Food Snob St. Louis > Where It's Okay To Be Snobby About What You Eat.

344

April 9th, 2013

Lately, life has gotten the better of me. I’ve completely gotten out of my routine and have really struggled to find time to dedicate to new and creative meals for our family. Doesn’t everyone hit this stage at some point or another? Whether it is work or kids or other commitments, somewhere along the way we over-commit and forget the activities that are life-giving to us.

I’m slowly learning what things are not life-giving, which of those I can and cannot avoid, and what things make me very happy and fulfilled at the end of the day. Sadly, things like washing the dishes are soul-killing to me, but they are unavoidable. Cooking, however, brings me joy and fulfillment, yet I’ve avoided it over the past few weeks. Last night, I took a small baby step towards getting back in kitchen.

This was actually a small miracle. We were watching a friends’ little boy + we had Baby Snob + the Food Snob was running late. So me, 2 one-year-olds that are hungry and a min pin that they were torturing to the point I almost feel sorry for him. In the midst of the chaos, I produced this semi-homemade that everyone seemed to love.

Tofu Masala

1 block extra-firm tofu

1 jar Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce

1 cup water

1 cup frozen peas

2 cups prepared rice

Directions:

1. Drain and if time permits, press the tofu.

2. Cut the tofu into chunks (whatever size you want). Heat a nonstick skillet with some olive oil to medium heat. Add the tofu and pan fry until all sides are golden brown.

3. Add the masala simmer sauce, water and peas directly to the pan and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

Serve over rice.

I’m often reluctant to purchase premade sauces and marinades because it’s a lot of money to spend on a food product that you aren’t sure you’d like. I rolled the dice on this one and decided to give it a try though. I really liked it. If you like other masala flavored dishes, you will certainly enjoy this simmer sauce. You could also easily do this dish with chicken if you prefer.

The question still remains for us tonight though: What’s for dinner?

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343

April 4th, 2013

Introducing Farmer Girl

I mentioned earlier that I’ve been spending some time working on projects outside Food Snob (besides Please & Thank You, which I intend on updating you on classes very soon!). A few months ago, Leslie from Farmer Girl approached me about working with her new company. Leslie grew up on a farm in Kansas. Being raised on farm fresh meat and homegrown vegetables, she had a growing passion for somehow bringing the farm to the doorsteps of families in St. Louis, thus Farmer Girl was born.

When I sat down with Leslie to talk about Farmer Girl, her passion for the product and providing it to families came through immediately. I, too, was completely on board with the mission and vision of what Farmer Girl is all about. The meat comes from her family farm, uses organic principles, and uses pasture-based and animal-centered practices. They currently offer pastured, grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and pastured lamb. They will be adding chicken this summer.

It is a monthly subscription program that allows you to order boxes with certain cuts and amounts of meat or order a la carte individual cuts. You can have the meat delivered to your home or pick it up at one of their pick-up locations throughout St. Louis. Unlike purchasing a quarter or half a cow, the amounts are small enough that they can last your family a month and fit in your regular freezer at home.

Where do I come in and why do I care? I am actually working with them on recipe development and recipe testing! Each month, subscribers receive a newsletter with multiple recipes that have been tested with Farmer Girl meat (because pastured, grass fed beef cooks much differently than traditional factory meats from the grocery store). It is such a fun opportunity, and I can say that it is a very high quality product and worth every penny.

If you are interested in learning more, please be sure to check out their website. I am getting no commission or compensation for saying any of this or if you sign up. I just think they are a great company. As well, I will be sure to share my recipes as they are published on the site!

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