Parenthetical.net

1. No Brownies at Bake Sales, but Doritos May Be O.K. raised my blood pressure way more than a whole plate of brownies (mmm… brownies):

Nine months after effectively banning most fund-raising food sales in city schools, a city panel will vote Wednesday on an amended regulation that will allow student groups to sell items [...]

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(The idea of posting these “recipes” is to give an idea of my thought process as I cook. Some of you seem interested when you’re in my kitchen watching, so maybe you’ll be interested if I write about it? It amuses me, anyway. If I were less lazy and a better photographer, [...]

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My first attempt at a gluten-free pie was a fine success, if I do say so myself. I used the Flaky Pastry recipe from Rebecca Reilly’s Gluten-Free Baking, more or less:
1.5 c flour mix*
3 T sweet rice flour
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
9 T cold butter, cut into cubes
1 large egg
1.5 T lemon juice
Make sure [...]

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The last post reminded me that I never posted my total winter stores for this year!* The list was made in mid-November, so some of this stuff is gone (though less than you might expect). Behold:
Pre-Made Meals
3 servings + 1 large IF** tomato, kale, & white bean soup w/ rosemary
1 IF + 1 [...]

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A few weeks ago I read an article about South River Miso, “the only unpasteurized, certified organic miso that is entirely handcrafted in the centuries-old Japanese farmhouse tradition,” according to the jar — and it just happens to be made 100 miles away in Conway, MA.
I immediately informed Sherman Market, the little market just up [...]

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During the school year, I mostly read for work: how will I know what to give my kids if I don’t tear through as many YA novels as possible? Consequently, I almost never read sequels; I got enough of a taste with the first book, so I feel guilty if I linger. This summer’s reading [...]

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Miriam and Eric’s fabulous science blog The Oyster’s Garter continues my discussion of food politics. Make sure to see my comment, which hopefully clarifies the difference between IDOF and TOD: to wit, IDOF is about personal nutrition/health choices; TOD is about environmental impact.

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I think I’m breaking up with Michael Pollan.
Ever since reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma last year, I’ve been a devoted disciple. Now let me be fair and introduce my biases up front: I’ve been an environmentalist since I could read, and I’ve been into sustainable food for years. That’s why I read TOD (it [...]

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I finally finished Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, in which he traces four meals – fast food, industrial organic (a la Whole Foods), local organic, and hunted/gathered by himself – from their origins in fields and factory farms to his table. I don’t say this very often – in fact, I’m not sure I’ve [...]

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So as of Tuesday night, I am home at last! There will be pictures and more stories at some point soon, but in the meantime it is just unbelievably good to be here, in this place that I love more than anywhere I’ve ever been. Waking up with my boy after a night [...]

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