slow session: friends, farms, and food day, 10/10/2011

Date: Monday, October 10th, 7 pm – 9 pm
Location: Springdale Farm, 755 Springdale Road, Austin, Texas 78702

This year on October 24th, cities across the U.S. will be celebrating Food Day, a day in which people from all walks of life come together to voice their support for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. In preparation for the Food Day events happening later in the month, Slow Food Austin will be having a Dine and Discuss Potluck of appetizers, drinks, and desserts at the lovely Springdale Farm. Come catch up with friends, enjoy the evening air, introduce the kids to the farm animals, exchange recipes, and discuss how we as a community can work together to support and nurture good, clean, and fair food. To get the dialogue going, a panel of Austin Food Champions; Katy Levit, Happy Kitchen Developer at Sustainable Food Center, Judith McGeary, founder and director of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and Glenn Foore, owner and farmer of Springdale farm will each be discussing their field of expertise as it relates to the Food Day principles. The session will end with an open dialogue and unveiling of the upcoming events going on around town to celebrate Food Day on October 24th.

This session is free and open to everyone in the community. Slow Food Austin will provide some snacks and beverages. Bring a chair, a friend, a favorite appetizer, dessert, or drink and RSVP to anneh@slowfoodaustin.org.

$5 meal challenge round-up

$5 Meal Challenge

The $5 Meal Challenge from Slow Food USA took place on September 17th, and the results are in. Stories from all around the country are listed on the Slow Food USA site.

The topic of whether eating fast food or junk food is really more affordable seems to keep appearing. For more information about costs of home-cooked meals, see also the recent article by Mark Bittman “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?

And, here’s the round-up of $5 Meal Challenge dishes from right here in Austin:

Notes from Maggie’s Farm created a full meal with sides and condiments:

 

 

 

 

 

Entree: Pozole
Sides: Roasted Corn  3 ways, Refried Black Beans,
Condiments: Fire Roasted Salsa, Pico De Gallo, Roasted Corn and Hatch Chile Relish with Queso Fresco, cilantro, jalapeno, cabbage, onion, avocado served with crispy tostada, or corn tortillas

 

Fig Tart

Shelley of Franish Nonspeaker hosted a $5 Meal potluck and prepared a Fig and Jam Tart that was just $1 per serving.

 

 

 

 

Kate of A Bobo Mess made a Black Bean Feta Salad.Black Bean Feta Salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vegan Dirty Rice

Lisa from Lisa is Cooking prepared a Vegan Cajun-spiced Dirty Rice dish to serve ten that came in just under budget.

 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn from The Austin Gastronomist created a Zucchini Crumble for dessert that came in at 86 cents per serving.

 

 

 

The Whole Story blog from Whole Foods offered this great list of budget-friendly meals too.

farm tour: richardson farms, 10/2/2011

Date: Sunday October 2, 2011 2 pm – 4 pm
Location: Richardson Farms, Rockdale, Texas
Ticket price: $20

If you’ve had a pulled pork burger from Blackstar Brewery, a pork belly taco from Taco Deli or house-made sausage from Dai Due Butcher Shop, you’ve eaten Richardson Farms meats. The family-run farm has established itself as one of the best suppliers of locally raised, pastured meats in the Austin area.

Come with Slow Food Austin to learn first-hand what it takes to bring these delicious meats to your table. Jim and Kay Richardson raise cattle, pigs, chickens, heritage turkeys, ducks and rabbits on their 200-acre family farm. The animals are raised on pasture and grains the farmers grow and grind themselves on-farm.

The ticket price covers an equal value of meats or a deposit for your holiday turkey. Tour attendees are welcome to make additional purchases, so bring your cooler.  Children of all ages are welcome if under parental supervision. To RSVP and purchase tickets go to slowfoodaustinrichardsonfarms.eventbee.com.

Tour questions?  Email Grit at email@gritramuschkat.com.

happy hour: the lounge at the four seasons hotel, 9/15/2011

Date: Thursday September 15th, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: The Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
RSVP Here

UPDATE: All proceeds from tonight’s Happy Hour will go directly to farmers who have suffered losses related to the recent central Texas fires. We will also be accepting direct donations for farmers.  We are specifically trying to raise money to transport donated organic hay from Iowa so that farmers can put their animals back on the burned farm land.

Join Slow Food Austin in the Lounge at the Four Seasons for our Monthly 3rd Thursday Happy Hour, September 15th, 6pm-8pm as we people watch, munch on yummy seasonal food and sip on “slow” drinks. The Happy Hour will feature a $10 or less locally sourced slow food appetizer menu (see below) from TRIO whipped up by Chef de Cuisine, Todd Duplechan. And the bar will be serving a $5 “slow” drink Happy Hour Menu to get you ready for all that ACL weekend has to offer you. This is sure to be a fun and festive Slow Food Austin Happy Hour! A big thank you to our sponsors Treaty Oak Rum and Duchman Family Winery.

