Mmm, souffle

My husband and I went out for dinner last night to celebrate ou wedding anniversary. This morning, still under a happy food glow induced by foie gras and sweetbreads on brioche toast, I picked up Last Chance to Eat: The Fate of Taste in a Fast Food World, my favorite book on the joys of eating. Mallet intersperses memories of growing up in post-WWII Britain (where, due to years of rationing, the young cook had never seen an egg before) with the histories of some classic foodstuffs, including the egg, cheese, beef, and heirloom vegetables. She also bemoans the loss of flavor caused by industrialized food production and the food fear that has left so many unable to enjoy beef, eggs, and raw milk cheeses.

I love to cook and I love to eat good food, so Mallet has a sympathetic audience in me. Fortunately for the avid foodie, it's becoming easier to acquire "real food." Without leaving my home state, I can grow my own heirloom vegetables using seeds saved and propagated by numerous companies; join a farmer's co-op or travel to the local farmer's market or organic farm for fresh greens; buy Colorado lamb, buffalo, elk, all of which were happy, frolicking creatures before they became my dinner; purchase an interest in a cow as a source of raw milk; and get some really good goat cheese.

In fact, I think I'll go plan the dinner menu now...