I have realized my complete dependence on Whole Foods

Whoa. Louisiana is known for its great food -and it really is fantastic- but while I was in Lake Charles, I realized just how dependent I have become on the variety and selection Whole Foods offers. There was no

/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Gruyère or celery root to be found, for example. While these are, of course, not must-haves in daily life, for someone who loves to cook with a multiplicity of gourmet-ish items, I felt deprived. When Oliver and I got home yesterday, one of the first things we did was grab T and head out to the market. Bliss. I’m still thinking about how much I enjoyed that summer squash gratin last night. I’m coming for you soon, squash; it’s almost lunch.

Tonight I’m noodling on this mustard- and panko-crusted turkey cutlet with watermelon-tomato salad recipe as well as one for grilled Halloumi with watermelon and basil-mint oil. Anytime you can grill cheese is just good. You should always go for it. Mmmm…

OOOOH, such a yummy dinner. Tom made Mario Batali’s Neapolitan-style calamari for our appet

OOOOH, such a yummy dinner. Tom made Mario Batali’s Neapolitan-style calamari for our appetizer (delish), and I made Amanda Hesser’s Squash, Salsa Verde and Gruy ère gratin to follow. It was faaabulous, and I can’t wait to eat more of both recipes tomorrow.
~~

As a total aside, did any of you watch the recent Repub debate? Did any of those people actually listen to any question asked? Most of the answers were beyond the pale of idiocy.