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Do You Belong to a CSA?

YumSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:45:20 -0800

The Atlantic finally broached a rather touchy question I have quietly wondered for a long, long time: are CSAs a ripoff? In case you aren't familiar with a CSA, short for "community supported agriculture," it's basically a service wherein you buy a subscription of locally grown or raised produce, eggs, or meat and receive a share every month. I know the concept furthers the idea of good, clean, and fair food - yet at the same time, I've always found the prices to be outrageous and, quite frankly, beyond my means. I'd rather just head to the farmers market. What about you?

Source: Flickr User erin.kkr

Simple Tip: Organize Your Grocery List by Section

partysugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:15:48 -0800

Although I thoroughly enjoy grocery shopping, I like to make my trips to the store quick and efficient. It's my philosophy to get in, get the goods, and get out. To ensure that my market experiences are smooth, I always put together a detailed list on a large, blank sheet of paper that's organized by section of the store.

The produce goes on one side of the paper, the dairy items on another, the dried goods on another, etc. All of the ingredients are grouped together in order of where they come in the store. Since I enter my grocer near the veggies, I start with produce. It takes a few more seconds to compile my list, but the extra time is worth it because I don't zigzag (or wander aimlessly!) through the market.

Do you have a tip for easy grocery shopping? Please share it below!

In Season: Baby Bok Choy

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:00:42 -0800

The length of this year's Winter is getting to me. Lately, during my weekly farmers market trips, I've been on the lookout for newly-released fruits and vegetables in an attempt to spice up my dinner repertoire. This week, I spotted baby bok choy - a fantastic alternative to other prolific Winter leafy greens like kale and chard. If you spot it, pick up a bunch and learn how to prepare it when you read more.

In Season: Daikon Radishes

YumSugar — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:50:33 -0800

Until I walked past a bin of them on my last trip to the Chinese market, I'd completely forgotten about daikon radishes. The long, white vegetable, which looks like an oversize carrot, isn't that prevalent at Western markets, but is a staple in Asian cuisines. Although the milky-fleshed daikon can be found year-round at some grocery stores, the vegetables are sweetest and mildest during the cold weather months. If possible, shop for them at an Asian supermarket, where they're likely to be fresh, as they may grow bitter with age. Store them in a cool, dry place, where they'll keep for several weeks. If you're new to cooking with radishes, the concept may seem daunting, but this peppery giant is surprisingly versatile. To learn a few ways to enjoy it, read more.

Add pickled daikon to your favorite banh mi.
Mellow out the daikon's bite by pickling it with ginger and serving it alongside a meal.
Simmer chunks of the root vegetable until soft in a mushroom and daikon soup.
For a really different take on East-West cuisine, substitute shaved daikon for fettuccine and serve with marinara sauce.
Julienne peeled daikon and roast alongside a whole chicken.

For those of you who've cooked with daikon or another white Asian radish before: how do you like to prepare it?

Source: Flickr User clayirving

Do You Shop Farmers Markets Less Often in Winter?

YumSugar — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:45:04 -0800

As much as I look forward to items like blood oranges and escarole in the Winter, I don't frequent the farmers market as much as I do during the Summer, when stone fruits, tomatoes, and corn are in abundance. What about you?

Source: Flickr User swanksalot

In Season: Blood Oranges

YumSugar — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:00:14 -0800

During shorter days, I look forward to locating pomegranates and persimmons, like I do cherries and plums during Summer. But, more than any other, the cold-weather clincher that draws me in every Winter is the blood orange. Find out why they're so great - and how to enjoy them - when you read more.

Yummy Links: From Beyonce's Plate to Underground Markets

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:59 -0800

Who knew: Beyoncé and Jay-Z like to play with their food, too. - Eater NY
Beyond brilliant: A miniature gingerbread house to perch atop your holiday hot chocolate. - Not Martha
This Christmas, consider helping one of these nonprofit food organizations. - Salon
Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home is completely sold out online. - Eat Me Daily
Why dungeness crab season is getting shorter and shorter. - The Atlantic
Wasabi pea crust makes seared tuna feel new again. - Serious Eats
Would you eat Alinea's all-in-one Christmas tree and Christmas goose dinner? - Grub Street LA
What the first-ever underground farmers market looks like. - Chow

Do You Prefer to Shop at the Farmers Market or Grocery Store?

partysugar — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:30:58 -0700

First-Ever White House Farmers Market Makes Its Debut

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:50:44 -0700

Some legislation, like healthcare reform, might take a little more work for the White House to push through, but other initiatives, like the White House farmers market, are happening virtually overnight. Less than a month ago President Obama revealed that he and the first lady were looking into holding a farmers market outside the White House - and the plan's already come to fruition. At the opening of the FreshFarm market yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Washington DC mayor Adrian Fenty spoke to a crowd of about 300 shoppers about the importance of eating healthy, local food.

The visitor that drew the most attention was Michelle Obama, who encouraged Americans to get to know the farmers that grow the market's food, and stressed the importance of fresh markets, particularly in urban deserts.

Located at 810 Vermont Avenue, just blocks from the White House, the market runs Thursday afternoons through the end of October, and accepts food stamps. It sells pasture-raised meats, artisan cheeses, milk, yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, flowers, and preserves. DCers, have you had a chance to visit?

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Malaysia's Saturday Night Market Is a Foodie Paradise

partysugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:15:55 -0700

Recently reader FinnLover traveled to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. While visiting the vast city, she spent one Saturday night hitting up Little India's weekly street market. With its incredible diversity - there are stalls that serve Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Western, and Indonesian cuisine - Finn describes the event as the "biggest food celebration ever." It took her two hours to walk from one end of the market to the other, but along the way she snapped an amazing array of photos.

Lucky for us, she shared the images in the Savory Sights group on the community page. Want your mouth-watering images to be featured on YumSugar? Join the group and start participating in the YumSugar community. To check out all of FinnLover's deliciously visual Malaysian market experience, keep reading