Columbus Foodie

Another Columbus food blogger has come to my attention this week: CMH Gourmand. He likes a lot of the same places I do, too.

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I was really happy to see Jeni’s Ice Creams featured in a Dispatch article this week. Two interesting things. It mentions that the Ohio peach flavor is low-fat. I wish I would have known that at the beginning of the summer! I’ll have to go see if they have any pints left since it’s seasonal and won’t be around much longer. The other thing they mentioned is that the Grandview location has apple crisp! Made with Honeycrisps! (my favorite variety of apple). I need to find an excuse to go to Grandview, and soon!

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So, Central Ohio readers voted Chipotle as having the best salsa. Chipotle?? I mean it’s good, but I could whip up Chipotle salsa in my kitchen. This week, they want to know which restaurant has the best grilled tuna steak. I have to abstain on this one, unfortunately - I’ve never eaten that particular dish anywhere in town. If you’ve got an opinion on the matter, let them know and you might win a $25 restaurant gift certificate.

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The recipes I found this week that tempted my palate so much that I now plan on making them: Flourless Bittersweet Chocolate Cake from A Mingling of Tastes, Fall Colors Vegetable Stew (great way to use those CSA veggies!) from Albion Cooks, Ham and Caramelized Onion Omelets from The Columbus Dispatch, Balsamic Onions from blog from OUR kitchen, Apple Cider Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting from Coconut & Lime, Twice Baked Cauliflower from Cookin’ with Cyndi, Cheesecake with Apples and a Brulee Top from Creampuffs in Venice, Gruyere Apple Grilled Cheese from Just Braise, Baked Spaghetti Squash from Eating for One, Dill Pancakes from My Husband Cooks . Whew, I think I gained weight just by looking at pictures this week!

And, because there’s always a little room to learn something new, learn all about pumpkins from Blog Appetit
, how to make the perfect grilled cheese from Slashfood, or 10 Ways to Improve Your Cooking at Spicing Up Your Senses.

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I was really, really pissed off after reading an article on CarbWire. To give you an idea, here’s an excerpt from the entry:

“Why do go around making up diseases for every problem that we have nowadays? Could it be that we don’t really have a disease, we’ve just made some really bad choices for ourselves, hmmmm? Consciously choosing to do something that is detrimental to yourself in some way does not mean you are sick. Misguided, ignorant, or even bored, perhaps, but NOT stricken with an indomitable disease that cannot be overcome.”

As someone who has struggled (yes, struggled) with super morbid obesity all my life (and I mean all my life - I weighed 106 at age 5), I think it’s detrimental to those who need to lose weight to put the blame for the weight entirely on them. While eating and a sedentary lifestyle DOES have a definite impact on someone’s weight, there are tons of hormonal and chemical issues in the body that may make it difficult or near impossible for someone to lose weight. There’s tons of research on set point theory, satiety, and the effects of cortisol and gherlin on hunger and weight loss. There are some illnesses (in my case, PCOS) that have a definite adverse effect on weight loss. Even if you want to argue that it’s a mental issue (eating disorder), it’s sad to see that obesity is vilified to the level it is. As if being obese is some sort of character flaw. Unfortunately, this attitude is not limited to this one person. Even after weight loss surgery, I weigh darn near 400 lbs. And while I could use the breakdown of my surgery as an excuse, I don’t. I know I should eat better. I know I should exercise. I know I need counseling for any eating issues I have. But in the meantime, don’t seat me in the back of the restaurant so your other patrons don’t have to look at me. Don’t talk about me behind my back. Don’t act like you’re better than I am because you’re thinner. Don’t ignore me when I talk to you, as if I don’t exist at all. Don’t perpetuate the lie that the thinner you are, the better you are, and expect our young girls to reach an unhealthy ideal. Don’t generalize - not every fattie is a fattie because they sit on the couch all day eating bon bons. Even if I ever do win the battle against the DISEASE of obesity, I’ll still be a curvy girl, and damn proud to be one. *If* I lose my weight, it will be because I want to live long enough to spend the rest of my life (whatever is left of it) with my husband. Nothing more, nothing less.

Sorry to rant on about this, but it needed to be said. While I’m sure that most (probably all) of you don’t share the opinion of this one blogger, I’d be curious to know if those of you who are overweight encounter the same attitudes in society as I do.

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Speaking of which, I’m throwing around the idea to do an experiment next year that has me trying 12 different ways of eating (one per month), while exercising the same amount all year, to see which one is the most effective for weight loss, which makes me feel the best personally (for example, I know I should be eating lower carb because of PCOS, but I don’t), and which one is right for my body. I still haven’t worked out all the details, though. If I do, I’ll probably do it in a separate weight loss journal while still documenting the food aspect of it here. Nothing’s definite yet.

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Until next week, folks…

I’m a bit late getting this out tonight, so all events listed will be from tomorrow (10/14/06) on… my apologies.

