How about a potluck?

Would all you Challengers (and future possible Challengers or other locavores) be interested in having a potluck to share our bounty? I think it might be fun to get together at one of the parks, to get to know one another and share recipes, great finds...maybe even bring your favorite farmer.

What do you think? Shall we plan for this...maybe toward the end of July?

Is this blog format working for you?

We're trying this blog format to see if it will serve us well. If you're able to work with it easily -- or if it's not working for you -- please let us hear your comments.

another possibility is a forum-style system, but it's a little more complicated, and also more expensive (this google-blog format is free, which is ideal for a non-profit organization just starting out!).

Please let us hear from you: can you get into the blog comment area all right? (if not, contact info@sustaindoor.org). Can you navigate well enough? Are you getting the information you need? Would you like more information, more diverse, more sortable...or is this format fine for you?

Thanks!!!

Where can I get ______?? (I know, I know!!)

If anyone wants to know where to get food items, or can help someone else find something, please comment here...

does anyone know where can we get:

vinegar
salami
cranberries
wild rice
oatmeal
oat groats
white flour (for pastries)

Where are you finding your foods?

thought this might be a good place to start contributing food providers that we've found and enjoy. Ann shared some of her ideas in her previous blog.

Please share your comments about where you're finding good food, ok?

We found some of the best hot dogs (in natural casings) we've ever eaten at Miesfeldt's in Sheboygan...plus really great bologna. I need to find out where they actually get their raw materials, though....hopefully somewhere close.

Pepperoni: a friend gave us a stick from Konop's in Stangelville (near Manitowoc), and they do buy their meats locally. Our friend said Konop's has the best ring bologna he's ever had.

Mushrooms:Field and Forest in Peshtigo: not just mushrooms, but instruction on how to grow them.

Others???

Good local meals? Let's start a list!

There are so many really great combinations of food....and all right here in Door County. How about let's share meals we've made/eaten/loved....It'd be fun to have a long list....maybe compile them into a recipe book at the end of this year?

Ann mentioned some that she and her daughter have created in the past few days. One we had at our house last night I'd like to share is:

Grilled, bacon-wrapped whitefish (I borrowed this recipe from Jamie Oliver).

4 4-ounce whitefish fillets (caught locally; purchased from Bearcats in Algoma); remove skin, cut into 2" wide pieces; sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and finely chopped fresh tarragon from the garden.
Place the fillets on strips of salty smoked bacon (locally grown pig, purchased at the county fair last August)
Fry the wrapped fillets in an oven-safe sautee pan, drizzled with Wisconsin-grown canola oil until brown on one side; then bake in oven for 20 minutes.

Served with fresh peas (from Malvitz's on County C) and fresh pea pods (from the garden), slightly steamed.

Pile peas on a bed of freshly made angelhair pasta (made with Washington Island wheat and water...that's it!)

Arrange grilled fish/bacon wraps next to peas/pasta and drizzle fish and all with fresh mayonaisse (eggs also from Malvitz), and garnish with finely chopped lemon balm.

Dessert: homemade vanilla ice cream (honey purchased at Jorn's Sugarbush), and freshly sliced strawberries (again...Malvitz!)

meal total: all local (except a little bit of olive oil on the pasta)


Please, please, please contribute your own loca-dish!!