Food Revolution, Season 2

You may remember that, a year ago, Mellisa and I were really amped up about Jamie Oliver's new show called "Food Revolution."  We loved the series, and we were both empassioned and in shock over how hard it was to get one small school district to start feeding kids healthy lunches.  Mellisa and I have both been making small changes over the past year with what we purchase and cook in our homes.  Not drastic, earth-shattering changes, but even small change is a healthy step in the right direction. 

We've both recently been challenged by trying to get a homecooked dinner onto our tables on our busy nights, without relying on fast or processed food.  We're talking 10 minutes from start to table on those nights - really, really fast food.  For those nights, we're both learning that our crockpots are a Godsend in the kitchen and worth every inch of counter space they eat up. 

Now that I'm starting to feel comfortable with my time-crunched dinner time demands, my mind has been wandering to other possibilities in making healthier meals.  I've been hearing so many horrifying things about the way some scary processes have become standard in our country's meat supply, that I've been trying to figure out a way to incorporate natural - and affordable - meat into my home.  This might involve eating more venison (thank you, Dad!) and less purchased meat.  Which might mean that my cowboy of a boyfriend will make faces when our plates have lots of colorful veggies and very little brown meat.  It might also involve finding out how to purchase meat from local, co-op ranchers in my area.  Which might involve my having to purchase a separate freezer to store it... 

Sigh.  Lots of things to consider and figure out.  But, that old adage really does hold some truth - "You are what you eat."





Are you doing anything to healthy-up your groceries and meals?  Do you have any tips or stand-by recipes that might help the rest of us make some baby steps without breaking the bank?

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Season 2 begins April 12 (on ABC at 8pm).

Bo's Famous Sangria

I decided to pretend that I was spending Spring Break on a warm and beautiful island, with nothing to do but read fluff books while balancing a delicious and fruity drink in my hand.  I also pretended to be ultra thin and tan and wearing the most flattering bikini ever.  Alas, I was only able to make the drink part a reality.  Sigh.

Ok, back to earth and this recipe - What's important to know is that while I do not like red wine, I love this Sangria.  You also need to know that it makes a lot - about 2 gallons' worth.  We like to make it in a cooler with a spout, so that it's portable, stays chilled, and doesn't make a mess when poured.  You can also mess with the amounts and kinds of fruit, and you'll pretty much never go wrong.

Enjoy!



Bo's Famous Sangria
1 1/3 c. Apricot Brandy
2 L. cheap Merlot (yes, cheap)
1 1/3 c.Triple Sec
12 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate
1/2 c. lemon juice
3/4 c. orange juice
2/3 c. sugar
2 lemons, sliced
2 oranges, sliced
2 limes, sliced
2 nectarines or apricots, sliced
1/2 pint strawberries, sliced
5 c. 7-Up or Sprite

Combine all ingredients except 7-Up and stir to dissolve sugar. Refrigerate overnight.  Stir in 7-Up just before serving.  Makes ~2 gallons.

It doesn't look as pretty in a plastic cooler, but it's so
much more convenient to haul around.

Cheers!

Happy Spring Break

We're taking a little break this week here at the Blah Blog.  Mellisa will be out doing fun things with her family, and Sara will be wishing she were on some tropical beach instead of sitting in a gray cubicle, wearing cardigans and uncomfortable shoes.

Wish you I were here!

Irish Soda Bread

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I decided to venture out and make something Irish and festive for you.  The funny thing is  - and I realized this as I pulled the bread out of the oven - I've never actually had soda bread.  I have no idea what it even tastes like.  Hmmmmm... I'm not sure what the thought process behind my choice was other than, "Ooh!  Something to bake!  I have all the ingredients!"  Lucky for me (get it? lucky?), Bo is actually half Irish, so he's had soda bread made by his Irish mom.  Phew!  A resident expert at my beck and call!  Ok, so Bo claims that this bread is good, and I agree.  It does have great flavor.  It's kind of like a biscuit in texture, and definitely crumbly.  I don't know that I'll be making it again, but it was fun and now I have something yummy to toast for breakfast tomorrow.

Enjoy!

Easy Irish Soda Bread

adapted from Allrecipes

• 
  

4 c. all-purpose flour

4 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. buttermilk

1 egg

1/2 c. raisins
2 Tbsp. butter, melted

2 Tbsp. buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a large baking sheet.  In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Cut in the butter with a knife or a pastry blender. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk, the egg, and the raisins. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round  and flatten a little, and then place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.  Brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.  Bake 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Let's talk about this butter for a moment.  It's Honey Browned Butter.  Have you ever made browned butter?  It's one of the most amazing smells on the planet, trust me.  And then you add in honey - yum.  And then a sprinkle of sea salt - yum.  I'm pretty sure that you could slather this stuff on brussel sprouts and they'd be better than dessert.  Ok, almost.  Dessert is pretty sacred with me.  The recipe for the butter is here on Smitten Kitchen.

Also?  Please tell me that I'm not the only one who's made a recipe for something she's never even tasted?  What have you done that was completely unknown?  Was it amazing or did it bomb on ya?