Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Michael Pollan to Speak at Winona State University Tomorrow

MICHAEL POLLAN
Sept. 23, 2009 at 7:30 pm — Somsen Auditorium, Winona State University
Event is free but tickets will be required.

For the past twenty years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agriculture, gardens, drugs, and architecture.

He is the author of In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto , winner of the James Beard Award, and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals (2006), which was named one of the ten best books of the year by both the New York Times and the Washington Post. He is also the author of The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World (2001); A Place of My Own (1997); and Second Nature (1991). Pollan appears in Food, Inc. a documentary which debuted in June, and New York Times Magazine, Pollan is the recipient of numerous journalistic awards, including the James Beard Award for best magazine series in 2003 and the Reuters-I.U.C.N. 2000 Global Award for Environmental Journalism. Pollan served for many years as executive editor of Harper’s Magazine and is now the Knight Professor of Science and Environmental Journalism at UC Berkeley.

On 9/22 from Noon to 5:00 and 9/23 Noon to 4:00 p.m. tickets will be available to the general public at the WSU Box Office in the Performing Arts Center. 2 ticket limit. If still available, tickets will given at the door on 9/23, starting at 6:00.

[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, Minnesota]

Monday, September 21, 2009

Sen Yai Sen Lek: Sustainable Thai in NE Minneapolis

I've had a bit of difficulty tracking down international cuisine in the twin cities that's espousing sustainable practices, so when one appears on the radar, I get pretty excited.

For instance, Ngon Vietnamese Bistro has been a winner for me since I learned about it.

We recently moved much closer to the Thai restaurant, Sen Yai Sen Lek, in NE Mpls. We stopped by Sen Yai Sen Lek on 9/15/09 to participate in their 1-year anniversary celebration, and tried a couple dishes. They donated 10% of their September 15th sales to Holly Siasoco's science classes at Edison High School for use toward the Lowry & Central Avenue Gardens. Many others stopped by to celebrate and show support as well. The place was packed.

About Sen Yai Sen Lek:
Cultural Authenticity - Sen Yai Sen Lek offers authentic preparations of traditional Thai dishes

Environmental & Social Sustainability - We believe in sustainable practices and make every effort to consider the social and environmental impact of our business decisions

Community Orientation - We value our local community, celebrating the diversity of our neighborhood in a welcoming atmosphere
Sen Yai Sen Lek keeps a list of their producers on the table, and they include many with whom I am already familiar, including Fischer Family Farms pork, Thousand Hills beef, Larry Schultz eggs, and Kadejan chicken. They offer local beers and wines. They compost and pack their takeout in environmentally friendly containers. Expect a casual atmosphere; it's family friendly, slightly noisy, and brightly lit.















I ordered the Geow Naam Moo Daeng: shrimp and pork won tons in a light chicken broth with egg noodles, cabbage, barbeque pork, green onion, fried garlic, and bean sprouts. The won tons were tender, flavorful, and peppery. The pork was a tad dry. The broth was light, as promised, and the green onion and bean sprouts were fresh and flavorful. You can order a complimentary assortment of hot and spicy chili pepper condiments which will be brought to your table separately for you to spice up your own dish. I added red pepper flake and some vinegar soaked jalapenos to my soup, since the broth was so light.















Gerg ordered the Khao Pad Kuri: curry fried rice with pineapple, chicken, onion and tomato. The tomatoes were particularly tasty and fresh, and the chicken was tender.

My favorite thai restaurant in Minneapolis remains Chai's Thai, but the fact that Sen Yai Sen Lek is working so hard prepare a sustainable table for us is something I appreciate and will continue to support.

Sen Yai Sen Lek
2422 Central Avenue NE
Northeast Minneapolis, MN 55418
612-781-3046

[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, Minnesota]

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Dine Fresh, Dine Local


Caprese bruschetta
Originally uploaded by gergistheword
It's the time of year when although we should be dining at restaurants (due to so many fresh ingredients being available), we are enjoying the garden's bounty at home. Our freezer is packed once again with tomatoes, beans, asparagus, summer squash, peas, and sweet corn. The canning jars are sparkling with red and yellow tomatoes, salsa, and dill beans. The beets are still waiting, and we're glad they are patient, as well as the carrots, butternut squash, and pie pumpkin.

Caprese Bruschetta has been the treat of the season at our house.
It's easy to make and it's tasty.

* 6 or 7 ripe heirloom tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs)
* 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
* 1 Tsp balsamic vinegar
* 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* Fresh mozzarella, sliced
* 1 loaf Italian bread

1) Preheat oven to 350.
2) While oven is preheating, dice the tomatoes, chiffonade the basil. Combine the tomatoes and basil in a bowl with olive oil and balasmic vinegar.
4) Slice the bread on a bias - about 1/2 inch thick slices. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven (about 5 minutes).
5) Slice the fresh mozzarella.
6) Remove the bread from the oven.
7) Place a piece of fresh mozzarella on each slice of bread. Return bread to the oven for about 2 minutes (until cheese just starts to melt).
8) Remove from oven, top with basil and tomato mixture.
9) Crack some fresh black pepper over the top.
10) Eat

Once, we topped the bruschetta with some bacon we picked up at the Mill City Farmer's Market. We've added garlic to the tomato basil mixture, and once we even used the juice leftover from the tomato basil mixture as a sauce for some sliced Italian sausage from the co-op. We simply browned the sliced sausage, added the sauce, and allowed the sauce to reduce.

Still, if you can manage to get away from your own garden and kitchen, now is the perfect time of year to enjoy fresh, local foods, at your favorite restaurant, and the Dine Fresh, Dine Local event is a great way to sample the season.
Dine Fresh Dine Local is a special two-day culinary celebration of good local food served in St. Croix River Valley restaurants, cafes and delis. Fifteen (15) eateries in the Stillwater/Hudson area and seven (7) in the Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls area and surrounding communities will each feature menu items using ingredients sourced from at least 3 different local & regional growers and processors. See the list of participating restaurants and profiles at www.dinefreshdinelocal.com.

Dine Fresh Dine Local is co-sponsored by Buy Fresh Buy Local® St. Croix Valley and it’s host organization Land Stewardship Project, the River Market Community Co-op in Stillwater, What We Need is Here, the St. Croix Scenic Byway, the St. Croix Falls Buy Local Initiative and the Farm to Community Alliance.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

September 12: Small Farm and Rural Living Expo 2009

The Small Farm and Rural Living Expo 2009 is scheduled for this upcoming weekend in Jordan, MN.

This Expo is organized by the University of Minnesota Extension and includes seminars on issues related to living on small acreages.

In addition, there will be vendors showcasing products, programs, and equipment designed for acreage owners.

Special features will include the “Aisle of Breeds” featuring livestock suited to small farms and acreages as well as a “Kids Corner” with activities for children.
Concessions will be provided all day by 4-H clubs.

Gates will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. September 12th only!
Seminars will start at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m.
Vendors will be available throughout the day.

Admission:
$10 per person
$20 per family or car
Children 12 & under are free!

A brochure from the event lists the events happening on each stage, including presentations on cheese-making, chicken coops, and local food marketing: http://www.extension.umn.edu/smallfarms/pdfs/small_farm_and_rural_living_expo_brochure.pdf



[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, Minnesota]