Table Talk: January 6

Food for a new year

By Kim O'Donnel

January 3, 2011

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(Editor’s note: This chat is over, but the transcript is available to read here. And join Kim for another Table Talk chat, two Thursdays each month.)

During this, the first Table Talk chat of 2011, Kim looks back at the year in food — and what’s to come in the year ahead.

Bring your resolutions, predictions, goals, and ideas to the table. Of course, in the spirit of the chat, the discussion may wander into seasonal breakfast, lunch, and dinner suggestions, too.

It all takes place right here on Thursday, January 6, at 10 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. ET.

Sign up below to receive an email reminder of the chat.

Kim, a cookbook author, trained chef, and longtime food journalist, brings ideas, tips, and recipes to her live chats — right here at Table Talk, most Thursdays.

Table Talk with Kim O'Donnel - Jan. 6, 2011

(01/06/2011)

  

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9:55	Kim ODonnel:  The year in food -- in hindsight & looking forward -- is the topic du jour. Join us for the tasty conversation coming up at the top of the hour! Thursday January 6, 2011 9:55 Kim ODonnel

10:02

Kim ODonnel:  Greetings! Top of the new year & new decade to you! In the world of food, it was a very dramatic year & promises to be just as interesting in 2011. Let's dish & hear what's on your minds & what you're looking forward to in the year ahead... Thursday January 6, 2011 10:02 Kim ODonnel

10:03

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  I'm here (sort of...)! Happy New Year! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:03 Erin

10:03

Kim ODonnel:  Hey Erin! Happy New Year to you. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:03 Kim ODonnel

10:03

[Comment From alisoncsmith alisoncsmith : ]  happy new year! i'm looking forward to fruits and veggies. more and more of them. and to eventually getting my 3.5yo to eat something green more than 1/mo :-) Thursday January 6, 2011 10:03 alisoncsmith

10:03

Kim C.:  Hi Kim. I've been hearing that vegetables are the new bacon. Or something like that. Is that your sense? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:03 Kim C.

10:04

Kim ODonnel:  And to you, Alisoncsmith! It seems like fruits & veg are on many people's minds these days...Yes, Kim! The Wall Street Journal declared 2011 The Year of the Vegetable! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:04 Kim ODonnel

10:05

Kim ODonnel:  I do sense a heightened awareness of the benefits of eating vegetables -- and that more folks are cozying up to them... Thursday January 6, 2011 10:05 Kim ODonnel

10:05

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  This year: spelt flour, and all kinds of breads and other baking. And being mindful of the pantry, freezer, meal planning and the budget. A (limited) garden: I just found out that our CSA is taking a break this summer, so I'm going to grow a bunch on my own... I promise! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:05 Erin

10:06

Kim ODonnel:  Erin, we're trying to be more mindful here about budget, too. Cutting back dining out as much as possible & like you said, doing more meal planning, thinking ahead & eating down that fridge on a regular basis. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:06 Kim ODonnel

10:07

Kim C.:  I made a kale salad last night, with plenty of fresh lemon juice and salt and sprinkled with big green olives (Castelvertrano I think). My daughter declared it "crave worthy." Amazing! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:07 Kim C.

10:08

Kim ODonnel:  That's awesome, Kim. I spoke with a girlfriend just yesterday who went on & on about her roasted brussel sprouts & potatoes combo. And I myself ate an entire bunch of broccoli rabe the other night -- couldn't get enough of it. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:08 Kim ODonnel

10:08

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Raw kale, Kim C.? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:08 Erin

10:08

[Comment From alisoncsmith alisoncsmith : ]  speaking ov veggies, question for the crew - spaghetti squash...tried for the first time the other day. baked whole @350, having pricked the skin. was a little more difficult than i thought to separate the seeded strands from the flesh, and the spaghetti flesh was crunchier than i thought it would be. did i not bake it long enough (50mins, i think)? and how to season? after the fact? or should i have halved it, then baked, and seasoned the halves. it was pretty bland, but interesting enough texture-wise for me to attempt again soon Thursday January 6, 2011 10:08 alisoncsmith

10:10

Kim ODonnel:  Hey Alison -- it may need more like an hour to roast to get to that tender state. I like to drizzle olive oil afterwards, and make a gremolata -- chopped parsley, garlic, lemon zest, even a little parm. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:10 Kim ODonnel

10:10

Kim C.:  Yes, Erin, the leaves sliced really thin. (Next time I'll cut away the thick stems.) I let it sit at room temp. for about three hours before we ate it, which helped soften the texture. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:10 Kim C.

