In N Out, Not for this War.

Greetings culinary comrades,

It has been awhile since I have written. I am in the midst of preparing for a long tour. The elections and the primaries are upon us, and the President is gearing up to create a way to keep people from focusing on the issues by going to war with Iran. The real issue: the Farm Bill.

Yes, corn is going to be the most subsidized product next to Haliburton's war machine...and corn will be in its largest production EVER. It is a creation of a monoculture that will have great ramificiations. For one week, make recipes with out corn. Here's an idea:

In N Out Falafel -- Protein Style.


Ingredients

1 cup of Falafel Mix
6 Romaine Hearts (go for local if you can), cut in half
1/2 cup Tahini sauce
1/2 cup of olive oil, extra virgin
2 organic tomatoes, diced

Now, start off with the Falafel Mix. You can make your own falafel mix by using garbanzos and a meat grinder. This is a great way to use a meat grinder. I usually make my own falafel, and I love those that use cilantro and sesame seeds to balance out the mix.

With the mix, put in 2/3 cup of water, mix, and let sit for 30 minutes. You can use this time to call someone and talk to them about their last farm experience. One of the reasons, why politicians can pass a bill like this is because many people, especially in urban areas, have no stories to tell about being on the farm. Their words, their hands, their spirits are not as connected to the ground. I am not saying everyone has to buy a piece of land, but just realize this disconnect and seek stories to help you connect back.

While this is soaking, take tahini sauce, add a bit of the oil and mix with 3 squeeze of lemon. Notice how I did not put the lemon (or lime) in the ingredients list. That's because I want people to realize that recipes are complete poems from beginning to end, and sometimes you may find suprises, like you do when you make food together as a community or a family.

Then get a sautee pan, place the oil on medium high heat until it's hot, and place falafel in patty form into pan. Be very vigilant not to waste oil.


After patties are done, place 1-2 on a romaine heart, add tahini and tomatoes. Serve with the television off. Eat slowly. Cut the hearts more, if unexpected company arrives. paz - mero