Weekend Links, Jan. 21

Kitchen window, snowy Monday afternoon. 

First things first – yesterday I posted an update on the famous Motley vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe. Since it was an update it won’t go out to email subscribers, but you’ll see it front and center right after this very post. I’m currently trying to decide whether I share the batch or keep it all for myself …

What does “natural” mean on food labels? (Spoiler: Not much.)

Clips from what appears to be a hilarious Japanese TV show in which people have to choose-by-biting which everyday items are made of candy and which aren’t.

The global food crisis explained in 18 graphics.

As part of an all together fascinating project called “Artist Residency in Motherhood,” a Pittsburgh conceptual artist asks mothers around the world to document their days.

And as part of my blossoming (heh heh) obsession with all things rose-flavored, these days I’m drinking this black tea with rose petals, from Oregon-based Townshend’s tea. Many thanks to my mother-in-law for this Christmas gift, and to Laurel for first introducing me to it last summer.

Madison folks, here are two awesome events to look forward to: Slow Food Madison’s First Annual Zymology Fest, and REAP’s 7th Annual Burgers & Brew. (Full disclosure, I volunteer with or work for both of those groups.)

Brett goes back to school today and I’m headed into a work push that will last for a couple of months, and between time constraints and trying to use up our remaining few winter CSA boxes, we’re trying to at least sketch out our meals for the week. As we do it, I’ll be sharing in our Weekend Links post.

• Smoked chicken thighs (peanut butter/curry slop), winter slaw, pinto beans
• Poached chicken thighs (poached instead of grilled because we’ll make a bit of stock with them), leftover pipián verde, pinto beans, corn tortillas
• Parsnip gratin with poached eggs and toast
• Brats and homemade sauerkraut
• Breakfasts: Granola and yogurt, toast from the whole wheat sandwich bread I made last week and froze, coffee shop purchases
• Lunches: leftovers or eating out
• Desserts: vegan chocolate chip cookies, whole wheat apple-cinnamon hand pies

I was also hoping to get some clam chowder in this week, but since we’ve been trying to go out more (both to try new places in Madison and to get out of the house during the winter), we don’t want to plan too much. That’ll have to wait until next week …

Weekend Links, Jan. 13

One of a few non-rainy moments – Xcalak, Yucatán, Mexico. 

Welcome back to Weekend Links! I stopped doing these weekly round-up posts when we left for our year of travel, but I’m feeling settled in again and heard from many people that they missed these weekly collections of links – news, recipes, interesting articles, and other notes – so they’re back! The plan is to post these every Monday, so welcome to your new (or returned) source of distraction for the beginning of the week.

Although deciding to return this week is not the best timing, considering we spent the last week without internet in The Yucatán (a woefully ill-fated trip including six days of cold and rain and bouts of both something flu-like and intense food poisoning, which was 100% our own fault), but here’s a small collection of notable links from the last month or so.

Speaking of our trip to Mexico, we were able to eat so little Mexican food while we were there that our quest for it here in Madison has doubled. Looking forward to eating here, as well as many of the places on this good round-up (from my friend Otehlia of Madison Eats) of local sources for Mexican food. We’ve been hitting Mercado Marimar on the weekends for some tacos and fresh tortillas (among many other things) and are gearing up to start making a lot of Mexican food at home in the coming weeks. (Stay tuned for a pepita pipián I’ll hopefully be posting later this week!)

Here I am, agreeing with Michael Ruhlman, once again. I’ve always thought touching food was really important in learning how to cook and in really engaging with the process.

So excited these guys got their Kickstarter. Can’t wait to buy my Ginger Brew in bottles! (Isn’t referring to something possessively one of the first signs of addiction? Hmm …)

Yet another sad but important story about how the hard-working farmworkers of the Central Valley (and most other places) can’t afford to buy the food they work so hard to produce.

Singing the praises of eggs. Right there with ya, Martha.

Madison folks, make sure to get your tickets for REAP’s Pizza Party, Jan. 26! Seriously – $10 for a buffet of pizzas from Salvatore’s, Osteria Papavero, Ian’s, and other amazing Madison pizza makers, all with locally-grown ingredients, plus salad and WiscoPop … how is that even a question? (pssst … Burgers & Brew tickets go on sale Saturday!) (Also I promise I won’t link to my work events every week.)

And just a note that I’m looking for more places to teach cooking classes, demonstrations, and workshops in Madison! If you have any thoughts or know anyone who might, let me know. Many thanks!