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Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
Ever since I tried to grow my first garden and discovered I was really lousy at it, I've gone in search of the men & women who grow the food I'd like to be eating. Farmers rock hard!
What one food mag should I get?
Cook's Illustrated (CI) to learn a lot and use (though I also think it stinks you get double dipped for the online sub), and Everyday Food to learn and use a lot. I've read many of the above and if it had to be one, it'd be CI.
Cooking Light? I know it's really popular but the majority of our country men & women weigh what??? Low fat is crap. I've had high cholesterol and been able to lower it (lower the bad stuff and raise the good) by eating grass fed beef and whole fat everything (organic and raw when possible...how can I afford it?...CSA/co-op/greenmarkets & smart shopping) and no meds. This was a tough question because each mag has different things to offer...Saveur, Fine Cooking, Gourmet, Eating Well, Martha Stewart Living and Vegetarian Times all appeal to me. I haven't seen or gotten the Jamie Oliver mag yet but I love Jamie so I'll have to check it out.
Banning fast food near schools? Your take.
While I'm all about nutrition for kids (and in my universe it's organic and local)...I do believe in choice and democracy and freedom. That said...I didn't read all the posts but I'd love to hear from a progressive urban planner. As much as we might think things "just happen" in terms of what ends up where in a neighborhood, I do think there might be more to it than that. No conspiracy theories forming here but communities can have a say regarding what goes where and even limit the numbers and it's not considered particularly heinous...unless you're a Libertarian (big or small "L").
Spend the time, money and energy to improve school lunches, get gardens in the schoolgrounds (even window boxes or green roof gardens), have curriculum related to these subjects to support it, get the PTA on board to help parents have their kids eating healthier, watch the movie "Two Angry Moms" and when you're about to blow your head off from dealing with school officials, employees and parents (trying to change the system) who think it's just fine and dandy to live on fried, processed "food-like" substances (because they eat it and that's what they serve their families)...make the bag lunch, be a good example for your kids at home, and move on.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Of course! I mostly use bananas in cereal/oatmeal so bruising isn't as obvious as out of hand eating. If it's peel and eat...I prefer not green but not overripe. Lots of bruising/browning...ditto above...banana bread, pancakes, smoothies, muffins, banana daiquiris...yum!
Please buy organic bananas...and fair trade also if possible! Not to be a groove killer but the majority of bananas are picked using child labor (NY Times did a great article about this a number of years ago) so at least have the kids not sprayed with toxins (that we've banned in the USA and they're using) while they're picking and packing our bananas! It's the least we can do and a first step in improving the lives of the young workers. More people wanting organic bananas, more organic production, less kids exposed to toxins.
Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
Ever since I tried to grow my first garden and discovered I was really lousy at it, I've gone in search of the men & women who grow the food I'd like to be eating. Farmers rock hard!
What one food mag should I get?
Cook's Illustrated (CI) to learn a lot and use (though I also think it stinks you get double dipped for the online sub), and Everyday Food to learn and use a lot. I've read many of the above and if it had to be one, it'd be CI.
Cooking Light? I know it's really popular but the majority of our country men & women weigh what??? Low fat is crap. I've had high cholesterol and been able to lower it (lower the bad stuff and raise the good) by eating grass fed beef and whole fat everything (organic and raw when possible...how can I afford it?...CSA/co-op/greenmarkets & smart shopping) and no meds. This was a tough question because each mag has different things to offer...Saveur, Fine Cooking, Gourmet, Eating Well, Martha Stewart Living and Vegetarian Times all appeal to me. I haven't seen or gotten the Jamie Oliver mag yet but I love Jamie so I'll have to check it out.
Banning fast food near schools? Your take.
While I'm all about nutrition for kids (and in my universe it's organic and local)...I do believe in choice and democracy and freedom. That said...I didn't read all the posts but I'd love to hear from a progressive urban planner. As much as we might think things "just happen" in terms of what ends up where in a neighborhood, I do think there might be more to it than that. No conspiracy theories forming here but communities can have a say regarding what goes where and even limit the numbers and it's not considered particularly heinous...unless you're a Libertarian (big or small "L").
Spend the time, money and energy to improve school lunches, get gardens in the schoolgrounds (even window boxes or green roof gardens), have curriculum related to these subjects to support it, get the PTA on board to help parents have their kids eating healthier, watch the movie "Two Angry Moms" and when you're about to blow your head off from dealing with school officials, employees and parents (trying to change the system) who think it's just fine and dandy to live on fried, processed "food-like" substances (because they eat it and that's what they serve their families)...make the bag lunch, be a good example for your kids at home, and move on.
Is Artisanal, Handmade Food Always Better?
To answer the question...of course not! Never say never and never say always. I must not be eating enough local food (anybody who knows me would laugh hysterically at this point) as I haven't gotten burned badly enough to feel like this...or my standards are awfully low!
