Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Pickled Wild Chanterelles

by Oliver Kienast, Wild Mountain Dinners

This recipe was presented as a chef demonstration during the opening of the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson. The idea is to have the brine mimic the forest.

1-2 cups wild chanterelles, cleaned well
1 cup apple cider or other nice vinegar
1 cup unpasteurized honey
2 cups fresh water
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon fennel pollen or seeds
1 fresh bay leaf
2 Grand fir tips
½ small burnt onion
6 small crab apples
1 chili pepper


Pour the hot liquid over the chanterelles in the jar and do not boil the jar again, leaving the mushrooms a good texture. If you want to keep them for awhile, heat the jars and seals to sterilize, otherwise, just jar it and leave it for a few days and then eat it within a few weeks of opening (called a quick pickle). As with any kind of pickling, botulism is always a concern, so be sure to clean everything thoroughly, especially the mushrooms.



Saturday, October 26, 2013

November Mushroom Events

Please note these lovely upcoming mushroom events with friends of Slow Food in November


Mushroom Foraging with Michael Pierce and Dr. Sinclair Philip on Saturna Island   Sold out!

NOV 1st & 2nd

Spend some time on Saturna ... and perhaps even an overnight!

Fascinating Fungi - Mushroom Hunt and Gourmet Lunch
Friday November 1st - presentation with Pam Janszen at the Community Hall at 7:30 pm

Saturday November 2nd - all day mushroom experience with foraging and mushroom inspired lunch with Chef Hubertus Surm at the Community Rec Centre

$35.00 includes all events, breakfast & lunch, $5.00 if you only wish to attend the Friday evening presentation.

Please email Michael Pierce: michael@paprika.ca (please note, space is limited, pre-registration is required)


Event is organized by 31SQUARE and sponsored by Saturna Parks and Rec

FORAGING with CHEF BROCK WINDSOR

Sunday Nov 10th (miserable weather check date: Nov 17th)

Mushroom Foraging with Chef Brock Windsor near Cowichan Lake

Stone Soup Inn - Click here for location and contact info,
Please rsvp by Friday November 8th Please note - the event is limited to 22 guests - please arrive by 11:30 for a noon lunch, followed by foraging

$40 for lunch and foray, please reserve and make advance payment, and discuss dietary requests directly with Stone Soup Inn
Option to attend foray only for $20.00 (Foray will start at approx. 1:30 pm)
15% discount for Slow Food members

Recommendations of what to bring, wear and consider for the outing to be sent directly to attendees once reservations are made

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Slow Fish 2013

Slow Food Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands is hosting a POP UP Slow Fish event to celebrate Slow Fish Canada!



Slow Fish Canada is launching events across the country for the month of October, celebrating our diverse fishing culture! Join Slow Food Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands for a Taste Education session in the community kitchen in the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson. 
5:30 pm October 28th at the Public Market at the Hudson
Tickets are $25.00 for Slow Food members and $40.00 for friends of Slow Food

We will be tasting and talking with Anne & Gregg Best owners of Cowichan Bay Seafood, Dr. John Volpe from UVic, Salt Harvester Andrew Shepherd, Chef Oliver Kienast and Slow Food VI & GI Leader Brooke Fader. Oliver & Brooke from Wild Mountain Dinners will be sharing tastes of the ocean; allowing us to learn through taste, appreciate our merroir and understand considerations for consuming local fish and sourcing options that offer diverse responsible selections.

All proceeds from the event provide funds for a West Coast Representative to attend the National Slow Fish Meeting on the East Coast of Canada to ensure that our voice regarding the Pacific Northwest is heard, understood and celebrated.

Limited to 20 guests, to reserve please email Brooke Fader as soon as possible at brooklyn.f@gmail.com



Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Slow Bacon reflection

In August we had an amazing time as a convivium at our annual roast event in Metchosin. We shared what an enjoyable experience it was with Slow Food members across Canada in the national newsletter. Below is the piece originally shared on slowfood.ca


By / Par Brooke Fader, Slow Food Vancouver Island
Photo credit/Crédits photo: Will Reiher

Gathered under the towering fir trees and nestled against the coast, we celebrated the return of a pure Tamworth breeding pair with a pig roast at Still Meadow Farm in Metchosin on Southern Vancouver Island. Setting tables with sunflowers and dahlias, we sat on blanket-covered hay bales and got to know neighbours, winemakers, bakers, farmers, foragers and so many other fascinating people who are drawn to good, clean and fair food.

