June 2011

Snacks to Pack...Ideas and Recipes for the Traveler

All too often I find myself in a mad scramble when packing to get out of town. Especially if it is just for the weekend, I have to beat traffic and I'm trying desperately not to forget the essentials, like underwear or beer. Because of this less than ideal state, I often compromise in the worst of all ways: snacks. The snacks and treats we bring on our outings are often the best part and can help make the trip more memorable. If we forget, we get to go foraging at the gas station on the way.

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Homemade Mustard, Three Ways

These days, everyone seems to be making their own condiments from ketchup, mustard and mayo to horseradish and all sorts of relishes and aiolis. It is an interesting trend to say the least, but also a delicious one with endless potential. After all, good beef can make a great hamburger, but it can be the condiments that take it to the next level.


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Summer Serendipity

Sometimes circumstances constellate to create something unexpected, unsought, and pretty wonderful. Seemingly random events collide and use their power for good. This happened to me recently. It involved two emails from unconnected sources and a magazine. The result was a one of a kind dinner, and the promise of many more to come.

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Toxic Theatre

When I think of red carpet events, I know one thing for sure: I'm not invited. So imagine my surprise when I discovered a press release in my inbox inviting me to an event with the aforementioned floor covering. I read further and it began to make sense. Spoof, satire, deadly serious. I could not resist.

 

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What Lucy Taught Me

Grandma Lucy died Saturday night, 94 years old. Her story needs to be told. It is about community, about hope and all about living. The importance of what I am about to share cannot be overstated. In a world where we seldom seem to know what to do with our elders and where there are more stories about abuse and neglect, this is one to give us hope in the power of sharing.

 

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Lazy Sunday Afternoon Barbecue Chicken

Ok, I know that this isn't revolutionary, but I just discovered that I can roast whole chickens on my barbecue...and its easy...and they are really tasty. Despite the fact that there seems to be a place to buy a roasted or rotisserie chicken every few blocks, I still feel a little like an evil genius, like I pulled off some great crime.


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Simple Chicken Soup From Leftovers

First, the chicken: where deadlines meet dinnertime

The other afternoon I was hard at work on an editing project when I noticed it was already 4pm. This meant that without even trying I had fallen behind on getting dinner ready. 

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Taking the Torch

Simple, good and tasty? What better words to describe what food should be. I am all too excited and grateful to be taking on the challenge of continuing the dialogue that Lee Zukor has started with this food blog/resource that is Simple, Good, and Tasty. My hope is that I can continue to provide access to insightful articles and useful resources for Minnesotans and food lovers everywhere. Although Lee will continue his interest, writing and support for SGT, I know that it will be you, the subscibers and contributors, who will help keep the website alive and vibrant.


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A Letter to Our Readers: SGT is Changing Hands

Dear friends, family, allies, partners, and supporters,

When I started Simple, Good, and Tasty on February 26, 2009, I had no idea what it would become. Over the past 2 ½ years, my desire to connect average eaters with spectacular food producers and preparers has introduced me to people and ideas that have enriched my life considerably. 

I’ve eaten delicious food, helped on organic farms, met passionate social entrepreneurs, worked with terrific writers, written for lefty publications, spoken with big ag, started a loyalty program, worked at the farmers market, been on the radio and TV, entered the health care arena, built a world-class team of designers and developers, and more. I’ve even grown my own garden and started composting. It’s amazing how many “firsts” I’ve experienced because of my involvement with SGT -- including starting a company.

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Cooking from Heidi Swanson's "Super Natural Every Day"

Heidi Swanson has one of the most popular and well-regarded food blogs on the web, 101 Cookbooks. Her simple, whole-food, vegetarian recipes and lovely photographs garnered such a following online she published a book in 2009, Super Natural Cooking. Now she's following that up with a companion volume, Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen.

From the introduction:

This book is a glimpse into my everyday cooking, wtih the hope that some of what inspires me will inspire you as well.

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