Archive | December, 2007

I Do, on Occasion, Cook Things Besides Risotto たまに、僕はリゾット以外のものを料理する

24 Dec

Apple and Spice Marinade for Pork Tenderloin

3 pork tenderloins (about 1300 grams)
about 2 cups apple juice
about 3/4 cup amber lager
about 1/2 cup apple vinegar
juice of one lemon
Tabasco sauce, to taste
about 8 whole cloves
2 whole bay leaves or about 3/4 teaspoon ground bay leaves
1/2 tablespoon whole cardamom seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
4 cloves garlic, crushed and quartered
2 Mandarins, sliced laterally
about 1 1/2 tablespoons honey

  1. Combine all ingredients except pork in a large bowl.
  2. Pour half the marinade into an airtight, sealable plastic container. Lay in the pork and then pour in the remaining marinade. Make sure the Mandarin slices, cloves, and cardamom seeds are evenly distributed throughout the container.
  3. Refrigerate for up to four hours, then pat pork dry and sear, broil, or grill until done.

Almond Joy Eggnog

(more…)

Rice as Self, Corn as Nonentity: Thoughts on Food Identity and Culture Inspired by The Omnivore’s Dilemma

22 Dec

You have to wonder why we Americans don’t worship this plant as feverishly as the Aztecs; like they once did, we make extraordinary sacrifices to it.

(Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma)

corn.jpg

I mentioned in my previous post that I am currently reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan’s universally acclaimed investigative expose/focused history/personal travelogue about food production in the United States. I recently finished the first part, which tells the sordid story of how corn came to be so ubiquitous in American food and other consumer products, often in sneaky and perturbing ways.

The book has its flaws, but so far I am very impressed with just how detailed and revealing Pollan’s account of King Corn’s coup d’etat has been. Specifically, the way he tracks and synthesizes various cultural, biological, economic, and especially political developments that all have led to corn’s rather ridiculously powerful grip on the United States foodscape is engrossing. It’s an excellent work of literary journalism, and more than that, it’s a brilliant work of food scholarship.

One of Pollan’s most interesting points about corn comes early on in the book, when he discusses how the Aztecs associated themselves and their culture with maize so strongly that they called themselves the “corn people.” (more…)

NRS09: Corn and Crab Risotto 玉蜀黍と蟹リゾット

9 Dec

09a.jpg09b.jpg

After just reading part one of The Omnivore’s Dilemma this week, maybe I should feel a little guilty about enjoying this corn-packed risotto as much as I did. But then again, I am in Japan, so I’m probably not supporting the disturbingly powerful American corn complex. (Or maybe I am? Who knows where that corn came from!?) At any rate, this risotto was awesome – awesome to the max!!! Please enjoy.

09c.jpg

Corn and Crab Risotto (more…)

NRS06/NRS07/NRS08: Risotto of Wisconsin Meibutsu/Sage-Acorn Squash Risotto with Pancetta/Saison and Camembert Risotto ウィスコンシン州名物風味リゾット・セージ味カボチャとパンチェッタのリゾット・セーゾンとカマンベールのリゾット

2 Dec

These past two weeks, the viking was on vacation. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get the appropriate amount of new risottos! That’s right – since I went AWOL for two Sundays in a row, this Sunday I’m making up for it with not one, not two, but three brand new risottos!

The first pays tribute to various meibutsu (local specialties) from my home state of Wisconsin; namely, wild rice, cranberries, beer, butter, and cheese. Please enjoy the creamy tang of real Wisconsin-made aged Cheddar and young Colby bound together with rustic wild rice and a light burst of cranberry sweetness. I made this for my extended family, so the recipe here is good for about nine people as opposed to the usual two.

06.jpg

Risotto of Wisconsin Meibutsu (more…)

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 59 other followers