Prairie Grass Dinner's Native Foods Focus
Plus, this weekend's market schedule as the doors close on the outdoor season
A Feast Deeply Rooted in History
This is Native American Heritage Month, and Prairie Grass Cafe in suburban Northbrook hosted a dinner Thursday (November 17) featuring chef-driven creations based on foods that were staples for the American Indian tribes of our region. I can think of few events that I’ve attended over many years that provided the kind of delicious, educational and inspiring experience I had on Thursday.
The dishes were prepared by Chef Sarah Stegner, co-owner of Prairie Grass Cafe and longtime Good Food and social justice activist, and Sebastian White, the chef and clinical psychologist who is founder/president of The Evolved Network, a nonprofit that aims to provide underprivileged youths with training in culinary arts, urban farming and business skills combined with counseling and therapeutic services.
Attendees also heard thought-provoking presentations from Sharon Hoogstraten, Stephanie Perdew and Pamela M. Silas, three experts and leaders in efforts to draw general public attention to the history and challenges faced by their fellow Native Americans, as well as Sharon Moy of the Wayfarer Foundation, which puts 80 percent of its funding into support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) nonprofits.
It will take a bit of time for me to parse all of the content and turn it into an article, so today I will just share photos of the absolutely exquisite food enjoyed by the packed room of attendees.
The plate above shows the second course, which was served family style. It included perfectly seared Duck Breast with Wild Rice, Butternut Squash-Chili Puree, and Chanterelle Mushrooms, as well as Slow-Braised High Plains All-Natural Bison with Black, White and Pinto Beans (sort of a bison chili stew). Sides included roasted carrots (I’ve mentioned how much I love roasted vegetables) and corn bread.
Chefs Sebastian White and Sarah Stegner made brief introductory remarks at the start of the evening. Sarah has been an avid supporter and mentor to Sebastian as he develops The Evolved Network.
The appetizer of Cornbread-Crusted Whitefish with Winter Greens and Pickled Red Onions would have made a satisfying meal all on its own.
The first course featured Confit Goose Cake, plus Roasted Turnips and Roasted Squash (Butternut, Blue Hubbard, Black Futsu Pumpkin) with Pumpkin Seeds and Sage Cranberry Dressing (yay, more roasted vegetables).
The feast was capped by this Vegan Grape Ice Cream by Dana Cree of Pretty Cool Ice Cream with Oriana’s Orchard Wild Grape Syrup. Everyone at our table was amazed at how rich the non-dairy ice cream was.
The chefs also acknowledged these small regional farms for the ingredients they provided: Three Sisters Garden, Adam’s Acres and Froggy Meadow Farm.
I’ll have the rest of the story next week. Scroll down for a reminder to The Evolved Network’s chef-driven tasting event coming up on November 28. First, this weekend’s farmers market schedule.
Say Bye to the Last of Chicago’s Outdoor Markets
I’ll drop by Saturday to give my well wishes to two of my most frequently visited markets, Green City Market in Lincoln Park and The Lincoln Park Farmers Market located a few blocks to the west. Green City will resume on December 3 with an indoor market in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood; this is a bientot til spring for The Lincoln Park Farmers Market.
But don’t miss the listing of the indoor markets that already are open. I’m still crowd-sourcing, so if you know of any winter markets that aren’t on this list, please let me know.
Friday, November 18
St. Charles INDOOR Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to noon, Baker Memorial Church
Saturday, November 19
Batavia INDOOR Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., The Dock at 150 1st St.
Deerfield WINTER Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 815 Wilmot Rd.
Evanston Community WINTER Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 616 Lake St.
Grayslake Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 201 Center St.
Green City Market Lincoln Park, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark, Chicago
Green City Market West Loop, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 115 S. Sangamon St.
Logan Square Farmers Market Saturday Pop-Up, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Solidarity Triangle, Chicago
Naperville WINTER Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to noon, 200 E. 5th Ave.
61st Street INDOOR Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 724 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago
Palatine WINTER Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to noon, 137 W. Wood St.
Woodstock INDOOR Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Building D, 11900 Country Club Rd.
Sunday, November 20
Cary INDOOR Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3702 US Hwy 14, Bldg. 6, Crystal Lake
South Loop INDOOR Market at L&A Healing Studio, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2018 S. Michigan, Chicago
The Dole INDOOR Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake
Next Evolved Network Event Features Seven Chefs
If the food photos above have whet your appetite, here’s a reminder: The Evolved Network’s next tasting event is on Monday evening, November 28.
Eden restaurant (2734 W. Roscoe St. in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood) will host Eat & Evolve, with tasting plates from Chef Sebastian White, The Evolved Network’s founder; Eden’s Devon Quinn; Sarah Stegner of Northbrook’s Prairie Grass Cafe; and five other well-known Chicago chefs Paul Kahan of The Publican, Rob Levitt of Publican Quality Meats, Tigist Reda of Demera Ethiopian Restaurant, Darnell Reed of Luella’s Southern Kitchen, and Mary Aregoni of Saigon Sisters.
There will also be cocktails and mocktails available for purchase at Eden’s bar, and you will have an opportunity to learn more about The Evolved Network’s big plans. Click the button below for tickets, with just a $20 requested minimum purchase.