This is what's blowing my mind these days...

First up:  Jennifer Ward's by lines on the Atlantic Monthly Food Channel website.  You know Jen--Fresh Cracked Pepper Jen.  Well, her piece on Coffee in Haiti after the earthquake is getting tweeted all over the blogosphere.  That's our girl! 

I'm finally pulling some decent looking--and great tasting--espresso shots.  But when I'm getting my latte's on the run--the shots pulled at Funk 'N Waffles is blowing my mind.  I checked them out after a commenter sent me there (you see, your comments really do help me out)  Their shots of Gimme!'s Leftist were so spot on, I could taste the nuance of the flavor profile through the steamed milk--genius! 

Local cooking oil!  Have you had some of this butternut squash seed oil--it is fantastic!  It has a smooth and nutty taste that is just perfect for roasting up all of those root vegetables that are still left in the larder.  And there's something about roasting butternut squash in its own oil seems just so right.

I picked up this bottle at Max Market in Pittsford but check out the Syracuse Real Food Co-op to get some closer to home.  Update:  I guess I posted too soon.  The Co-op doesn't carry it but I put a note in the suggestion box so perhaps they will soon.

Based in Geneva, NY and Boston, Stony Brook is all about the deliciousness--you may have also come across their cookies.  Trust me, if you see them, don't pass them up. 

 A cafe destination for your country drive.  Red and White Cafe is in DeRuyter and I plan a more extended post on them because there's lot's to tell.  But for now, let me just say--this place rocks!  This is the real deal--authentic to its community, delicious house-baked breads, doughnuts, and other treats, good coffee, fantastic people--you have got to get there.  More on them soon....  Thanks to Neil Miller for introducing them to me.  Speaking of Neil--have you checked out his blog lately?  Check out his post on our lunch at Circa and dessert at Red and White.

So how about you?  What's blowing YOUR mind these days?

Comments

[MollySBaker]

that butternut squash oil looks amazing.

I recently came across your blog, and think it's great. I enjoy connecting with fellow upstate NY bloggers!

[Neil Miller]

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for the heads up on the Stonybrook Butternut Squash Seed Oil, I'll be making a special trip to the Syracuse Real Food Co-op to pick some up. Do you think it would make a good dipping oil? The Stage Left Cafe in New Brunswick, NJ which I worked at while in graduate school, used to serve an imported pumpkinseed dipping oil that was amazing, and I've never found anything like it since then.

Thanks too for mentioning StressingtheVine.com, you're the best.

Neil

[marcyincny]

What a lovely photo of you on StressingtheVine!

As far as exciting taste sensations go I'm still obsessing about the smoked sour cherries I had on a seared duck breast at Phoebe's Tuesday evening before the play. They were amazing and now I'm dying to know where they come from...

[wine blog]

Butternut squash seed oil, that sounds good. Does it taste anything like the butterneu squash? If it does then it must be delicious! Great food blog, found you on the foodblog blog. Cheers~

[StonyBrookOils]

Hello Jennifer, I wanted to thank you for your mention of our squash seed oil – we had a customer tell us about it and we wanted to let you know! We are a small company and just getting ourselves established, so much appreciated! You have a warm and insightful blog that celebrates the great culinary diversity of our region –well done and thanks again!

[Jesse]

Looks fantastic! Would love to get down to Circa sometime, as well as Red and White. Sounds delicious.

[Margaret McCormick]

Hi, Jennifer --

Lots of local foods and local places blowing my mind these days... but another foodie thing blowing mind is the Spanish blue cheese I picked up at Blue Danube Gourmet in Skaneateles (www.bluedanubegourmet.com) . It is so incredibly delicious (if you happen to be a blue cheese lover) and I am going to run out of it very soon. The shop is relatively new, carries cheeses from around the world, breads made at Mirbeau and some local products, including Better Than Brittle and some things by Organically Hip. The owners, Erica and Lorand, partner with the Sherwood Inn on a cheese plate offered on the menu.

I need to post about Blue Danube at my food blog (http://eatfirst.typepad.com).

I hope you are doing well with your work and in your new home/neighborhood.

Respectfully,

--Margaret McCormick