lundi 22 février 2010

L'Idée a Germé

Lentil Sprout Handroll with Thick Chili Sauce and Pine Nuts

Sprouted Hummus with Lemon Flesh and Roasted Garlic



I think sprouting grains and beans is a great way to keep food tasting fresh and delicious in the winter. It adds a much needed taste of the garden and a sort of "new growth" texture to a seemingly frigid season. Many dishes lend themselves well to the newly developed sweetness of the sprout and they don't have to be raw: the gastronomical applications are endless.

vendredi 12 février 2010

Diastatic What?


What is that smell? Is it roasting cucumber? Is someone barbecuing a cantelope in my Kitchen? Jane is that you?
A couple of years ago, I read about a technique in bread making where one takes sprouted grain, lightly roasts it, and dehydrates it, grinding it into a flour and adding a small portion to bread recipes. The flour is supposed to help convert carbohydrates into sugars more easily digestable to yeast. At first it all seemed too much work for a layperson (non-baker) to go through for a good loaf of bread, but since my knowledge and practise of sprouting has taken off, I realized that it was time to give it a try. If not only for the joy of the ritual, but the bread that would result. The smell of the grain is intoxicating; sweet and fresh, it's not what most of us think of when we think of wheat. It is changing my whole perception of a grain - for the better.

lundi 8 février 2010

dimanche 7 février 2010

Winter Feast


While it may seem silly to start a blog about local food d'içitte during the winter (as there isn't much of it), I can't think of a more appropriate time to explore the riches of our land and find ways of creating much loved foods that are locally sourced. I cry a little bit inside when the only winter kale available at my grocer is from California. I am certain that we can make a real effort to eat locally during the winter, and in doing so, support local farmers and business people that are doing something good, remarkable, and even noble. In short, making it easier and even more enjoyable year after year.

Mushroom Apple Cheddar Sage Sourdough Pizza

Sprouted Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

Sourdough Beer Burger Buns