10:11

Kim ODonnel:  Raw kale, when cut into slivers, as Kim C. suggests, is really dynamite -- and it does benefit from some marinating/massaging to soften. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:11 Kim ODonnel

10:11

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  Massaging raw kale in salt softens it quickly Thursday January 6, 2011 10:11 Laura

10:11

Kim ODonnel:  Thanks, Laura! What are you looking forward to in the year ahead? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:11 Kim ODonnel

10:12

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  Using my new pasta maker attachment for my stand mixer! =D Thursday January 6, 2011 10:12 Laura

10:12

Kim ODonnel:  Awesome! What's first on the pasta menu? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:12 Kim ODonnel

10:15

Kim ODonnel:  Speaking of pasta, I have a new favorite thing to top ravioli & other short pasta: 1 cup cilantro and/or parsley 1/3 cup walnuts 2 cloves garlic smidge fresh chile pepper 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil 1/4/-1/2 teaspoon salt black pepper whiz in food processor. AWESOME pesto that doesn't even need parm. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:15 Kim ODonnel

10:15

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  Not sure. We've tried fusilli and spaghetti, both in a ragu. It's a little stressful, I must say. The pasta comes out faster than I can handle and I end up with a heaping mound of pasta that starts to stick together Thursday January 6, 2011 10:15 Laura

10:16

Kim ODonnel:  Laura, you're braver than me. I still can't get the hang of making my own pasta, after all kinds of private tutorials & even time learning in Italy! It feels like a yoga pose I've yet to master! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:16 Kim ODonnel

10:16

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  that sounds delish - will have to try tonight! I have a ton of parsley right now. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:16 Laura

10:16

Kim ODonnel:  Amounts easily double for that pesto -- & I've used it as a sandwich spread as well as with eggs. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:16 Kim ODonnel

10:17

Kim C.:  Laura, we find that it takes two people to keep up with our pasta attachment. But it's worth the extra labor! We had wide noodles recently with Kelly Myers chicken ragu: http://www.culinate.com/recipes/collections/Contributors/Kelly+Myers/stewing_hen_ragu Thursday January 6, 2011 10:17 Kim C.

10:18

Kim ODonnel:  In the food news, maybe you've heard, but President Obama signed into law the Food Safety Bill, after all kinds of political drama. But the glitch now is whether it will be funded! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:18 Kim ODonnel

10:18

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  I've definitely had to enlist the BF's help with the pasta making endeavor. btw, that recipe looks insanely good Thursday January 6, 2011 10:18 Laura

10:19

Kim C.:  Kim, what are some of the first things we'll start to see under the new bill? Or does it all need appropriations? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:19 Kim C.

10:22

Kim ODonnel:  The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010 gives the FDA more regulatory authority. You know how whenever we would hear about a food recall, it was always considered "voluntary?" Now the FDA has the authority to impose/order a recall. That's one of the biggies. By the way, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from food-borne illnesses on annua basis -- including 180,000 hospitalizations & 3, 000 fatalities. These are latest stats from CDC. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:22 Kim ODonnel

10:23

Kim ODonnel:  But just so you know -- the new regs don't apply to meat OR eggs. Unfortunate but true. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:23 Kim ODonnel

10:24

Kim ODonnel:  these things are under USDA regulation. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:24 Kim ODonnel

10:24

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  You're kidding me! Not meat or eggs? The most important things?? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:24 Jeanne in Seattle

10:24

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  let's hope it does get funded. I've heard that certain unnamed new members of congress are planning to try to underfund a whole lot of new bills, namely healthcare but I'm sure also food safety. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:24 Laura

10:25

Kim ODonnel:  Yes, it is quite possible it won't even get funded, after all the efforts to push it through. Some reps. arguing that 1 in 6 is nothing to worry about -- to me, 1 food-borne illness is 1 too many. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:25 Kim ODonnel

