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Posts Tagged food

The Archivist and The Chef

May 16

Posted by admin in Administration, cooking, food, food universe, History, restaurants

What a great story line: An archivist walks into a restaurant and says he likes to cook. The chef responds, I like history! Welcome to the world of David Ferriero, the Archivist for the National Archives and the world of award-winning chef, Jose Andres. The two atypical paths have come together in a joint effort that will combine the food history from the Archives collection with the restaurant acumen of recent James Beard Outstanding Chef recipient Andres.

Now a little background. The National Archives is the Nation’s repository of history, and the impressive food collection is a vital piece of that history. They have culled their materials to create an exhibit which will open June 10, 2011. “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” will showcase 85 original records which trace the origins of the programs and the legislation aimed at the food supply and reflect the effects government programs have had on our food choices and preferences. Visitors will have an opportunity to examihttp://www.allbeforecoffee.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=8289&action=edit&message=10ne letters, diaries, photos, and maps from the collection. The Exhibition will focus on four broad themes: Farm, factory, kitchen, and table.

Then there is the world of internationally recognized Spanish chef Jose Andres who makes his home in Washington, DC and is the master of the restaurant scene with his restaurants under the creative arm of his ThinkFood Group. Andres will serve as the Chief Culinary Advisor to the exhibit. He calls himself a “cook and a storyteller,” and his most humble story, apropos to this exhibit, is his own personal success and achievements in his adopted country. Andres’s passion for food and how it can teach us to understand nations and history will become evident in the July 4th opening of his newest endeavor, America Eats Tavern. It is no coincidence that this pop-up 6-month restaurant will be on 8th Street within view of the Archives and in the Cafe Atlantico space which will move to  a new home.

Andres believes that chefs tell a story and that this restaurant, opening in collaboration with the Archives exhibit and in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives, will expand food knowledge for all visitors. This unique, first-of-a-kind partnership will open the eyes of visitors to understand our nation’s past and project them into understanding the importance of food in our culture and our heritage.

Different titles; different jobs: One Nation of Food.

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The Lighter Grocery Bag

Feb 22

Posted by admin in dining out, food universe, lifestyle, restaurants, shopping

Remember the good old days when a bag of groceries cost about $20? Really that wasn’t that long ago, but now that single bag is more apt to hover closer to $50. Food costs are skyrocketing. Every department; every store. What’s the consumer to do?

Simple rule of thumb: Know your prices. If you know the cost of the basics, then you know when an item “on sale” is truly a sale-priced item.

Step two: Plan menus around the sales. If this is the week that avocados are reasonable, then guacamole proves tastier. You can follow that rhythm through each department. Chicken thighs on sale; chicken thighs, it is.

There are few other strategies that work as well during the upward creep. Maybe the process is faster than a creepy crawl as a week does not go by without another commodity escalating upwards.

Coffee prices are up. Eggs are more expensive. Bread products continue to rise (pun intended). Name a food, a basic commodity, and you understand how the shopping scene has changed.10-Keurig-B40-Lg

Besides the bread basket costs of grocery shopping, another effect is on restaurants. Consumers have only so much of their budgeted money for food, whether at the market or at a restaurant. The end result is the fast food and casual restaurants do much better while the mid-tier suffers. The end result is that the restaurant picture continues to struggle as many restaurants with higher price points cannot survive the slack sales.

As we all hold on tighter to our wallets, grocery shopping and dining out become the precious commodities. Increased pricing hits all of us hard.

We can’t afford heavy lifting.

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Thank You, Oil Companies

Jan 24

Posted by admin in coffee, dining out, food universe, news

I’m not talking olive oil, safflower, or canola, but the big guys. The oil companies as in Exxon, BP, and their kindred spirits. I’m sure you’re well aware how much money that fill-up is costing, but the spillover effects are even more noticeable. Have you watched your grocery bill start its skyrocket spiral? How about your daily extra special coffee treat? Or, your restaurant meal? Everything food-related is going for the stratosphere and predictions are that whatever we are experiencing now will only continue to escalate. Swell.

