There IS something I miss about the states.
I wandered in to the local grocer on the Oregon Coast and observed this display of peppers. In December. Far greater offerings were available in Portland stores and ... well in California, what can I say. Whole sections of the market. Whole markets, in fact...
I'm preparing to plant seeds soon for my own potager. I have a little green room of sorts, what do you think ... can I grow them year round? Investigation to follow.
Of course there was that great idea about smoking them. Have to consider that too. (And no, Randal, I'm not talking about the inhaling kind ... )
I did bring back two 4 pound bags of Maseca (masa harina for you gringos) which will serve in the short term for tortillas. And I found Chipotle cubes!!! come in little boxes like bouillon cubes but they are chipotle spice and can be used as a rub on meats, etc. I only got 2 boxes so will be sending out requests for more via post.
So funnily enough, in the land of haute cuisine the one thing I do miss are the cooking products I'd taken for granted living in the western U.S.
not a bad compromise for my new life. by a long shot.
10 comments:
I have noticed that too about France, but what you have to remember is that in France you are usually eating what is in season right, so much healthier (and greener) in the long run. We have just been spoilt living in North America. Good luck with the potager - keep us posted.
As Le Framéricain is wont to say, "Tu n'en fou de la cuisine! And, I suppose that it is true. So, it may come in handy for making the transition with a modicum of cravings.
I agree with softinthehead. Michael Pollan is lobbying the new commander in chief to pay attention to the carbon footprint of running chilis out of season.
Who knows, maybe the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave will start eating vegetables "in season" and keeping Victory gardens instead of trophy spas.
Welcome back to your new life in this new year. I'll be visiting you in virtual reality regularly and, hopefully, en chair et en os in the not-too-distant future.
Amitiés,
Tu t'en fou...
mes amies, nous avons raison ...
thus I will attempt to grow my own year round (at least chilis and cilantro, my 2 most missed ingredients) ... in other news I am quite enjoying eating seasonally and locally. I've been introduced to a few veg I hadn't tasted before.
I never felt TOO guilty re: my chilis, avocados and such on the west coast as they were considered fairly local.
I didn't inhale.
You should definitely try growing some of those suckers, but in-season is the way to go. And local. One CAN eat good that way, just have to put forth a smidgen of effort.
And who knows, in a few years, perhaps you'll have your own Tortillas à l'Amérique restaurant over in Frenchville.
I think we are made to always feel somewhat dissatisfied with where we are. When I was in Scotland I missed TexMex now I'm back in Texas I miss Black Pudding and Yorkshires...it's the nature of the beast. Keeps us creative, see look at you coming up with ways to satisfy your needs which, who knows, might just change the face of French cuisine.
Work that American food, Own that American food. ;-)
I always get confused when Americans talk about peppers. I think they mean Chillies. I love both, btw.
To me, the delicious things in your photo are known as Capsicums. I've got about six varieties growing in my garden at present, as well as chillies.
I've never had luck growing either of them in our temperate winters, so it will be interesting to see how you go with the Green house.
I never paid any attention to where food came from before I came here, except maybe at farmer's markets and such. It does seem healthier - still, sometimes I miss the variety. We'd grow our own but since we're too disorganized to even get to La Rhue on time (I am so sorry! At least we got to see you in the parking lot) they probably wouldn't make it...
http://www.masdudiable.com/A55C37/mdd.nsf/dx/chilli-peppers-for-2009.htm?opendocument&comments
Chillis she's growing in france and where she gets the seeds. Hope this helps. Felicity
Felicity-cool! thanks for the tip, I look forward to checking it out ...
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