10:26

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  whhhhaaaat?!?!?! I did not know that!!! the whole egg fiasco was one of the main reasons for the bill!!! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:26 Laura

10:27

Kim ODonnel:  Yeah, it's crazy, but this bill directly impacts FDA regulatory authority -- and not that of USDA. This speaks to how desperately food regulation/oversight needs to be overhauled. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:27 Kim ODonnel

10:27

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  And, is there a cheat-sheet out there about the Food Safety Bill? A lot of my friends (non-farmers) were up in arms, thinking that it would hurt the little farm-stand guy; whereas my farming friends (small farmers, all) were grass-roots campaigning for the Bill to pass. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:27 Erin

10:28

Kim ODonnel:  I haven't done a cheat sheet yet on Food Safety, but I can take that up w/ Kim C. to see if she's interested... As for little farms -- the new law will exempt farmers who sell less than 500K/year, which essentially applies to farmers who primarily at farmers markets Thursday January 6, 2011 10:28 Kim ODonnel

10:28

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Re: not applying to meat or eggs - that's where so much of the problem lays, in my opinion. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:28 Erin

10:29

Kim ODonnel:  Totally agree, Erin. The law is FAR from perfect, but it's a start. Of course, the meat & eggs issue speaks to the conditions of CAFOs and the lax sanitary standards. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:29 Kim ODonnel

10:30

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  1 in 6 is approximately 17 percent. That's appalling. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:30 Erin

10:30

Kim ODonnel:  It is, Erin. Ready for another appalling stat? 1 in 8 Americans are now on food stamps. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:30 Kim ODonnel

10:30

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I think we just need someone in Congress to get horribly ill from badly manufactured food in order for things to be taken seriously. Sad but true. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:30 Jeanne in Seattle

10:31

Kim ODonnel:  Jeanne, I agree. The minute a VIP falls ill from food poisoning will be the day that we begin to see major overhaul. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:31 Kim ODonnel

10:31

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Kim, do you know what Bill Marler thinks about the Food Safety & Modernization Act? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:31 Erin

10:33

Kim ODonnel:  I haven't talked to Marler in a few weeks, but my sense is that he, like so many other food safety advocates, are happy that the bill passed, but it leaves a lot to be desired. But as I mentioned, he is concerned that bill will actually get funded. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:33 Kim ODonnel

10:34

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Also, I think members of Congress should be put on the lowest form of health insurance and they should have to buy food from the store that is mostly frequently shopped by their constituency. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:34 Jeanne in Seattle

10:35

Kim ODonnel:  Way to go, Jeanne! It certainly would be a wake up call for these lawmakers, no? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:35 Kim ODonnel

10:35

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  There's such disconnect between what the lawmakers argue for and what people are experiencing. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:35 Jeanne in Seattle

10:37

Kim ODonnel:  I was just about to say that, Jeanne. By the way, another development about to unfold: Meat Labels. This is a new USDA requirement for the 40 most commonly purchased cuts of poultry, pork, beef and lamb. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:37 Kim ODonnel

10:38

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Also, it's not the little farmers, livestock raisers, and food manufacturers that are making people sick. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:38 Jeanne in Seattle

10:38

[Comment From Laura Laura : ]  That's because most of them don't actual represent the best interests of the people. (I'm so jaded today!) Thursday January 6, 2011 10:38 Laura

10:38

Kim ODonnel:  Laura, you're not jaded, you're asking questions which is so very important! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:38 Kim ODonnel

10:38

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  This is a great time to advocate for your local farmers and food system with your dollars. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:38 Erin

10:39

Kim ODonnel:  And yet we're seeing more local food dollars all over the country. Farmers markets are at all-time high -- more than 6, 000 nationwide -- and more grocery retailers are carrying local products... Thursday January 6, 2011 10:39 Kim ODonnel

10:39

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  What would the meat labels say? "1000 cows went into this 1 lb of hamburger"? heh Thursday January 6, 2011 10:39 Jeanne in Seattle

10:39

Kim C.:  I'm not a pundit, but I think lobbyists push so hard that it's difficult for members of Congress sometimes to see what's what. It's sort of like physicians and drug reps: Do we really need so many prescriptions or is it just what docs are hearing? (And on that subject, there aren't many nutrition lobbyists that I'm aware of!) Thursday January 6, 2011 10:39 Kim C.

