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Salamongundi, Feasts and Big Lunches
The Big Lunch
I really wanted to set this up in my street, like the Jubilee street parties of my childhood, where we played catch the egg and had slowest bicycle races. I am not really sure where my priorities lie at the moment so maybe I shouldn't start this new thing. LOADS of good ideas on this site, which inspires Big Lunches up and down the country on July 18th this year.
http://www.thebiglunch.com/ideas-and-inspiration/
I also want to make a mental note to myself to research feasts and feasting from an anthropological point of view....many have done this, see below. I just want to put some time aside to go back to more academic studies of the world and food and how we relate to it.
RADIO
BBC radio 4's Food Programme
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnx3
(episode on Feasts:Last broadcast on Mon, 12 Oct 2009, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis: Feasts have been a feature of human life since humans first mastered fire and climbed out of the trees, but what function do feasts have in today's largely urban society?
Sheila Dillon visits the Thames Festival Feast, a modern urban harvest festival, bringing food back into the heart of the city and recreating a sense of community. Grape treading, sacred mayonnaise making and mobile food gardens make a vivid modern feast. Central to it a table spanning Southwark Bridge, its tablecloth printed with collections of Londoners' food stories.
The traditional feast has been disappearing from rural areas, but the Welcombe community in Devon some years ago introduced a Christmas Salamongundi to bring the community together to celebrate. Poet and author John Moat explains how it came about.
Sir Roy Strong, author of Feast outlines the social, political and religious subtext of historical feasting and, with Rev Richard Coles, comments on the dining TV reality show, Come Dine With Me.
BOOKS
Feast: A History of Grand Eating by Roy Strong, published by Jonathan Cape Ltd; ISBN-10: 0224061380,ISBN-13: 978-0224061384
Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human, by Richard Wrangham, published by Profile Books,ISBN-10: 1846682851, ISBN-13: 978-1846682858
Food: The History of Taste, edited by Paul Freedman
Films that will change your life... hopefully
I've been compiling a list of films that are life-changing in some way. In style, they may not be cutting edge or even deserve to be thought of as a real 'film', however it's the content I'm interested in for the purposes of this list. How many have you seen?
You may have seen many of them already. And I'm aware the list is not comprehensive ! Feel free to add any you feel should be on the list. In time these will have synopsises. Documentaries and links will also be included eventually
FOOD ISSUES:
- Fast Food Nation
- Supersize me
- Food Inc
- The Future of Food
- McLibel
- Supersize Me
- Supermarket Secrets
- A Farm for the Future
- The PH Miracle
- What the Bleep do we know?
- Celestine Prophesy
- The Secret
- Peaceful Warrior
- Bruce Lipton: The Biology of Belief
- Doing Time Doing Vipassana
- tbc
- Who Killed the Electric Car
- The End of Suburbia
- An Inconvenient Truth
- The 11th Hour
- Outfoxed
- The Corporation
- The Age of Stupid
- Adam Curtis' films
- Flow
- A World Without Water
- The End of the Line
- Crude Awakening
- Baraka
How the blood of the human and the blood of the plant are THE SAME!
and arguments for eating raw food...
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ZCLbHDXWg&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
a font of entrepreneurial ideas: Springwise
This website is quite interesting, if you like ideas.
http://springwise.com/
People post ideas they've seen happening - you can't post if you haven't seen the idea implemented. You can also browse by industry, so here is Food and Beverage: http://springwise.com/food_beverage/index.php?page=10 and here is Eco stuff: http://springwise.com/eco_sustainability/ Three of my faves:
Eco-minded bathroom fixtures are no longer hard to find, but they still tend to focus more on function than on form. One notable exception is W+W, a combined toilet and sink from Spanish brand Roca that combines compact style with green-minded thinking.
