Simple Pleasures

One morning right before the holidays I was driving into town and spotted a milkman. Yes, a milkman.


I jotted down the phone number on his delivery truck and a few days later I became the newest stop on his route.


I've never had milk delivered before. Let me tell you, it is one of the most underrated luxuries in the modern Western world.


So decadent to be able to retrieve, while still in PJs, a bottle of organic 2% right from your doorstep! And I have peace of mind knowing I'll never have to forego my morning coffee because I forgot to pick up milk the night before.


And, best of all, the milk comes in adorable little glass bottles that you rinse out and leave on the doorstep at night for the milkman to whisk away to be reused. It's like 1950. Or the tooth fairy.


***


Continuing on the subject of food, I have discovered a new favorite vegetable: Brussels sprout tops.

I was at the farm shop at Garson's yesterday to buy shitake mushrooms and spinach for dinner and noticed a bin of dark, lush greens that looked like something out of an exotic flower show. I went over to examine them, and was surprised to learn what they were. I knew brussels sprouts grew on stalks, but I never realized that the tops of the stalks are leafy and edible.

I sauteed them for a few minutes with a little olive oil and they turned a brilliant green. The texture is firm, like kale, and the taste is quite sweet with a hint of bitterness and a spicy tone, like horseradish. Excellent!