www.eatlocalchallenge.com

Local Florida Fish?

by Claire Tompkins

"I think that enjoyment and pleasure are terms that have truly been lost from our vocabulary. We don't appreciate our food anymore. If we don't take care of the resources, we won't have it to enjoy."  So says Miami chef Steve Raichlen. 

He notes that organic farming is particularly challenging in Florida due to voracious tropical pests.  He supports local agriculture but is personally more interested in simple eating seasonally, which I expect doesn't always fly too well in high end restaurants. 

Case in point, elsewhere in the article, fish flown in from Alaska are mentioned.  But these chefs are in Florida, on the ocean.  Aren't there good local fish there?  C'mon!  Raichlen mentions seasonal (2 months) swordfish, but that's it.

Claire is an enthusiastic backyard gardener.  Her nascent blog is here:  www.organiclifeblog.com

Make Your Own Sourdough Starter

by Claire Tompkins

The recipe I'm going to give for sourdough starter is not any better or different than what you may already have read. But I want to give the instructions as pared down and simply as possible so you can see how easy it is and have no reason not to try it!  Follow these nine steps:

1. Get a big jar with a wide mouth. I use a 32 ounce pickle jar.
2. Mix a cup of flour and a cup of water in the jar. I use a wooden spoon; metal can be reactive.
3. Cover the jar with a few layers of cheesecloth secured with a rubber band.

Local Halibut

by Claire Tompkins

Taking on this challenge has given me a good reason to talk to the farmers at my local market (Grand Lake in Oakland, CA), although I'm usually too shy to do that.  I had a chat with the fishmonger there (can't remember the company name) and bought some local halibut from him, which I'm relieved to discover (after the fact) is on the Seafood Watch guide as a "Best Choice."  I find fish a little challenging to cook, but this halibut was fantastic.  I look forward to trying it again. 

Claire is an enthusiastic backyard gardener.  Her nascent blog is here:  www.organiclifeblog.com