Launched last fall, W+W is a single, L-shaped unit in which the sink and toilet are not only attached but also integrated internally. Specifically, wastewater from the sink is used to fill the toilet's cistern, thus saving as much as 25 percent of the water that would normally be used. An automatic cleaning system prevents bad odors and bacteria, while a specialized tap controls the water's temperature and flow for maximum energy savings, Plumbing Park reported.
Developed by the Roca Innovation Lab and designed by Gabriele and Oscar Buratti, the prize-winning W+W is priced at EUR 2,731. An eco-iconic innovation to bring to the green but style-conscious masses near you...?
Website: www.roca.com.es/w+w/w+w/en/index.html
Contact: www.es.roca.com/en/contact
If the energy people expend dancing and working out can power cellphones, lights and other electrical appliances, why not apply the same concept to all the energy spent by millions of people every day simply walking along city sidewalks? That's exactly the premise behind Pavegen slabs, which can be inserted among regular sidewalk sections to capture the kinetic energy people spend just walking.
Each rubber slab from UK-based Pavegen Systems gets depressed by about 5 mm each time it gets stepped on. Using just that small movement, it can convert the kinetic energy used into electricity, which is then stored in the slab. Specifically, 5 percent of the energy harvested is used to make the slab's LED glow, making it clear to users that their energy has been captured. The rest can be used to power pedestrian lighting, information displays and many other applications. Pavegen's patent-protected technology has also been used to harvest energy from users' footsteps on stairs; custom branding is available.
Following recent tests in East London, Pavegen is now seeking both investors and additional testing sites for its eco-iconic innovation. One to get in on early...?
Website: www.pavegensystems.com
Contact: hello@pavegen.co.uk
Spotted by: James Graemer
Foodie documentaries on BBC4
I've just been watching "The Man Who Ate Everything" presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon, about Alan Davidson, a diplomat who wrote the first Oxford compendium of food in 1978, and founded Petits Propos Culinaires, a journal of food studies and history. He had travelled widely and tried everything- when I switched on Andrew G-D was in Laos, funnily enough where I've just been and where he was ambassador until 1975. Diplomats are - so lucky - particularly in those days, like my parents, they were discovering the world and could bring it back to Europe and in a way that is no longer possible. Sallie Morris was another diplomatic wife friend of ours in Malaysia who was also writing about south east Asian food in the 70's.
These great docs are of course, on BBC4, part of the Exquisite Cuisine Season..here they are:
(Funny to see Fast Food Nation in the list though, it's a drama film made by American Eric Schlosser who recently did Food Inc ..)
Bread: A Loaf Affair. The story of the rise of the popular loaf and how it has shaped the way we eat in Britain.
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Carluccio and The Leopard. Antonio Carluccio travels to Sicily to discover more about Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel The Leopard.
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Christina: A Medieval Life. Michael Wood traces the story of a real-life peasant of 14th-century Hertfordshire.
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Clarissa and the King's Cookbook. Clarissa Dickson Wright tracks down Britain's oldest cookbook and traces its influence.
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Fast Food Nation. Film in which a fast food marketing executive takes an eye-opening trip around Middle America.
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Fat Man in a White Hat. New Yorker magazine writer Bill Buford dons a white hat and works in a series of French kitchens to investigate whether French food is all it's cracked up to be.
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Fear of Fanny. Dramatisation of Fanny Cradock's career, based on interviews with her friends and family, revealing the private vulnerability behind her tart public persona.
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France on a Plate. A gastronomic tour through French history, from Versailles through to ethnic fusion food.
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Hannah Glasse: The First Domestic Goddess. Clarissa Dickson Wright presents a profile of the author of The Art of Cookery, the best-selling cookery book of the 18th century.
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In Search of the Perfect Loaf. Documentary which follows Tom Herbert's efforts to bake a prize-winning loaf of bread.
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Kings of Pastry. Documentary chronicling the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France pastry chef competition.
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The Man Who Ate Everything. Andrew Graham-Dixon presents a profile of the influential food writer Alan Davidson.
