Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Oatmeal as a Capitalist Statement

I love oatmeal. I eat it every morning with various toppings. My new favorite is raisins, pecans, sea salt and plain yogurt. (I am not making yogurt from a dairy down the road from us. The cows are pastured right behind it!)

Anyway, back to the oatmeal, the combination of toppings makes it creamy, rich, savory, and slightly sweet. A perfect way to welcome the day. Today over my oatmeal, I began a tirade on oatmeal as a protest against agribusiness. How cereals are processed with all kinds of things: hydrogenated oils and sugars that we don't need. Then the price is hiked up exorbitantly. Oatmeal, on the other hand is cheap, with no additives thus being more healthy.

I'm not sure that one bowl of oatmeal a day does much to combat our processed food system, but it sure is nice to dream...

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The All-American Sandwich

I realized recently that since being permanently back in the States I have not had a proper sandwich. Instead of going out and getting one (which would ensure its properness), I instead decided to make it all from scratch. And this was my first mistake. Because as much as I try to cook conventionally, I always end up deviating from the recipe, trying to make it healthier and more unusual; the result is usually good, but never iconic.

And so happened with my All-American sandwich. And where did it fail? On all accounts. First was the fillers. No I didn't chose cheese, or meat, or lettuce, or tomato. The plan was this: white bean puree with roasted red peppers and spinach. Oh and homemade rolls. This was mistake number two.

For some reason I cannot make breads with white flour in them. Not even partly white flour. Despite all my knowledge on the textural and organoleptic impact of whole grain flours I cannot separate myself. And so I set out to make the all-American sandwich roll, with one hand tied behind my back: no white flour.

It was a cool spring day, perfect for opening the windows and letting the fresh air in. Instead I cranked up the kitchen heat to facilitate rising. And rise my rolls did, they turned out beautifully with all the chewiness and depth of flavor of whole wheat, decidedly un-American.

The sandwiches were lovely. Great combination of flavors, healthy, nutritious. Yet my craving left unsatiated... I might have to rely on a professional.