peak season for eggplant is only a few weeks longer so grab some at the market soon. though it is available year round, late summer is when it is at its best. i actually bought some eggplant at restaurant depot the other day, rather than at the farmers market where i had been buying beautiful local eggplant for the past couple weeks, and was surprised at what a difference there was. the skin was much thicker and less pleasant and the flavor was just more bitter. so if you can, try some market eggplant while it is here.

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last night was my second class at the chopping block downtown and i had a blast! if you have never been to the chopping block, i highly recommend signing up for a class or getting a group of friends together for a private event. shelley, the owner, and the rest of her staff, are inviting and talented and you will have a blast!!
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i have always loved corn on the cob....and have always loved rubbing it with lots of tasty butter. after trying the mexican street corn, i was inspired to take it to the next level. the street corn is coated with mayo, cheese, spice and lime juice and is absolutely delicious. i like to sub in some butter and keep in the cheese because, well, i love cheese.
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i get very excited in late summer when sweet corn is at its peak. i will admit that there were a lot of vegetables that got hidden in a napkin or fed to dr. pepper (our dog) during dinner when i was growing up, but corn was never one of them. in part, corn on the cob is just as fun to eat as it is to watch others eat. i think the typewriter method with a little 'ding' at the end of each row eaten was the family favorite. (of course nowadays kids may not quite get it as typewriters are only seen in old movies). the natural sweetness is so delicious with just a little butter, salt and pepper. though the cobs of corn you can get on the streets in mexico are pretty amazing as well. a little creamy mayo, some spice, cheese and a bit of acidity from the lime juice work great together.
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the second wandering goat dinner has come and gone. another evening filled with good food, tasty beers, festive music and of course fun people all around. it has been fun working in various kitchens, working with old and new friends and developing new traditions (hector the pinata and the mannequin with the animal head who will appear at all of the dinners), though i must say it is making me look forward to getting into the kitchen at the drunken goat. a place i will be able to call home. until then we will keep hopping around the city cooking and getting ready for the new year.
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