Baltimore isn't exactly your most "bike friendly" city. There are virtually no bike lanes. There is this sad excuse for a lane that the city likes to install once and awhile, called a "sharrow." It's really just a stencil of a bike on the road in the middle of a car lane...ya know...just to remind people "HEY! We're riding here, too!" Of course, that's after they drive you off the road and into a snowbank.
Therefore, when I see pictures like this (above), it makes me dream of living in a city that lets me bike freely, without the constant fear of bike theft, non-existent lanes and selfish drivers. Won't you join in on this dream with me? If you live in Baltimore, or any city where cyclists aren't exactly seen as equals to cars, email your local Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner. Here is Baltimore's one-man show:
Later this week, Lady Baltimore is calling for a chance of snow (50% chance, according to wunderground.com). I'm not exactly thrilled, since mommy dearest is supposed to come visit, and may have to postpone her plans, depending on the extent of this "chance."
The upside? It's going to be beautiful! I love snow-laced everything. Trees, rooftops, sidewalks, gates, all outlined in fresh powder. Take a look at these pictures of snow-laden Paris and tell me it's not a site to be had?
And who can forget last year's Baltimore blizzard of 2010? (if you were in Baltimore, that is...)
Not to sound too selfish or anything, but it would be rather nice if my mom got snowed INTO Baltimore...and work was conveniently canceled...a girl can dream!
Ryan at Pacing the Panic Room has done it again....and this time in my hometown! Here is his latest installment of "Do What You Love" for the Gap. He profiled Jess, who is an employee at Charm City Cakes, and is also a (guess what?) nursing student at JHU School of Nursing! Jealous much? Granted, her life is probably a daily whirlwind, but if I could be a nursing student by day and bake cakes by night I would take it in a heartbeat.
I am in luurve with our CSA share. Each week it just increases in variety, color, and deliciousness. This week I'm making Alice Waters' ratatouille, from her book "The Art of Simple Food." I have made several recipes from this book, and I have to say it is my favorite cookbook. The recipes are all laid out in a step-by-step manner, with the ingredients in bold as you go along. It is also a great book to have on hand for those who are beginner cooks and want to understand the importance of specific ingredients in your food and what roles they play.
Alice Waters is also the owner of Chez Panisse, the local foody's dream restaurant in Berkeley, CA. Check out my post at my older blog- when I was in California last year, Salman was able to grab some amazing seats at Chez Panisse for the two of us after my cycling trip. ooh, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
Classic Ratatouille
Serves 6-8
Adapted from “The Art of Simple Food”
(Do this in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Cut ALL vegetables into ½ inch pieces.)
3 Italian eggplant, sliced, salted and left to drain 20 minutes Large can San Marzano tomatoes 2 chopped, red onions 4 tbsp olive oil, divided (plus more if necessary) 6 diced cloves of garlic 20 basil leaves, divided 1 tsp red chili flakes 2 chopped peppers (red, yellow, green or orange) 5 summer squash or zucchini (mix and match as you choose) Additional herbs of your choice
Add garlic, about 10 basil leaves and red chili flakes to the onions and stir a few minutes.
Add chopped peppers and cook until just softened, stirring constantly.
Add zucchini, and cook until golden and just softened, stirring constantly.
Add remaining tomato juice and tomatoes.
Season with herbs of your choice (or just salt and pepper) and cook another 3 minutes.
Add eggplant and cook another 10 minutes until vegetables are soft, but not insubstantial. If some remain too al dente, cover pot and simmer a few extra minutes.
We had cardamom and salted caramel ice cream at Puffs and Pastries in Hamden last night. Oregon had her first taste of the cardamom ice cream, and she liked it very much...as you can tell by her attentive gaze at the ice cream spoon.
Okay, so it wasn't so much of a "Friday" find as it was a "last Sunday transformed to Friday find for the sake of my blog." Nonetheless, the Macaroni and cheese and chocolate dish from Jack's Bistro in Baltimore was phenomenal. I've never had such a simple, yet unique dish before. Five cheeses + perfectly al dente shells + Belgian chocolate shavings. Magnifique. Aside from spending the evening with a delicious dish, we also shared our feast with friends Rob and Nicole...both are foodies in their own right. (Nicole and I share a love for all things sweet, which helped our friendship blossom immensely while biking together across the country last summer.)
