fandomhigh | Beginning Gourmet Cooking Techniques

This week, the class had received ~~handwavy~~ e-mail messages to meet at Portalocity. When they got there, Hannibal greeted them and handed out a list of fruits and vegetables. "Today, we will be covering selecting good produce. The first lesson to buying decent fruits and vegetables is, whenever possible, to buy things which are organic, grown locally, and currently in season. It's healthier and tastes much better. That said, I realize that you may not always have that option. There are some foods that buying organic is more important for than others, due to the amount of chemicals they retain or the types used."

He nodded at the paper. "This list shows what is in season locally at different times of the year, and whether or not it's advisable to buy organically grown and why. Please note that if and when you move elsewhere, you'll need to find another list or compile your own, as available produce and its growing seasons are different everywhere."

He held up the list and indicated the current month. "If you read down this column, it will tell you what we can expect to find in Baltimore in September. I've also listed some simple reminders about how to choose the best of each; I will go into more detail once we arrive, and feel free to take notes. As our class activity today, rather than cooking you will be choosing your own produce to return with."

He gave them a serious look, with a bit of extra directed at Emma ~~if she's there~~, after her attempts the last time they'd done this. "When we step through the portal, we will be in Baltimore at a local farmers' market. Individual growers bring their own produce - and occasionally some other things such as jellies - and sell them themselves. At this particular one, most things will be grown organically, and should be marked as such." He frowned briefly in thought. "If you don't read the local language, please let me know. Stay close and pay attention while I orient you, and then you may wander as you choose to complete the assignment. I will be pleased to answer any questions. I imagine the farmers will be as well, but do remember we are not on the island."

He waited to see if there were any current questions, then nodded them through the portal.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I've had them spiced and with almonds before," Elsa replied, clinging to that. "Not often, not by any means. Almonds have been in short supply back home, especially after the borders closed to foreign trade. But I remember they tasted divine."

"I shall have to make some, then," Hannibal answered, smiling. "Why were your borders closed - war or disease?"

"Neither," Elsa replied, shaking her head faintly. "The King and Queen closed them quite some time ago, as well as firing most of the staff at the castle. Something happened that scared them, suddenly, and the gate hasn't been opened again since."

Neither. Both. It was complicated. And Elsa's fault, though she was trying not to make it too obvious that she felt that way.

Sorry, Elsa, that guilt was pretty obvious, at least to Hannibal. He looked her over. "Would you like to talk about what scared them?" he asked calmly.

Elsa looked up at him, her expression torn somewhere between worried and a little lost, before she shook her head and looked away again.

"Not here, no," she replied. "It's not really 'middle of class in a marketplace' conversation."

It wasn't really a brush-off. It was the honest truth. She'd run from class the other day because of less. She couldn't do this right now. Not here.

"Of course." Hannibal gave her a nod that was almost a bow. "In your own time, then." He held out an arm to encourage her forward. "Come; I'll show you the grapes. Those are easier to determine the quality of."

Beginning Gourmet Cooking Techniques | Friday, 3rd period

Re: Choose your veggies (and fruit)!

Re: Choose your veggies (and fruit)!

Re: Choose your veggies (and fruit)!

Re: Choose your veggies (and fruit)!

Re: Choose your veggies (and fruit)!

Re: Choose your veggies (and fruit)!