Am I down with eating bad food produced by good people? No, but I'd like to help them become better producers with feedback. We need all the good growers/food entrepreneurs we can get. I had an experience where I bought pickles made by a CSA farm I love. They looked great but were kinda mushy. I spoke to the farmer and they realized what happened and learned what to do next batch/time. I think they decided to stick to being growers and not continue with value added items as it can be harder than it looks. I used them in tuna salad, etc and they were fine but not good for plain eating. Unless something is down and out manky/nasty, I can find a way to improve and use a challenging purchase. And if it is manky, any decent food seller will want to know, feel dreadful about it, and make restitution.
Ask for samples, if no samples ask what they'll do if you don't like their food (out of luck, money back, exchange). If you have an issue, speak up...though like others have said, one person's salt lick is another's just right - food is sooooo subjective. If you don't want to speak up, don't go back.
As far as thanking my lucky stars for Smuckers & Oscar Mayers? Food is better than no food however, I'm an upper lower class blue collar person who's been buying local/organic/natural for too long to feel very celebratory about agribiz and industrial food production. Not ungrateful mind you as I was raised on it and once I'm eating out and about...who can keep track of where everything comes from? I'm watchful and do what I can but don't get mental about it.
The Supposed Top 10 Worst Fast Food Campaigns of All Time
I'd never heard of Quiznos and most commercials are dull as dirt...and that's insulting dirt. I too said WTF and was really freaked out but it was because I was so happy that something so quirky and demented could actually end up on commercial tv. I am now a fan of "rathergood" (I really should get a stuffed spongemonkey or a t-shirt) and do also like LOLcats but my tastes in humor (as well as what I like to eat) are pretty diverse so I don't know if stereotyping is going to work...at least for me anyway. I too think these commercials were some of the best EVER!
Sugar Rush: DIY Fudgesicle from the Dessert Truck's Hot Chocolate
I finished the hot choco once and may never do it again. Decadent beyond decadent. So far, I've been putting it in the fridge and having choco delight (thicker than pudding but I pretend). Will try the freezer.
Consider not putting it in the microwave and just letting it sit in the fridge to get to choco delight stage. Microwaves change chemical structure of food (especially fats) into things that scientists haven't discovered yet and the new compounds they have, mostly haven't been tested for safety and some of them have been suspected of being extremely bad eats (carcenogenic). For people putting their stuff in ecocontainers (see above photo), microwave is ecologically advised (less energy) but health-wise, nuh-uh.
Win Your Thanksgiving Turkey!
a big ole leg like King Henry the 8th!
Houston's Doesn't Suck: What's Your Favorite Slightly Fancy Chain Restaurant?
foodinmouth says there's no PF Changs or Cheesecake Factories in NY. If you mean NYC, ok. Otherwise, check out their websites & locate. Out on LI there's two Cheesecake Factories...Smithhaven Mall in Lake Grove & The Mall at the Source (who names these damn things?) in Westbury. Westbury has PF Chang's as well, & Houston's is next door at the Roosevelt Field Mall. I haven't been to any of them but it's on my list of things to do.
How Do You Eat Your Bagel?
It's true what annien says about it being a shondeh re: discussing this topic when the objects of desire are out of reach due to the holidays! I'm pretty sure my LI bagel haunt (Bagel Boss in Plainview) is closed till after Yom Kippur. While I agree with Ed, I have my own bagel ritual. I like a sesame or sourdough bagel (haven't found any good organic bagels...yet...and have no kitchen at the moment to bake my own though I have done non-organic in the past), cut in half, toasted, buttered (organic), schmear of cream cheese (organic) on each half, shredded nova on each side, chopped scallions or onions (organic & local when possible) on each side, and I'm a very happy camper. But I will say...buying warm good bagels late at night & not being able to wait...I'll rip pieces off one of them & scoop into a container of scallion or veg cream cheese purchased at the bagel store. It's all good! My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts but then again, he's a big honkin' wad of cream cheese kinda guy who'd be happy with sushi sized pieces of lox if he'd have the chutzpah (and cash) to ask for it at the counter :) .
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Who gives a shit?! Just put in your fucking mouths!
Idiots!
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
I'm so glad there are people in this world that care about this kind of stuff. Thank you for being alive fellow Serious Eaters.
As for bananas? I can wait until they're between dalmation and black lab. The black labs get put in banana bread.
*slurp*!
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Once it starts turning brown and gettting spotty it goes to bread. I really don't think I could eat the overripe bits otherwise.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
wow, i had no idea some people actually cut out bruised spots of bananas lol.. for me it's always been a total non-issue, i don't even think about it, i just eat the banana
now if it's to the point where the whole thing is brown and starting to get gooey, that's when it's time for the freezer for smoothies, or, if it's too far gone, just time to compost it
still can't believe some people cut bruised chunks from bananas lol
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Brown spots are slimy and disgusting to eat straight up! However, I wait until they are ultra-soft, brown and slimy to freeze. These guys make the best banana bread and smoothies. For eating out of hand, for me, they have to be all yellow-even one freckle is too sweet and soft.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
I can't bring myself to eat the bruises - have to cut them out! They're probably fine to eat, but the way they look... just can't do it. I trim off as little as possible, though - hate to waste any of it!
