Informed Produce Shopping

Happy Monday!
Here is some information that I found to be interesting. It concerns genetically modified, organic and conventionally grown produce and how to tell the difference
between them, easily.
Hopefully we will all be buying from the farms this time of year (or growing our own, my garden is doing very well so far), but if not, I hope you find this tip
helpful.



PLU (Price Look Up) codes are four or five number codes that bring up the price of each item. Within these codes is information about the food itself.

If the code number (you can see it on the label or price tag) is four numbers, the product was grown conventionally.

If the code is made up of five numbers, the product is either organic or genetically modified. An organic product code starts with the number 9, while a genetically modified product code starts with the number 8. Never buy a product (unless it's at a farmer's market or direct farm to consumer) without a PLU code so you know what you are buying.

La

The Farmer's Market/Gray House Pie

Hello Local Chics -

I've received the North Union Farmer's Market(.org) flyer. Their Shaker Square Market
runs Saturdays 8 - noon. Open now thru Dec 12. Crocker Park runs Saturdays 9-1pm thru Nov 21, 2009. I love the markets but Crocker can get too crazy in the Trader Joe's parking lot. We are fortunate to have many farms just beyond Crocker Park and I'll generally hit those and the roadside stands thru out the summer/fall.
Also will stop for brown eggs, sold usually on the honor system. What is your favorite farmers market/stop/stand?

Its very French to buy certain delicacies to accentute your cooking style and strengths and augment your deficiencies. Consider Gray House Pies at 22560 Lorain Rd Fairview Park OH 44126 (440)777-4pie for fruit, nut, cream and savory pies and quiches. Made from free range eggs, pure butter,organic milk and the best (local if possible) cheeses, fruits snd vegetables.
Scrumptious.

Quite cool today after a very summery weekend with temps in the 80's. Mick reminded me I haven't yet made Chicken Paprikash Soup, which really should be a cold weather
meal. I couldn't do that one, but in the pantry had everything for:

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP tonight with tostadas from Aldi which *made* the dish:

Heat and simmer a big pot of:

Chicken broth, smooth tomato sauce and lots of chopped garlic.

Assemble various "fillings" - consisting of whatever you desire! Including, but
not limited to:

Rice
Corn
Cubed Avacado
Chilis
Chopped Tomatoes
Sour Cream
Hot Sauce
Shredded Mexican cheeses
Shredded Chicken

Refried or baked beans

Tostados from Aldi (quick this is a seasonal item!)
or crispy tortilla chips (hopefully fried by you).

Fill your bowl with items from above and ladle hot broth over top.
Sigh in contentment as you smell the scent and feel the heat on
your face. Enjoy.