Check out this amazing menu:

Beaman farm crispy beef shortribs
Blue cheese, pickles
Richardson farm spare ribs
Grape chutney,garam masala

Squash blossom
Smoked eggplant, basil puree
Mac and cheese
Texas gold cheddar

Shrimp toast
Chilies, arugula

We look forward to seeing you there!


$5 Meal Challenge, 9/17/2011

Date: Saturday, September 17, 2011

Slow Food USA has invited everyone to take a $5 Meal Challenge on September 17th. By joining friends and family for a slow food meal that costs no more than $5 per person, we’ll be taking back the ‘value meal.’

And, we’d like to hear about your meals. If you prepare a meal at home or a dish for a potluck for this event, we’d like to  hear your story. Send us a description of your dish or meal and how you kept the cost below $5 per person, a photo if you have it or a link to an online photo gallery, or send us a link to a post if you blog about the event. We’ll post a round-up of all the $5 meals one week after the event. We’re looking forward to collecting this list of affordable slow food meals, so take the challenge and then tell us what you did.

Send info about your meal by noon on Friday, September 23 to: lisa@slowfoodaustin.org

Round-up of $5 meals will be posted on Monday, September 25.

 
“slow food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food.”

quiz bowl, 8/14/2011

Date: Sunday August 14, 12 pm – 4 pm
Location: The Highball, 1142 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas
Tickets: $15 purchase here

On Sunday August 14th from 12-4pm, Slow Food Austin will host a Quiz Bowl at The Highball. This trivia style contest (think game show) is not for the faint of heart. Teams comprised of local food celebrities and food hot shots, will compete for the honor of being the official “Food Geeks” of Austin. Teams include Glazers, TRACE, Whole Foods Market, Greenling, Barley Swine, Ecstatic Cuisine, Austin Food Bloggers Alliance, and Balding, Bearded and Bitter (Brian Stubbs, Josh Loving, Bill Norris, and Andrew McArthur).

The fast-paced, ruthless, all-in-good-fun, competition will feature questions developed by Addie Broyles of the Austin American-Statesman. Our teams will need to know their stuff about food history, cheese, food pop culture, beer and spirits, food artisanry, and foodie trends. You’re bound to learn something interesting whether you are playing or watching.

While you’re enjoying the atmosphere of the Highball and the excitement of the Quiz Bowl, you can taste delicious delights from local “slow” restaurants and artisans along with happy-hour-priced “slow” drinks from the bar. It gets better! We will also host a Texas style half-time show when Bryan Butler of Salt & Time, recently named one of the  Cochon 555 best butchers in America, will dress a pig and we’ll have a not-to-be-missed live auction for the cuts of meat. Yes, we said a live auction for meat.

$15 entry gets you in the door including the restaurant nibbles, happy hour priced drinks, and the most fun you’ll have all summer. We will also have a grand door prize and a variety of Slow Food-approved raffle items. Buy your admission ticket in advance, and you’ll receive five free raffle tickets at the door. Buy tickets here: slowfoodquizbowl.ev?entbee.com/

What could be better on a hot August afternoon in Texas than to be at the trendy Highball enjoying a little healthy competition with friends and food?  Come meet some of the most amazing people in your food community- chefs, experts, visionaries, trend-setters, and treasures.  We want to honor the people who make our food community great by hosting an event that can make you laugh while you are doing the serious work of eating, learning, and showing your support for the local food system.

Restaurants and artisans include: Wink, BC Tavern, Confituras, Cuvee Coffee, Kocurek Family Artisanal Charcuterie, Parkside, Jeffrey’s, Olivia, Salt & Time, Contigo, Thai Fresh, La Patisserie by Luxe Sweets, GoodPop, and The Highball.

happy hour: trace, 7/21/2011

Date: Thursday July 21, 6 pm – 8 pm
Location: Trace at the W Hotel, 200 Lavaca Street Austin, TX 78701
RSVP: karlal@slowfoodaustin.org

Please join Slow Food Austin at our monthly Third Thursday Happy Hour at TRACE.  TRACE Austin is a sleek and sophisticated restaurant featuring the finest flavors of Central Texas sourced directly from the region’s surrounding farms.  At the helm of TRACE’s kitchen is Chef de Cuisine, Paul Hargrove and Slow Food Austin’s very own, Valerie Broussard who, as the Forager at W Austin, sources local ingredients from nearby farms, and cheeses, cured meats, jams and even hot sauce from artisanal producers. There will be a special Slow Food Austin appetizer menu and $5 drink specials.  Please rsvp to karlal@slowfoodaustin.org.

annual event quiz bowl, 8/14/2011

Date: Sunday August 14, 12 pm – 4 pm
Location: The Highball, 1142 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas
Tickets: $15 purchase here

On Sunday August 14th from 12-4pm, Slow Food Austin will host a Quiz Bowl at The Highball. This trivia style contest (think game show) is not for the faint of heart. Teams comprised of local food celebrities and food hot shots, will compete for the honor of being the official “Food Geeks” of Austin. Each 4-person team pays $150 to play and the winning team will donate their cash prize to a local food charity of their choice.