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
I love the bruises! They're sweeter than the rest of the banana. I've been eating them for years with no negative effects, so I'll go ahead and say they're safe.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
@ Marxy - I'm with you.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
My mother always used to use the brown bananas to make flaxseed and chocolate chip banana muffins!!!
raw over-ripe though?
no thanks.
im not down with the flavour profile.
Im not wasteful: I buy my bananners as I need them :) (dont worry happymuncher!!! I agree with your theory)
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Absolutely. With so much starvation in the world, I would have a very heavy conscience if I decided to chuck a bit of fruit because it doesn't look perfect...as long as it's not rotten or off (if it's a banana that has been forgotten for ages and turned completely black), I will definetely find some edible purpose for it.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
I used to get super grossed out by bruised bananas but lately I've been a lot more liberal with my overripe banana consumption.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Overripe bananas are frozen and then given to our dog as treats.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Bruised bananas get frozen for breakfast smoothies later in the week.
Chef Todd Mohr
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
I have found that the outside doesn't necessarily mean the inside will look the same. And yes, I eat the entire banana, sans peel. The ones that are mushy become banana bread, but they are eaten.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Eat it - often times it tastes a bit sweeter than the rest of the banana. Of course, I also eat everything but the stem when it comes to apples, including the core and seeds, so I may not be a good role model in this regard.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Since the only way I eat bananas is in banana bread, I'm all for the bruised spots! The more the better!
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
I eat the brown spots if they aren't huge. I think a banana really comes into its sweetness when the peel has a few brown spots on it. A perfectly yellow banana has an odd texture to me and coats my mouth and teeth with a strange filmy substance -- whereas a nice, ripe, banana (one with a brown spot or two on the peel) doesn't do that.
And I, like so many others, never throw away an over-ripe banana...I put those into bananas foster or banana pancakes or banana bread.
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
Of course I eat the bruised parts of bananas. It's the sweetest part and I'm not put off by the color or compromised texture. They are good for so many things once they've "gone slightly by." Don't be a banana snob!
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
The more brown (naturally occurring, not bruising) means the more sugar in the banana. With a banana that is still green the starch to sugar ratio is 20 : 1, while a banana that is yellow and brown has a starch to sugar ratio of 1 : 20....so, the less green and more brown means a sweeter treat! I would guess that the 'bruised' parts of a banana are areas that have had their ripening process sped up (so also a sweeter taste (?), albeit with a mushier texture). The banana in the pic at the top is definitely perfect for me.
As for the organic stuff...bananas are one of the few fruits you can get away with not buying organically. Because of their thick outer skin, whatever chemical they might be sprayed with doesn't penetrate through to the fruit. Doesn't sound good about the child labor issues though (do you have a link to that article organicgal?), something to look into for sure. It is always a good thing to get fair trade whenever you can, I am just saying in terms of nutrition/chemicals, in this specific situation, organic is no better than conventional. You want to get disgusted, look into what is sprayed onto conventional strawberries, now there is a fruit to only buy organic!
Do You Eat the Bruised Parts of Bananas?
A scary amount of people seem to enjoy under-ripe bananas. Shame.
Brown spots = ripe = delicious.
Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
I just came across this video and think it was beautifully shot and edited. I often spend my Saturday mornings at the Union Square market and love seeing the trip my produce made to Manhattan. Very well done!
Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
OK. As someone who group up in a farming community, this is eye-rollingly presumptuous and ridiculous. Farmers have always been "OMG real people." have always worked 18 hour days during harvest, and have always cared about their product, even those whose grew green beans that ended up being canned.
Kudos to Bishop for figuring out a way to make a living off only 30 acres. Too bad the farmers I knew growing up didn't have his good looks and knack for PR.
What one food mag should I get?
If you live in an area that has an "edible" magazine that's the one to subscribe to. They all focus on locally grown and produced foods. Great recipes and photo's.You can also pick up copies for free at advertisers locations but subscriptions help to support the magazines and the local foods movement. FYI: I am the publisher of edible South Shore, we cover southeastern Massachusetts.
Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
Stopped by Mountain Sweet Berry Farm on Wed. They Have the best Strawberries in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My god I can't wait to get some more this Saturday...
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Of course! I mostly use bananas in cereal/oatmeal so bruising isn't as obvious as out of hand eating. If it's peel and eat...I prefer not green but not overripe. Lots of bruising/browning...ditto above...banana bread, pancakes, smoothies, muffins, banana daiquiris...yum!
Please buy organic bananas...and fair trade also if possible! Not to be a groove killer but the majority of bananas are picked using child labor (NY Times did a great article about this a number of years ago) so at least have the kids not sprayed with toxins (that we've banned in the USA and they're using) while they're picking and packing our bananas! It's the least we can do and a first step in improving the lives of the young workers. More people wanting organic bananas, more organic production, less kids exposed to toxins.