My mood just changed. Right now, just now. It’s early in the morning and I’m at work. A light warm rain started a while ago, we were expecting it. How sweet.
But now it’s downright pouring. Like this, WHUMP. Now all the piggies in my head that were dancing are wearing galoshes, rain hats and little yellow slickers. Poor piggies in the rain.
This means the Farmer’s Markets are going to need your help the next few days. Put on your slickers and go get some nice asparagus and for sure go visit Taylor at the Fatted Calf stall in Berkeley on Saturday morning.
This week Fatted Calf is sportin’ two fancy meat roasts. First the little badass Cold Smoked Single Muscle Hams. I did one last week, just finished up the cold leftovers last night. Juicy, tender and not loaded down with salt. These hams are subtle, not some over powering spiral sugar cracked nothin’. This is real meat. Next they’ve got the Porchetta style pork loin roast, a bone-in pork loin with lemon, fennel and herbs. I can’t speak for everyone, but if it doesn’t have the bone in, it ain’t got love. OH YEAH, something I saw last week. They have wieners again !!! Get some. While going down their newsletter I can see they have the Pepperoni this week. Remember, this isn’t that wierd cupped stuff you get on some lame pizza, no sir. This is an entire stick of juicy, rich pepperoni, the stuff they can only dream about. Well, this week it can be yours. Oh dear, look they got Ham Hocks too! Time for a pot of beans, oh yeah. Looks as though Taylor is sportin’ a full load this time. You go on Saturday and make yourself grin.
Now go read their newsletter …
Remember that Simpsons episode?–
Homer: Wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute. Lisa honey, are you saying you’re *never* going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad! Those all come from the same animal!
Homer: [Chuckles] Yeah, right Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.
Have you had a ham yet? Springtime is quickly approaching, what we in the Meat Business like to call Lamb and Ham season. This week at The Fatted Calf, it’s ham. Brined and then cold smoked, this ham doesn’t come cooked, it’s up to you. So, so many ham-a-riffic possibilities here. Sure, you can go the classic scalloped potatoes and asparagus route. But why not take a detour and do a wine-braised ham with shallots and carrots? You know us, we love a braise. Garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed broccoli rabe, oh, boy. OR, call us crazy (or call us White Trash), we’ve always been curious about that kooky ham cooked in Coca-Cola idea. Why, the only TV chef we really, truly love, Nigella Lawson, even has a recipe for it–how could it be bad?
And, in other wonderful, magical animal news, we are also featuring our now-famous “Porchetta Style” Pork roast. Not much work involved here. Roast and enjoy. Go ahead and get piggy with it.
Homer (and you) might like to know: reserve, reserve, reserve if you want either of the above versions.
See you at the Market!
Saturday, March 19, 2005
SPECIAL
“Porchetta” style pork loin roast
Bone in pork loin with lemon, fennel and herbs
Petite jambon
Cold smoked single muscle hams
Sausage
Pork Crepinettes with Black Trumpet mushrooms
Merguez
Hot Italian
Sweet Italian
Toulouse
Mexican Style Chorizo
Breakfast Sausage
Andouille
Bordelaise
Wieners
Pates, Confits & Terrines
Pate de Campagne
Duck Pate
Duck Confit
Duck Rillettes
Pork Rillettes
Duck Liver Mousse
Salumi
Saucisson Sec
Fegatelli
Chorizo
Pepperoni
Other Meaty Goods
Bacon
Ham Hocks
Duck Demi
Glace de Viande
Sugo di Carne
Holy Cow- even if I never wished I lived out in your part of the country before, I sure do now (this weekend anyway!). I would love to be bringing ANY of those treats home for a good old feast.
Hey, Doc- post plenty of pics, huh?
Hey Moira,
As it stands now I probably won’t be going tomorrow. I have a lot of driving to do and will be several hours away. Feh. NO PATE FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK ?!?!?!
Biggles,
I’m torn. I really love reading your posts, but the Fatted Calf ones make me want to cry. Can you convince them to move to Seattle? We have great farmers’ markets here. And I know that everyone says it rains a lot here, but today it’s pretty out. I just want some pork crepinettes with black trumpet mushrooms. Sniff.
mmmMMMmmm, crepinettes.
It’s raining here. Should be until next Wednesday. It’s Seattle without all the charm.
This big Piggy is going to Market and going We,We,We,(Yes,Yes,Yes) all the way home. Hopefully with his petite jambon.