Beat the Heat

It’s hot outside, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying delicious cheeses, meats, or even gelato & sorbetto!

We have thermal bags and ice packs, free with a $25 purchase, to keep your treats cool in the summer heat.

Fourth of July Hours

We will be open this Saturday, the fourth of July, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Drop in and pick up last minute goodies for your Independence Day festivities!

The Indigenous Food

Here’s a food item we don’t carry in the store (darn it): the fried pie. We just don’t have the room for it and they’re best eaten the day of frying. The fried pie is portable artery-clogging deliciousness. If your only exposure to fried pies is the kind sold in a convenience store made in a factory from who knows where and comes with some sugary frosting on it, you don’t know fried pies.

If ever you’re driving south on I-35, pull over in Davis and go to one of the fried pie shops there. They’re all fine. When ordering, I recommend one of the fruit fillings. I always go for apricot because that’s what my great-aunt Bernice made all the time, but to each their own.

A Rare Post On Our Meat Department

Here’s an interesting article in the New York Times about the rise of quality dry cured hams in the U.S.A. One of the companies they highlight is La Quercia from Iowa. We are proud to carry their dry-cured hams.

The last paragraph of the articl sums it up very nicely:

It’s true that these new hams are salty, fatty and pricey. But they’re so flavorful that an ounce will give you 10 mouth-filling bites, without throwing your diet or budget out of whack. They’re worth every milligram and dime.

The Tastes of Summer

When I opened the car today and the blast of the baked hot air from within hit me, I knew summer was finally here. It’s bittersweet for me since I hate being hot and sticky and I detest mosquitoes.

I do love the bounty of summer, though.  The fruits and vegetables rolling out are wonderful to behold. I also love the smart and simple dinners made for hot Oklahoma nights. Plates of cheese, fresh fruits, nuts and a baguette is simple, satisfying and, best of all, no hot kitchen. Summer cooking is usually reserved for the traditional standards: hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill outside. The one item rounding out a classic summer meal is salad.

Salads abound right now– lightly dressed green salad, potato salad, slaws, couscous salad — anything  tossed in a bowl with a vinegary dressing will at some point hit the table. The wonderful thing of summer salads is the combination of what seem to be disparate ingredients for some nice complex heady flavors. We just tried a watermelon and feta salad that was surprising in how it worked.

The combination of watermelon and feta cheese is a favorite in Greece, and not just for salads. The Greeks will snack on the two together. But with the added onion and balsamic vinegar, the salad adds a nice dimension.

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Per serving:
3/4 – 1 cup of cold cubed or balledwatermelon
1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
1/4 medium red onion, cut in razor-thin slices
1/4 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinaigrette

Preparation:

Place the watermelon in a bowl, top with onions and feta cheese. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and serve.

Forward For’s May Day Edition

a few of the things we love:

• The Cat Clinic of Norman – Dr. Letrisa Miller is a veterinarian who is thorough and knowledgeable. But even if you don’t take your loved kitty there, you should check out the photo album on her wesbite. CUTENESS ABOUNDS!
• Peruvian menu at Mamaveca – Practically located in the parking lot of a Lowe’s, this unassuming Mexican restaurant (like almost all Tex-Mex restaurant, everything’ s plated like a Patio dinner) packs a wallop Wednesday through Sunday with their menu of Peruvian items. Their ceviches are not like Spanish ceviches. They’re whole fish filets in a cold sauce. The yellow ginger sauce is unreal. There is also noodles and paella dishes that satisfy.
• Willie Warren’s return- In the shadow of POY Blake Griffin, Willie Warren still excelled as a freshman to the point of being a lottery pick. His choosing to stay will improve his game and will provide entertainment with his drives to the hole and perfect dishes to the open man.
• Governor Henry
• Downtown Soulville with Mr. Fine Wine – WFMU, New Jersey’s free form radio par excellence, has several programs worth checking out and available on podcast. This one is my fave. Mr. Fine Wine has a humongo collection of old soul, funk and R & B 45’s. They all sound as fresh and great as ever and can prompt a dance party even in the aisles of the store.

The Next Level Part One

Cheese is a wonderful food. Available in so many textures and tastes, it amazes one that a stinky Munster is the same type of food as a soft oozy St. Andre.  With all the wide varieties available, many foods can (and should) be served with cheese that enhance the taste of the cheese. Sometimes you get an alchemy of a much better taste than the items eaten separately.

Some good guidelines on picking foods to accompany cheese (or cheese to accompamny foods) is contrasting feels and flavors. You have a sweet cheese, you put something salty on the plate to go with it, You have a strong blue cheese, you put something sweet to put on the plate for contrast.

Here’s a general list for the soft fresh cheeses:

Chevre – Sweet or citrusy flavors go well. Try drizzling honey or a hazelnut dressing over a chevre log for extra goodness.

Ricotta - Sweet stuff is perfect for ricotta. Especially fresh fruit. It makes the perfect dessert.

Mozzarella - has a sweet side to it, so the classic ripe tomato and  basil additions make sense. Also arugula.

Bries and Triple-Cremes – The thickness of these calls for juicy or tangy foods. Grapes are good. Baguettes are great. We have fruit pastes and confitures that go with brie like peanut butter with jelly.

Saturday of Saturdays!

OnApril 25th the Norman Music Festival rushes in and takes over downtown Norman. It’s al all-day music and other arts extravaganza that is lots of fun.If your plan was to come down and just check out the store, Saturday’s not the day to do it. It’ll be packed and Main Street is blocked off.

We will have lunches and refreshments for you festivalgoers,

AND SPECIAL STORE HOURS SATURDAY.

10a – 6p

Have a great time!

All Clear!

Main Street’s back to normal. Barricades are gone.

Yes, We Are Open!

The northern lane on our block is barricaded, but we’re open for all your needs.

Just park on the other side of the street (or ignore the barricades, rebel) and come on in!