Jess Starwood + The Forest Table
Herbalist • Forager • Chef
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of … Continue reading Foraging Baja 2019
The journey towards authentic connection I was awoken by my daughter in the middle of the night to let me know she had been ill. I comforted her and went back to bed but could not sleep. My head was suddenly full of chatter and cluttered to-do lists. Habitually, I grabbed my phone “only to … Continue reading It’s not me, it’s you: It’s time we see real people.
Join herbalist, forager and chef Jess Starwood on a walk through the winter forest in search of edible and medicinal mushrooms. We will discuss fungi identification, hunting tips and tricks, and other winter finds in Southern California. Afterwards, enjoy gourmet wild inspired food and drink featuring the flavors of the season. SOLD OUT $65/includes both … Continue reading Fungi of the Forest: Mushroom Walk & Tasting
March 7-9, Cave Creek, Arizona Explore the abundance of the Sonoran Desert in spring after the winter rains have quenched the desert's thirst. Our journey will cover the entire foraging process, from desert to table. We will explore the surrounding foothills, canyons and flowing creeks to identify the local wild edible and medicinal plants, learn … Continue reading Desert WILD: Foraging Arizona
I have found that this normally "dry" wild mushroom is an excellent candidate for sous vide, rather than the usual saute. Add in your favorite herbs and seasonings and its lends an incredibly tender and juicy texture. I was a little disappointed in the small size of my only find of this mushroom so far … Continue reading Lemon Rosemary Chicken of the Woods Mushroom
I think the first "wild food" recipe that I ever made was a nettle pesto. I would speculate, though, that is probably most folks initiation into wild foods. It is abundant, found nearly everywhere, and quite simple to make without messing it up too bad. Success is fairly inevitable. Now, after many years of diving … Continue reading Wild Greens and Pinyon Pine Cream Sauce
Last weekend I hosted the incredibly knowledgeable Enrique Villasenor, local healer in training, who taught all about how to use Opuntia species of cactus (aka prickly pear) for healing a vast array of health conditions. It all goes back to "balance" he says, and this plant helps us do that. Even if we aren't suffering … Continue reading Cactus & Corn Tortillas