We found our CSA share!!! It must've been hiding...One Straw Farm also distributes people's shares at the JHU East Baltimore campus (where I work) and we were able to pick ours up from them on Tuesday. Here is a recap of this share's lifeline within our kitchen as of yesterday...
We got about 5 different types of leafy greens...I will have to figure out some different recipes in order to use them all. They are all so colorful, though! There's red lettuce, green lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, and arugula. We also got some radishes, and garlic snape (??), as well as 3 (yes, three!) quarts of strawberries. Unfortunately, my excitement over the strawberries was matched by Oregon, who successfully inhaled an entire quart while I was out of the kitchen for 5 seconds. I mean, it was as if they didn't even exist when I came back! At least she's got good taste in food ;)
strawberries pre-Oregon attack Innocent little Oregon, sitting on her rug in the kitchen...paying no mind... overcome with guilt, post-strawberry consumption. Mixed greens, Strawberry, red bell pepper, sliced almond salad with homemade honey mustard dressing! YUM!
These are our asparagus from the farmer's market...they weren't included in our share, but they were still SO delicious. They're also grown using "hydroponics," meaning they're grown in water without soil! Isn't that crazy?? They are also such lovely colors :)
Steam-sauteed with some olive oil, salt and pepper...and voila! (I call it "steam-sautee" because I put them in the pan on the stove top but then put a lid over top and seal in the moisture while the flame is on so they don't release all of their nutrients...look how green they turn out, too!)
Today was my first day riding my bike to work! I've always been a bit apprehensive about riding into work on my own. I love the city, but Baltimore can sometimes be a bit intimidating. However, my friend Nicole from the 4K team last summer is working on the same campus as me since she's graduated, and she posed the idea that we bike in to work together. What a beautiful morning it was, too :) The heat and humidity is gone for now, and the cool breeze felt wonderful as we coasted down Guilford Ave.
It also gives you the feeling that you're doing something to relieve the planet of those ever-bothersome carbon emissions! I take a shuttle to work everyday, usually, which is ok. However, maybe me giving up my seat on the shuttle a couple days a week will allow someone else to take it, rather than driving their car into work....who knows :) CSA sidenote: Apparently, we aren't supposed to pick up our CSA share until this coming weekend, but we did come across some delicious two-toned asparagus that were oh-so-delicious last night sauteed with olive oil, salt and peppa! Pictures to come.
Salman, my new roommate for the summer (Sonia), and I have joined the CSA with One Straw Farm here in Maryland! "CSA" stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Each week we get to pick up a half share of fruits/vegetables at the Waverly Farmer's Market. One Straw Farm is completely organic, too! I can't wait to share pictures with you of our first share this weekend :) Try to find a CSA program near you!
I saw a lecture today by Marion Nestle, a highly-esteemed professor from NYU, an author and foody who is passionate about everything food. Most importantly, she is passionate about nutrition and making nutritious foods accessible to those who can least afford it.
Among the numerous horrors she's uncovered regarding the food industry and its drive for dollars rather than the health of people, she is specifically devoted to fighting the battle against food industries marketing campaigns to kids and underserved youth who are most susceptible to the tragic health effects of unhealthy, processed foods.
However, there are movements all over the country these days that are working towards promoting better health (and more accessible health!) for youth and those less fortunate. Salman sent me this link highlighting the efforts of the Hamilton Crop Circle here in Baltimore, which is creating a network of local schools, restaurants, farmer's markets, etc. to make a better Baltimore through sustainable, and affordable healthy foods!
I also urge you to check out Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, which has just finished it's first season on the air. The famous (and slightly attractive) English chef has just received the TED prize to fight obesity in the US through educating the public about how to eat healthier and what's really being served in their school cafeterias. It's a great show...and it's none of that "reality" tv stuff...it's the real deal!
As a lover of all things food and all things healthy, I cannot help but deeply appreciate the lengths at which people are going to give others the opportunity to eat better.
It's a bit of a dull, rainy Friday here in Baltimore...but this weekend is supposed to perk up! Salman and I are making our traditional Saturday morning walk to the farmer's market tomorrow, where I plan on buying a nice big block of sharp cheddar cheese and some fresh pastries. (Sometimes, it's okay to eat to your heart's content when you're buying local. That way, the guilt just cancels itself out!)
It's another rainy day in Baltimore (cue Counting Crows song) and I'm daydreaming about the perfect cup of steamed coffee with cream and sugar, while sitting in a cafe reading the paper and not having a care in the world. Sometimes, it's good therapy to dream...
