backyard grub

Slow Food

My local Slow Food Convivium met Sunday. Lots of interesting people in our group: chefs, farmers, a citrus grower, and a woman who owns an olive grove in Tuscany. Somehow I managed to get myself on the program committee, and we already have some interesting things lined up: next month is a potluck featuring seasonal, locally-grown ingredients; and the first weekend of May we will volunteer to support the farm tour benefitting the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. We are encouraging people to buy tickets to visit a number of nearby farms to see how their food is produced-- and to support small, local, family-owned farms.

And, as chair of the program committee, I am working to arrange a visit to that Tuscan olive grove...

Now that spring's here, my personal Strawberry Watch 2004 is on. I am calling three farms, all within 20 minutes of my condo, several times a week, hoping to hear the word that it's time to pick. Let's hope strawberry season doesn't get rained out like last year!

Chocolate in Boston

I never thought it would happen. Ever.

I have reached a point of saying, "thank you, I've had enough chocolate."

Hell has frozen over!

This happened while I was in Boston recently, taking the Chocolate Tour.

First stop was at Top of the Hub, where I had a chocolate-pear mousse and a beautiful view of the Boston skyline.

Second stop was at the Parker House Hotel, home of the original Boston Cream Pie, which is a completely different thing than that imitation you find in local grocery stores. It was just wonderful. By the way, I sat at the table where JFK proposed to Jackie.

Last stop-- and please don't think three isn't enough, because I was already full after the Boston Cream Pie-- last stop was at Le Meridien, in the financial district. They have a chocolate buffet. We had 45 minutes to eat all we could eat. The buffet was fabu: chocolate tarts, chocolate mousse, creme brulee, chocolate pecan pie, crepes made to order with your choice of fruit, candy, chopped chocolate, and liqueurs. Then there were chocolate-dipped strawberries and dried apricots dipped in white chocolate (and not that fake stuff). I had the chocolate bread pudding, made with croissants.

Not only had I had enough chocolate, I couldn't eat anything for the rest of the day.

The tour is $60, gives you a nice overview of what's in Boston, and it certainly is delicious. My only disappointment was that I didn't have an opportunity to buy chocolate. The tour is only held during winter months.