This Week in Food Experiments

1. Discovered the heaven which are collard greens. My method: cover with water or stock and boil for about a half hour (there's a lot of wiggle room here). Add a teaspoon of cider vinegar, some salt maybe, or herbs at some point. Drain the water and finish it off with some onions maybe, or garlic, or just some liquid smoke. They taste and have the texture of artichokes to me. Probably would be awesome with butter.

2. Enjoyed goat cheese on toast. I know, I know--I'm supposed to be going low carb. I'm having at most like one slice a day of this. It just...replicates and indeed exceeds the yumminess of cream cheese too much to resist.

3. Opened and de-meated a coconut. It was a chore but the fruits of my labor have been sitting in my fridge and have been a priceless snack. Just a mouthfull of it keeps hunger at bay.

4. Tried sardines. They tasted like garbage and stunk up my whole kitchen. Maybe it was just the brand but I'm not looking to get more anytime soon.

5. Bought and whipped creme fraiche. It's basically a slightly soured (read: cultured) heavy creme. Whip it with the smallest amount of sugar (it was really quick, even with a hand wisk) and you have a luxurious dip/topping for fruit. It's possible to make your own with heavy creme and buttermilk, so I might try that in the future.

I also finally found some bonafide grass-fed cow product, some cheddar cheese from New Zealand (found at Trader Joe's). Everyone in the house (include the 2 year old) agrees it is divine. Happy and healthy animals make tasty tasty food.