June 2006 Market Report [click for PDF]

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Lessons in Eating Steak from Italy
In April I lost six pounds in 10 days. No, I didn’t plug myself into an elliptical machine; neither did I hold back from eating anything I wanted. So do you want to know how I tightened up a notch on my belt without even trying? OK, it did involve exercise and diet, but not the structured, brow-furrowing type of self-restriction. Maybe it had something to do with my surroundings at the time. Along with Wayne, Dennis, Scott, and Jason from DLM, I went to Tuscany (as well as Milan, Modena, and Paris). We walked everywhere—say a couple hours a day. Few things do the mind and spirit as good, not to mention the calves, glutes, and abs, as hiking up ancient hilltop cities such as Montepulciano or Siena or Pienza, with the bright Tuscan sunshine spilling between the old buildings onto the narrow streets. We ate good food, saw breathtaking vistas at every turn, and drove frenetically from town to town in a rented white Fiat van we dubbed “the magic bus.” We’ve come back with a few ideas and foods that we hope will make Dorothy Lane Market a better place for you to shop. Since summer is here, let’s talk about steak, which is why I’m focusing here on the middle part of the trip, on Tuscany.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to visit Italy, you may be surprised to learn that while pasta is important, it’s not the main event at an Italian dinner. Italians, especially in Tuscany, eat all sorts of flavorful meats including chicken, pork, hare, wild boar, lamb, and rabbit. Tuscany also has a storied tradition of good beef. Take for example Florentine steak: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, which is named for one of the principal cities of Tuscany, that is, Florence. What is it? For all intents and purposes, it is a monster-sized Porterhouse big enough for at least two hearty eaters, grilled to perfection, and anointed with extra-virgin olive oil. “Why is it so special?” you ask. Steak prepared this way could quickly become your favorite. Try it, and you may be hooked on grilling Bistecca alla Fiorentina all summer long. The trick is getting the right beef and the right oil. Suppose you and I are back in Tuscany together, no problem. If you order bistecca in a good restaurant there, the meat will likely be from the Chianina breed of cattle, which is raised in the Chiana valley, near Arezzo. As for oil, extra-virgin olive oil is the lifeblood of Tuscan cuisine, so no problem finding that either.

Now that we’re back in Ohio, what to do? Find a butcher you trust (Jack, Brian, Drew, Mike, et al) in a store you trust (Dorothy Lane Market, of course) and ask for a thick-cut (1½ to 2 inches) Porterhouse. You could also use a T-bone or New York Strip. Just make sure to have it cut thick. Why trust us for your steak? Is it really as good as Tuscany? We think so. Not only do we have experts cutting the meat, the beef itself is something special. For about 25 years now, we have been partnering with Coleman Natural Beef. Started by the visionary Mel Coleman in 1979, Coleman raises cattle that are lifetime free of added hormones or antibiotics, and graze on unspoiled high plains pastures near the Rockies. Our relationship continues today with Mel Coleman, Jr. There is way more to tell you about Coleman, but suffice to say that we think it is the tastiest, as well as “cleanest” meat you will ever eat. Our steaks are well marbled and flavorful, just like the ones in Tuscany. And what about the oil to drizzle on your bistecca? We’ve got you covered there as well. Arezzo is just a stone’s throw from where our Vera Jane’s Extra-Virgin Olive Oil comes, the nearby town of Lucignano. It’s a classic Tuscan oil, full flavored and peppery, and because we buy it directly from our Tuscan friend, Alex, we can sell it to you at a great price. By the way, I think this past winter’s harvest, just now arrived in our stores, is the best we’ve had in years.

Alex’s young bella wife, Laura, grew up in a food-loving family in Tuscany, and she told me she never eats a steak without olive oil. Whenever they visit us here, they want to eat steak from DLM. Same is true of other Italians who have visited. Last winter, importer Gioacchino and his girlfriend, Marta, (who makes another stupendous oil, Piana degli Ulivi, that we featured in February) stopped by. After I told them about area restaurants, they sheepishly requested to eat at my house…Coleman steaks. And a few years back, cookbook author Giuliano Bugialli was at my parents’ house, and while we fretted what to cook him, he requested…you guessed it, “one of those beautiful steaks” we had in the store.

How do you complete your Tuscan-style steak dinner? Once you have the perfectly grilled and dressed bistecca (see page 8), add a tossed green salad, dressed with a vinaigrette of Aunt Vera’s Red Wine Vinegar from Chianti, Vera Jane’s Olive Oil, a dab of Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. For sides? In Tuscany, you would likely have something simple to accent the steak, say a side of pasta or Italian beans, seasoned with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Get a hunk of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for munching. Dessert could be a tiramisu from our Bakery, or some sliced strawberries and whipped cream. Ask one of our Wine staff to pick a bottle of red for you, and you’re on the way to a perfect summer dinner. I don’t know if you will drop any extra pounds eating this dinner. However, I do know you will thoroughly enjoy the experience…so invite over a few friends and family, fire up the grill, put on Frank Sinatra, and enjoy a summer evening, alla Toscana.

