?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-64768647237164159692010-04-07T14:05:00.005-04:002010-08-06T23:54:59.464-04:00Smörgås Chef & Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S7OfweWKI4I/AAAAAAAADH0/o5QTYFR1FQE/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S7OfweWKI4I/AAAAAAAADH0/o5QTYFR1FQE/s640/IMG_0453.JPG" width="428"></a></div><br>One of the great joys of blogging for me is forging great friendships. There have been several wonderful meals I have had over the past few months with warm and kind food souls, including with Diana from A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa, Laura from The Cooking Photographer, and Andrea of High/Low Food/Drink. One of the more recent lunches was with Jenn of Tiny Urban Kitchen, Jessica of Food Mayhem, and Andrea of High/Low Food/Drink at Smörgås Chef at the Scandinavian House.<br><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/04/smorgas-chef.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-6476864723716415969?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886049978226628687.post-13198668678941424122010-04-06T12:57:00.006-04:002011-01-02T23:26:41.934-05:00Truffle Mushroom Risotto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S7tmuAeRZ6I/AAAAAAAADKg/7i7i7-K1-B4/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nv3dJG9epgY/S7tmuAeRZ6I/AAAAAAAADKg/7i7i7-K1-B4/s640/IMG_0429.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br><a href="http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com/2010/04/truffle-mushroom-risotto.html#more">continue reading...</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4886049978226628687-1319866867894142412?l=freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Fresh Local and Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06975218501433243628noreply@blogger.com50