Slow Food Austin reconnects people with the food they eat. Our
educational initiatives, social activities, fundraising events, and
community volunteer projects inspire respect for where food comes from
and awakens true pleasure in eating. To learn more about Slow Food
Austin and become a member, visit our website!
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Hello friends of Slow Food,
Well I must admit that I am struggling with motivation lately- cooking, cleaning, career, going to the playground when my son really wants to burn off some energy. I know it is the heat (105 - yikes!) and the drought (driest days in 150 years, sheesh) but it brings up a lot of emotional questions about my productivity and stamina.
At these times of self-doubt I typically remind myself that summer is meant to be slower- we are in the "lazy days of summer" right? Yes, BUT...I quickly recall that my farmer friends are toiling in this heat - the crops and the animals need to be fed and watered. Yes, everyone and everything needs to be watered! My family still needs to be fed, toddlers still need outside time (and so do adults), and the dog still needs a walk (outside!). The show must go on!
I have decided that there is an elegant solution to the heat - creativity! Alaskans survive the winter with creativity, right? I want to offer you my Slow Food Summer tips. Some of these are challenging suggestions but we are talking about thriving in treacherous circumstances.
- Just do it. Get outside when it is still cool (before 10 or 11am). Go to the farmer's market early, hit the playground first thing, go for your run in the morning, and get gardening done before your work day begins.
- Get Creative. Fill up the kiddy pool for the kid, the dog, or yourself and then use the water to drench your garden or trees. Create your own mister with a fan and a spray bottle and sit near the garden so the veggies can have a drink!
- Cook Smart. Try to use the oven/stove only 1 or 2 times a week. Cook a big pot of starch (rice, pasta, potatoes) and then mix these with your fresh veggies and dried fruits to make cool salads to serve the rest of the week. I rely on my pressure cooker to cook a lot of veggies or grains lickety-split which means less time with the burner on. Outdoor cooking is also smart but fire safety is crucial in a drought.
- Freeze. Stock up on those summer fruits (peaches, melon, berries) and instead of turning up the heat in the kitchen to make preserves, freeze fruits for ice cubes, to make sangria, or whirl into smoothies.
- Laugh. The cure for everything! Get together with friends or family and play some old fashion past-the-time kind of games indoors: dominoes, cards, and board games. Always serve cold drinks and fresh local snacks or make it a potluck with the challenge that no one turns on the oven to make their dish.
- Indulge. When you've run out of ideas for feeding yourself without firing up your stove, splurge on eating out at restaurants that source from local farms.
- Get perspective. This really helps me! Volunteer at a farm, at the farmer's market, or with a summer camp. Stop and talk to the farmers at the market and hear about what they are doing to survive this heat- you will be humbled. Despite the heat I'm grateful that Austin isn't flooded or destroyed by natural disasters.
- Have Fun Indoors: Don't miss our indoor events this month! Read on for more details.
Also, we are seeking a volunteer or two to help with our monthly happy hours. If you think this might be a good fit for your energy and expertise, contact Karla Loeb. We'll also need volunteers for our Quiz Bowl so sign-up here!
Summering Slowly,
Sara Weber
President- Slow Food Austin
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Slow Session: Tales of the Texas Cocktail
Date: Monday, July 11, 2011
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Location: Foreign and Domestic: 306 E.53rd St.
Austin, TX 78751
Please RSVP: anneh@slowfoodaustin.org
Infinite stories surround the genesis of the cocktail - that delicious concoction of mixed spirits, juices and bitters, we Texans love to drink.
Shaken or stirred, neat or dirty, with olives or without bitters, one thing
is certain, whatever their origin, cocktails are here to stay.
In this month's Slow Session, Garrett Mikell, virtuoso bartender at
Peche and cocktail columnist for Austin Lifestyle Magazine, will be discussing the history of spirits and cocktails and providing a tasting tour of quite a few. Come discover the newest concoctions,variations of old favorites, as well as, the folks in Texas producing spirits to quench our thirst for them.
Since the location of this event will be at the innovative and intimate restaurant, Foreign and Domestic, space will be limited so send an RSVP to anneh@slowfoodaustin.org to reserve your spot.
Cheers! |
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July Slow Food Happy Hour: TRACE
Date: Thursday, July 21st
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: TRACE at The W Hotel, 200 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
RSVP: karlal@slowfoodaustin.org
TRACE Austin is a sleek and sophisticated restaurant featuring the finest flavors of Central Texas on their
menu 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
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Slow Food Austin 1st Annual Quiz Bowl
Date: Sunday, August 14
Time: Noon - 4pm
Location: The Highball 1142 South Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
Cost: $15 per person
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 about 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 High Ball 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 Brian Butler of Salt & Thyme 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 5 free raffle tickets at the door. Tickets go on sale soon!
What could be better on a hot August afternoon in Texas than to be at the trendy High Ball 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!
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By Paul Courtright with Pioneer Wine Company
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. Read More...
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Other great events around town!
Bastille Day Celebration
Saturday July 16, 2011, 7p-11p
At the Historic French Legation Museum (MAP)
http://www.afaustin.org/bastilleday.html
Joys of Container Gardening workshop
Friday, July 15, 2011, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office (Map)
Blooming flowers and vegetables can thrive in a container! This gardening method is especially useful if space is limited. Containers may also serve as accent points on the patio or in the garden. Learn how to select a container and the right soil, discover ideal container plants, and witness arranging techniques you can replicate to create your own mini-garden. Click here for details and other classes coming up.
AMOA and edible Austin present "Cold War, Cold Cocktails"
Thursday, July 28, 7p - 8:30p
Edible Austin and Austin Museum of Art invite you to join
Tipsy Texan David Alan for a midcentury-themed cocktail hour, as he discusses the popularity of home bartenders, barware, cocktail guides and why vodka became the Cold War drink of choice. This event will be held in the Austin Museum of Art community room. Seats are limited. $10 for AMOA members and $15 for non-members. Click here for tickets.
Sustainable Food Policy Board (SFPB) Meetings
The SFPB will be meeting on Monday, June 27, 2011 in the Austin City Hall Boards and Commissions Room from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm.
This is the current agenda. The Executive Committee meets the third Monday of the month in the Austin City Hall Boards and Commissions Room from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. The Sustainable Food Policy Board (SFPB) serves in the unique capacity of directly advising both the Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners' Court to improve the availability of safe, nutritious, locally, and sustainably-grown food at reasonable prices for all residents, particularly those in need. To learn more about the board, click here! To sign up to get their email announcements Click Here!
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We'd like to welcome our newest Slow Foodie into the world: Ben Lopez, son of our PR director Katie Lopez was born last week and we are delighted to have him in our community. He's already enjoying locally grown food- via mama!
We try to keep you informed about other food happenings in town but if we are missing something that is coming up and you think our newsletter readers should know about it, please send Katie Lopez an email. We may not be able to include everything (because Austin is a food-busy town) but we'll do our best.
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