10:41

Kim ODonnel:  The labels will include nutritional info is my understanding... Thursday January 6, 2011 10:41 Kim ODonnel

10:41

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Yes, I think it's not a matter of being jaded. It's a matter of being informed and then angry about what you learn. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:41 Jeanne in Seattle

10:41

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I don't really see how the lobbying system does anything these days but argue for large corporations. I think it should be highly regulated. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:41 Jeanne in Seattle

10:41

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Or eliminated. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:41 Jeanne in Seattle

10:44

Kim ODonnel:  Predictions or trends for this year? Meatless Monday, as you may have heard, has become a veritable phenomenon and it looks like a trend that has serious lasting power. Vegan is hot, hot, hot, with more books than ever on the topic & a new documentary set to release in March, advocating health benefits of eating a vegan diet. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:44 Kim ODonnel

10:44

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Cooking with allergies in mind seems big! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:44 Jeanne in Seattle

10:44

Kim ODonnel:  Indeed, Jeanne. Gluten-free (and allergen-free) cooking is really coming into its own! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:44 Kim ODonnel

10:46

Kim ODonnel:  Child nutrition & obesity will remain a hot topic, as it should be (in my opinion) -- we'll see more headlines about school lunch, partic. to see if new reauthorization dollars are having an impact... Thursday January 6, 2011 10:46 Kim ODonnel

10:46

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Will the cupcake craze please... split? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:46 Erin

10:46

Kim ODonnel:  Cupcakes are making way for pies, so I'm told! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:46 Kim ODonnel

10:46

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Well, pies I can handle. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:46 Erin

10:47

Kim ODonnel:  And I think we're going to be hearing more and more about dairy free -- Bill Clinton is not a vegan (he's  eating fish on his new diet), but he has sworn off dairy -- and I think we'll be hearing more about limiting or giving up dairy altogether. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:47 Kim ODonnel

10:47

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Although I love cupcakes and can't eat ones in stores (I'm gluten-intolerant), so I haven't had a chance to be tired of them...:) Thursday January 6, 2011 10:47 Jeanne in Seattle

10:48

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  I don't think school lunch will ever get better until parents truly understand the food choices they make. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:48 Jeanne in Seattle

10:49

Kim ODonnel:  Ah yes, school lunch. It's definitely a step forward that there's now regulation over food sold outside of the cafeteria, but this is just one small piece. We all have to be part of the equation -- at home, at school... Thursday January 6, 2011 10:49 Kim ODonnel

10:49

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Kim, how are you feeling these days? You'd mentioned before the holidays that you were going to be changing a couple of things pertaining to meat, going beyond the Meatless Monday mindset. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:49 Erin

10:51

Kim ODonnel:  Erin I'm feeling much better, thanks.  I took a break from meat for about 2. 5 weeks & I didn't miss it at all.  Broke that streak on New Year's Eve when I made amazing fried chicken. What I'm trying to do is increase my awareness of food-body & keep at it. I'm also thinking more about daily fiber intake. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:51 Kim ODonnel

10:52

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Someone on Twitter said a few weeks ago that cows breastfeed more humans than they ever breastfeed baby cows. So true. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:52 Jeanne in Seattle

10:52

Kim ODonnel:  Wow, Jeanne. Altho not surprised. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:52 Kim ODonnel

10:52

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Jeanne, that is why I'm so grateful that my kid asks me to make his lunch everyday. There IS a silver lining to his pickiness! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:52 Erin

10:53

Kim ODonnel:  To me, eating more healthfully is about making these kinds of connections -- making lunch, cooking together, cooking more regularly/consistently -- proactive versus passive. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:53 Kim ODonnel

10:54

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Did you guys see the "Foodie" cleanse put on by Bon Appetit? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:54 Jeanne in Seattle

10:54

Kim ODonnel:  No, what's the deal? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:54 Kim ODonnel

10:54

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Jeanne, that is a thought that gives me great pause. I am on a mini-mission to talk to our local dairy farmers to find out how cows are raised, bred, and then brought into the milking phase. And, of course, what happens to the animal once she surpasses her usefulness. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:54 Erin