Yes, few people will notice the difference between a 5 or a 6 oz serving of a chicken breast, but will notice that the plate is filled with an assortment of other foods so the main protein does not look so lonely. A handful of lettuce, although its price has gone up handsomely, too, is still less expensive for a restaurant than sticking with the larger ounced protein.

Portion sizes are not the only items shrinking. At the grocery store, many companies have left a product’s price the same, but reduced its size. Tricky, eh! Add 10 minutes for additional label-reading.

Maybe food delivery services will continue to thrive (Amazon is planning a major new national program roll-out) as consumers  feel more secure trying to make that $4 a gallon gas last longer and take advantage of delivery specials! The program worked in Washington state so why not Washington, DC? The East Coast awaits.41IodTSAjVL._SL160__SS120__SS100_

Some of the obvious jumps are in foods from Florida or California and the end result, as in orange juice. Way up. Grain prices are way up so bread costs are higher which means your favorite sandwich will be a more precious commodity.

Every business is struggling to figure out how to make money and not raise prices too much. It’s kind of a good news-bad news scenario. As in hotels which have been holding prices down and offering lots of sales, but now that consumers are traveling more again, you guessed it: Prices are up.

The consumer is at the other end of the equation trying to figure out what to buy and what needs to be shelved. This equation has few easy answers. As some would say, time will tell or it’s time to make lemonade!

In the meantime, watch how the price of gas, the cost of products, and the sheer energy involved in production affect our bottom line! Not pretty.

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The Shocking Equation: Hunger

Nov 23

Posted by admin in First Lady Michelle Obama, news

No one wants to see a title like this just days before Thanksgiving, but now is the time to focus on one of our nation’s most debilitating problems. We often see people on street corners and in public spaces soliciting for money for shelter or food, but there’s a more hidden problem that seems to be multiplying: Childhood Hunger.

We can help end childhood hunger. Each of us can try to help and contribute time and money to a food bank or give products to various food drives, but the problem is far greater than that. The states have to come on board and contribute money to the schools to get more individuals into school lunch programs. It is an interesting equation that says the more the states do to help alleviate the problem, the greater the financial commitment from the Federal Government.understanding-child

Some wonder, why start with the children? The simple answer is alleviation at that level helps remedy the problem as it invades all aspects of society. When one is hungry, one cannot learn. The correlation proves quite simple. USDA reports that one in four children have been found to be hungry. Staggering.

Organizations are in place. The House needs to pass the legislation, The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, that has already cleared the Senate. We cannot sit lamely by and wait for another session before we put food on the table. This commitment is the nexus of what First Lady Michelle Obama has been working on with the myriad of food programs she has advocated. School nutrition and the school lunch program come together into an important, health-saving package.

Now, this Thanksgiving, it is time to fill the table and make certain our children have the food, the right, healthy food, they need to progress. As we share our bounty with those in greater need, let’s hope our country can act quickly and attack this pervasive problem.

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Eating Healthy on the Road

Jul 26

Posted by admin in food universe, healthy eating

It’s always a bit of a challenge to eat healthy when traveling. Sure there are plenty of guides pointing out edible food spots at a few airports and train stations, but what about those who take the roads? Plenty of reports indicate that the car vacationer is operating at full speed. No shortage of fast food stops along the Interstates, but what about the healthy options? The vegan, the Gluten-Free, and the basic eater who wants the best of what’s local should start stressing right about now.

Why stop along the road if you are stressing about the options? Roadsides are littered with multiple fast food options with a sprinkling of signs pointing to a diner which at least lets you believe the food is being prepared individually for you. Then, the options stop. This is especially true when you leave the Interstate for the scenic bypass routes. Leaving the road and exploring a small town can often yield little. Traveling into a larger town offers the best little secret: Try the local grocery store. You can at least find something that borders healthy, even if it’s not your favorite market, farm stand, or Whole Foods.

As the Interstates reveal, people are traveling again and judging by the numbers at picnic tables, frugality still dominates many of our dining decisions. Matching our budgets and desire to eat healthy poses numerous challenges which need great will power.

