In honor of Comic-Con

I didn't eat the best my four days in San Diego (I had a few pretzel dogs which are not as bad as you may think), but I did see a ton of people in costumes as various superheroes, minions, and monsters. So in honor of it, I would like to point you to these delightful creatures thought up by Chou.

Me & the Britster are headed for Home this week, but we should have some fun posts for you when we get back. I'm getting ready to tackle my Bloomington-Normal favorites. In the meantime. . . Do you have any good ideas? P. S. Go Ironmen!

Dining Out Cancelled!

Sorry, not enough RSVPs.

Food Storage - How on earth?

The strength of the church welfare program lies in every family following the inspired direction of the church leaders to be self-sustaining through adequate preparation. God intends for his Saints to so prepare themselves "that the church [as the Lord has said] may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world." (D&C 78:14.) Ezra Taft Benson, "Prepare Ye," Ensign, Jan 1974, 68

A prophet commands it. So, how do we get started? You may not know it, but the new guidelines list a three-month supply (as well as a water supply and financial reserve) rather than the year-supply that my mother has, but always seems incredibly daunting to me. Leslie Probert on Mormon Times has some good ideas:

Plan 2 weeks of recipes, then double it (and you have a month). Then, come up with two more weeks, and double that. Finally, one more set of two weeks, and you have your final month--or any other grouping of meal plans.

It doesn't have to be all ramen, spam, and yellow death. With all the food available to us these days, you may be able to eat gourmet (though canned) food for three months. It is all about figuring out substitutions to your favorite recipes--but also recipes that can be done when you may or may not have electricity.

The problem with a lot of the old food storage guidelines was how to cook with 30 lbs. worth of wheat and no wheat grinder. You can only eat so much wheat chili (shudder--sorry, Mom). My favorite of her ideas is building a food storage cookbook--listing favorite recipes, and substituting in canned goods or food storage goods for it--And then having a booklet of 90 different days of recipes. This seems a little daunting, but I think we, as a foodie group could totally pull it off.

Is this something you may be interested in? Let me know in the comments, and I'll go to work gathering recipes from everyone.

The Carrboro Farmer's Market...again. Because I love it.

In keeping with tradition, B and I (and this time H came, too) went to the CFM on Saturday morning. Let me tell you, there are few things I am willing to get out of bed for, and this is one of them.

This week I left with:

Peaches-$5 a quart (about 7 peaches)
Fresh flowers-$1.25 a stem (they've already paid for themselves in happiness)

Every one should go. Everyone.

Review: Fosters Market

I run an orientation that happens every other month for work. With work residing across from Panera on Franklin Street, you would think that they would be perfect for catering--and they were, but about a year to two years ago the service went downhill fast (I'm sure they are better now that I have complained, but I still have no desire to go back).

When they started to go South, I decided to check out Foster's as I had enjoyed them before and they deliver. Elana, the catering manager for the Chapel Hill store, is excellent. Whether I called the day before or a week before; whether I call to add to the order or cancel part of an order, she swings with the punches, and I don't think I'd order lunch with anyone else anymore. There is something to be said for great service. I even got a hand-written Christmas card this past December--I was impressed (maybe easily), but a hand-written card? That is kind of impressive (I know, I have ordered pre-printed cards for work).

I have tried a bunch of their stuff, and here are my favorites:

1. BLT Chicken Caesar wrap: The stuff dreams are made of. I like it hot or cold. I've even tried to recreate it, and it just isn't that amazing. With every bite, the crispness of the lettuce, the smokiness of the bacon, the creaminess of the Caesar dressing, and the tanginess of the Parmesan all mingle together in a perfect blend of flavor. I crave this sandwich for at least a week before and a week after orientation. So good.

2. The brown sugar cookies: I don't know what they put in these, but I am addicted. Sometimes they only put one in a cookie tray, and I snag it before anyone even knows it is there. A blend of the lighter sugar cookies you remember in all of your perfect Christmas memories, with a deeper caramelized flavor. They melt in your mouth, and you try to figure out excuses to get more (for others--really). I would share as a testament to their greatness, but then there wouldn't be enough for me.

3. The Spinach Mac & Cheese: Mouthwatering? Divine? I think the picture describes it best (even better, they also have the plain version and a spicy one with a kick of chipotle peppers).

4. Roasted Pork Loin with Foster's applesauce: a delicately roasted pork loin--juicy and succulent, the flavors seduce you into a perfect dizziness of taste and delight as the sweet and tart of the applesauce emphasize the flavor of the pork.

5. Hot Chocolate: A mix of Ghirardelli chocolate syrup and steamed milk, mixed together in a perfectly creamy, frothy concoction of loveliness. A perfect end to a lovely meal.

The website has some mouth-watering pictures (whomever their photographer is, he or she is very gifted with food), and I also love that they have Sara Foster's recipes available (for free!--though her cookbook is also amazing--though a little pricey at the store itself). The store also has a bunch of foodie lovers delights--imported chocolate, gourmet sauces, nifty cake & cupcake mixes, and 80s candy that I adore (pop rocks & fun dip!). They also serve smoothies, pies, various salads by the pound, platters for parties, and great breakfast & brunch options.

Maybe the Caesar dressing is the element I don't have right in the BLT Chicken Caesar. . . hmmm. Sorry, where was I? Ah, yes. We'll try out the Durham restaurant and store for July's dining out (easier parking than Chapel Hill) --Wednesday, July 29th, 7:30 pm. See you then!

Around the Web in Foodie Posts: the chocolate edition

Once more into the breach, my friends. . . .

• My trip to Hershey, PA
• All Chocolate - recipes, education, helpful tips
• The perfect brownie?
• The Barefoot Contessa's top 5 chocolate recipes
• Oh, and don't forget Chocolate the Exhibition (I'm hitting the tasting and class on the 15th!)--feel free to meet us there if you are interested!

We few. We happy few.

P.S. Though not chocolate related--check out Bravo's Site for Top Chef Masters, which I have truly been enjoying this year. Between the girl-scout food critics, the whiny French chef, a Lost-themed dinner, and Neil Patrick Harris, it definitely isn't horrible. I can't wait to see what is next!

Staying Creamy Cool

My Recipezaar Newsletter came today. I enjoy all the recipes and recipe suggestions they send, but today, the pictures were what sold me.

Don't you just want a drippy cone of something creamy? Go forth, and make ice cream!

Red, White, and Blue!!

Who says the 4th of July can't be delectable!? While my personal favorite 4th of July food is Navajo Tacos made by real Navajo's... red, white, and blue is also a fun little challenge. So below, you'll find some colorful recipes you can use to celebrate this land of promise!!

About.com helps us out... with a bunch of yummy ideas!

Blueberry soup, salad, and dressing!

Recipe Zaar has few to offer...

A few more great ideas from Hugging Coast!

Enjoy perusing the sites... and links from those sites... we look forward to tasty treats at Break the Fast!!