It's hard to know what to say in this first entry. It doesn't seem appropriate to post a recipe or give my general philosophy of food.
So I'll start with the basics: Where I get my food. The ingredients you use are one of the most important things to consider when you cook, and I've made the effort to find the best possible in the East Bay.
Hayward Farmer's Market
We shop here weekly for our fruit and vegetables, which vary based on season. Last week we bought yellow nectarines, strawberries, arugula, crimini mushrooms, red onions, heirloom tomatoes, peas (in the pod), red potatoes, yukon gold potatoes, and carrots. Last week was the first week they had fish (!) and we got a lovely piece of halibut. We usually get our eggs from Olivera Farms, who have a stand there. They also have a huge selection of asian greens, as well as lemongrass, chilies, ginger, thai basil, summer/winter squash, etc.
Alameda Marketplace Natural Foods
The produce is good here, and can substitute for the farmer's market if we happen to miss it. The bulk granola and flour selections are good as well, and they carry Straus Family Creamery milk and ice cream, which is the only milk we buy if we can help it. Yes, it's more expensive than regular organic milk, but when you see the cleanliness of the farm and the way the animals are treated, it's worth it. And it tastes better.
Baron's Meat and Poultry (in the Alameda Marketplace)
They stock Mary's Organic/Free-Range chicken and duck, as well as lots of red meat and sausage options. If you haven't tried Mary's chicken, you haven't had real chicken. Seriously. And as a bonus, they air-chill the chickens and individually wrap them to order, so there's no water/blood slurry in the bottom of the bag. Plus, they're the same price as the "organic free-range" chickens at Trader Joe's.
Whole Foods (Napa or San Ramon)
We LOVE Allegra Extra-Dark French Roast coffee from WF. Hell, it's almost worth the bridge toll just for that. We also love Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor goat's cheese, which is usually available at both locations. However, only Napa has the WF in-house baked bread that is the best we've ever had - the whole wheat/multi-grain bread. It's got that ideal grain/seed/malty/wheaty taste that is just delicious.
PW Market
We don't always shop there, but they do carry Straus milk and the produce is more varied and high quality than any other local market. They have lots of good cheeses, and their fresh-baked bread is generally pretty good. They also carry some British products, like Ambrosia custard and rice pudding, that are often hard to find. The fish counter often is VERY fishy smelling, which puts me off, but they also carry chilean sea bass, which definitely puts me off.
Between those places, we get the vast majority of our produce and meat. I highly recommend them, particularly for the specific products mentioned.
What's cooking tonight in the free-range educator's kitchen?
Halibut with arugula salad
Olive-oil potato salad
Passion fruit "Melting Moments"
Italian bread (from Bread Baker's Apprentice)
Recipes to follow.
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