Tomorrow (10/14) is the 1st Annual AleFest, held at Columbus Convention Center at 2pm-6pm. It’s an “annual charitable craft beer festival showcasing the finest beer styles of the world in an educational, responsible, and enjoyable fashion. You’ll have the opportunity to sample 20 different types of craft beers from over 200 ales and lagers. You must be 21 to enter, and costs $35 at the door. ”

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Also of interest on Saturday is Wine, Dine, and Antiques, a fundraiser for Trinity Elementary School — the event will be held at St. Christopher Church at 1420 Grandview Ave and Trinity School at 1381 Ida Ave in Grandview, starting at 6:00. It “features Dr. Wes Cowan, star of the PBS television series “History Detectives” and featured appraiser on “Antiques Roadshow”. Bring your carryable items or photos of antiques for appraisals. Enjoy Taste of Grandview cuisine, and wine tasting. $25 per person.”

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Starting Saturday and continuing on Sunday is the Ohio Proud Harvest Festival. “More than 20 Ohio Proud companies will offer samples and sell products from salsas and mustards to butter toffee confections and ostrich burgers. Ohio Proud products are at least 50 percent raised, grown and processed in Ohio.” It will be held from 10am-6pm on Saturday, and Noon to 6pm on Sunday, and admission is free. Call 800.467.7683 for more information.

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On Sunday, October 15, “Unwind with Smooth Jazz during Sunday Brunch presented by Crestview Cadillac and C.V.Perry…”above and beyond.” Stop by between 10AM-2PM at the Polaris Grill (1835 Polaris Parkway) located on the southeast side of the I-71/Polaris Parkway exit. Smooth Jazz will broadcast live and feature the smooth sounds of Kim Pensyl & the Smooth Jazz Trio. The brunch buffet features eggs, bacon, made-to-order omelets, belgian waffles, roast beef, poached salmon, ham, turkey, peel & eat shrimp, salads and an array of desserts. Brunch is $15.95 per person. Call the Polaris Grill at (614) 431-5598″.

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Additionally, this Sunday is the Champagne and Chocolate Gala —Live music, art, live auction and more, proceeds benefit the Concord Counseling Services Suicide Prevention Program, 2 p.m. Sun. 774 Park Meadow Road (Westerville). $25, $30 at the door. Call 614-890-8202 for tickets or more information.

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October 18th marks the beginning of the Circleville Pumpkin Show, that annual fall tradition that exposes you to everything pumpkin - as the website says, each year “Most foods are pumpkin related, such as, pumpkin pies, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin burgers, pumpkin taffy, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cake, pumpkin soups, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin cream puffs, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin milkshakes, and many other concoctions that can be made with pumpkin. Admission is free, and the event runs until October 21st. All the information you need at attend can be found at the website, linked above.

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Thursday, October 19th from 3:30pm to 8:30pm is the City of Dublin’s 2006 Halloween Spooktacular, wherein residents are invited to join the city for fun fall activities like hay rides, hay mazes, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling, trunk or treating (local businesses and orgaizations pass out candy from the trunks of their cars), and more. The event will be held at the Dublin Community Recreation Center at 5600 Post Rd, and admission is free. If you’d like more information, please call 614.410.4545.

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Also on Thursday, October 19th: Europia Gourmet Wine Tasting, an “open and informal wine tasting at each Gallery Hop from 2-11pm. No sign up required, this is a great way to taste high-end wines ($2 each), no cheap grocery wines here!” Call 614.460.3000 for more information.

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This week’s classes at Sur La Table:
Sat, Oct 14 - Baking Basics II: Breads (Hands On) 10:30a $65 (FULL)
Monday, Oct 16 - Local Flavor (Hands On) 6:30p $65 (FULL)
Wednesday, Oct 18 - Pasta Workshop (Hands On) 6:30p $65 (OPEN)
Thursday, Oct 19 - The Art of Roasting (Hands On) 6:30p $65 (FULL)

To register for the open classes, or be put on the wait list for the full classes, call Sur La Table at 614.473.1211.

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Elsewhere in Ohio this week:

In Gallia County, on October 13-15, “join the annual celebration of the harvest season at the Bob Evans Farm Festival, 9am-5pm. The event attracts thousands for entertainment, traditional arts and crafts, farm contests, food, children’s activities and demonstrations. For more information, call 800.994.FARM or 740.245.5304 or visit the Bob Evans web site.”

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Also on October 13-15 is the Algonquin Mill Fall Festival. Here, “crafters give demonstrations on old-fashioned crafts, hearty food will be available and young ones can enjoy the children’s entertainment area.” Mill Farm, St. Rte 332, Carrollton. Hours are 9am-5pm each day, and admission is free. Call 877.727.0103 for more information.

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October 14-15 marks the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival, where you can “celebrate Ashtabula County’s covered bridges with crafts, entertainment, historical vehicles and engines, a farmers’ market, a quilt show, a parade, and great food.” It will be held at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds, N. Poplar St, Jefferson on both days from 8am-5pm. Admission for adults is $4, and children are free. Call 440.576.3769 for more information.

