Two weeks of eating locally now, and with the exception of a major blow-out yesterday for which I have already atoned and forgiven myself (I'm lying! I ain't feeling guilty), I've stayed pretty much within a 100-mile foodshed.
Here are my known transgressions (again, not counting yesterday): Black pepper. Half a small bag of corn tortilla chips. English Breakfast Tea. A swig of limeade made with sugar. Half a slice of Acme bread. Budweiser. (Oh, go ahead and ban me from food blogging! I can't stand boutique beer.)
Then there are the unknown, but probable transgressions: The pepperoni sticks from Marin Sun Farms were pretty spicy; origins of said flavors not, um, "sourced." Delicious tomato soup from Lark Creek Inn: ditto. Ingredients of Tulocay's unbelievably good mustard (made in Napa) include spices from, uh, forgot to ask...
So, and like that. Nothing to get all penitent about.
Therefore, two observations. One, this diet is easy to do (and easier still for me and beloved husband & co-cook, because we don't have day jobs). Two, it's been mind-swackingly delicious.
Case in point is today's lunch. Earthy potatoes from Peter Worsley's Farm in Inverness, gently boiled along with a Marin Sun Farms egg (yeah, in the same pot! Pull out the egg after -- well, however long you cook eggs -- yes, in the shell), chopped and and tossed with salt, paprika from Happy Quail Farms, a good spoonful of that mustard and some astoundingly flavorful vinegar from Kitchen Line. Caress the whole mess with McEvoy's fruity olive oil, mingle in some herbs from the garden, and it's almost too psychedelic to eat.
The point is Good Ingredients. We shelled out some bucks filling the pantry for this month, but we learned a lesson in practically no time: It's worth it.
Our lunch for two was so rich and tasty, we only wanted a salad-plate's worth -- and still, it was nearly a religious experience. Total cost: I'm guessing about a dollar each. Probably not even that much.
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8 comments:
Those potatoes don't look earthy, they look heavenly.
I didn't know paprika was something that could be grown in the United States. Wow.
Yeah: Heaven on earthy!
I'm not 100% sure it's true paprika -- in fact, it's a bit pungent -- but that's what they're calling it.
We're finding we can do without black pepper...
I'd say you both are doing remarkably well on this local challenge! I did well today given that I had enough food in my system after yesterday!
The good ingredients really are worth it, aren't they? I think what has really made the biggest impression on me during these two weeks is the vibrant flavor of the local foods.
Our household also purchases cheap, watery beer (except for the beer I buy for cooking, which is usually good stout or ale). The s.o. goes for Old Milwaukee, Bud, PBR, etc. I don't really drink beer, but when I do I usually choose Corona, which in itself speaks volumes. ;-)
I love your blog (found through the Locavore Challenge, and Food Blog S'cool)...
You are way more committed to the Eat Local Challenge, which I admire, but I am nonetheless very pleased that I am participating. I am very thoughtful now about the things I buy. Luckily, we have farmers markets six days a week here in Santa Cruz. Hooray.
Thanks for your good work.
Now, come stick a pin in the Food Bloggers Global Map.
Ooh, I wanna stick a pin, but I hafta wait until your bandwidth recuperates!
Thanks for dropping in!
they don't call it the "king of beers" for nothin'!
Jennifer: Oh bummer about Rickey's. Where's a body to eat (I know, which is a paraphrase of a lament your blog)? At home.
Rae: Heh.
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