Author Archives: John Idstrom

About John Idstrom

My name is John Idstrom and I write Meezenplace, which is an intentional misspelling of the french cooking term Mise en Place. I am a non-indiginous, invasive species who lives and writes by the beaches of Monterey Bay. I used to think Meezenplace was about food, and maybe it was at some point. Now it's just stories I find that have food in them. Pull up and chair and join me for a meal.

Mississippi Redux: Happy New Year

Posted on December 26, 2012 by John Idstrom

Author’s Note:  While I am working up a new essay, I thought I would share an old one from September 2011 that I recently reworked and expanded with the help of Amy Milligan, editor extraordinaire of The Spleen (www.the-spleen.com).  If … Continue reading →

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This Little P-I-Ggy Goes to Market

Posted on December 1, 2012 by John Idstrom

In Spain, bacon can cost you $90 per pound. OK, that’s an approximation based on my imperfect conversions of euros to dollars and kilos to pounds, but you get the picture. Also, it’s not quite fair to call the Spanish … Continue reading →

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Meez Teez

Posted on November 29, 2012 by John Idstrom

A new Meez en Place is in the final stages of editing prior to posting, but just thought I would provide a little teaser for my loyal readers.  Several weeks ago I got multiple requests for the recipe of a … Continue reading →

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You Say T’mater, I Say Don’t Wait ’til Later

Posted on September 7, 2012 by John Idstrom

“Strike,” they say, “whilst the iron is hot.” Or, in this case, pick when the fruit is ripe. All over this fair country, not to mention most of the Northern Hemisphere, those all-too-few brief weeks we all wait for have … Continue reading →

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Nobody Expects…Little Fishies

Posted on July 6, 2012 by John Idstrom

Expect the unexpected, that’s what I say. “No one expects the Spanish Inquisition” — not even the Pythons. Don’t you just love it when some perfect treasure turns up right where you were least expecting it? For example, I was … Continue reading →

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Rainbows, Browns and Barbeque

Posted on June 26, 2012 by John Idstrom

When it comes to keeping their lips sealed and general obfuscation, barbeque pit masters and anglers leap to the front of the line. Prying pertinent information from expert practitioners in these fields is an exercise in futility. I recently encountered … Continue reading →

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Ode to an Oyster

Posted on May 9, 2012 by John Idstrom

“T’was a bold man ate the first oyster,” or so says Jonathan Swift.  I’m not sure I’m buying that one.  The first oyster I ever saw/ate looked pretty damn good to me.  Of course it was bathed in hot half … Continue reading →

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Requiem for a Garden

Posted on April 24, 2012 by John Idstrom

This piece originally appeared at Exit133 as part of my Mise En Place series there.  I am reprinting here with the sad news that my garden at Kandle Park has been basically ruined by an attempt to “improve” the space, … Continue reading →

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Amen, Brother

Posted on March 2, 2012 by John Idstrom

I hate medicine. Then again who doesn’t?  Medicine, like K-Mart, sucks.  When I was a kid it seemed like I was sick constantly, no surprise if you grow up chin deep in Minnesota winters.  Mom sends you outside to play, … Continue reading →

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Off-Grid Gourmandise

Posted on January 21, 2012 by John Idstrom

“You can still live with grace and wisdom, thanks partly to the many people who write about how to do it and perhaps talk overmuch about riboflavin and economy, and partly to your own innate sense of what you must … Continue reading →

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