Tending to the roasting pig throughout the entire night, Chef Cory Pelan and his wife Madone, camped out to ensure a perfectly succulent nose to tail experience. Chef Pelan received the BC Food Hero recognition at this year’s National Meeting in Osoyoos, in part for his commitment to locally sourced ingredients for his salumeria, The Whole Beast. His long-standing relationship with Farmer Tom Henry meant that the time and energy needed to cultivate a pure Tamworth breeding pair would be worth it, as The Whole Beast would buy all the heritage pigs.  After 17 hours of mesmerizing rotisserie, the 133 lb pig was ready to be carved by Chef Pelan and Chef Chad Moss of Shovel & Fork and the Edmonton convivium.

Our convivium spans a huge geographic region, and the event brought together Slow Food members from Victoria, Sooke, the Cowichan Valley and Saturna Island, but also as far away as Israel, Paris and Holland. Guests were invited to bring salads, side dishes and desserts to accompany the spit roasted pig, and it was a true reflection of the season with an incredible array of ingredients pulled that day from people’s gardens, greenhouses, and favourite farms. The myriad colours of the buffet led to another long table of desserts complete with apple sauce and poached figs to accompany the lean Tamworth pork. Everyone brought coolers filled with the best of BC wines and our treasurer, Kyle Hunker, made golden and crisp Red Fife wheat ale for the occasion.

It was a true Slow Food experience: good people sharing great food in a beautiful setting.


Réunis sous les grands sapins nichés contre la côte, nous avons célébré le retour d’un couple reproducteur Tamworth pur, avec un rôti de porc à la ferme  Still Meadow de Metchosin sur l’Île de Vancouver. Les tables mises avec des tournesols et des dahlias, nous nous sommes assis sur des balles de foin couvertes d’une nappe et avons appris à connaître les voisins, vignerons, boulangers, agriculteurs, cueilleurs et tant d’autres gens fascinants qui sont attirés par une alimentation bonne, propre et juste.

Prêts à rôtir du porc pendant toute la nuit, le chef Cory Pelan et son épouse Madone, ont campé dehors pour assurer à tous une expérience parfaitement succulente du museau à la queue. Le chef Pelan a été reconnu Héro alimentaire canadien pour la Colombie Britannique lors de la réunion nationale de cette année à Osoyoos, en partie pour son engagement envers les ingrédients locaux pour sa charcuterie The Whole Beast (La Bête Entière). Sa relation de longue date avec le fermier Tom Henry signifiait que le temps et l’énergie nécessaires pour obtenir un couple reproducteur Tamworth pur en vaudrait la peine, puisque The Whole Beast acheterait tous les porcs du patrimoine. Après 17 heures de rôtisserie envoûtante, le cochon de 133 livres était prêt à être taillé en pièces par le chef Cory Pelan, le chef Tchad Moss de Shovel & Fork (Pelle et Fourche), et le convivium Edmonton.

Notre convivium couvre une immense région géographique, et l’événement a réuni des membres Slow Food de Victoria, Sooke, la vallée de Cowichan et l’île Saturna, mais également d’aussi loin qu’Israël, Paris et la Hollande. Les participants étaient invités à apporter salades, plats et desserts pour accompagner le porc rôti à la broche, et c’était un vrai reflet de la saison avec un incroyable éventail d’ingrédients tirés ce jour-là des jardins privés, des serres et des fermes préférées. La myriade de couleurs du buffet conduisait à une autre longue table de desserts complétée de compote de pommes et de figues pochées pour accompagner la viande maigre du porc Tamworth. Tout le monde avait des glacières remplies des meilleurs vins de la Colombie-Britannique et notre trésorier, Kyle Hunter, a fait pour l’occasion une bière dorée et au goût vif avec le blé Red Fife.

Ce fut une véritable expérience Slow Food : de braves gens partageant un bon repas dans un cadre magnifique. 



Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Slow Bacon




Join Slow Food Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands for 
an organic pig-nic in praise of pork in Metchosin August 25th, 2013 2:30-6:30 pm

Tickets are $35 for members, $45 for non-members and family rates are available.
Please visit https://slowfoodvancouverisland.eventbrite.ca/ to purchase tickets

Chef Cory Pelan from the Whole Beast  is teaming up with Red Seal Chef Chad Moss from Shovel & Fork in Alberta to create a delicious pig-centric feast. Pull up a bale and make yourself at home in an idyllic picnic setting.

Early Greek and other ancient cultures valued pork for its nutritious qualities, succulent flavour and versatility. Heroes feasted on pork at lavish banquets. In Roman times pork was especially good for people who worked hard or performed strenuous exercise.

Funds raised from this event will help more of our Island's foods to become part of the Ark of Taste.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • Tickets must be purchased via Eventbrite before the event
  • Plates, cutlery and chair hay bales will be provided. 
  • Please bring your own blanket, beverages and a locally-sourced side dish to share with 12 or more people 
  • If you do not wish to bring a side dish you can choose the "no side dish" ticket option for an additional $20

For up to date info and an opportunity to baste the pig with Cory before the event you can also RSVP on Facebook!

Friday, April 26, 2013

AGM At Deerholme Farm

Slow Food Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands will be hosting our Annual General Meeting at Deerholme Farm thanks to the generous hospitality of Bill Jones.


Event Detail
  • Sunday June 2nd 
  • 10:30 am - 12:30 pm AGM 
  • 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm Wild Food talk with Bill Jones 
  • Deerholme Farm in Glenora (near Duncan in the Cowichan Valley)


All Slow Food members are invited without charge to attend our AGM, and you're welcome to renew or join at the meeting. Please note we will be posting the agenda, current board positions, and opportunities early May. 

Following our meeting we have an optional afternoon luncheon, book signing & foraging walk with chef and author Bill Jones of Deerholme Farm of Deerholme Farm. Cost is $40.00 plus tax and gratuity.

Menu
Salad with big leaf maple and sumac pickled mushrooms
soup of roasted sunchokes, morels and wild greens
Grand Fir infused farmhouse cheesecake with stewed rhubarb and wild ginger shoots



Bill Jones will take reservations via credit card to book reservations – please contact Bill at 250-748-7450 or bill@deerholme.com

please note: the AGM & following program have limited space – please ensure you book early for a seat.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Slow Fish | The Superior

Celebrate the bounty of our oceans with Slow Food's Slow Fish Dinner

photo: Maryanne Carmack


6:30 pm April 17th at the Superior — 106 Superior St. 
  • Guest Chef Oliver Kienast
  • 3 course menu featuring local, sustainable seafood & Slow Food® Ark of Taste items*
  • Sparkling wine cash bar
  • Silent auction
$40 - Slow Food members
$45 - non-members

Purchase tickets online at slowisland.eventbrite.com

* for this event unfortunately shellfish allergies cannot be accommodated; for all other food allergy concerns please ema
il info@slowisland.ca

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Post-Vandana Shiva Discussion



For those members attending the Vandana Shiva lecture on Wednesday at UVic please join us afterwards for a discussion of how we can work as a convivium to put her words and thoughts into action on a local level.

Follow the "snail" after the lecture to Clearihue C115. 

Email info@slowisland.ca for more information

Monday, March 18, 2013

Members Only Draw: Vandana Shiva Lecture

By Ajay Tallam
[CC-BY-SA-2.0]
via Wikimedia Commons


Vandana Shiva is coming to Victoria to give a President's Distinguished Lecture at the University of Victoria at 7pm on March 27, 2013 at the University Centre Farquhar Auditorium.

Tickets were free, but were snapped up in a matter of hours and have since become a hot commodity!


We have two extra tickets to give away to one lucky member of
Slow Food Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands!



Giveaway Details

  1. Ensure you are a member in good standing with Slow Food Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands. If you aren't yet a member, visit the Membership Page to find out how to join. 
  2. Fill in your contact details and your answer to our questions below.
  3. We will notify the winner of the random draw on March 25th, 2013.