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Also on October 14-15, the Harvest Festival will be held at Hale Farm and Village at 2686 Oak Hill Rd. in Bath, OH. “Learn how every family member in the 19th century worked to prepare for the winter ahead by canning, pickling, repairing buildings and cutting firewood. Enjoy wagon rides, yards of straw to play in, pumpkin patches, cider and other fall treats.” Admission for the event is $14.50 for adults, $12.50 fore seniors, and $7.50 for children 3-12. Call 330.666.3711 for more information.

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On weekends through October 22nd, the Devine Farms Pumpkin Festival will be held at Devine Farms at 672 National Rd. in Hebron. “Enjoy wagon rides, a corn maze, pumpkin painting, air brushed pumpkins and more.” Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm. Admission is $1. Call 740.928.8320 for more information.

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Also, through October 15, the Pumpkin Train will be held at the Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. at 11600 County Rd 99 in Findlay. “Ride a quarter-scale train to the pumpkin patch where visitors choose a pumpkin and have it shipped back to the station.” Admission is $1. Call 419.423.2995 for hours and more information.

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One of the really cool events happening elsewhere in Ohio this weekend is the Old Thyme Herb Fair happening this weekend at Lewis Mountain Herbs and Everlastings at 2345 St. Rte 247 in Manchester. It “features more than 200 booths of herb specialists, workshops, cooking classes, demonstations, story telling, musical entertainment and garden and greenhouse tours.” Going on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free. Call 937.549.2484 for more information.

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Speaking of cool (and I mean so cool, that I really wish I could attend this one because it sounds really up my alley), Ohio Magazine had a feature this month on an event called “The Day of the Open Barn Doors. The concept of this is so freakin’ cool. Read this article to get an idea of the event, because I can’t summarize it in a way that will do it justice. From the article, “The “Open Barn Doors” party has evolved into a celebration of the harvest, and a celebration of friendship. And everyone is invited. “The great thing about McIntire,” says Slawinski, “is that you don’t have to know him to come here and be a part of the fun.” This October 14 will be the fifth annual celebration, and as McIntire is fond of saying, “if you’re waiting for a formal invitation, forget it.” McIntire doesn’t invite so much as he “announces” — and opens up those barn doors.”. For more information, “The Day of the Open Barn Doors” Saturday October 14, 2006, noon - ?, food served from noon - 7pm, music starts at 5pm. Contributions of food and drink will be accepted, but are certainly not expected as a requirement for attendance,” he adds. “Try to bring something you harvested, cooked, processed, produced, raised, discovered, aged, vintnered, or thought of yourself.” Contact Gary McIntire, 51211 Boston Hill Rd., Sardis, Ohio 43946. Visit Le Chateau Hillbille or e-mail gary@lechateauhillbille.com. I’m still half tempted to blow off everything else I have planned this weekend to attend this.

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Saturday, October 14th marks the last day of the Fairfield County Fair. It offers all of your usual fair activities, including fair food. Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave, Fairfield. Call 749.653.3041 for more information.

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As always, if you’ve got an event you’d like me to feature, drop me an email at columbusfoodieATgmailDOTcom and I’ll be sure to focus it in next week’s column.

Hay Hay It’s Donna Day is a monthly event, hosted this month by Milk and Cookies. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of Donna Hay, being from the US and all, but from what information I gathered from the event history page, she’s Australia’s equivalent of Martha Stewart. In any case, this month’s theme was fritters, and I *love* fritters, so I’m all in!

The event description didn’t specify that it had to be a Donna Hay recipe (and I wouldn’t know where to find one anyway, since her magazine isn’t available here), so I decided to make apple fritters, using a Rachael Ray recipe. Super simple to make, and for once, I didn’t change anything about the recipe. It was wonderful as-is, maybe next time I’ll drizzle some caramel over it. It kind of reminds me of funnel cake with apples inside. It also was a great way to use some of these apples I have laying around.

Nothin’ to Fret About Apple Fritters (Rachael Ray)

Vegetable oil, for frying
4 apples, Red or Golden Delicious or, 2 of each
2 teaspoons lemon juice (1 wedge will do)
2 cups complete pancake mix, any brand
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, or equivalent of freshly grated
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Heat 1-inch vegetable oil on moderate to medium high heat. If you wish to test the oil, add a 1-inch cube of bread to hot oil. If it turns deep golden brown in color in a count of 40, the oil is ready.

Core apples with an apple corer. Cut into 1/4-inch thick slices across, forming apple rings. Sprinkle sliced apples with the juice of a wedge of lemon to prevent browning.

Mix together pancake mix and water, season with nutmeg. Place confectioners’ sugar in a sifter or a tea strainer. Place a piece of cardboard or brown paper sack on a work surface for draining fritters. Working in small batches of 5 to 6 slices, coat rings of apple in batter, and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until evenly golden brown.

Transfer to paper bag or towels to drain. When all the fritters are cooked, let oil cool before discarding.
Top fritters with confectioners’ sugar and transfer to a serving platter.