My own “crop” is coming along – now to keep the “nibblers” away!!!!!!
While it stands to reason that there would be more small scale, farm-to-table style food markets out where I live, it has become increasingly popular to have them in the City. This phenomenon is driven by the ever rising demand of restaurants and fastidious chefs – and the city residents get these great benefits as well. Hence the explosion of food “everything” in NYC. As I write this blog, I believe there is better access to fresh and more esoteric items in New York than here in Morris County. I have been to Eataly many times and have enjoyed seeing the array of items available. I am anxious to compare the offerings at Agata Valentina at 64 University Place and also visit Todd English’s food hall at the Plaza and also go to the Union Square Greenmarket. Looks like Saturday is going to be the day.
Yesterday I read a great article in Saveur about the food cart explosion in Portland Oregon. I have long been intrigued with all of the positive food press about the Pacific Northwest, but, seriously can’t get myself to go there because of the climate issues. I am sure I will get there some day as the more I learn about this area of the country, the more I am impressed with their bounty and micro-climate advantages. The article on the food cart culture was inspiring – it claims the cart culture is changing the way Portland eats!!!! That’s quite a claim. This is worth a look as the diversity of offerings is amazing!
Today, I began reading my first issue of Sante Magazine. I learned about this publication through Hubert Keller’s show on the Create Channel. I love watching the food shows on Create. If you haven’t tuned in – take a look – these days their offerings are much more to my liking that other tv food venues. Anyway, Sante looks to be a great publication. I just finished reading an article on Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore – where my daughter lives. She coincidentally ate there recently – had very positive things to say about it. I love their philosophy and passion. I am definitely going to eat there next time I go to “the salty Balty” as Ryan calls it.
In conjunction with my somewhat long-winded diatribe on food groups on Tuesday, I am all for markets which support the farm to table movement. Anything that gets small family farms more business I am in favor of. (I feel the supermarket experience has deteriorated a lot in recent years and some are trying hard to reinvent themselves). Having lived in the “Garden State” all my life, I have pretty much witnessed the downside of the farmland cycle when so many family farms have been lost to real estate developers – especially in the northern and central parts of the state. This was, of course, driven by their inability to be financially viable when competing with “factory farming” and the real estate developers offered them more money for their land than they could generate farming. So sad!!!! All of that gorgeous land lost to tract housing.
I drive to Rt95S through the Rt31 corridor frequently and see the results of the 70s-90s suburban sprawl all too clearly. I am truly hoping that the current food movement will enliven the farming business in NJ once again and artisan farmers will scoop up a lot of land and keep it from further “destruction”. This would truly be a great benefit. While the growing season is relatively short in NJ compared to other parts of the country, it is longer than, say, Vermont, where there is a thriving farming culture. So, I say, if they can do it in, for example, Vermont and the Hudson Valley, they can do it in NJ. I hope the State will accelerate getting behind this in a big way – I am in favor of governmental support here to help the ailing economy, are you? – realizing that the cost of real estate here is a disadvantage – especially in the north and eastern parts of the state. (I think I will write a letter to the governor about this.) I for one would love to see New Jersey be the Garden State once more. This should be so supportable, demand-wise, as we can further participate in the New York City chef’s market – and lots of other local markets – like Philadelphia, Long Island, etc. Anyway, I’m going to do some more research into this topic (trends in agri output) and will report back.
Some shots from yesterday:
Wish I could remember the name of these asiatic lillies.
A portion of my emerging strawberry “crop”.
Peach-Blueberry Streusel Muffins – ok, I am a muffin recipe crazy person – like the scone problem. Made these yesterday – they were “ok” but I want a true “High Top” muffin with great texture and taste. Ryan only likes one recipe from my old Betty Crocker cookbook – but I’m tired of that. I’d say I have tried close to 100 muffin recipes. Send me your best, please! Lisa Yockelson come to my rescue! I actually think Levain has nailed it!
Off to pick up the new Edible Manhattan – mine hasn’t arrived yet.
Have a nice day – clouds go away!