Wednesday, May 10, 2006

dinner at chez local

Today I went to the Mustard Seed Market, a great local chain (2 stores) with an emphasis on organic and healthy food. I love it there--I sometimes feel as if I get healthier just by walking in the door. I went today looking for local products, and although I came away with some good buys, I was surprised to find that local stuff was the exception, not the rule. (Check out my post on the Eat Local Challenge blog for more on the shopping trip.)
But I did buy some great Amish chicken and asparagus, both local, and these were the basis of dinner. Full disclosure: I didn't cook. D did, a nonrecipe type of cooking. He cut up the chicken breast (just one, because it was so big), sauteed it with some red onions (nonlocal!), added a couple of tablespoons of flour to coat the chicken pieces a little, then splashed in some red wine and put the lid on for a while to cook it through. Final additions, a bit of vinegar and a bit of honey--sour and sweet to balance the flavors.
We had it over rice (nonlocal, one of my exemptions) and the asparagus, steamed until it was bright green and tender. Not only very tasty, but it made the house smell great. Shouldn't there be food perfumes? Eau de beef stew? Tomato parfum?)

7 comments:

holly_44109 said...

your wish has been granted...

http://www.demeterfragrance.com/

lobster???

mary grimm said...

How about that? Not only Tomato perfume, but Tomato Seed scented perfume. Not mention Vanilla Cake Batter and Mojito.

Jamie said...

I'd wear "Sticky Toffee Pudding" in a heartbeat, but I am disappointed that there is no "Onions and Celery Frying in Butter," which everyone knows is the best smell on earth. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Fish baking with white wine, butter, onions and root vegetables is the ultimate aroma.

mary grimm said...

How abt chocolate cake in the oven?

Anonymous said...

Hi Lucette! I just found your via your post over at the Eat Local Blog. I'm a fellow "trying to eat-local" Clevelander and have had similar frustrations at Mustard Seed due to the lack of local produce.

I did pretty well eating locally last August, but this May has been tough for me!

mary grimm said...

Stilton! Eek.
Hi, Mary--me, too--last August much easier. I've cheated more this May, sometimes because of lettuce fatigue, sometimes because of a craving for unseasonal fruit.