The Fork

Zozobra!

It's Labor Day already. Burn the gloom. Have a hot dog. If you want to get more creative, Food Network has you COVERED.

For my money, I like this simple recipe for stuffed jalepeños:

• 12 large jalepeños
• 1 block cream cheese
• 24 strips of thick-cut bacon

Slice the jalepeños length-wise and scoop out the seeds. Use a spoon to generously fill each half with cream cheese. Wrap with a slice of bacon and place a toothpick through the whole thing to hold it together. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the bacon is cooked to your liking.

Let's FORK!

Bloomberg is reporting on the much-discussed price drops. Some products are up to 43 percent cheaper. And while this is great for your wallet, it does bring up questions. Slate goes into the dynamics of the Walmart-ification of the grocery store and what that could mean long-term.

The specter of monopolies and less choice as consumers looms large here. Amazon has the might to force many in the industry to follow its lead, good or bad, and the ready-made Whole Foods model makes this a more viable inroad for Amazon than their weird bookstore model does.

And speaking of burning our miseries and renewing ourselves—after a long absence El Farol (808 Canyon Road, 983-9912) reopens today! They have a full weekend of events planned for the reopen, including flamenco all weekend (and Fridays and Saturdays all year after that). Check out the calendar HERE.

Fair food is wonderful. As part of the fair, the annual Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge will take place on Monday Sept. 12 at 3:45 pm.

Here's a list of the participants: El Bruno's Restaurant, Sparky's Burgers, BBQ & Espresso, The Eklund, Starr Brothers Brewing, Village Café, Rockin' BZ Burgers, Whole Foods Market (Sandia Saloon), Oso Grill, Fat Sats Bar & Grill, Oak Tree Café, Fuddruckers and The Pointe Grill.

There isn't a Santa Fe restaurant on the thing—which is disappointing. But it'll be a good time anyway.

WHEN: 3:45 pm Monday Sept. 11
WHERE: Agricultural Building Courtyard on the Expo Grounds (300 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque)
COST: Adults $10 - Seniors (65+) $7 - Children (6-11) $7 - Under 6 FREE

REMINDER!!!

The Farmer's Market Institute's Fall Fiesta is Sept. 9! Head on down for food and dancing!

WHEN: 5:30 pm Saturday Sept. 9
WHERE: Farmers Market Pavilion (1607 Paseo de Peralta)
COST: Dinner $150 / Celebration $35 — Book tickets HERE

See you next week!
Michael

Santa Fe Reporter