Peggy Sue’s Debut: Goat Cheese with Style

Reaping the benefits of my job, I received cheese samples yesterday! Not just any cheese, but delicious and locally-made feta goat cheese and chevre, more commonly known as plain goat cheese. The cheese comes from a farm in East Texas and, most importantly, comes from the milk of some extra friendly goats, a few of which go by the names Peggy Sue and Penny Lane. All of the cheeses from this farm are made with a vegetarian-friendly rennet alternative and are prized for being exceptionally creamy. If you desire the taste of pure, unadulterated cheese, Peggy Sue has truly delivered!

Tonight, I will cook a Grecian-inspired meal with the feta cheese. First, I will roast one red bell pepper. After it cools, I will peel the skin, slice it in half, and sandwich a few slices of the feta cheese into the middle. I will then drizzle olive oil onto it and put it back into the oven. The result: a sweet and salty, but still soft and creamy, perfect compliment to my Mediterranean chicken salad. Delicious.

If you would like to taste any of Penny Lane’s cheese, email me at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.

Med Chefs, Here’s Your Answer

Mediterranean Cuisine: Healthy Living with Gusto

For the past two weeks I’ve been toting around Greece on a food excursion specifically aimed at “research and development.” Or, more importantly, guileless pleasure! My vacation took me to the heart of an ancient culture, walked me through the statuesque lands surrounding the Mediterranean, and showed me a way of life that includes, simply stated, a lot of good food.

Coincidentally, I recently picked up a Mediterranean line that provides an endless list of diverse Mediterranean ingredients, distinctive antipasti, more olives than one can imagine, and some of the world’s finest vinegars, mustards, and oils.

Many of this line’s products can be easily incorporated into unique recipes and innovative meals, or served singly.

The exceptional antipasti available include a varied selection of peppers, artichokes and more. For example, roasted Florina peppers, feta-stuffed Kardoula peppers, and stuffed cherry peppers are purchasable. Italian Pomodoraccio tomatoes are also available; they are hand-picked and have unrivaled natural sweetness.

Artichokes are known to be a fine addition to any antipasti platter. This line provides anything from artichokes marinated in oils, brine and herbs, or long stem artichokes whole or sliced.

This line has the perfect Med spread for any recipe. Gigandes beans grown on the mountain slopes of Northern Greece are available to add flavor to any pasta or salad, or served as hummus.

Olive oil is essential to a healthy diet. Olive oil from Crete, on the other hand, is essential to an amazing dish. The origins of this Grecian olive oil speak to its exceptional quality and taste.
This company is dedicated to providing only the finest olives from the Mediterranean’s best groves. These olives are never labeled simply as green or black, but represent the important and distinctive characteristics of their geographic location. A myriad of high quality olives are accessible: Mt. Athos Green Stuffed Olives w/ Feta Cheese/Blue Cheese/ Citrus/ Garlic/ Toasted Almonds, Greek Olive Mix, Kalamata, Cracked Green. And the list continues…

Samples are always available upon request.

Happy and healthy cooking comes from the heart, or the Mediterranean. In the last 20 years, the Mediterranean diet has gained popularity as a compliment to healthy living. According to the Journal of American Medicine, after a 10-year study it was found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet and healthful lifestyle was associated with more than a 50% lowering of early death rates.

The diet is comprised of foods rich in natural ingredients and with abundant health benefits. This Mediterranean line supplements a lifestyle of healthy eating, enjoyment, and simplicity.

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato once said, “Knowledge is the food of the soul.” Sorry Plato, but I’m convinced that food is the knowledge of the soul. One must know their love of food in order to feel a love of life.

For more information contact me at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.

For more information on Yum Runnerz, visit www.yumrunnerz.com.

A local lovely snack to POP into your mouth!

When I first started Yum Runnerz food brokering services I began with a local company in Kyle, TX. A good friend of mine referred them to me and the rest has become history.
Lone Star Kettle Corn is their name and they have mastered the art of KETTLE CORN. Before Yum Runnerz you could find them at any local festival, children's sporting events near the Kyle area and at the Motley Menagerie Tea Room in Kyle. Lone Star Kettle Corn has a secret ingredient that makes their Kettle corn different than any other Kettle out there.
The first week Yum Runnerz had them in Thom's Market, New Flower, Fresh plus grocery, and Royal Blue. These puppies couldn't stay on the shelves. With a shorter shelf life due to the natural ingredients and fresh popped nature of this decadent treat they are now becoming a staple at most stores around Austin. Today they can be found;
1. ALL ROYAL BLUE STORES downtown
2. NEW FLOWER BEE CAVES
3. GREENLING
4. Starting August 2, 2010 CALLAHAN'S
So if you are headed downtown for some shopping or to visit a friend in those newly designed condos stop into Royal and for under $4.00 you brought your appetizer for the party.
If your headed to Llano, Hamilton pool or Lake Travis stop by the New Flower in Bee Caves and grab an afternoon swimming snack or a road trip snack for under $4.00.
If you are too lazy to leave the house due to this lovely humidity, sign up on Greenling and have them deliver fresh natural Kettle corn to your door.
Better yet, driving through East Austin to the airport and back? Stop at that great little General Store Callahans and pick up a treat to go!
Supporting a local company who has passion behind the product and controls the quality of each kernel you pop into your mouth is a real treat. This town is made for this snack and this snack is made for this town!
Ladies forget the portion control on this one, the flavor alone makes it uncontrollable.
Enjoy and thanks for buying local!

Cashaw squash from Comanche Oaks Farms

Comanche Oaks Farms is located in LaGrange Texas. His produce is all organic and if you have followed this blog or my facebook before you have seen his produce. Last week he gave me a squash from an heirloom seed from Costa Rica. Last night I turned the squash into curried squash soup, vegtable squash soup, and roasted squash for a meal later this week.
The name of the squash, Cashaw winter squash. Similar to a butternut squash. Enjoy the pictures below and yes it was delicious!

He has many cashaws ready for purchase, if you are interested let me know and I will provide you with the curried soup recipe.

mmmpanadas

FRESH PLUS GROCERY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!! DELI CASE, Grab some for dinner, appetizer, or just not sure what your bringing to the next party..........MMMPANADAS!!!

mmmpanadas

mmmpanadas will now be in the deli case of Fresh plus Grocery this afternoon. Come out and support a local business who uses fresh ingredients.

Comanche Oaks Organic Farms

New produce line just added. Yum Runnerz now has ACADIAN FAMILY FARMS and COMANCHE OAKS ORGANIC FARMS. Both farms offering different variety of produce.