Foodie Lurve Schools - reviews
Another idea I had recently was to combine two of my "interests" - Food - and Flirting. I should start a local food lovers' group for singles... anyway in the meantime, I discovered some already existing... so I'm going to set about going to them and over time, should have some reviews...
GOURMAND LOVE SCHOOLS
• Whisky blending for singles. Glengoyne distillery, near Glasgow. Tel: 01360 550 254.
• Flirting With Flavour cooking course. Caffè Caldesi, London W1. Tel: 020 7487 0750/9. www.caffecaldesi.com
• Wine-tasting dating. National events, dates and prices vary. www.grapevinesocial.com
Tried this once - quite a good revolving system but unfortunately it was a little bit lowest common denominator for us, even if it was in posh Fulham..
• Parship dating classes. Leiths School of Food and Wine, London. www.parship.co.uk
Leith's is no doubt brilliant but DO NOT TRUST PARSHIP, the Independent's dating site. Terrible - in fact the reviews are so bad we wouldn't be going too far when we say it's a scam. So not sure how the two would combine. I will check out.
FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THESE BY COMMENTING BELOW - THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE IN LONDON OR INDEED THE UK!
Green Food
Green Smoothies For Beginners
Basic Balance
1 mango 1 cup kale 1 cup water Yields 1 quartRocket Fuel Smoothie
2 cups green or red seedless grapes 3 golden kiwis, peeled 1 ripe orange, peeled, seeds removed 1 small leaf of aloe vera, with skin 5 leaves red leaf lettuce 2 cups water Yields 2 quartsParty in Your Mouth Green Smoothie
1 small pineapple, cored 1 large mango, peeled ½ head romaine lettuce ½ inch fresh ginger root Yields 2 quartsMorning Zing Smoothie
4:½ bunch dandelion greens 2 stalks celery ½ inch fresh gingerroot 2 peaches ½ pineapple Yields 2 quartsParsley Passion Smoothie
1 bunch fresh parsley 1 cucumber, peeled 1 Fuji apple 1 ripe banana 1–2 cups water Yields 2 quartsSavory Green Smoothies and Soups
Mediterranean Soup
3 cups spinach 3 stalks celery 1 sprig oregano 1 sprig thyme 1 red bell pepper 1 large avocado 1 cucumber 1 jalapeño pepper 1 lime, juiced 2 cups water Enjoy with dulse leaves or flakes. Yields 3 quartsSoup Gazpacho
3 leaves kale, stems removed 1 bunch basil 3 large tomatoes 2 stalks celery 1 red bell pepper 1 large avocado 1 lime, juiced 1 cup water 2 cups love Yields 2 quartsThai Soup
2 cucumbers 1 large avocado 1 lime, juiced 3 cloves garlic 6 leaves curly kale, stems removed ½ teaspoon dried turmeric powder ½ inch fresh gingerroot 2 cups water Yields 2 quartsCucumber Dill-icious Soup
2 cucumbers ½ bunch dill 1 large avocado 5 leaves dinosaur kale, stems removed 2 stalks celery 1 lime, juiced 3 cloves garlic Yields 2 quartsGreen Puddings
Kent Mango Bliss
2 Kent mangoes 1 bunch chard, stems removed 1 pear 1 banana Serve with kiwi. Yields 3 cupsGreen Pudding
1 bunch fresh parsley 5 grape leaves ½ pineapple 1 Abbot pear 1 orange, peeled 1 cup water Yields 2 cupsPersimmon Pudding
3 fuyu persimmons, peeled, seeds removed 3 cups baby spinach 1 ripe banana Yields 2 cupsThe Pear-fect Smoothie
2 d’Anjou pears 7 leaves purple kale, stems removed 1 leaf aloe vera 1 banana Yields 2 cupsApplesauce
4 apples 1 banana 1 head romaine lettuce ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups water Yields 3 cupsGreen Smoothies for Body Care
Aloe Facial Cleanser
½ cucumber ½ avocado 1 large leaf aloe vera, with skin Apply on skin as a sunscreen, or after sunburn, or to improve overall skin health. Keep on skin 10–30 minutes, then rinse off. Yields 1 cup