10:54

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  My New Year's resolution is to make as many veggies per dinner as I can. With a little poutlry/fish on the side. And maybe a whole grain. Basically, more veggies. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:54 Jeanne in Seattle

10:55

Kim ODonnel:  You are not alone, Jeanne. It's hard to argue against the health benefits of eating veggies & making more real estate on the plate for them, night after night. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:55 Kim ODonnel

10:55

[Comment From redweather redweather : ]  i spent a lot of 2010 thinking about packaging, and think it's going to be a growing issue in 2011... we work so hard to eat local, organic, hormone-free, etc, but wrap all that up in a carcinogenic plastic package Thursday January 6, 2011 10:55 redweather

10:56

Kim ODonnel:  Hey Redweather, excellent point. I can't remember -- do you grow some of your own food? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:56 Kim ODonnel

10:56

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Here's a link to the Food Lover's Cleanse: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/food-lovers-cleanse Thursday January 6, 2011 10:56 Jeanne in Seattle

10:56

[Comment From redweather redweather : ]  i try but usually fail to grow my own Thursday January 6, 2011 10:56 redweather

10:57

Kim ODonnel:  For me, it will be about being more consistently using up what I have on hand. Really limiting the trips to the store. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:57 Kim ODonnel

10:57

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Redweather: you are so right! I want to concentrate more on packaging, too. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:57 Jeanne in Seattle

10:57

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  We have chickens, so we have our own eggs--which is awesome for me as a baker! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:57 Jeanne in Seattle

10:58

Kim ODonnel:  Jeanne, have the chickens begun laying eggs now that solstice has passed? Thursday January 6, 2011 10:58 Kim ODonnel

10:58

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  You know what would be an awesome challenge? To not buy preprocessed foods. We dont buy much, but I do buy crackers for cheese, stuff like that. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:58 Jeanne in Seattle

10:59

Kim ODonnel:  That is a noble challenge. I like it. Would be game... Thursday January 6, 2011 10:59 Kim ODonnel

10:59

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Kim: yes, they have begun laying an egg or two. Not much yet, though. Still too dark. Thursday January 6, 2011 10:59 Jeanne in Seattle

10:59

Kim ODonnel:  Mother Nature at work! Thursday January 6, 2011 10:59 Kim ODonnel

11:00

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Our neighbors put out a tiny garbage can each week--size of a copier paper box. I would love to do something like that. Thursday January 6, 2011 11:00 Jeanne in Seattle

11:00

Kim ODonnel:  As in, compost more? Thursday January 6, 2011 11:00 Kim ODonnel

11:01

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Well, we compost everything we can and we recycle. But we still have a normal-sized garbage can of stuff. It's a matter of not buying packaged stuff, I think. No plastic-wrapped crackers, etc. Thursday January 6, 2011 11:01 Jeanne in Seattle

11:02

[Comment From redweather redweather : ]  or buy less with less packaging Thursday January 6, 2011 11:02 redweather

11:02

[Comment From redweather redweather : ]  YES! Thursday January 6, 2011 11:02 redweather

11:02

[Comment From Erin Erin : ]  Compost/recycle more, waste less, limit purchasing of pre-processed items. Yes. Noble, indeed! Thursday January 6, 2011 11:02 Erin

11:02

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Years ago someone on the radio was saying it's not a matter of recycling more, it's a matter of buying things with less packaging. That's always on my mind. Thursday January 6, 2011 11:02 Jeanne in Seattle

11:03

[Comment From redweather redweather : ]  Jeanne - check out http://plasticmanners.wordpress.com/ - it's the really great blog from a woman who lived a year without plastic... Thursday January 6, 2011 11:03 redweather

11:03

[Comment From Jeanne in Seattle Jeanne in Seattle : ]  Now that we're talking about it, I need to go look at what the heck is in our garbage can! Thursday January 6, 2011 11:03 Jeanne in Seattle

11:03

Kim ODonnel:  So interesting. This kind of conversation would not have happened just five years ago. Well, this has been fun! The hour flew by. Thanks for starting your new year with me -- lots to think about as we kick it off. Take care & we'll talk to you next time. All best. Thursday January 6, 2011 11:03 Kim ODonnel