What Foods Would You Miss?

DAY 97 - Three more days. The Mission 100-Mile Challenge ends Monday at the stroke of midnight. There’s something about an approaching deadline that slows down time--the pleasures of the moment fade into the background and the finish line grabs all your attention. I miss the challenge already, but at the same time, I won’t deny I’m ready for a locally brewed beer (with forbidden barley) with friends at a restaurant.

I don’t really have anything to say except to mark the final countdown. I did take inspiration from a meeting of Mission 100-milers this week and mixed up a batch of tamales de elote--neat little corn husk-wrapped bundles of sweet corn with Qualicum jack cheese, smoky chili crema, and fresh diced tomatilloes from the garden. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: There is no reason whatsoever for local food to always look like it came out of some stereotype of a “Canadian” cookbook.

I make a lot of Latin American food (I grow my own shelling beans), Greek dishes, even Indian and Thai-inspired meals. I’d give my tamale recipe but I wasn’t totally satisfied with it--good, but not as good as I think it could be. If you’re eager to try it, just look up tamales de elote online and you’ll find recipes and rolling instructions.

Instead, here’s a recipe from Angela--comfort food for those final mornings.

Basic Sourdough Muffin Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c melted butter
2 c sourdough starter (proofed)
2 c flour
2 tsp baking soda (you can use club soda if you’re 100% but it doesn’t work as well)
1/4 c honey

Then add any one of the following or a mix of: 1 c nuts, seasonal berries or ham and cheese...use your imagination. You can also use 1/2 c of zucchini, carrot or apple which will allow you to reduce the butter by half!

Preheat oven to 425 F. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, then stir in berries (or whatever extras you decided to use). Combine wet ingredients and add to the dry ingredients. Fill lined muffin cups 3/4 full and bake for 20 minutes. This is a great way to use up extra zuchini or extra carrots! Enjoy.