The fast-paced, ruthless, all-in-good-fun, competition will feature questions developed by Addie Broyles of The Austin American  Statesman focused on food history, cheese, food pop culture, alcohol, food artisanry, and foodie trends so you’re bound to learn something interesting whether you are playing or watching.

While you’re enjoying the atmosphere of the Highball and the excitement of the Quiz Bowl, you can taste delicious delights from local “slow” restaurants and artisans along with happy-hour-priced “slow” drinks from the bar. It gets better! We will also host a Texas style half-time show when Bryan Butler of Salt & Time will dress a pig and we’ll have a not-to-be-missed live auction for the cuts of meat. Yes, we said a live auction for meat!

$15 entry gets you in the door including the restaurant nibbles, happy hour priced drinks, and the most fun you’ll have all summer. We will also have a grand door prize and a variety of Slow Food Approved raffle items. Buy your admission tickets early and you get five free raffle tickets at the door. Tickets are on sale now!

What could be better on a hot August afternoon in Texas than to be at the trendy Highball enjoying a little healthy competition with friends and food? Come meet some of the most amazing people in your food community- chefs, experts, visionaries, trend-setters, and treasures. We want to honor the people who make our food community great by hosting an event that can make you laugh while you are doing the serious work of eating, learning, and showing your support for the local food system.

* For information on team entry please contact Karla Loeb directly. $150 registration for a team of 4 people. Space is limited so register your team asap!

*A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Slow Food Austin Programming and one very lucky local food charity!

Volunteers will receive free admission. Sign up here!

guest post: austin wine scene

We welcome Paul Courtright of Pioneer Wine Company for this guest post:


I’m yet another one of those Austin transplants. Four years ago my partner and I decided to move here because of the potential. The things that I love—food, wine, and music—are so vibrant and unique here, and the enthusiasm is infectious.

It’s no revelation to say that the food landscape in Austin has changed radically in the last four years. The downtown farmer’s market has grown from a small, if energetic, city block to a really exciting and distinctive showcase of local food culture. A number of truly exciting restaurants have expanded the idea of Central Texas cuisine, and are starting to make food yet another reason for people to visit and relocate to Austin.

As a part of the food world, the beverage scene in Austin has taken off. We have truly great coffee at Caffé Medici and Houndstooth, world-class cocktails at Bar Congress and Fino (to name just two), a score of new and exciting local breweries like Jester King, and a growing number of restaurants with cool wine lists.

Now, when Austinites seek to discover a new wine, they can do so at a number of locally owned and operated wine shops. When choosing a wine shop to frequent, I look for an atmosphere where I can start a dialogue with someone who is passionate and knowledgeable. With this in mind, I set out to find some warm weather refreshment by stopping in at three of Austin’s best retailers:

Wiggy’s is iconic. The two locations downtown are so full of personality, they’re just great to spend an afternoon in, getting lost among the bottles. Their suggestion for summer was a nice rosé from southern France.

The producer, Mourgues du Gres, is in the Costières de Nîmes (in the hillsides of Nîmes, an ancient city east of Provence also famous for being the birthplace of denim fabric). Dry rosé is a staple in southern France, the combination of refreshing acidity and a bit of weight is ideal for the warm Mediterranean climate and rolling limestone hills which resemble Austin in the summertime. François Collard is a young farmer bringing this traditional style into our modern lives.

My next stop was East End Wines. The shop is still young, but the staff combines years of experience in the Austin wine scene. They also suggested a wine from southern France, but their candidate was an esoteric white from Corbières.

Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie, has been producing wine in the stony hills just north of the Spanish border since the reign of Louis XIV. Dominique and Marie-Therese Gibert farm the land nowadays. In a region much better known for reds, this white is really something special—full bodied, yet refreshing. It’s great both for sipping on the porch and grilling with friends.

The Austin Wine Merchant has earned a great reputation over the years. It’s a serious wine shop, without pretense. Just steps away from the downtown farmer’s market, it’s also a convenient option for stocking up on summertime thirst quenchers.

I’m a big fan of white wines from the Basque region of northwestern Spain. Txakolina looks intimidating on paper (it’s pronounced “chalk-oh-leena”), but there’s nothing challenging about the tangy, tart wines. Just like the Hill Country, the steep coastal mountains of the Basque region are inhabited by livestock (sheep, in this case). Instead of lemonade, the local tradition is to knock back a few copas of the low-alcohol local wine after a long day in the hot sun. A bottle of Gurrutxaga Txakolina is the perfect refreshment to share with friends around the pool.

After four years, I’m proud to live in Austin. This is a city with exciting opportunities, a place where local and imported food traditions are co-mingling and creating something new and unique. There are some great local purveyors of produce as well fine food and drink. By stopping into your local wine shops this summer, you not only support these invaluable small businesses, but you stand a great chance of getting turned on to some groovy, interesting wine—and maybe a little history to go with it.