Tulips, daffodils and asparagus, those are the first spears of green that poke their heads out of the cold earth after a long, grey winter. Asparagus is one of my all-time favourite treats that start a new season in the garden. Niagara farmers, Sue and Frank Pohorly let me walk through their asparagus patch and pick the tallest, most slender spears and eat them raw, straight from the earth. It reminds me of eating red licorice as I walk around in pursuit of my next pick. But instead of eating something artificial with tons of sugar and no satisfaction value, these […]
Flavours of Kentucky
Thick Belgium Waffles, Bourbon Sweet Potatoes, Corn Pudding, Shaker Lemon Pie, Hot Browns, and Lemon Soufflé Pancakes, these are the flavours Kentucky proudly wears. Taste of Belgium: A great place to eat is this trendy eatery on Vine Street in the Over-the-Rhine historic district in downtown Cincinnati. Owner Jean-Francois Flechet is a transplanted Belgium who did the only thing he knew how to do – he made waffles. He started in the back of a produce store. That was a short time ago and now he owns a few Taste of Belgium restaurants with a really funky cuisine that […]
Take 5!
Then, take it easy. Contrary to what some may think, it doesn’t take a kitchenfull of ingredients to make a great meal. In fact, you can put a really delicious meal on the table anytime and for any occasion with just five ingredients or less; what a relief that is for busy people. Five ingredient meals mean you don’t have to stock up on foods you’ll never use again, nor will you be using anything more complicated than a sharp knife and sturdy cutting board. Five ingredient meals mean you probably already have some of the ingredients in your […]
St. Pattys Day – Not Just for The Irish
Irish stew, green beer and shamrocks, St Patricks day can’t be further from the preaching of Saint Patrick himself, but boy, what a great party it’s become! Today St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebrating the Irish, Irish culture and Irish traditions, but you don’t have to be Irish to join in the festivities. “Most of the pubs (in the Halton region) that are popular for St. Patrick’s day are actually British,” laughs Stan Mischaud, proprietor of The Dickens, a great British Pub. “Everyone’s Irish on St. Paddy’s Day.” At The Dickens in Burlington the party starts early, but […]
Croissunday
I’m a lover of good croissants so Croissunday was a day I wasn’t going to miss. Yet, I was totally unsuspecting. I’ll start from the beginning. I heard this patisserie in Toronto was celebrating croissants. For any of you who know me, you know I’ve travelled through France in search of the best croissants. I look to fill my palate with the richest, softest, billowy butter-rich insides while my teeth are tickled with the crumbling shards of tissue thin, crispy outsides. Plain, almond or chocolate, my mood dictates but it has to be really great. A really great croissant makes […]
The Belgian Brasserie
THE BIER MARKET, 58 The Esplanade, Toronto Chef Michael Cipollo has a personality larger than life, an amazing sense of conviviality and a palate that pleases only those who appreciate good food. At only 40 years of age, Cipollo is corporate chef for the chain of seven Belgian inspired Bier Market brasseries that all aimed to please the nuances of its individual neighbourhoods throughout Ontario and Quebec; that means each are different in menu offerings and culinary cultural. My favourite Bier Market happens to be on The Esplanad and that’s where I found Michael. If you’re not familiar, a […]