It can be done, but after your first opening of the Coleman, you might need to get creative.coleman

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Grill ‘Em

Jul 1

Posted by admin in cooking, food universe

It’s that curious time of the year when weeks get shortened into weekends and traffic is always on escape mode. Welcome to the upcoming weekend, the Fourth of July, which seems to begin this year on the 1st and conclude on the 6th! Party.

According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, the Fourth of July grabs the top spot as America’s single biggest day to grill outdoors with 80% of respondents planning to keep with tradition this year. Burgers top the list of most commonly grilled foods with ketchup repeating as the number one condiment. Probably should begin with a refresher course on food safety as many of us partake in our food ventures off premise as in picnic spots, tailgating, or camping. As always food handling should top the list of concerns and include the magic food safety words: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. No matter the menu, the rules apply and make everyone safer for the experience.

For so many of us, keeping the charcoal lit and hot proves to be directly proportional to how much lighter fluid we have on hand. I know you’ll miss the smell of the endless squirting of fluid, but here’s a fun gadget that takes the guesswork out of the operation and more insures the possibility of success: The Looftlighter. (Makes me imagine an air-lifting experience that transforms an ordinary pile of coals into a full-blown campsite)! OK, I admit it looks a little like a hair straightener, but this product seems to have little difficulty starting a fire. Also great for hardwood chunks added to the grill to infuse different flavors. Such love of grilling does not come inexpensively, but the neighbors and the environment thank you!

I know you’ll miss the lighter fluid taste, but some sacrifices need to be made! What if you’re planning a road trip and still want to grill, then there are full range of portable grills to make this a possibility. Since I’m such a coffee person, I was interested in seeing what the Bodum folks (known for their full line of coffee makers and accessories) came up with. Don’t worry, they are serious BBQ players with a full line of what they call “Toys for Grown Ups.” Am sure that phrase is debatable, but they have a nifty portable grill and all the necessary tools to make the outing a true holiday. You’ll have fun with the Ikea-like names as the FYRKAT, a picnic charcoal grill, solves the grill-on-the-go experience. Anyway the palette of fun colors makes this an uplifting purchase.Web_PictMedium_10630-106bodum

When you’re thinking about what to grill, take a moment and think about the foods you purchase and consider the humane farm animal care program. The website can direct you to purveyors and farms that are part of the certified humane movement. You’ll find no shortage of selections and at the same time know that your food has been handled better and will often prove tastier.

Let’s begin the long weekend!

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The Eyes Have It: A Winning Diet

Jun 25

Posted by admin in health, news

We’ve spent a lot of time singing the praises of resveratrol for the heart-healthy benefits from consuming red wine and grapes. Now a new study from vision researchers at the medical school at Washington University in St. Louis uncovered additional foods that can demonstrate their health-worthiness from properties found in resveratrol. Add blueberries and peanuts to the list. Perfect timing since blueberry season is just at the beginning of what promises to be a fruitful month or so!peanut

This time the beneficial focus rests with the eyes in preserving vision (even in instances where there has already been some deterioration). This made sense to the researchers who cited the anti-aging properties of the compound so eye degeneration issues formed a natural fit. Let’s see if I have this right: Eat and drink some of these special foods and beverages and your heart and eyes benefit from the consumption. Nothing too difficult about this concept.

Wait, there’s more. Another study also just released addressed the obesity-fighting properties of resveratrol. This quickly brings to mind the French Paradox: A phrase employed with the earliest resveratrol studies that questioned how the French can remain so thin while they consume such large quantities of wine. As Yogi would say, deja vu all over again.

Nothing wrong with either of these studies. They point us in the right nutritional direction, and they have the seasonal advantage of information. Peanuts for the baseball game; grapes and blueberries as new seasonally ripe fruits, and wine anytime.

This makes sense to me!

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Let Dad Decide: Happy Father’s Day

Jun 19

Posted by admin in life

So many options for Father’s Day.  After an email from every restaurant with a special Sunday brunch, dinner, or an offer to feed the kids for free, I’ve decided to share a few suggestions of my own.

–Giving Dad something for the grill is like giving Mom (on Mother’s Day) a new kitchen tool or a handy cooking device. Another day. Sure he loves to grill and everyone likes the post-grill kitchen clean-up, but another spatula, another day.

