Follow That Chef…
…wish that you had a professional chef by your side while you were at the farmers market? You know, someone to haggle with the venders for the best price on arugula, someone who knows what to do with that huge bag of peaches you just had to buy, or what the heck are these giant green things, and how do I cook them?
Well stop wishing, and get behind the scene to find out what happens in a real chefs kitchen! The Venice based company A Sustainable Kitchen has teamed up with The Santa Monica Farmers Market and local chefs to bring you an inspiring class that will lead you on a tour through the famous Santa Monica Farmers Market and then back to the beautiful Kitchen at the Gourmandise School of Sweets and Savory for a quick lesson on what to do with your fresh bounty.
After the Demo The US Green Building Council will provide a tour to point out some of the sustainable features of the Santa Monica Place.
This is a FREE event! But spaces are limited and they fill up quickly, so be sure to register here:
https://beta.cookingschoolsofamerica.com/thegourmandiseschool/index.php?page=classes#681
Fresh off the boat…
One of my favorite things about Culver City, besides the amazing art happening at the moment, has to be Surfas Restaurant Supply. Its one of those places I get excited just thinking about. The shelves are stocked with high-quality insane products like Guerilla Honey, Meat Gloo, crystals made from the Essence of Basil, and just about every sort of kitchen utensil/gadget you can imagine. Every time I visit Surfas I experience something new.
This visit was no exception, except I was not shopping on this sojourn, instead of taking home some exotic chocolate or french cheese, I took home the experience of getting to cook with Chef Mark Gold of Eva restaurant in the Surfas Test Kitchen along with Annette Eason from A Sustainable Kitchen of Venice, and amazing seafood from Seafood for The Future. Together they set up a free demo illustrating the importance of sustainable fishing and the impact it has on our planet, and I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to assist.
We graciously received Giant Spotted Prawns,caught off the coast of Santa Barbara just hours before, so fresh they were still kicking, and a huge basket of muscles. Both were delivered by Kim from Seafood for the Future. The shellfish was loaded right off the boat into her car and then driven directly to Surfas. No fresher Seafood than that unless you catch it yourself!
The demo was a HUGE success! The food Chef Mark Gold cooked was somehow simple yet decadent, fresh, and super tasty. Kim from Seafood for the Future answered tons of questions concerning the ever confusing subject of fresh or farm raised and why, and Annette was able to connect the importance of sustainable fishing with green living. Not to mention an audience of fifty got to indulge on the freshest prawns I have ever tasted!
I had so much fun at this Demo, I cant wait until the next! To see more pictures of the Live seafood and Chef Mark Gold head to my Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/KatheryneCooks
Make sure to check the Surfas Los Angeles website www.surfaslosangeles.com for future FREE demos from A Sustainable Kitchen.
Sustainability + Seafood
Surfas in Culver City is offering a FREE demo this afternoon with Chef Mark Gold of Eva. He and Annette Eason of the Venice based company a Sustainable Kitchen will be talking about the confusing subject of sustainable seafood. What types of fish to eat, and when to eat them. Join us for free food, and helpful tips for creating ocean friendly food. Today from 11:00-1:00
www.surfaslosangeles.com
Fruity Fun
Springs full bounty has brought an abundance of tropical fruits. Mango, papaya, coconut, and pineapple are some of my favorite fruits this time of year. Not only all high in their own vitamins, but they are naturally super sweet, appealing to the eye, and a perfect way to create a fun, easy, kid enticing snack.
Because of the beautiful and substantial shells on these fruits they make perfect cups to serve them self in. If using a papaya or a pineapple, use the larger half of the fruit. If using a mango or coconut half the fruit. Next hollow out the shells and dice up the flesh of the fruit. This is a great step for kids because all of the fruits can be hollowed out using a spoon so its safe for children. Just be careful if using pineapple (kinda prickly).
Fill with your favorite yogurt, then sprinkle the diced up fruit onto the yogurt and garnish with honey and mint.
Royal Potaoes
The Purple Peruvian fingerling potato, or the Solanum andigenum, is a variety of the spud that is chock full of the antioxidant anthocyanin. These purple potatoes are a staple in most South American kitchens. Not only are indigo hued gems pretty, but they are hearty and healthy as well.
Last night I tossed some in olive oil crushed garlic, salt, pepper and ground coriander, then I pan roasted them and sprinkled them with cilantro. Yum!!
Purple Plant Eaters
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These richly hued veggies aren’t just beautiful to look at, but they will also do wonders for your health. The royal purple and ruby colors come from the Anthocyanin’s found in the plants chemical make-up. The anthocyanin’s appear reddish in color, and are part of a group of molecules called flavonoids. Studies have shown that the anthocyanin’s act as antioxidants, which have many health benefits of their own (fighting free radicals). Some research says that anthocyanin’s promote healthy brain efficiency by promoting the level of chemicals that increase memory function.
Research from the Ohio State University shows that these anthocyanin’s are not only helpful in preventing cancer, as we already knew, but they are somewhat beneficial in restricting the growth of already existing cancers in the body.
They possess anti-inflammatory properties which can help with acne, arthritis, colon disease, and really just the overall wellness of our bodies. Purple fruits and vegetables come in a variety of shapes and flavors.
These purple fruits and veggies are usually easy to find (when seasonal) at the local farmers market or Grocery store:
- Eggplant
- Kale
- Beets
- Concord grapes
- Blueberries
- Potatoes
- Purple carrots
Next time your making your salad bowl, toss in some purple, it’s easy on the eyes and great from the mind and body!
ur making your salad bowl, toss in some purple, it’s easy on the eyes and great from the mind and body!
Looking for Humble Seeds here in Cali? Check your local Livingreen store. Livingreen has three locations in Cali, and they sell the HumbleSeeds on their website as well!!!
Whats Livingreen you ask? Check my website for a review on their awesome Eco-conscious design space.
TODAY with Local Chef Joe Miller at SURFA’S Test Kitchen
This Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Surfas Test Kitchen, Joe Miller will show the audience how he would use his CSA box to prepare restuant quality meals. Chef Joe Miller is the locally famous chef known for his restaurant Joes on Abbot Kinney, and Bar Pintxo, With his commitment to Cal-French using only the freshest local ingredients he can get his hands on.
Presented by Chef/designer Annette Eason and her Venice company A Sustainable Kitchen.
Please join me at this free event as I assist chef Joe Miller as he shows the way to utilize fresh local produce to make amazing easy meals!
According to the website www.thedailygreen.com there are 12 foods that make a BIG difference if you consume the organic version as opposed to the pesticide sprayed… Some of the chosen foods may surprise you. Does an apple a day really keep the Dr. away? Se why Apples rated #1 on the new list.
Check out this link to see what they are:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/Dirty-Dozen-Foods#fbIndex1
Photo taken by Gloria Dawson /from the Daily Green website
Just Got My Seeds!!!
The amazing Humble Seed just sent me a wonderful array of organic, Non-GMO seeds that are going to make my garden sing beautiful tunes of fresh mint, thyme, cumin, and many, many more! Amazing! Each seed packet comes with a bloom description, and individual directions.
To get your own go to: http://www.humbleseed.com
Uncle Herbs Fav
The Seed That Feeds
Seeds!
