01 October 2007
How far can you make a bag of free bread go? S and I took a grab bag of day old bread from French Meadow, right before they closed for the night, and it turns out that it can go pretty far. Saturday morning we had french toast from thick slices of ciabatta (with homemade maple-apple sauce and almonds -- delicious!), for lunch we had baguette sandwiches; there was peanut butter toast on Sunday, and this morning I managed to work the last bit into my breakfast:
Because it's only been in the last year that I've really got into cooking meals, I'm still fascinated by the way my tastes change with the seasons. I think when you live on a diet of boxed or ready meals, the seasons sort of come and go without making any difference, but that's not so when you're standing in front of a stove.
Last winter and spring were all about big batches of soup to last the week and full plates that held a variety of foods. Over the summer, I simplified, and I ate a lot of sandwiches and wraps and veggie burgers -- paired with a lot of fruit smoothies.
But this is what I've been craving lately:
Tempeh, mushrooms, zucchini, and black beans, with cooked kale and chard. And mashed (white) sweet potatoes. The photo's not great, due to steam and a cloudy day, but it basically amounts to a hot salad. I swear I could eat this once a day, every day, for at least a few weeks. Change out the sweet potatoes for any other starch, but the greens and the protein are magic together. And, of course, it's ridiculously easy to throw together.
I bought chard from the supermarket for the first time in months -- the garden is slowing down. I've actually suddenly got quite a few tomatoes sitting on my window sill, along with a red pepper; I think roast tomato soup might be on the menu tomorrow. One of my butternut squashes mysteriously disappeared last week (mischievous animal or mischievous child?), so I'm keeping a close eye on the other two that are thisclose to being ready to pick. Because squashes are definitely autumn eating.
Hmmm...hope you catch your squash snatcher. The food looks yummy, as always.
posted by sara at October 1, 2007 10:59 PM
I know what you mean! I think because it's getting cooler, my body's saying, quick stuff large amounts of greens and proteins into me. now. hurry. and it's very delicious all mixed up.
posted by kim at October 3, 2007 02:03 PM
Wow. That looks great. I haven't tried Zucchini or Squash in a very long time, so you have inspired me to try it again.
And I agree about the "fall/winter." It doesn't get very cool here, but I still do hearty dishes.
posted by Jamie at October 7, 2007 01:34 PM
Oh Anna, what may be "ridiculously easy" for you to throw together is still somewhat difficult for some of us. Unfortunately. I sure wish I had your creative flare in the kitchen.
:-)
posted by Jenny at October 11, 2007 02:05 AM
that meal looks incredible, very rustic and exactly waht I want on this rainy day. yum!
posted by Jessica at October 11, 2007 08:49 PM