Going To Market - A Baked Egg & The Food Stamp Challenge
On Thursday, I went to the Farmers Market near my office and bought some shiitake mushrooms.
I picked up some beautiful flowers called Sweet William.
It was the first time that I used the market bag that I bought from the wonderfully talented and very cool blogger Amisha.
Since I wanted to use the mushrooms while they were very fresh, I decided to try a baked egg dish. I would have never thought of this in a million years, but I saw this recipe on one of my new favorite food blogs, Tastes Like Home.
I greased a ramekin and cracked an egg into it. I added some thyme, salt, pepper, and chopped mushrooms. I cracked another egg into the ramekin, added some more chopped mushrooms, and put some romano cheese on top.
I baked the egg in my toaster oven at 425 degrees for about twenty minutes.
When I took the egg out of the ramekin, it looked like a little muffin. Baked eggs would be nice for brunch, because they are so cute! And it tasted really good. It reminded me of both a boiled egg and a fried egg. I'll definitely make it again. It really felt like a nice treat. And you could add any herbs, spices, and vegetables that you like. It's a very versatile dish.
If you look at my right sidebar, under The Politics of Food, there is a link to the Food Stamp Challenge. I'll add it again here, so you can get to it quickly. I've been reading about how many of our Representatives have been taking this challenge. If you're not familiar with the challenge, it's choosing to only spend $3.00 a day on food, which is $21.00 for the week. This is the amount that people on food stamps are limited to. If you read the entries, you see the frustration and worry with trying to plan meals on that paltry amount. The Representatives are trying to raise awareness of the problem of hunger in America and hoping to increase the amount to something reasonable.
Click here for information about this farmers market logo.
I've also been reading many blogs and news articles, like the one here, about how we need to support our local farmers and that not supporting them is less than ideal. I definitely believe in sustainable agriculture and buying local, but I also have thought about how that can cause a fair amount of grief and guilt if you don't. Not everyone can afford to buy local or organic even though it's best. Cost is an issue. The mushrooms that I bought were $4.00. That is more than a days worth of food, basically four meals if you're on food stamps. Some food for thought...
Anali's First Amendment © 2006-2007. All rights reserved.
I picked up some beautiful flowers called Sweet William.
It was the first time that I used the market bag that I bought from the wonderfully talented and very cool blogger Amisha.
Since I wanted to use the mushrooms while they were very fresh, I decided to try a baked egg dish. I would have never thought of this in a million years, but I saw this recipe on one of my new favorite food blogs, Tastes Like Home.
I greased a ramekin and cracked an egg into it. I added some thyme, salt, pepper, and chopped mushrooms. I cracked another egg into the ramekin, added some more chopped mushrooms, and put some romano cheese on top.
I baked the egg in my toaster oven at 425 degrees for about twenty minutes.
When I took the egg out of the ramekin, it looked like a little muffin. Baked eggs would be nice for brunch, because they are so cute! And it tasted really good. It reminded me of both a boiled egg and a fried egg. I'll definitely make it again. It really felt like a nice treat. And you could add any herbs, spices, and vegetables that you like. It's a very versatile dish.
If you look at my right sidebar, under The Politics of Food, there is a link to the Food Stamp Challenge. I'll add it again here, so you can get to it quickly. I've been reading about how many of our Representatives have been taking this challenge. If you're not familiar with the challenge, it's choosing to only spend $3.00 a day on food, which is $21.00 for the week. This is the amount that people on food stamps are limited to. If you read the entries, you see the frustration and worry with trying to plan meals on that paltry amount. The Representatives are trying to raise awareness of the problem of hunger in America and hoping to increase the amount to something reasonable.
Click here for information about this farmers market logo.
I've also been reading many blogs and news articles, like the one here, about how we need to support our local farmers and that not supporting them is less than ideal. I definitely believe in sustainable agriculture and buying local, but I also have thought about how that can cause a fair amount of grief and guilt if you don't. Not everyone can afford to buy local or organic even though it's best. Cost is an issue. The mushrooms that I bought were $4.00. That is more than a days worth of food, basically four meals if you're on food stamps. Some food for thought...
Anali's First Amendment © 2006-2007. All rights reserved.
Comments
The Food Stamp Challange. Hmmm...I'd like to say that I'm willing to give it a shot. But the truth is, I wouldn't even know where to begin. I can spend over $3 in a heartbeat just on a coffee. Hell, I spend that at the little league consession stand. I can't even imagine attempting an entire meal for 3 people on 3 bucks. If you are able to accomplish this feat, please, let me know how you managed.
I have to agree with you about eating local, I am trying to do that more and more...I just returned from the market with a bunch of Ontario strawberries which are so nice nad sweet, I have to wonder why I was buying California-packed strawberries all these years?
I thought about doing the challenge, but I don't think I could do it. Or I guess I should be honest and say that I don't want to do it. If I had to, I'd have no choice.
nance - It's true. Unhealthy food is much cheaper. Pasta is cheap. Canned or frozen veggies are cheaper than fresh. It really is a matter of survival.
lotus reads - You're welcome! I did the same thing when I bought syrup. I usually buy the store brand and when I looked, it was made in Canada. Not that there's anything wrong with that! ; ) But then I noticed that there was syrup made in Vermont. It was more money, but I bought it instead. The only thing is that the price difference was really big. I think I'll have to go back to the store brand sometimes.
bipolarlawyercook - You're welcome! I'll have to read your post.
Also, the Sweet William is gorgeous, and I'll look for you to say hello in July! :)
I don't think I would be willing to try the food stamp challenge either. It's funny, I was just speaking about this the other day...we live in a society where there is a craze about losing weight and eating healthy. I agree with Nance wholeheartedly...we can't "afford" to eat that way! All low fat foods are expensive...and considering the switch to Splenda? Forget it! It costs nearly $7/bag!!! I could go on and on about it, but you kind of have to pick...eat healthy and go broke, or eat at a budget and get fat.
thanks
Shiitake mushroom are good, especially in cantonese / mandarin cooking.
I have been following the story on NPR about some of our reps doing the foodstamp challenge it is truly not easy.
Congress is thinking of changing the program for the better, which is a good thing.
Thank you for your post.
lotus reads - No offense taken! I'm not from California! ; ) LOL!
bipolarlawyercook - I'm glad you liked them!
karrie - Thanks! And I'm looking forward to seeing you too!
tera - The cost of Splenda is through the roof, but they've got me!
something fom me - Using big knifes always freaks me out a little, but this one cuts veggies so well!
mizrepresent - LOL! ; ) Thanks!
wheresmymind - I'll probably run into you one of these days!
sanjay - Thanks! I hope that there will be some changes for the better to this program.