Amazing Gelato!!

By Nancy Smorch, Foodie Bitch

I LOVE a good ice cream or gelato, but when I really looked at the ingredients of many of the ice creams and gelatos available, I sadly had to forgo eating them.  I had never paid much attention to the ingredients before going gluten free.  Then I HAD to read the ingredients and ask questions.  And I found a lot of ingredients in frozen desserts that I really wasn’t too excited about – the lists of ingredients were really long, had a ton of artificial colors and flavors, were sweetened with corn syrup, and had a number of ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce.  I missed my frozen treats – until I came across Talenti Gelato.  First of all, I was so impressed that their ingredient list is only, on average 4 or 5 ingredients – that alone was a great sign.  Then when I noticed that a majority of them were gluten free, I was so excited – why should ice cream and gelato contain gluten anyway (unless it has cookies or cakes or some other treats added, of course)?  And, then the ones that got me really excited, is that they don’t use corn syrup (which unfortunately so many frozen desserts do), and that the milk they use is hormone free.  The results of the careful sourcing of ingredients and higher standards for technique and process are Gelatos you can truly appreciate and feel good about eating.  Thank you Talenti for demanding the best for your products and for your customers!!!

Finding Inspiration for Gardening and Food

By Nancy Smorch, Foodie Bitch

I recently picked up The Heirloom Life Gardener, by the founders of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Jere and Emilee Gettle.  Now I can’t wait to order my heirloom seeds and am so excited to taste the uniqueness and great taste of what they produce.  Baker Creek sells only heirloom seeds in an attempt to preserve agricultural and culinary heritage – from around the world.  All of their seeds are non GMO, non-hybrid, non-treated, and non-patented.  I love their vision and determination to spread the word about heirloom seeds and to encourage others to grow and provide food for their families and friends.  My challenge with Baker Creek?  How to narrow down my selection of seeds to order!!!!  A few that are definitely on the list though, are Chocolate Stripes Tomatoes and Bronze Beauty Lettuce.  Not only are they pieces of art in themselves, but their description leaves my  mouth watering.

In the early part of their book they talk about attending Sotheby’s Auction House in New York City where they are auctioning off crates of heirloom vegetables – asking price was $1,000!  Hopefully events such as this will increase public awareness of heirloom seeds and how important it is to carry on the farming of these seeds – to make sure we don’t loose them to the large agricultural companies and patented seeds.  And, hopefully their book will encourage others to take the plunge into gardening these amazing vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  I have grown some of their tomato seeds, and I can say from first hand experience that they are as delicious as they are beautiful!!!

Peruse their website, www.rareseeds.com – but don’t be surprised if you get lost in it for hours!

It’s Citrus Season in Florida

 

By Nancy Smorch, Foodie Bitch

I just drove to The Villages here in Florida to go to Fresh Market – they have such a great produce selection and it always inspires me.  Their display of citrus particularly caught my eye – it’s always fun to try new varieties of citrus.  Today I picked up some Honey Tangerines.  Since I love honey, I had to pick some up.  They were pretty good – although a little “dry”.  Maybe it was the particular Tangerine I picked out.  I will have to give them another try – but the flavor was very good.  Here’s a recipe to try that may help get you in the spirit of citrus season – and, if it’s been a little cloudy and cold where you are, then this will surely spark up your day – and it’s full of great nutrients!

The Sunshine Drink

In a blender (Vitamix is the best) mix the following (be sure to use organic ingredients, if possible):

2 cups orange juice (I use Uncle Matt’s Organic – it’s the best)

1 banana

2 large carrots (no need to peel, just clean them and cut off the ends)

Enough ice to make it the consistency you like (I use about 1 cup)

Pour and enjoy!  The brilliant orange/yellow color will automatically brighten your day!

Alice Waters and Mikhail Baryshnikov together on Sundance Channel’s “Iconoclast”

By Nancy Smorch, Foodie Bitch

Although the quality of the video isn’t the greatest, it gives you a tease of the rest of the show which you can buy on iTunes:  Season 2, Episode 2 of Iconoclast.  It beautifully combines two of my passions:  food and dance.  But there’s so much more than that going on.  Alice Waters (chef and founder of Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkley, California, and the Edible Schoolyard Project) and Mikhail Baryshnikov (legendary dancer and founder of New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center) both talk about their inspirations and their paths to where the are today.  It was such an inspiration for me in terms of food, creativity, and community.  Dinner and dancing, anyone?