Super Green Smoothies
Victoria’s Favorite Dark Green
1 bunch dandelion greens 4 Roma tomatoes 3 cups water Yields 2 quartsHeavy Metals Be Gone
1 bunch cilantro 2 cups stinging nettles 1 bunch fresh parsley 3 stalks celery 1 lemon, juiced 2 mangoes 2 cups apple juice Yields 2 quartsGreen Smoothie Monster
4 leaves kale, stems removed 4 leaves chard, stems removed ½ bunch fresh parsley 1 leaf aloe vera ½ bunch dandelion greens 3 pears 1 banana 3 cups water Yields 2 quartsDark Green Love
1 bunch dandelion greens 1 medium cucumber 3 cups water Yields 2 quarts
Green Smoothies for Adventurous Souls
O-mega Aphrodisiac
3 cups wild purslane 1 small watermelon 3 limes, juiced Yields 2 quartsRevitalizing Energizer Smoothie
6 young grape leaves (they contain resveratrol, which triggers longevity genes) 3 leaves dinosaur kale, stems removed 2 mangoes 1 pint strawberries 2 cups orange juice Yields 1 quartSummer Splendor Smoothie
4 leaves chard, stems removed 3 stalks celery 1 head fresh parsley 6 apricots 3 peaches ½ vanilla bean Yields 2 quarts“Bitter Delight” Cocktail
1 large leaf aloe vera, with skin 4 leaves chard, stems removed 3 cups chickweed 1 banana 1 peach 1 pear Yields 1 quart
Green Smoothies for Children
Miner’s Lettuce Smoothie
3 cups wild crafted miner’s lettuce (wild edible) 2 ripe pears ½ pint blueberries 2 cups water Yields 2 quartsCoco-Tango
Thai coconut, meat and water 5 leaves kale, stems removed 2 nectarines 2 peaches 1 mango Yields 2 quartsThe Laughing Gorilla
½ head romaine lettuce 2 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen 2 oranges, peeled, seeds removed 1 mango 2 cups water Yields 2 quartsEmerald Applesauce
4:5 apples 1 bunch fresh parsley ½ inch fresh ginger root Yields 3 cups
Green Smoothies for Pets
Poochie’s Gourmet Green Smoothie
1 cup kale 1 banana 1 cup water 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon kelp (granules or powder) Add some torn nori sheets; dogs love it!Fluffy’s Delight
1 cup wheatgrass clippings (or any other grass, not sprayed) 1 cup water 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 capsules fish oil (pour on the smoothie, in the bowl) Pinch of catnip (optional) Yields 7 servings: You may freeze it in an ice-cube tray and serve it by the cube. Recipes courtesy of the Boutenko familyGreen smoothie...
You should drink this every day if poss..
But you need a juicer.
After you've juiced each veg/fruit, scoop out the pulp and put it in a container in the freezer. You can add this to the pan next time you are making soup. Or muffins.
broccoli, 3 heads
celery, 3 sticks
ginger, an inch
lemon, a half or whole
apples - 2 or 3
spinach, a handful
barley grass powder get from health food shop
spirulina, get from healthy food shop.
Food Waste
Following on from my Bloody Well Smell It post, I want to investigate how food outlets and restaurants in my local area deal with their waste.
Here's a professional service for food waste collection and composting, but it's based in Essex. I wonder if anything similar exists in Brent. I need to get a campaign going under the Transition umbrella... and then tie it to free compost for our gardens...
Juniper Food Waste
Run by a team of dedicated and experienced professionals, our sole purpose at Juniper is to provide a food waste collection service that is cost effective and efficient, that addresses corporate social responsibility and regulatory requirements, in a manner that is environmentally sound.




