{giveaway} whole larder love
Another year over, and a new one just begun. With the beginning of another year we're all making promises, bidding to be better and do better. I read a lovely quote yesterday and for the life of me I can't find it again, but it went something like: "stop being the person you were and start being the person you are". I liked its go-ahead tune, its get-going song.
This year I am going to grow more vegetables, I'm going to be the person who does such things. I'm going to use the whole chicken, make stock from bones every time, make terrine from less popular cuts of meat, start composting even though I have the most ridiculously tiny apartment. I might even forage. I'll definitely fish, I'll definitely smoke my own meat. I've had enough of shortcuts, I'm going long-winded on myself. I'm using proper process ways that use up all the ingredients in the fridge even though I only have carrots and feel like pizza. I'll make stock and make soup, I'll use the juicer, I'll do grated Moroccan cumin-spiked salads and make a meal of what could have been nothing. This was the voice that wrote my first cookbook,The Thrifty Kitchen, do you remember? I found ways with leftovers in that book, I used up things and showed how to use cheaper cuts of meat. I loved that voice and I miss it.
I've not been so bad, I've pickled cucumbers and made my own cheese. My chap and I have had a series of amazing home-made terrines as I experimented with recipes and techniques (more on that later). But I'm just putting it out there that I'm going to do more. And, I'm going to help you do more too! Have you heard of Whole Larder Love? It's a gorgeous blog and lesson on growing, gathering, hunting and cooking by Rohan Anderson, the photographer and "modern-day food warrior". I'm giving away one copy of his new book Whole Larder Love, published by Penguin. It's unlikely you'll find Anderson at the supermarket, instead he'll be wandering around his garden, strolling through forests fossicking for wild mushrooms, hunting in paddocks, and fishing in wild surroundings. {Find out how to win after the jump!}
As Anderson says in this beautiful, fresh and welcoming book, "there are two basic ways to view food. On the one hand, it's merely a necessity for our survival, a source of energy to fuel our bodies. On the other (more exciting) hand, food can be appreciated for the indulgent pleasures of taste and texture". When he started asking himself where his food came from and what impact his consumption of food had on the natural world, he realised the current age of broad-acre food production is undeniably flawed. Aware of the worrisome effect of our current method of food production on soil degradation biodiversity, habitat loss, as well as the way our society has obliterated the local level operation of food production, he moved to produce and source his own food.
"It was clear that I was a 'food victim' and it was time to take back control. I discovered it's possible when you grow your own fruit and vegetables, raise your own meat, and know what to eat from the wild." This book shows how he made the switch, and shows how you can take elements (or all) of his philosophy in your own lives.
So, want to win a copy of this gorgeous book and join me as I endeavour to do more to protect the environment, my health and my new year's resolution? Just comment below, and tell us what you're doing to keep the food you eat and cook local. Then, just link to this post via Twitter/Facebook/Instagram.
Are you growing your own fruit and vegetables? Catching your own fish? Starting your own herb garden? Can't wait to hear your stories. Good luck!
*Sorry, limited to Australian readers only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. AUD $29.99 total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close and announced on the bottom of this post soon after.
Your comment should appear within 2 hours – make sure you press enter, and maybe try again if it doesn’t appear within 4 hours. xx {photos by Kate Gibbs}