Watermelon and Cucumber Salad with Feta Cheese
When I drove to Bommer Canyon in Irvine last Saturday to interview Chef Ryan Adams of Sorrento Grille, prior to the Slow Foods 2nd Annual Bommer Canyon BBQ, I did it because I was curious about the Slow Food organization whose principles mesh perfectly with what I advocate here: cooking at home and sharing meals with family and friends to connect in an increasingly hectic world. To slow down and actually connect with like-minded folks who consider good eating one of the important pleasures in life. Pretty simple, right? Well, I had no idea what an exhilarating evening of fine food, marvelous music, and wonderful people I would encounter in this pastoral oasis in the midst of bustling Orange County.
If you actively participate in, agree with, or try to do any of the following actions, then you’re a Slow Foodie, too!
- Eat locally and sustainably
- Eat fresh, seasonal foods
- Shop at farmers’ markets
- Enjoy food with your family and friends
- Eat together at home
Chef Ryan generously donated his time and expertise to create a bright, fresh menu inspired by old-fashioned fair food, beginning with the summery Watermelon and Cucumber Salad above. Sponsors included Whole Foods, Mary’s Free-Range Chickens, and local suppliers that source Sorrento Grille in Laguna Beach. The wine for the evening was generously provided by Quivira Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County and guest speaker was none other than food activist, Jill Richardson, author of Recipe for America.
Grilled Corn and Fava Bean Succotash
BBQ’d Mary’s Chicken with Warm Heirloom Potato Salad
Irvine Strawberries with Grilled Lemon Biscuit
Our everyday lives can be enriched by taking time to slow down and enjoy life with family and friends. Living the slow life with food as the focus is as rewarding as it is easy, and it can be done daily by each one of us. Here are just a few pleasures you can enjoy:
- Visit a local farmers’ market
- Start a kitchen garden
- Make pasta from scratch one night
- Invite a friend over to share a meal
- Squeeze your own lemonade from the fresh fruit
- Create a new food memory for a child! Bake with your child or teach them to plant seeds for a meal.
- Trace your food sources
- Linger over a glass of wine and a slice of cheese
- Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in your area
- Decide to eat lunch sitting down instead of standing up (or while driving)
- Visit a farm in your area
- Learn your local food history! Prepare an authentic regional dish or discover a food that is celebrated by your culture.
Slow Food Orange County is a local chapter of Slow Food U.S.A. which works to carry out the Slow Food mission on a local level. The Orange County convivium is a member-supported organization made up of a diverse group of food enthusiasts. Members include home and professional chefs, growers, wine connoisseurs, and lots of ordinary people who enjoy cooking and eating good quality food and wines.
What gorgeous food!! After reading this, it’s good to know that I am on my way to being a slow foodie. It’s hard to eat locally produced food in the little AZ town where I live – I’d have to learn to eat more cactus and road runners! However, I do have a garden, I make most of my own food and we certainly eat together. Thanks for a very informative post.
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Lovely lovely post. I think the slow food movement is such an important trend, and I know that it has improved my quality of life significantly. We need to slow down, consider what we are eating, and then enjoy the high quality food we bring into our lives.
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Great post and beautiful food!
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This is the first I’ve ever heard of Slow Food. I agree, support and already do some of those things already. Very informative – thank you for a great post.
That Watermelon and Cucumber Salad with Feta Cheese looks sooo good. Was there a special type of dressing on it. Want to try making that – was there a recipe or list of ingredients for it! =)
.-= Cristina´s last blog ..Blueberries and Strawberries – Buttermilk Pancakes =-.
I don’t recall a dressing at all – the sweetness of the melon, cool cucumber and feta is all! Maybe some honey – there wasn’t an ingredient list and Chef Ryan didn’t mention a dressing in the video clip. 🙂