Polyface Farms- The Meal

So, for any of you who read "The Omnivore's Dilemma," the author eats meals from three different sources: fast food, grass fed, and self-gathered. The grass fed meal featured meat and eggs from Polyface Farms, here in Virginia. In that same spirit, I decided on the way home from my first "beyond organic" food pickup, that I should prepare a nice first meal. Unlike Pollan (the author of the book), I only had 2 1/2 hours until meal time, and three needy children with me.

After a quick trip to Giant, I arrived at home, unpacked, cleaned the kitchen, and entrusted the children to grill-master "Daddy care." This meant that I had a relatively peaceful time throwing together the food, and that the steaks (two 8-ounce NY Strips) were wonderfully grilled, but that the children were naked in the backyard pool. Daddy care always adds spice to the day, for the better.

When I licked my fingers from cutting the steak to test doneness, I could already tell that it was good. It was very flavorful, and although it was a little bit tough, the toughness was not a distraction, it was just not what you would describe as a tender steak. But it was delicious, worth every dollar of the fifteen we paid for the two steaks.

The meal was served with baked sweet potatoes, sweet corn-on-the-cob, and the best nectarines we've had in several years. I seriously doubt that all of the sides were locally grown, and I'd have a strong suspicion that the corn had a little genetic engineering going on or something to make it THAT sweet. But hey, we just take baby steps in the right direction, correct?

The only BAD part of the meal was the wine. NEVER buy a red called "Funky Llama" Malbec. I've never heard of a Malbec wine, but that doesn't scare me. The name "Funky Llama" should have given me a clue. I don't know who is going to finish the bottle, but it won't be us. Be wary if you are invited to be our guest for dinner this week!