Local Foods

In order for our society to reduce oil prices, and end reliance on various different countries, we need to begin supporting our local farmers. Not only does this give the growers business or helps you to eat healthier, but it also ties you to community and the land you live on. About a month ago I went, along with my parents, to an event in Napa, California where we spent the whole day sampling and eating foods from farmers in my county.

The event was at Copia, The America Center of Wine, Food and Arts. This day was one of the most fun and interesting days of my life. I first went to a cooking show put on by one of my mom’s best friends who owns a chain of steak house restaurants throughout northern California. I watched her prepare meat in various ways and was able to sample her delicious creations. I then went to a tomato sampling, where I received six different types of tomatoes before me. I first had to look at the tomatoes, then smell them and categorize them by what I smelled. Lastly, I ate them and realized how differently the varieties actually taste.



The next thing I did was go to an amazing six-course meal feast. This was probably one of the freshest meals I have ever had. All the food was grown or raised in my county. I never realized how much various agricultural growth goes on so close to me. Following the dinner, I ended with a cheese sampling. We received six morsels of cheese, all paired along with a sample of wine. It was very interesting to listen to a woman talk endlessly about cheese, how different cheeses are made, and how broadly you can incorporate cheese into meals.



Spending this day at Copia really broadened my understanding and appreciation of food. It allowed me to see the amazing and delicious food that is growing around me. I now have a greater appreciation of the farmers in my area and all the work they put into nurturing these amazing foods.

Eating from the Land

This week in class we took a field trip down to the University of Washington “Farm”. On this small plot of land there are dozens of different plants of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers wonderfully growing. It was nice to see fresh and healthy food straight from the ground as opposed to the processed dorm food I’m now used to.

Being on the “farm” reminded me a lot about being back in my hometown Of Winters, CA. It is a small 14,000 person town located about an hour from the state capital of California, Sacramento. At home, I have the gift of being able to go out into my family garden during different times of the year and get fresh tomatoes, peppers, rosemary, basil, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, pomegranates, or walnuts. However, I used to take all this for granted. Now that I am in this more urban environment where I have less control of what I’m eating in the dorms, I realize how lucky I was to be able to go right out my back door, pick a few ripe, red tomatoes and basil, and made a delicious tomato, basil, and mozzarella platter. There is nothing like homegrown tomatoes, freshly picked, still warmed from the sun.



Now that I have realized how gratifying it is to eat something home grown, I know I will always have to have a little garden of my own, packed with various fruits and veggies. Next time I’m home, I can promise I will be in the garden right away, picking the various foods of the season.

Ramen

I have recently discovered one of my new favorite foods since I have been a student here at UW. I owe my new discovery to the movie “Tampopo” we watched in class this past week. Ramen… it is simply amazing.

Since living in the dorms I have gotten to experience the joys of dorm food. However, I don’t think I am quite the biggest fan of the processed meals of Café 1101. In hopes to search out some new, tasty cuisine, I embarked on a walk down the Ave. When I came across a noodle restaurant, I wanted to go in and try it out since we had just watched the movie in class. I sat down and ordered the standard noodle dish with chicken instead of pork. Let me tell you that it was one of the best meals I have had in a while. Previously, I have eaten the typical “Top Ramen” or “Cup of Noodles” but those do not even come close to the ramen I had at this restaurant. It was fresh, full of flavor, and very authentic. I know I will be making many visits back to the restaurant to get a break from the café’s hefty meatloaf, nachos, or cheese tortellini.

Lunch time

I know for my parents, as well as many other parents across the country, making school lunches is a mundane, everyday chore that is simply a hassle in the early mornings as they are trying to hurry themselves along to get to work. However, for the elite women of the Japanese culture, it is a form of art that reflects strongly upon them and the future of their child.



An obento box is an elaborate tradition of Japanese culture. They are boxed lunches mothers make for their preschool aged children. The mother creates a meal for their child that is much more than just nutritious, it is a work of art that requires thought and creativity.

There are many rules that go into making obentos. Everything must be made into bite-sized pieces, all the food needs to be neatly organized in the box, and the colors are supposed to contrast against each other and pop. Most importantly, the little preschooler has to finish his whole obento box because it reflects upon both the child and his mother who prepared it.

This tradition is much different than the standard paper bag lunch I was used to growing up. Everyday I would receive the all-American PB and J sandwich along side my apple slices, crackers, and little bag of cookies accompanied with either a water, Gatorade, or Capri-Sun beverage. Although mine was nutritious and tasty, it does not quite measure up to the beauty and art of the obento.

Food and Family

Growing up, I have always been surrounded by a large family. One of the things that brings us all together is food. On average, I probably have about one meal a week with my extended family. Every meal we have together is never simple or small, it is extravagant, fresh, and very gourmet. I personally, would not want this to be any other way.

I love going over to my grandparent’s house because I know there will be a delicious homemade meal in the making. Upon my arrival, I immediately wash my hands and get down to business in the kitchen along side my grandmother. It is a great way for us to connect and communicate. We have many traditions together such as making Portuguese Sweet Bread during the holiday season and peach cobbler in the summer. This bond we have formed while in the kitchen has developed into my strong interest in food and an idea of a possible career in my future.



Food is one of the strongest parts of life that helps me connect with others around me. Like MFK Fisher wrote, our three basic needs are food, security, and love, and they are all intermingled. These three aspects of life directly parallels to my relationship with my family and our common interest of tasty cuisine.