–Taking Dad out to eat on Father’s Day just means lots of people, lots of lines, and potentially less than stellar service. Make it yourself: That’ll be a better treat. Go ahead, you pop it on the grill! Remember, clean-up’s easy.

Dad might prefer a trip to a winery: Every state now produces wine. Lots of ‘em figured out how to make it a family affair so Dad gets to do what he wants, and the family is occupied with arts ‘n crafts, food vendors, and activities for the underage set. Check out your neighboring vineyards.images

Maybe he could catch a ballgame in person or via television. Sorry, Strasburg fans, he’s not pitching today.

Repeat the Mantra: Give Dad a break; let him decide his Day.

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A Month of Flavor: June

Jun 1

Posted by admin in news

I always enjoy looking forward into a new month of food holidays. They seem to range from the sublime to the ridiculous as if someone needs to tell us to eat our fruit and vegetables or remember to have dairy products. These are great promotional ploys that are fun to list and contemplate.

Before the enumeration, here are a few special days to note–they come with goodies:

–June 4, National Doughnut Day, a holiday established initially by the Salvation Army to help those in need. Check out Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts for their free offers. (Note that the offers are not identical). Get in line for a sweet Friday.

–June 5, Friendly’s is giving away free ice cream cones.

More of these special freebies as the month progresses.

Combine these single events with month-long celebrations:

–National Candy Month. The 16th is Fudge Day! This is from an association that has figured out how to celebrate different candies for each month of the year! They know about our collective sweet tooth!candy

–National Dairy Month. Easy to celebrate milk and all the other dairy foods as prices have remained fairly constant making dairy a consistently important, good purchase. FYI, vanilla is still the most requested ice cream flavor!

–National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. Seriously, this needs little introduction. We know what we are supposed to eat and how many helpings. Slice up that organic celery now!

–National Iced Tea Month. It’s hot and as many people get into the iced cube part of life, tea does not want to be ignored. A vendor at The World’s Fair in St. Louis (1904) took credit for starting this beverage sensation. Why not have it on ice!

–National Turkey Lovers’ Month. This concept appeals to those looking for protein substitutes and the Association has been trying to get consumers to consider the product a year-round food, not just one celebrated in November. Lots of recipes and nutritional information on the site including a meal update calculator that helps us be more creative in our menu-planning.

Put them all together and what do you get: Many foods that we enjoy every month of the year!

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Staying in Shape

May 26

Posted by admin in food universe

As you’re getting your body ready for summer activities, it’s time to turn to Men’s Health Magazine and look at some of the Superfoods they identify that help reduce the effects of aging. If your body stays younger, you can be more active: Simple math.

Here are some interesting ones to add to your shopping outing:

–Avocados. This vegetable gets a lot of confusing press for its high fat content. Stop: It’s the good fat, the one that reduces the bad (LDL) cholesterol. Take it in. Most guacamole experts prefer the Mexican avocado splashed with a healthy dose of lime juice. Or just slice an avocado onto a salad or top your scrambled eggs (egg whites) with this colorful, soothingly sweet taste.

–Black Beans. With all the talk about BPA and can-leeching, find a market that offers dried beans and avoid the canned variety all together. Studies indicate that black beans have a special property in being able to boost your brain function. Grab a 3-ounce serving, your pen, and the New York Times Crossword Puzzle. See how effective this strategy is!

Sounds like we are solely advocating a Latin American-influenced diet, but the next flavor may move you around the globe.

–Turmeric. This bright colored, yellow spice gives flavor to many Indian dishes. Try it on chicken or use it with rice to benefit from its special properties that help lessen the possibilities from Alzheimer’s.turmeric

Don’t forget almonds and walnuts and last week’s nutty examination. Then move over to the dried fruit aisle for dried plums and figs, both of which have numerous health benefits. Figs for their lowering of blood-sugar and plums for their overall effect on lessening aging’s impact. Of course, fresh figs should not be overlooked when they are in season as they pair wonderfully with so many foods (cheeses) and turn an ordinary salad into a special treat. Add a little Balsamic, a ripe tomato, and you’ve got a beautiful plate.

Never too young to consider these foods and the longer list of possibilities. Time to start your weekend shopping.

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