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A weekend well spent

It occurred to me at some point today that I may be overdoing it with the cooking this weekend. I’m going to break in the new smoker (with bacon). Then, it’s breakfast burritos for 12 at the tailgate followed by a dinner party (goose, maybe a dish from the new Momofuku cookbook) Sunday night. Could be a good time – could leave me sucking wind Monday morning. Add turkey and ham for Thanksgiving and I may need to put in for time and a half.

Naaah!

Olive Cafe and Grocery

Anyone have an early report on the new occupant of the former Cafe Berlin/Root Cellar/herbal remedy place? It sounds like good people.

“What’s with the blackeyed pea?”

I received this ultra-random, but interestingly-led and well-timed press release from Freida’s, a specialty produce shop out of southern California.

What’s with the Blackeyed Pea? Why does this little black-and-white legume garner so much attention during the New Year? Frieda’s Specialty Produce distributes thousands of Blackeyed Peas to produce departments around the country each year, including Schnucks and Logli, in preparation for New Year’s feasts featuring Hoppin’ John and other traditional comfort foods.

Vegas, for kids

That’s what Disney World really is, right? Costs every bit as much as a three day bender at the Bellagio too. On the flip side, your kids can have a good time and you’re less likely to need a transfusion afterward. After four days in Orlando, I just need a nap…

The Botany of Desire

Michael Pollan’s excellent “The Botany of Desire” got the full PBS treatment a few weeks ago. You can watch it here.

Columbia Farmers Market – winter hours

Now this is impressive news.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Columbia, Missouri – November 17, 2009

Due to rising demand from both customers and vendors, the Columbia
Farmers Market will be extending its season on a trial basis through
December 19th.

500 posts ago…

I started a blog. On January 29, 2008 I kicked Show Me Eats off thusly:

Maybe it was the frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the grocery store. Or it could have been the Missourian review that compared Addison’s (unfavorably) with Ruby Tuesday. Or maybe it was the fact that more than thirty restaurants in Columbia closed last year while Starbucks and Wal-Marts continue to pop up like dandelions. Whatever it was, it is clear that Columbia can do better. We can eat better, drink better and buy better. We don’t have to send our money to Iowa for beef, California for vegetables or Argentina for out of season fruit. We can keep our money right here in central Missouri…and have a damned fine time in doing it. That’s what this blog will be dedicated to: enjoying life, locally. How does one do that? Frankly, I’m still learning myself. But I’ve got a few ideas.

500 posts, 926 comments, two years and innumerable rants later…here we are. Still fighting the good fight for good food, hopefully at least slightly better-fed and informed. The one immutable fact is that I’ve learned more than I’ve taught. So thank you for sharing your opinions and your time with me. I appreciate it, and look forward with gusto to the next 500 posts and beyond.

Let’s get started.

Only YOU…

…can prevent Macaroni Grill from being named Best Italian Restaurant in Inside Columbia’s 2010 Readers Choice Awards. Nominate away.

(Note: “Best Italian” should not even be a category here…you have nothing but shockingly poor options. Actually, Mac Grill’s not even your worst option.)

Domenico’s

I will have to be dragged kicking and screaming back to Domenico’s in Osage Beach. Yes, there’s a giant plastic bull in the parking lot. Yes, their specialty is all-you-can-eat prime rib. I’m not saying there weren’t warning signs. But I naively gave it a try. It was awful. Unspeakably bad. And to lend insult to injury, it was expensive.

On chili

I’m making chii for 30 Halloween revelers and winging it like usual isn’t an option. Any preferred recipes out there?

On a side note, I judged a chili contest one of our divisions put on each fall. They go all out, with decorations and everything. Freaking dry ice was involved. Anyway, four solid chilis and a welcome break from the tough news coming out of Jefferson City these days.

Flavor packets, Chupacabra and usable offal

LINK CORRECTED

Many solid bits of turkey wisdom from Brook Harlan in Inside Columbia this month.

Gourmet folds, but you don’t have to

A pretty tragically confused column on my part but hey, it’s been a wild couple of weeks. So, this week’s installment of Show-Me Eats in the Tribune.

It’s easy to lose track of how quickly technological changes have affected the way we go about our daily lives. I was reminded of this old vs. new dynamic a few weeks ago after the announcement that Gourmet magazine would be closing after nearly 70 years.

The rest here.

Eating crow

Has anyone ever tried crow? According to these guys, it’s the bomb, and crow season opens Monday. What’s it taste like?

From casseroles to stews and other recipe favorites, including pie, the crow — reportedly considered a delicacy by John James Audubon — tastes like chicken with appetizing overtones of duck, according to Bradford Angier, author of Wilderness Cookery.

Having once had pigeon – at a French restaurant, naturally, and much more palatable as pigeon au jus de truffe – and loved it, I have to say I’d be intrigued to try it. And since the recipe for crow casserole involves bacon and sauerkraut, I think I’ve got the recipe to go with the gumption. Now, where does a guy go for a 12-gauge?

The best steak I ever made

Two weeks ago, while hosting the steak-obsessed father in law for dinner, I reached the grilling mountaintop. Here’s how I did it.

Lonnie Ray’s

The best, most reliable bbq in the area is now advertising. Lonnie Ray’s. Excellent ‘que but it works better with some company.

26 years, and the worst food is…

Now so this guy. He says the worst thing he’s had in Columbia since 1983 was a pork sandwich from Broadway Brewery. My two early visits have netted very good food; and I literally have not had a better plate of pasta in the past year in Columbia than their ravioli special one night. I’ve heard very good responses from the peanut gallery as well. Beer’s coming along too. Anyone else have an early take on the place?

3 Quick Notes

Prison Brews – Very tasty-looking menu, comparable to Flat Branch in makeup, if not execution. Sausage and mushroom pizza was a bit of a travesty. Too much cheese, canned sauce, dough lacking salt/flavor. Still, they get props for using chorizo. Pretzels are from Sysco, tasty in a ballpark kind of way, but no threat to FB.

O’Donoghue’s – Another attempt at inserting a little class and decent food into east downtown Jefferson City. Nice French dip, fries were overcooked.

Chim’s Thai – Cooper’s Landing transplant seems an improvement over previous occupants. Hot actually means hot. Curries have been good; anything fried, too long so.

A new Cyr on the scene

News from the Wine Cellar and Bistro:

Craig and Sarah Cyr are proud to welcome Mae Kathryn Cyr!!  Mae arrived October 17 at 2:34 PM, weighing 8 lb. 12 oz. and she was 20.5in long. Everyone is doing well! The Cyr family would like to say thank you for all the well-wishes and support.

Guilt, grades, great sausage on the Hill

My Tribune column, on the Hill and its variations on Italian sausage, is here.