For the past 2 weeks the Green City Market locavore challenge has been going on. Prairie Grass Cafe offered several takes on heirloom tomato and cucumber salads with Avondale Cheddar and our own basil for an appetizer during the challenge. For an entree we served Tallgrass Beef with sauteed local potatoes and River Valley Ranch mushrooms. We also had Lake Superior whitefish that we were offering with all local components if someone did not want the beef. Many of our dishes at the restaurant use almost all local food but if there is something that is not local it doesn't qualify for the challenge. At lunch I had our local omelet on the menu too. The eggs I buy from Green and Green Farm. They are delicious.
Wednesday night is the Town Hall Wrap up for the Green City Market locavore challenge. There will be chefs serving food there that night, George and I will be participating.
I bought some amazing grapes at Green City Market on Wednesday. I am going to make grape syrup from them. The grapes are sweet and delicious. They have a very short growing season so right now is the time! At the Green City Market town hall meeting on Wednesday August 23rd I am going to prepare a little bite size appetizer using the grapes. It needs to be as close to 100% local as possible. I am going to make a crustini using Bennison's Bakery baguette sliced and sauteed in olive oil. Capriole Farm goat cheese, sliced grapes and warm grape syrup mounted with butter. Top it all off with a chiffonade of mint, basil and arugula.
That night there will be a panel discussion about the challenges of eating local. Some of the chefs are going to share their philosophy about eating local and what works and what still remains a challenge. The response to this event has been Wow. The market has over 200 reservations. This is a testament to the passion people feel about eating local, fresh, sustainable food!
Filed under: events, Green City Market
Mmm! Reading this makes me hungry! I'm participating in the Locavore Challenge, though I haven't been very successful the past few days. Wish I could make it to the town hall meeting--the food was delicious last year!