Nourish Network Understand Ecosystems

Understand Ecosystems

By Lia Huber

In this age of green, the term ecosystem gets tossed around quite a bit–from technology to tide pools. But it’s an important concept to grasp, as in really understand, when talking about creating a sustainable food system.

Traditionally, we’ve talked of the food chain. But an ecosystem is more like thousands of threads braided together than it is a neat series of links (plankton, small fish, big fish). Whether you’re talking about agriculture or aquaculture, wide open ocean or wild prairie plains, each has a unique set of environmental and biological factors that make it home to a specific mix of plants and animals that, when in balance, all thrive together.

Why is this important? Because trying to alter an end result—be it saving a vanishing species of fish or curtailing greenhouse gas—while ignoring the native ecosystem is like trying to light a candle while it’s underwater. Julie Packard of Monterey Bay Aquarium believes we need to evaluate aquatic ecosystems as a whole in order to save the oceans (and the life within them), rather than working on species-specific solutions. And many believe we need to shift towards more traditional, closed-system farming techniques (where, for instance, manure produced by cows is used to fertilize the land that grows their food) in agriculture.

It’s a little word, a big concept, and the foundation of talks to come.

This week, lock on to the meaning of ecosystem.

Buffalo Blue Burgers with Celery Slaw

The inspiration for these burgers is somewhat obvious, but the tie to sustainability and healthy ecosystems might not be as clear. I was turned into a buffalo (bison) lover by Dan O’Brien, of Wild Idea Buffalo, who talked about bringing back bison in order to save his beloved South Dakota plains. The two, it seems, are healthiest when living together … a perfect illustration of a thriving ecosystem.

buffalo-blue-recipe HOT SAUCE

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon cayenne
2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
sea salt and freshly ground pepper

BLUE CHEESE SAUCE

2 ounces blue cheese
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 teaspoon mayonnaise
2 tablespoons buttermilk, or lowfat milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

CELERY SLAW

1 cup celery, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon canola oil
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

BURGERS

1 pound ground buffalo, formed into 4, 3/4-inch thick patties
4 whole grain hamburger buns, split and toasted

Heat grill to medium-high heat.

In a small bowl, mix the butter, cayenne, Tabasco and a pinch of salt and pepper together. Generously brush both sides of burgers with mixture and set aside.

In another small bowl, mix together blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, vinegar and a generous grind of black pepper and whisk until smooth.

In another bowl, toss celery with onion, parsley, oil, mustard, vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Season burgers with salt and pepper and place over direct heat on the grill. Brush with Tabasco mixture. Cook 2-3 minutes, basting once, and flip. Cook another 2 minutes, until medium rare.

Place burgers on buns, top with celery slaw and drizzle with blue cheese mixture.

Serves 4