Category: Scotland
Climate Action Fife
A friend reminded me that this blog existed, apologies, I have been lazy and just sharing short posts on F*cebook.
EATS Rosyth have been lucky to have been working in partnership with some fantastic groups as part of Climate Action Fife this year. We are delivering climate friendly food and gardening workshops, taking part in a Food Summit, planning some tree planting and much more. It’s been a great project with lots of opportunities to get stuck in and try new things, we even produced our first podcast! With COP26 fast approaching there’s never been a better time to learn more about small actions we can take and big noises we can make to get the climate emergency under control.
As part of the project I wrote a couple of blog pieces I thought I would share here…starting with one on our favourite topic of food waste!
Climate Action Fife is a partnership project between Greener Kirkcaldy, Fife Council, Fife College and Fife Communities Climate Action Network, bringing together individuals, communities, local government and businesses to tackle the climate emergency and make Fife a greener and fairer place to live. It is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund’s new Climate Action Fund, which enables people and communities to take the lead in tackling the climate emergency.
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Edinburgh tips..
Have been lucky to have some great Edinburgh days and nights out recently so thought I’d share some quick recommendations..
Without pics to prove it I also highly recommend the frozen margaritas at El Cartel. http://www.elcartelmexicana.co.uk
Of course if you’re planning a visit to eat or drink in Edinburgh be sure to look up Bite Magazine http://www.bite-magazine.com for some tips and reviews first!
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EATS Rosyth project
Not sure where to start with this post, it’s taken me long enough to get around to it. I have made reference to all the exciting projects happening recently in and around Fife in some earlier blog posts and I’m delighted to be working with one of those now! It has been a very busy time for everyone involved, hence the lack of blogging the past few months! If you use it, you may find my updates more regular on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/failedfoody
EATS Rosyth (Edible & Tasty Spaces) is a project supported by Rosyth Community Council and Climate Challenge Fund. We have targets to reach which involve reducing carbon emissions by 569 tonnes over 10 years through a combination of growing and composting programmes and education about carbon literacy and reducing food waste. We want more people to grow their own food at home and my part will be to help people create affordable and nutritious meals with their local produce. Scotland is a fantastic place to grow and yet we have all become too reliant on our local supermarkets and imported food travelling many food miles. We are losing the skills to feed ourselves healthy locally grown food and our children are losing the knowledge of where their food comes from.
I am not much of a gardener myself but I am learning and I am passionate about food issues. I am learning more about Scotland’s food and diet (!) and have been cooking with lots of kale, beetroot, potatoes, herbs and root veg. I am excited to have the opportunity to play my part and join in the good work being carried out by the numerous dedicated volunteers in the area. I have a great team working with me, expert gardeners and horticulturalists and people who are determined to see improvements in the local environment.
If you live in Rosyth and want to get involved please let me know, comment below or email me karen@eatsrosyth.org.uk
Or if you are working on a climate change project or a community project like ours please say hi. So much to learn and share with each other, and much work to be done!
Here’s our video explaining more, produced by Greg Bell http://youtu.be/RQ0l2kwtbYA
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Trip to The Kitchin, Edinburgh
After months of literally saving our pennies in a ‘restaurant trip piggy bank’ we made a once in a lifetime visit to a Michelin star restaurant. It is not an endeavour to be taken lightly but having agreed with husband and friends that this was a bucket list worthy event we went for it. Careful selection of destination followed but there could only be one (ever) winner.
The Kitchin’s ‘from nature to plate’ approach to the finest, freshest, seasonal and local food clinched it. One of my fellow diners is particularly fond of this style of cooking, used to bravely prepping rabbit, pigeon, pheasant and shellfish without intimidation. He has recommended this little dish for anyone who wishes to try their hand at pigeon prep. For someone like me, more familiar and comfortable with budget cooking combinations of tinned vegetables, beans and bread, I admire the skill and knowledge required to cook (and eat!) this way, but here we were for a very extravagant educational visit.
The ‘farm to fork’ philosophy is one which requires us to understand where our food comes from and even for a part-time vegetarian like myself I fully appreciate the importance of this. Understanding animal welfare and the journey your food has had before it arrives as your supper is more important today than ever before. Thankfully Tom Kitchin is a great ambassador for quality Scottish produce and his incredibly knowledgeable team provided this handy map to show us exactly where our meal has originated.
Scotland map showing suppliers for menu
Given the nation’s traditional dish is haggis in all its sheep stomach and innards delight, perhaps it’s not so unusual that Scotland’s natural larder on display in The Kitchin should feature a wide array of offal and ingredients I had never sampled before.
Presented beautifully and cooked to perfection, here are just some of the dishes we tried from both the classic and seasonal tasting menus. Needless to say I highly recommend for special occasions and will fondly remember the delicious squid ink rye crispbreads and crowdie on arrival and the golden Tokaji dessert wine I finished with.
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March munchies
Well that was quite the month for good food. I promised I would let you know how I got on with the Sri Spice kits I picked up at the recent Inverkeithing Food Group film night. I went for a chicken curry using the Cardamom and Peppers kit. Served with a side of Punchy Pineapple.
Chicken cardamom and peppers curry
Chicken cardamom and peppers curry
Punchy pineapple
I also took my daughter along to see Frank the food truck and the Edinburgh Food Social team who came to Rosyth and provided some excellent takeaway meal options to the children. We tried the lentil soup and cheese scones and they were very well received! Much appreciated. We hear he’s coming back April 22nd..
I ended the month with a lovely Easter holiday to my hometown of Newtownards in Northern Ireland and it happens to be the NI Year of Food and Drink. I managed to get along to visit Indie Füde, a great little deli tucked away in the courtyard in Comber. Specialising in providing quality Irish produce from a huge range of food and drink businesses they sum up all that is great about food in Ireland. Many small, artisan and local businesses are represented and you can see the wonders of such things as Shortcross Gin, La Coquine handmade chocolates from Holywood, Peppup roasted pepper and tomato ketchup and the delicious Abernethy Butter. MMMMMM
I picked up this little lot..and today made a nice vegetable soup with added Kombu. Will probably just start adding it to everything to be honest.
Indie Fude treats
Failed Foody 