An Excellent, Inspiring Web Site on Cooking Real Food

I don’t cook much anymore. I used to love to cook and was pretty good at it, too. I was even a line chef in what seems like another life. But the short of the long story is that I just don’t have the time, the resources, or the kitchen to lately.

But I miss good food and good cooking! I really, really miss it. I crave it. I love wild, fresh, organic, real food. Buying it is so expensive. Hunting it is a blast and very satisfying. I can’t tell you how many years we went without ever buying beef. We lived on venison, elk, upland birds, fish.

I came across this really great site while daydreaming (and being very hungry) and sitting here so crazy with work that I don’t feel like doing (sorry, boss, my mind wonders a bit sometimes). I am looking forward to being at “camp” where I am so much more focused and get better exercise, eat better, feel better and was trying to think of some yummy things to make for when guests are in.

So, check out this site: Hunter Angler Gardener Cook

I am particularly intrigued by the section on Upland Game Bird Recipes and there is even a tutorial called, “How to Pluck a Pheasant.”

There are also sections on Wild Game, Fish & Seafood, Cured Meat, Vegetables, and more! I am a little excited to try some recipes and get back into cooking–while away at camp, that is–I don’t know that I will be able to keep up with it upon returning, but I am inspired to get back to better habits, better eating, and better cooking.

I haven’t spent much time on the site, yet (I really do need to get back to work) but I am really looking forward to taking in every inch of it. I quickly went through it and it is a very nice site–visually appealing, nice photography, the recipes sound fantastic, it is very informative with links to resources for special ingredients, etc. I noticed an article called, “How to Cut Up a Rabbit” with step-by-step instructions and photos.

I was hooked while reading about the author, Hank Shaw. He says,

“I write, I fish. I dig earth, raise plants, live for food and kill wild animals. I drink bourbon, Barolo or Budweiser with equal relish and wish I owned a farm [hey, me too!]… Honest food is what I’m seeking. Nothing packaged, nothing in a box, nothing wrapped in plastic. I eat meat, and I’m not keen on factory farms, so I either hunt it myself or buy it from real people who raise animals humanely…”

Now, this is something that I can get excited about! This is all very dear to me–I grew up on wild game and love it. I prefer it over anything else. I also feel very strongly against processed, packaged food, animals treated with hormones, chemical pesticides, genetically altered seeds and animals… and I could go off on a rant, here, but I won’t.

My absolute dream is to have a farm to raise organic food for my family and anyone else that wants it. A place to train and raise our Llewellins, along with Alpacas, goats, sheep, beef, bison, etc… feed our dogs organic food from our farm… seriously. I remember a few years ago at a gathering and all were discussing a big lottery drawing they were excited about and had bought tickets for. They were all talking about what they would do if they won. When it came to me and I told them my dream, I think they thought I was insane. But, I can’t help it. It’s my dream. It is my idea of heaven on earth–a farm in the cool, less-polluted, north… a place to run my doggies everyday right outside my door. A place to grow and hunt fresh, real, food  and game and make our own cheese, and milk,  and wool, and soap, and help others! 🙂

But, anyway, I am getting off the subject, here. I only wanted to share this exciting site I happened upon and hope you check it out and try some of the recipes! Let me know!

-LML