Rachel's Table

My Local List

March 15, 2012 by rachelocal

Let’s give Delaware a break. Delaware gets a bad rap sometimes. The newest blight comes in the form of a Top 10 list that I’ve seen circulating Facebook. Unfortunately, Delaware was listed as the number 4 most miserable state to live in by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The index considers things like emotional well-being, education, physical health, and work environment. (But come on, New Jersey was listed as one of the best places to raise a child by the same people, […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Random • Tags: CSA, farmer's market, in season, LBR 614, local, locavore, produce stand, restaurants

An Eggsperiment

March 13, 2012 by rachelocal

Yeah, I went there. (Thanks to my darling husband for suggesting such a mind-blowingly smart title.) Weekends are for two things: sleeping and big breakfasts. Well, maybe only for big breakfasts if you have kids. I don’t, so I sleep in and then eat a big breakfast. This past weekend I decided to try a little experiment. Yes, with eggs. One egg was free range, pasture fed, hormone and antibiotic free. The other was the grocery store brand. Here are […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Recipes • Tags: eggs, farm to table, farmer's market, food, free range, in season, local, locavore, sustainable agriculture

The Lorax was a Locavore

March 11, 2012 by rachelocal

I took my niece Sarah to see The Lorax for her 10th birthday. I would like to say that in preparation for this environmentally-friendly movie, I prepared some treats using local ingredients and then sneaked them into the theater in my giant, but fashionable bag. I would like to say that, but instead I have to say that we visited the dollar store five minutes before the movie started and I let Sarah choose Swedish fish, Sprite, and pretzels. I then […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Random • Tags: food, high fructose corn syrup, in season, Joel Salatin, local, locavore, Polyface Farm, seasonal, sustainable agriculture, The Lorax

Local Asian Short Rib Tacos

March 10, 2012 by rachelocal

How can something be both local and Asian? Or for that matter, how can something be both Asian and tacos? Very easily in my kitchen. I try to make whatever I have on hand work; it’s how I came up with my famous Pasta (Because that’s the Only Thing in the Cupboard) with Sausage and Zucchini (Because that’s the Only Thing in the Fridge). Haven’t heard of it? I shall remedy that in a later post. This Asian taco recipe […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Random, Recipes, Winter Recipes • Tags: cabbage, farmer's market, food, in season, locavore, recipes, seasonal, short ribs

A Teaching Restaurant

March 8, 2012 by rachelocal

What does Seattle Grace of Grey’s Anatomy fame have in common with my favorite new place to eat, LBR 614? The former is a teaching HOSPITAL and the latter is a teaching RESTAURANT. (Thanks to Jimmie for the clever and cute reference.) I attended a class at LBR 614 last night, taught and hosted by Jeff and Jimmie (we’re on a first name basis now). The topic was “Restaurant Secrets,” and to my surprise, most of the discussion and questions […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Local Stores, Restaurant • Tags: Delaware, food, Grey's Anatomy, LBR 614, local, locavore, produce stand, restaurants

LBR 614: A Local Table

March 6, 2012 by rachelocal

Last night I learned a simple equation for an astonishingly good meal: 1 male model + 1 legislative aide (and new friend) + 2 cups of freshly pressed coffee + 1 executive chef + locally sourced ingredients = LBR 614. How does that add up? Read on. LBR 614 is a new restaurant, and I had the pleasure of chatting with Jimmie Sylvester (CEO, owner, and male model) and Jeffrey Bailey (Executive Chef, owner, and genius in the kitchen) at […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Restaurant • Tags: Delaware, farm to table, farmer's market, food, goat cheese, LBR 614, local, locavore, restaurants, seasonal

Going All the Way

March 5, 2012 by rachelocal

You know it’s not the growing season when you go to the farmer’s market and are thrilled (yes, thrilled, I’m not exaggerating) to find local cabbage. I snatched up a nice head of it and will share a recipe later this week. Seeing that lovely green ball of cabbage filled me with anticipation for April through September when so many fruits and vegetables will be available, right here in my part of the world. The cabbage also made me think […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Recipes • Tags: brandywine valley wine trail, Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, dubliner cheese, farmer's market, food, in season, local, locavore, produce stand, seasonal

Support a Farmer and Listen to a Band

March 2, 2012 by rachelocal

Greg and I were talking the other day. I would say that Greg is an acquaintance turned friend. Can you guess what we bonded about? Yup, local food. The night before, I was researching local farms and how I could score some produce. I knew that there was “this farm-share thing,” which is what I called it in my head. You know, where upfront you buy a share or a membership to a farm and in turn reap the benefits […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Random • Tags: Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, farmer's market, food, local, local farms food and jobs act

Serious about Yogurt

February 29, 2012 by rachelocal

I think it’s safe to say that I’m not a member of the Vegan Society. Yesterday I posted about beef and sausage sliders (yum) and today I’m serious about yogurt. Both not vegan. (If you are vegan, do not fear. I will be touting the glories of all things fruits and vegetables soon enough.) As I was eating breakfast this morning (yes, yogurt), I fought with myself over the fact that so soon in my blogging career I could not […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Random • Tags: farmer's market, food, local, locavore, vegan

Going Local without Going Overboard

February 28, 2012 by rachelocal

The selection at Whole Foods makes me swoon. Walking into a Wegman’s causes heart palpitations. When it comes to cuisine, I love variety and shopping for new, deliciously different ingredients. I’ve been thinking about it and this local thing is going to be hard. Right now in Delaware, there’s really nothing growing fresh. It’s February and the next vegetables aren’t set to pop up until April (see this handy availability chart). Honestly, that’s kind of depressing. Now if I was […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Recipes • Tags: farmer's market, food, local, locavore

Experimental Locavore

February 23, 2012 by rachelocal

Cherry tomatoes, public television, and a guy named John–that’s where this experiment started for me. Growing up in the south shore of Massachusetts I remember visiting the local produce stand with my mother–a weekly ritual, fraught with the pleasantness of routine and expectation. In the summer, I hoped that we would take the lovely red tomatoes home and immediately make tomato and cheese sandwiches. In the fall, I longed for gallons and gallons of fresh pressed apple cider. I’ve always loved […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Recipes • Tags: farmer's market, food, local, locavore, produce stand, public television