Some people look forward to their food magazines each month and many of us look forward to the Wednesday edition of the paper so we can get our weekly fix of the Food Section. I’m not really in to food magazines, many of them are going in directions that not only don’t interest me, but I’m just not able to follow. One of which (I had a subscription to for 2 years) just plain made me mad and forced me to write snarky letters to the ‘editor’. Magazines also make me froth due to the Accumulation Factor. Man, before you know it they’re all over the damned place and you know what? They’re heavy, especially in boxes and/or stacks. Pretty soon you’re forced to deal with it and all of a sudden it wasn’t worth the money or return. But that’s just me and … where was I?
The reason I write these introductions to the Fatted Calf Newsletter is because it’s something I look forward to each week. It arrives about Thursday or so, sometimes later and sometimes earlier. This gives me a few days to salivate over the menu and see what the weekend will bring. I also write about them because this is my blog and I can do whatever I want, nyah.
This weeks special is the Brasato al Modolo, Tuscan style beef pot roast stuffed with marrow and rosemary, seasoned with lots of black pepper. I’ll be honest, I haven’t had one yet. They’ve had them a few times now and it’s time! I’ll let you know how it comes out.
OoOooO, the Crepinettes look good this week. They’re lamb with Nicoise olives and red wine. The lamb is so darned fresh, no gammy. Hey, I ran down the list here and saw Duck Proscuitto! OH YES, oh yes. This I must have, I can hardly wait!
Well, this pretty much wraps up this weeks Fatted Calf ramble from Biggles. I’ve had a really great time and hope to see you Saturday at the Berkeley Farmer’s market.
Xo Xo

Fatted Calf
Phone/Fax (510)653-4327
www.fattedcalf.com
I sat in the sun earlier this week considering whether to grill our steak outside as I listened on the phone to the winter weary voice of my mother. She had spent the better part of her day shoveling a path from her door to her car through two feet of heavy snow. I had a clear mental image of her chapped lips and rigid jaw. I picked some savory for our potatoes and thought about the cruel wind whipping through the streets of lower Manhattan and the drudgery of dressing in still damp boots. I kicked off my sandals, pulled out the hibachi and didn’t miss the East Coast one bit.
Well, maybe a little bit. Forced hibernation can be a blissful thing. When the weather outside is frightful I’m happy to snuggle up with a bottle of Barolo and nap while the perfume of braising meat teases the nostrils. But when plum blossoms litter the lawn you can feel a touch guilty about staying in your pajamas all day. Not to worry, Nature has decided to indulge my yen. The temperature is dropping, inclement weather is in the forecast and the time is ripe to plan a menu of warming stews and cheese laden gratins. This weekend, pull yourself out of your cozy bed just long enough to stock up on provisions at the market. Your pajamas will be waiting for you when you get home.
See you at the Market! (Even when it rains!)
Saturday, February 18
Special
Brasato al Midolo
Tuscan style beef pot roast stuffed with marrow and rosemary, seasoned with lots of black pepper
Sausage
Lamb Crepinettes with Nicoise olives & red wine
Devil’s Gulch Rabbit Boudin
Boudin Noir
Calabrese
Merguez
Sweet Italian
Toulouse
Chorizo
Breakfast Sausage
Pates, Confits & Terrines
Guinea Hen Terrine
Pate Maison
Devil’s Gulch Rabbit Pate
Duck Liver Mousse
Duck Confit
Duck Rillettes
Pork Rillettes
Salumi
Fegatelli
Petit Sec Aux Herbes
Mortadella
Pancetta
Duck Prosciutto
Saucisson Sec
Finocchiona
Spanish Style Chorizo
Other Meaty Goods
Smoked Ham Shanks
Duck Demi
Glace de Viande
Sugo di Carne
Bacon