Neglect the Diet_ A Eating Editor’s Meals Resolutions for 2023
New 12 months’s resolutions all the time have been my factor. Positive, I fail yearly, miserably, like most of us. Nevertheless it by no means dampens my enthusiasm for attempting to lose that 10 kilos, train extra and reduce on processed meals.
This isn’t about these form of resolutions. It’s about setting intentions for the way I’d wish to eat at residence and in eating places this 12 months. Hopefully, these will encourage you to not fear about diets or restrictions and as a substitute interact with the superb bounty ripe for the choosing in Sonoma County.
With out additional ado, listed here are my 2023 resolutions. What are yours?
Get spicier
Once I was rising up, my mother thought Lawry’s salt was an unique seasoning. The few spices and herbs we did have in the home had been so desiccated they turned to mud earlier than imparting any taste. Positive, dill, rosemary, curry powder and onion salt are pantry workhorses, however it’s more durable to include less-familiar flavors — saffron threads, sumac, cardamom — with any consistency.
Strive: SouthPaw Seasonings, made in Santa Rosa, affords artistic blended seasonings that take the guess work out of cooking with spices (southpawseasonings.com). Sonoma Spice Queen Wind McAlister just lately opened a brand new Petaluma spice store that includes natural, hand-crafted spice mixes (Oaxacan Mole BBQ Rub, Anju Indian Chai Spice Combine, Moroccan spice combine and Thai Curry), in addition to dried herbs and artisanal salts. 9 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-776-7678, sonomaspicequeen.com
Eat extra plant-based meals
Meat-centric meals are a easy standby, however I’ll commerce a bland piece of hen for an enormous bowl of roasted or wood-fired greens any day.
Strive: Indian delicacies usually options meatless dishes which can be stuffed with taste, and spices. Winter generally is a powerful time for yummy contemporary veggies, however studying to include farm market root greens is a purpose.
Spend cash on good meat
Low cost, industrially raised meat is simply that. Regionally raised beef, hen and pork have extra taste, and although they’re additionally pricier, they’re definitely worth the expense. One possibility is to get a supply subscription, like that from Panizzera Meat Co., with meat delivered to the doorstep (3905 Foremost St., Occidental, panizzerameatco.com). Sonoma County Meat Co. sells domestically butchered pork, hen and beef; so does Victorian Farmstead Meat Co. in Sebastopol.
Return to eating places
Making an attempt a restaurant in its first weeks or months of operation is thrilling (and my job), however seeing its menu evolve is one thing I not often have time to do. My purpose in 2023 is to return to 30 eating places I haven’t been to since their opening.
Be extra (and fewer) adventurous
I’ve turned down few dishes within the final 16 years working as a Press Democrat restaurant author (I had to attract the road at fish eyeballs). However I wish to discover much more. The Taco Chronicles I wrote about final 12 months for Sonoma Journal gave me perception into the complexity of this beloved avenue meals. In 2023, let’s take some deep dives into different worldwide cuisines collectively.
On the similar time, I are inclined to keep away from sure menu objects like hen or steak in favor of extra flashy fish or vegetarian dishes. But good roasted hen or completely cooked steak generally is a revelation.
Order dessert first
Life is brief. Ensure you all the time have room for its sweetness.
