From Scratch

Upon flipping through the latest issue of Saveur magazine, I became utterly and instantly inspired. There's a pun nestled in that statement, but I'll get to that in a minute. What I am here to preach this Sunday evening is that everything is better when you make it from scratch. I'm not just talking about better tasting, but better for you. There's no processing when you make something with your own hands. Depending on what you are making, there's usually an opportunity to use local ingredients, which in turn is better for your local food environment. Oh yeah, and you are always guaranteed it will taste fresh. And now for my utter, er...udder inspiration. Or should I say butter inspiration. We do not have a farm, nor a laboratory, but Lauren and I have been pretty experimental when it comes to making food from scratch. Although we have tossed the idea around of making our own cheese or butter for some time, it does take a time commitment and even beyond that, you have to know a cow that will supply you with fresh milk. Homemade cooking just got a little more difficult, but believe it or not this is manageable. One really just needs to find a local cow share to lock in the fresh milk needed on a regular basis and dedicate some time each week to the process of churning or aging cheese. So, do we take the leap unto this next level of fresh food...why the heck not? Now we just need to find someone to bake fresh, crusty bread.

My Favorite Meal

Fresh coffee. Sizzling bacon. Eggs frying. Cinnamon rolls rising. Today's newspaper. Champagne waiting for a splash of OJ. Breakfast is a good meal, isn't it? Well, it can be if you take the time to enjoy it. As we all know, the first meal of the day is often skipped, or typically consists of a simple bowl of cereal or a granola bar. But when you make the time to enjoy it, breakfast can easily become the best meal of the day. I forget that sometimes, because by default, I always seem to think you need to rush through this meal to get on with rest of your day. However, when you set aside a few hours on a given Saturday to enjoy a nice, homemade breakfast with your family, nothing could be sweeter.

Breakfast Is Served

Alright ya'll, we're having breakfast at our house this Saturday, Feb. 16th at 10:30. As usual, this get together promises to be a good ole time and if you like to sleep late on Saturday, its ok to show up in your pajamas. Hell, we might still be in our pjs. If you feel you must bring something, champagne is a good option. Nothing goes better with breakfast than mimosas in our book. Hope to see everyone there.

Love That Chicken

What is it about fried chicken that locals crave so much on Carnival Day, that they are willing to wait in line at 6 a.m. to make sure they have a box to bring out to the parade route later in the day? I'd be curious to know where/how this tradition got started because Popeyes is undoubtedly synonymous with Mardi Gras, so much so that many would say it is the Fat Tuesday food of choice. But why? Can't be because of the way it leaves your hands greasy while you are trying to catch beads, cups, etc. Maybe it's because it comes in a self contained box and tastes great hot, cold or outdoor room temperature. Whatever the case may be, we gotta have it and simply eating a thigh "straight outta da box" is one of our favored, local past times. It certainly adds to the experience and provides a comfort that can't be matched by barbecue or pizza.