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While the borders of Persian Empire advanced and receded over the centuries, today “Persia” is equated with Iran. With our world connections ever more fluid – and, at times, tense – now is a great time to explore traditional and contemporary dishes from Iran, Kurdistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, all parts of the Persian Empire at one time or another. 
Modern consumers hold a deep – and false – belief that food, especially good food, real food, takes time. A lot of time… It simply doesn’t. I prepared a menu that took only 2 hours and fed five people for less than $50 – with leftovers! 
Summer for me brings back fond memories of living in Tokyo and discovering new foods to enjoy to beat off the muggy summer heat of such a massive city. Chief among my favorites was shiso. Shiso also known as Perilla, Beef Steak Leaf, or Japanese Basil, is actually a member of the mint family. 
Tsukiji Fish Market is a dizzying place offering over 400 unique types of seafood and sea vegetation every day. Any plant or animal from any body of water in the world that could be even remotely considered edible (puffer fish, stone fish etc.) is available. And for the right amount of money it can be yours! 
One of the things most often noted about Japanese cuisine, is how exquisite it looks. Everything looks so impossibly perfect; small mounds of food look as if they have been sculpted rather than just prepared. 
Japanese cuisine… what images do those words bring up? Typically when I speak to people about traditional Japanese food, sushi is the first thing they bring up, then teriyaki and, occasionally, instant ramen. People also seem to have a sense that the Japanese naturally have better eating habits and are healthier than we are here in the West. What is the truth? In a nutshell? |
Win this book!!
Too bad we missed
Put your name in the drawing here. We'll draw on June 8, 2017.  
Book of the MonthLocally Laid: How We Built a Plucky, Industry-Changing Egg Farm – From Scratch, By Lucie B. Amundsen 
Read Locally Laid! Through Lucie Amundsen's eyes you will see the eggs on your plate very differently. You will appreciate those little packets of protein and marvel at the reasonableness of their cost. Read more here. Videos You Don't Want to Miss!Lis Carlisle: Interview with Tim Danahey
Listen to author Liz Carlisle talk about her new book Lentil Underground: Renegade Farmers and the Future of Food in America. Click here to see more videos. |
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We're ready to send off a copy of
Gardening for the Future of the Earth,
a book particularly suited for our times!
