…yes a bit of an odd mix when you put it like that.  It’s a bit hard to explain what Kieran is doing in 2 words, go to the fundraiser and let him explain. Today’s topics were the dangers of industrial food and seed production and some grass (or veggie patch) roots solutions, the deliciousness of chestnuts, and Lilith is cooking with the stars  for  Gemini. And at least one famous Gemini chef, Jamie Oliver, is a bit of a veggie patch warrior too.

GUESTS : Kieran Weston, organic heirloom seedling grower
Lilith, astrogourmet

KIERAN’S SCHOOL/NURSING HOME PROJECT :

“Seed Sowers Organic Seedlings with Life Changing Documentaries is hosting a fund raising movie night at the Byron Services Club on the 1/6/2010 [at 4 pm and 6 pm]
The not for profit event is focused on raising awareness of major issues that confront our local and global communities along with future generations.
Proceeds from the evening are intended to fund the installation of Organic Gardens in Schools, and assist in the formation of community cooperative programs, which are hoped to foster a closer community.
The first 200 people to register online for this event will be invited to participate in the installation of the garden at the school,at which time Seed Sowers Organic and friends will conduct free workshops related to Gardening, Fermentation, and Raw Food Preparation.
Seed Sowers Organic would welcome expressions of interest on the night from schools retirement villages and other community groups that feel they would like to be involved. ”
[see contacts/links below]

GUEST RECIPES :

SOME HEALTHY SMOOTHIES FROM KIERAN :

Abundant Vegetable Smoothie

2 roma tomatoes
1 small carrot
1 small zucchini
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon onion
2 stalks celery
1 red bell pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
2 cups water
1 Avocado
Blend all ingredients together until creamy.

Contributed by: Brenda Cobb (www.LivingFoodsInstitute.com)

“When I Eat This, Life is Bliss” Smoothie

3 bananas
1 cup raspberries
2 golden delicious apples
2 big handfuls of spinach
½ – 1 cup of water

Blend and indulge!
(best if your blender is 800 watts or more for the ultimate consistency)

ESPRESSO GRANITA SPIKED WITH COFFEE VODKA  – from LILITH

­ like Geminis it’s light, but it’s got bite

Ingredients: 2 cups brewed espresso, sugar to taste, coffee vodka.
Garnish: Dark chocolate curls, fresh pomegranate, Italian cats tongue biscotti, up
to you…

Directions: Combine espresso and sugar in a bowl and stir till sugar is
dissolved.  Pour into shallow dish and freeze till ice granules start to

form around the edges, about 1 hour, then stir with a fork to break up
granules.  Refreeze and restir every 20 minutes till the mix becomes an icy
slush, about 2 hours.

To Serve: Spoon crystals into goblets, pour coffee vodka over, garnish as
you fancy.

FROM THE BELLY LAB – by sister Tess

BOILED CHESTNUTS:

choose fat, shiny chestnuts, with skin that feels tight and full, make a small cut on each so they don’t explode

boil in plenty of water with a few few fennel fronds or a good pinch of fennel seed, and a pinch of salt, until the inside is soft

cut one open to check

eat warm or cold after peeling off both the outer and the inner skin, they keep for 2-3 days in their skins
or peel and use in various recipes (labour of love)

LILITH IS COOKING WITH THE STARS : GEMINI

Today we’re wishing happy birthday to all the Shire’s busy Geminis, for whom constant change and variety are the spice of life, and who just love eating with others: they adore the stimulating buzz of gossip over plutonic coffee while snacking on interesting nibbles at the latest nook with the look, or doing lunch at the newest smart little eatery serving tiny portions for high prices to celebs.

So it’s no surprise that Gemini celebrity chef Delia Smith baked the cake on the cover of the Rolling Stones album Let It Bleed, and received an OBE last year for her contribution to British cooking.  She shot to fame with Delias How To Cook TV series which actually  taught Brits how to boil an egg, a show which led to a 10% rise in egg sales.   From bread machines to pasta makers to panini grills, Geminis love their gadgets, and Smith’s use of particular kitchen utensils caused overnight sell-outs ­ a phenomenon which came to be known as the Delia Effect, and that phrase is now in common use to describe a run on a  product as a result of a high profile media recommendation.

Gemini chefs also tend to be ultra moderns who love coming up with novel combinations and techniques like Gemini kitchen chemist Heston Blumenthal whose signature dishes include snail porridge, parsnip cereal and bacon-and-egg ice cream (must have an Aquarian ascendant).  Famous for his scientific approach to cooking, culinary alchemist and molecular gastronomist Blumenthal promotes the use of vacuum jar cooking, cooking in sealed bags and low temperature, ultra­slow cooking of meat that doesn’t melt fat or release juices, keeping the meat so moist it doesn’t need sauce.

His Fat Duck restaurant was voted best in the UK and best in the world, and his TV program Heston’s Feasts recreate Victorian, Medieval, Tudor and Roman themed dinner banquets with celebrity guests ­ all very Gemini.  The Edwardian feast was based on the last meal
eaten on the Titanic and the Christmas feast included dormouse, hot ice cream and a dish made from gold, frankincense and myrrh.

While they’re the zodiac’s people people, Gemini chefs aren’t all celebrity showponies turning out moreish little morsels of elegant party tucker and Naked Chef Jamie Oliver, restaurateur and frequently outspoken media personality, has been awarded an MBE, voted Most Inspiring Political Figure of 2005 for lobbying the British government about British kids being served junk school lunches, and for creating a foundation which takes 15young adults a year from disadvantaged backgrounds,  and trains them in the restaurant business.  Another cheffy success story who left school at 16 with no qualifications,  his TV series continually emphasize fresh organic produce and interesting low joule cuisine, and campaign to change poor cooking habits andunhealthy diets.

Sophie Grigson is another Gemini cookand author who’s a keen supporter of organic local food suppliers andadvocate for healthy children’s food.

by Lilith

EDIBLE QUOTE :

“For any chef, supermarkets are like a factory. I buy from specialist growers, organic suppliers and farmers”.

by Jamie Oliver, who got into a bit of trouble for saying this because he does ads for UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s

CONTACTS/LINKS:

http://lifechangingdocos.com/northernnsw/blog – to book for the Future of Food screening in Byron Bay

Seed Sowers Organic seedlings are at several markets and farmers markets around the Northern Rivers, including Byron Bay and Mullumbimby

http://www.chestnutsaustralia.com.au/recipes.html – oodles of chestnut recipes aand tips and the fabulous Mr Chesty

a few links to the attempted Jamie Oliver US conquest:

http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/

http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/mar/25/jamie-oliver-us-healthy-eating – worth clicking just to see him dressed as a pea

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/west-virginia-eats-jamie-oliver-for-breakfast-1925393.html – good article on the uphill battle Jamie is facing in the US