Cookbooks, shmookbooks

Admittedly, I am a novice when it comes to cooking. I am the type who follows recipes but am slowly becoming more confident in creating my own. With the vast array of foods available, it increases my options even more but it also can be quite confusing. For example, I have millet and lentils and I have no idea what to do with them. I've tried quinoa and that's pretty tasty but with millet, I honestly have no clue.

And not to mention produce, I have never quite figured out how to use eggplant. It sure is pretty to look at but when I cooked with it before, it was, well, not very tasty to say the least. Sure, I love going to farmers markets but once I get home, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out how to use the produce in a week before it all spoils.

So where does everyone find their recipes? Do you have any favorite websites? Cookbooks? Family favorites? Or are you just one of those Rachael Ray types that thinks up recipes, doesn't measure anything and it comes out awesome. If you are, please respond to this post!

Photo by Rene S.

Buying organic?

According to the Environmental Working Group, there are 12 types of produce that contain the most pesticides and should be purchased as organic.

Labeled as the "Dirty Dozen" these items are apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, imported nectarines, imported grapes, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, domestic blueberries, lettuce and kale/collard greens.

The EWG also lists certain types of produce as the "Clean 15", which contain the least amount of pesticides. These items are onions, sweet corn, pineapple, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mangoes, eggplant, domestic cantaloupe, kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes,grapefruit and mushrooms.

What types of organic produce do you buy? Do you find it's worth the extra money?

Photo by Natalie Maynor

Valentine's Day in Ann Arbor: what people are saying about the romantic holiday

What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

Ann Arbor is abuzz with the thoughts of candy, flowers and love (at least for most people). Here's a look at what's being talked about around town about the holiday.

Going loco for local food

For the past month or so, I've been doing a lot of research regarding the local food movement. From what I've seen, it seems that everyone has the same thing in common: they want fresh, safe food and they want to know where it's coming from.

With an ever-growing number of farmers market vendors, CSA's and restaurants supporting local agriculture, it's hard to keep track of the vendors, know what to cook and even how to cook it. I am a vegetable lover, but I honestly get quite confused with the vast array of produce that is available. Where should one even begin?

With this blog, I'd like to get an idea of what everyone else does, share some ideas, even some recipes. What farmers markets do you shop at? Do you participate in a CSA? Do you own a hoophouse? Where do you get your recipes?

I look forward to hearing from you and sharing your insights, ideas and recipes in the near future!