Coleman Porterhouse - $15.99 lb
New Harvest Vera Jane’s Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - $10.99 (save $1.00)
Aunt Vera’s Red Wine Vinegar - $3.99 (save $1.00)
Poggiocastro Parmigiano Reggiano - $13.99 (save $1.00)
Earthbound Farm Packaged Salads - 50¢ off your choice
Annalisa Beans in Glass Jars from Italy - 12 oz $1.49 (save 50¢)

HEALTHY LIVING

Amrita Bugs BeGone
With the fun of outdoor activities comes the worry of mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile Virus and deer ticks that may carry Lyme’s disease. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended eucalyptus citriodora (oil of lemon eucalyptus) as one of their three approved insect repellent ingredients effective against mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus. Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil is a plant-based repellent that is registered and approved with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Now, when customers come into the Healthy Living Department looking for a safe and effective bug repellent, we can confidently recommend one. Amrita Aromatherapy, committed to supplying the finest and purest essential oils, has come out with a natural insect repellent for your entire family made with a blend of eucalyptus citriodora, lemongrass, and lavandin essential oils. Bugs BeGone effectively repels biting insects including mosquitoes, fleas, chiggers, ticks, and gnats without the use of DEET. It is made with 100% natural ingredients and pure essential oils with a pleasant citrus smell. There are three versions making it safe for all ages, Bugs BeGone, Bugs BeGone Kids, and Bugs BeGone Pets. It is a non-toxic, chemical-free, alcohol-free, stain-free, non-oily formula, and one application is effective for up to three hours. The key word being effective! Now you can feel good about applying bug repellent to protect your family against those annoying summertime pests so that you can spend more time enjoying each other. Amrita Bugs BeGone $4.59 save $2.00

Pain and Stress Management
Summer is here and that means walking, hiking, biking, gardening, and playing softball. My husband and I love to take long bike rides. I used to be so sore afterward I could hardly walk up the stairs when we got home. Now that I work out at the gym regularly and eat real food, I find those stairs much easier to tackle. Hopefully you’ve been exercising all year and are in good shape, but if you’ve been a couch potato during the winter, you could experience some pain and stiffness now. Don’t let it hold you back from enjoying these activities. Some supplements that may help are:

• Ginger – provides antioxidant activity and is an anti-inflammatory
• Boswellia – has been used in Ayurvedic practice for centuries to help reduce free-radical damage
• Bromelain – a proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple which has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation
• Vitamin C – a well-known antioxidant which has beneficial effects on muscle, collagen, and connective tissue health

FlexAgility Max by Enzymatic Therapy has all these ingredients and more. It’s one of the products I recommend when customers ask for help with pain and stiffness. $14.95 save $10.00

Chris Kilham, Medicine Hunter, will speak this month on the topic “Herbal Approaches to Pain and Stress Management.” An Explorer-in-Residence at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he is the author of thirteen books, including Tales from the Medicine Trail and has conducted medicinal plant research in India, China, Siberia, South America, Vanuatu, the Middle East, and the Far East. Join us in our Springboro Community Room for an exciting talk about his journeys and the results of his research on Tuesday, June 27, from 7-9 p.m. The cost is $10, and registration is required, as seating is limited. To register go to www.dorothylane.com or contact Kathy Stone (937)748-6800 or Joy Kemp (937)434-1294.

Blueberry Peach Salad with Vanilla Vinaigrette

• 3 Tbsp Aunt Mary’s Italian White Wine Vinegar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper
• 1/3 cup Vera Jane’s Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 4 oz Epic Roots Mâche, rinsed and spun dry
• 4.4-oz pkg blueberries, washed
• 2 fresh peaches, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 4-oz pkg Couturier Fresh Goat Cheese, crumbled

Combine vinegar, vanilla, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil. In a large bowl, toss Mâche, blueberries, peaches, almonds, and cheese with vinaigrette. Serve immediately. Makes 4–6 servings

Per serving: 269 calories (75% calories from fat); 22g total fat; 6g saturated fat; 16mg cholesterol, 342mg sodium; 10g total carbohydrates; 6g protein.

DLM School of Cooking Favorite!

1) Tickets for 4 to Blue Jacket “The Epic Outdoor Drama”
2) $50 Gift Certificate to The Pine Club
3) Gift Certificate to Merry Maids One Hour Home Cleaning ($74 value)

One set of prizes will be awarded at each store location unless otherwise specified. No purchase necessary to enter.