Grab a cup of milk, soda, tea, coffee, wine, beer, a G & T. Pick your poison and get comfy. This is going to be a long one. I feel like I need to lay out where I’m coming from so what’s to come will make sense. I promise my future posts won’t be as wordy. Here we go!
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Who I (we) are: Sarah (32) stay-at-home wife and mom. Likes lots of stuff, and loves black pepper and sweet tea (but not in combination. At least I don't think so). Does not like mushrooms, mango, coffee, wine, or liver. Brian (31) software engineer/professional nerd. Brian likes most foods including sweet tea (I converted him!), but does not like mushrooms, olives, pickles, black pepper (which is an issue), coffee, wine (especially red) or most citrus dishes. Lillian (almost 15 months) super sweet little girl and the light of my life. Lillian has yet to meet a food she doesn’t like. She’s allergic to kiwis.
How I learned to cook/prepare food: As a cook, I don’t have too much breadth or depth, but I’ve picked up techniques along the way and have my favorite recipes. I’ve learned from my Mom, kiddie cooking class through the local rec center as a kid, Girl Scouts, Food Network (Sandwich King is sexy), cookbooks, cooking magazines (a little mainstream, but I eagerly await my Food Network magazine each month), trial-and-error/guess-and-check, my job at Entrée Vous, and Lori Keiper (I worked with her at EV and she is a great cook).
What I cook: I am not a foodie or gourmet cook. I’m lazy. Sloppy Joes made w/Manwich Bold and some fruit salad is OK. I’m even guilty of having tater tots instead of fruit. I like salads but often negate their overall nutritional value by adding stuff like blue cheese dressing and croutons. That said, Brian does cook a mean grilled pork tenderloin, we love grilled fish tacos, roasted veggies, and the usual favorites of tacos, spaghetti, assorted casseroles, breakfast food, etc. I have a great granola recipe, and putting that on some Greek yogurt is a super yummy breakfast or snack.
My kitchen equipment: I have a flat top stove, but would love a gas one. I like to grill outside, but since our neighbors are ghetto and their yards/decks don’t look very good, it’s more stressful to cook outside and see that mess than to just use my handy dandy grill pan. Also, there are less mosquitoes. I have a few fun gadgets and the basic skillets, pots, pans, knives. I’m open to getting some new things throughout the summer if I need ‘em. That includes new neighbors. Or a new house away from our current neighbors (we actually are actively house-hunting).
Why am I doing this? 1) We need to eat more fresh foods and expand our recipe/technique/ingredient repertoire. 2) I really hate throwing away food, so I am *going* to find a way to use everything in my box. It will force me to be creative. 3) I like the idea of supporting local farmers. I chose this particular share because it was recommended to me, and I also know one of the participating famers. He did some great work at the High Point Museum when I worked there, often donating his skills and time teaching Colonial dancing, or working on or demonstrating the loom. It’s good to help him and his family’s farm.
So there you have it. Take or leave it. However, I hope you choose to ~take~ some new ideas and maybe ~leave~ some of your own! If you're getting a farm box this summer, I'd love to post how you used your items! Just drop me an email or a Facebook message and I'll try to post it. Cheers!
