Good Food

Good food is hard to find.

So when a woman in my town opens up her backyard cottage to some hungry housewives, you can imagine the happy faces.

One of my readers emailed me last week "did you know that a woman in your town is selling lunch and treats out of her gorgeous "shed"? (I would happily live in her shed, it's so nice.....)."

No, I did not know.

Every Thursday, Carolyn opens for lunch between 12-3. The name of her atelier is called Panetica (Latin for "ethical bread").

She bakes beautiful bread with a special grape starter that she's been carrying around with her from country to country (she lived in the UK and Australia prior to moving to NJ).

Everything is homemade and beautifully presented, using fresh ingredients from local green markets.

I felt like I was at Ina Garten's home in the Hamptons, only Jeffrey wasn't there.

Each week, her menu changes.

Get in line.

Yesterday's menu was:

~ Late Harvest Parsnip Soup with quick-preserved Meyer Lemons and Potato Chips
~ Leek, Pea and Ham Galettes with St. Agur and Chives
~ Roasted Chicken Salad with Lemon-Tarragon Mayonnaise and Toasted Pecans
~ Pan Bagnat Salad with Tuna, Green Olives, Haricots Verts, Parsley, Pickled Red Onion, Anchovy and Cucumbers

~ Lavosh Crisps with Sesame Seeds
~ Meyer Lemon Hummus

~ Poppy Seed-Passion Fruit Dressing
~ Strawberry Sauce
~ Leek Confit (in little Weck jars)

~ Sourdough Loaves
~ Cheddar Sesame Seed Shortbread

~ Fruit and Nut Granola Bars
~ Rhubarb and Brown Butter Streusel Tarts
~ Gingerbread
~ Strawberry Oat Scones
~ Chocolate Financiers

I love the idea of selling wonderful, fresh food from your home to hungry locals. It was like a secret lunch club.

Well, the secret's out.

Maybe I'll renovate my garage, open my double barn doors and start selling tarts and sandwiches to the contractors in town for lunch.

:)

See you next Thursday.