Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Food, Inc: What Did You Eat Today?

"You'll never look at food the same way again." -Food, Inc.



Two weeks ago, I finally watched this much-anticipated documentary, which delves into the changing landscape of our food industry in the recent decade. The movie isn't for the faint of heart, but I really think that everyone should know (whether or not they want to) where their food is coming from. Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Kenner, Food, Inc. sets off on a mission to unveil the secrets behind mighty agribusiness corporations and their Herculean control over the food industry. The pace of the film is quick, as scenes jump from one issue to another, but essentially, the different topics are all deeply interconnected.

Some quick and dirty facts from Food, Inc.:

Nowadays, chicks are injected with gross amounts of hormones so that they can grow to be more than twice the size in same amount of time.

The majority of the meat in the entire world is dominated by four large conglomerates: Cargill, Smithfield, IBP, and Tyson. (I know, I didn't believe it but I looked it up and it's true.)

Corn (hint: high fructose syrup) has become the basis of everything we eat. The industry has been heavily subsidized by the government for years, with the purpose of keeping food prices down. This is partly responsible for our nation's obesity epidemic.

The lack of FDA regulation has empowered corporate giants to maintain poor health conditions in slaughterhouses and cow/pig/chicken farms (animals standing in their manure all day long). Of course, this has led to an outbreak of diseases such as E. Coli, killing thousands of people.

This really is an issue that is so near and dear to our health, and there are things that can be done.

To see where it's playing near you, click here.

Post-Addendum:

I saw Food, Inc. at The Quad Cinemas (cute little place on 13th St), and after we got out of the theater, we were starving but neither of us was willing to suggest a place to eat. That's when we saw GustOrganics, New York's first and only USDA certified organic restaurant. How convenient! Everything there was organic, from the food to the drinks. The pizza is a little bland, but the fruit juices are delicious (albeit pricey, at $6.50 a glass)



This was my favorite: Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Pears, and Pine Nuts in a Lemon Olive Oil Dressing.

GustOrganics Restaurant & Bar
519 Avenue of the Americas (14th St)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 242-5800

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Special: Slice of Arubian Gourmet

"Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama..."
-Kokomo, Beach Boys

After spending a week in Aruba, I am in complete withdrawal. I dream about the fresh catch-of-the-day plates served with a ton of sides like fried plantains,
pancakes (yes, delish!), steamed veggies, and rice pilaf. There are several fish that are native to the beautiful island - red snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, and barracuda. We tried them all, and my favorite is the grouper, the most flavorful and tender of them all.

Pan-Seared Red Snapper in Creole Sauce, The Flying Fishbone

Beautiful presentation and wonderful tangy kick to the tomato-based Creole sauce. Served on a bed of delicious Funchi (fried cornmeal pancake). Yum!

Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Grouper, The Old Cunucu House

Fantastic crispy texture and buttery garlic sauce. Chomp chomp.

Grilled Barracuda in a Garlic Butter Sauce with Mashed Potatoes, The Flying Fishbone

Slightly chunkier fish with a tougher texture close to tuna and salmon. We saw them while snorkeling in the waters!

Fish Cakes, Pinchos Bar & Grill

Wonderful combination of different fishes, including salmon, wahoo, and red snapper. The atmosphere here is gorgeous and perfect for the ultra-romantic.

Deep-Fried Fish Eggs, The Old Fisherman

Not for the faint-hearted, but very fresh and filled with roe! Note the abundance of sides: french fries, rice, coleslaw, fried plantains, and pancakes.

Shrimp Coco and Keshi Seafood, Gasparito


Right: Seafood baked with Dutch cheese, or keshi (cheese in Papiamento). Left: Shrimps are not local to Aruba, so I might advise you to steer away from them.

Before: Red Snapper, Local fish market


After: Red Snapper with Papaya Sauce, Gabriel Ayala of Club Arias

This is the signature dish by Gabriel Ayala (Executive Chef, Club Arias). Reserve a private dinner with him, and I promise your significant other will adore you more. For those planning a trip to Aruba, Club Arias (located in Savaneta) is a fabulous place to stay. Expect good food, great people, and exceptional service.

Apple-Rum-Raisin Dutch Pancake, Linda's Pancakes and Pizza

What's a meal without dessert? Since I cannot live without it, I had to throw in this gorgeous Dutch pancake. Thin, soft, buttery, crispy, and simply delightful.

Oh Aruba, my dushi! (I know it sounds like douche-y, but it actually means sweetheart in Papiamento)