This is the first of what I hope will be a weekly roundup to share links, articles & recipes gleaned from my varied RSS feeds. Basically this is my chance to share things that have caught my eye as I do my daily reading of feeds in my Google Reader. I subscribe to a number of varied sites via RSS so I stumble across tasty bits from all over the place! If you have a favorite site you don't see mentioned feel free to let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping in and please enjoy these morsels on the house!
News
Crop Freezes in Mexico Affect Grocery Prices
The last couple of weeks have brought unexpectedly low temperatures to the growing region of Sinaloa, Mexico. As a result, many growers have experienced crop loss of up to 80 or even 100%. Not all growers and crops have been affected, but the industry is nervous and wary of significant price hikes in the coming weeks.
NPR: Study: Most Plastics Leach Hormone Like Chemicals
Many plastic products are now marketed as BPA-free, and manufacturers have begun substituting other chemicals whose effects aren't as well known.[. . .]
The new study doesn't look at health risks. It simply asks whether common plastic products release estrogen-like chemicals other than BPA.
Farmers & Farming
Fresh Goat Milk, Dead Wood and Dubious Neighbors
Dairy goats are becoming the next frontier for some urbanites eager to produce their own food. Although the animals are illegal in many cities, including New York, Ms. Kooy unearthed a San Francisco health department clause that allows two goats per household, and aspiring goat-keepers in Portland, Ore., and Berkeley, Calif., have been thrilled to discover similar goat-friendly ordinances. In other cities, enthusiasts are lobbying for more-lenient regulations.
North Quarter Farm: Farming Bison to Build Back a True American Breed
Meet Edwin Tuccio, a bison farmer on North Quarter Farm in Riverhead, Long Island. He’s been raising bison for over 30 years, joining a small movement of passionate farmers to help bring the breed back to healthy numbers across the country. Right now, it’s good to be a bison farmer. There’s a growing demand for the meat, prices have doubled, and there’s a lot more interest in the food community, something Ed attributes to the changing American diet. Not only are more people concerned with eating healthier, but they are becoming more adventurous about their food, and his bison meat, considered “an exotic” under state and federal law, presents a perfect option for many reasons.
In New Food Culture Young Generation of Farmers Emerges
Mr. Jones, 30, and his wife, Alicia, 27, are among an emerging group of people in their 20s and 30s who have chosen farming as a career. Many shun industrial, mechanized farming and list punk rock, Karl Marx and the food journalist Michael Pollan as their influences. The Joneses say they and their peers are succeeding because of Oregon’s farmer-foodie culture, which demands grass-fed and pasture-raised meats.
Products, Websites, Apps
Zeer is a new site (still in beta) that allows a user to enter a product name or UPC code and see the ingredient and nutritional information for free. For a monthly fee of $4.95 the site also offers a "Select" service geared towards special diets i.e. Gluten-Free so you can be absolutely sure which products are safe. Not sure I'd pay for something like this but it looks interesting. They currently have a database of about 30,000 products that is regularly updated.
Breaking the Bread Code
This site has lots of good articles but this particular one is good to bookmark for the handy chart that tells you the color codes for the tags on bread in most supermarkets. The color of the tag tells you which day the bread was baked so you can get the freshest loaf. (Or the oldest if you want to use it for say, French toast, Panzanella, stuffing or to make into bread crumbs!)
Food storage is one of those conundrums if you are trying to eliminate plastic in your household. This makes me very happy to read!
Snapware Glasslock's Steel & Glass Lids They are slated to be out this summer. No mention of price point yet though.
Recipes
Please note: Most of the recipes I bookmark for this diary will be meatless as I personally am reducing my meat consumption. Keeping an eye out for tasty looking new recipes is a great way to get excited about eating meatless!
Red & Black Rice With Leeks & Pea Tendrils
The Best Baked Spinach
Creamy Tofu Dressing
Senegalese Curried Carrot Soup
Coconut Vegetable Rice Pilaf with Peppercorns
Baked Wheat Bulgur with Sweet Potatoes and Almonds
Rustic Potato and Caramelized Onion Tart
Muhammara
In case you're wondering it's a spicy middle-eastern dip made with red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate molasses;)