Three Latest and Best

Lunch at Elements: Again: So, I'm a little in love with the skirt steak sliders -- like marriage material love. Friday, enjoyed my favorite dish while inhaling the tortilla soup. Bonus? The earliest, most delicate spring peas. Owner Dennis Dunn has some interesting plans for the spring involving some visiting James Beard chefs.

A Little Yat's Love: After the sold out roller derby bout on Saturday night, we hit Yat's right at closing time. The smokey red beans and rice, the chili cheese etoufee and spicy maque choux was as perfect as finding Joe himself behind the counter. Thanks for staying open a few minutes later just for us!

More from The Goose: Chef Christopher Eley had smoked ham hocks in stock the other day -- I picked up one and wish I had a dozen more in my freezer. Threw it in with split peas, carrots, pearl onions, and a few fingerlings. Possibly the best split pea soup I've *ever* made. Fantastic, Chris!

Beer, Yats, and Terra Madre!

Lots going on locally these days as the Fall weather settles in:

Need a Job in Beer? Louis Calli over at Vine and Table in Carmel has a position open for beer coordinator. (Hat tip to Hoosier Beer Geek)

Yat's on the Rise: Our own Yat's was named one of the top emerging chains to watch in the October issue of Restaurants and Institutions magazine. Joe has recently opened restaurants in W. Lafeyette and Chicago and plans 9 more locations in the next year for 15 total. Go, Joe! Spreading the chili cheese etouffee love. Other chains to watch included fro-yo shop Red Mango, Nashville's Bread and Company, Oklahoma City-based breakfast chain Jimmy's Egg, Bumblefish, Tilted Kilt, and Bolocco burritos. Love 'em or hate 'em, give Joe props for making a great concept work in these nutty times. (Hat tip to Wine Canine.)

Terra Madre Posts: Delegates from across Indiana will be heading to Torino, Italy this week for Terra Madre, the bi-annual, global gathering of chefs, farmers, and producers. Chef Thom England of Slow Food Indy will be updating us on the Slow Food Indy blog.

What I Learned in Indinapolis Dine

I always learn lots in Dine mag, but flipping through the newest issue, I found a few noteworthy tidbits worth sharing:

Zen Green Tea Liquor: I'm so glad this incredibly unique liquor has finally made it to town. We first had it at Proof on Main (or something like it) in their cocktail where it paired with chambourd for a tasty "iced tea" cocktail. It's the essence of green tea especially lovely over ice and mixed with any number of other fruit mixers. Delish! (Find it at Kahn's)

Indiana's Popcorn! I had no idea there were 13 different kinds of popcorn, let alone 13 grown in Indiana alone. This handy primer makes me want to clip it and hang it in the kitchen for reference. Or more likely, just make popcorn!

What's In Your Market Box? Everyone's talking about Farm Fresh Delivery! Common in other cities, Indianapolis finally has a market box service based on the community farming concept. Here's how it works -- you join for free, then use their online ordering to create a standing order for organic and local farm fresh fruit and veg. Prices can range from $25-50 an order. (You can also add in meat, dairy, and other items.) You're fresh produce arrives in bin which they reuse each time. There are various other community farm programs popping up around the area. (Some work from a slightly different model requiring a one time buy-in fee that gets you a weekly box of fresh veg all summer long!) It's great to see more options for eating local.

Yat's! Joe gives up the recipe for the chili-cheese etouffee, but be warned, it's complicated! It might be easier -- and cheaper -- to just head down to Yat's for a pre-made version of this crawfish laden treat. Who knew it was his ode to Wisconsin?