Jake

SLM = St Lawrence Market

They are also known as capucijner blue pod or Dutch grey pea. I think they are not the same as marrowfat peas (very confusing, researching hundreds of different types of beans and peas ) ← Thanks, Klary. I WILL be writing that down before I go hunting...

Klary, the beans look awesome. I love beans. I'll have to check as see if we can get them in Canada....

Excellent question. I don't know the answer unfortunately as I buy a lot of my spices while travelling, or while friends/family are travelling. I'm not sure of a one stop in Toronto. I tend to buy middle easter spices at the middle eastern store, mexican oregano etc. in Kensington and so on. Is there a specific spice you cannot locate?

I understand the open flame thing. Did I ever tell you about the time I set the napkins on fire while I was supposed to torching the brulee and plating dessert???? Don't let that jinx you tho'

Welcome, repoman! The tuna looks delicious. We have a great group here and share the good stuff as well as the not so good, we hope to see more of your photos. Did you follow a specific recipe for this dish, or was it something you created?

Hey Geoff, I actually used a contracter when we redid our kitchen a couple years ago. You're right, it IS frustrating at times, but in our case it seemed the way to go. We ripped everything out to the bare bones and I didn't feel I had the patience, time or experience to vet and hire all the various trades needed. Backsplash - are you going to do the work yourself? If so, you have the option of choosing various tile, marble etc. and installing it. I have a tumbled marble backsplash that I initially questioned, but have been very very happy with it. Looks good, easy to clean etc. Lighting, again if you can't do it yourself, then you have to find a good electrician. I love having under the cupboard lighting combined with pot lights, but my work area tends to be somewhat dark (long, narrow kitchen) Even Home Depot have good selection of sinks and taps unless you're looking for something high end. I have no idea if this helps, what do you want the end result to be like and how "high end" do you want to go????

Sound delicious. I'd go with the roasted asparagus if you can get some nice stuff. Enjoy!

Wayne, I hope you'll let us know how you like Crispy Roll. Perhaps we can persuade you to take your camera when you go???

I would like to start some ISO threads on the Toronto board discussing various food/ethnic groups and the places we like best. It will also serve as a handy resource guide for all of us the next time someone can't decide what to eat. And most of all, I'd like to compile a new list of things I haven't tried. I love Vietnamese food. Well, okay, I pretty much love all food and will try anything once! But I thought I'd start with this area as it is a cold, damp, awful evening out there and I'm craving a hot bowl of pho, or something spicy, or perhaps I just don't want to cook tonight! One of my favourite lunches is banh mi and my favourite place in Toronto to get it is Rose Cafe on Broadview, south of Gerrard. The location is never on the way to anywhere, but I'll drive there to satisfy a craving. I always get an iced coffee or 2 to go with it. It's a great little shop, I'll post pictures next time I go. They have a variety of vegetarian dishes (mock duck etc.) and different sweets. I don't really like many sweets, so I can't offer much of an opinion on those. I love pho too. My usual 2 places are Pho Hung on Spadina @ St. Andrew. The #1 special has rare beef, brisket, tripe and tendon. #4 is rare beef only. The second place is MiMi Vietnamese on Gerrard just east of Broadview. The cha gio spring rolls are outstanding. The spicy chicken with lemongrass on rice is also excellent as is the bun. The staff here are wonderful too, and are very helpful with suggestions when ordering. What are your favourite places, and favourite dishes? Do you make your own? What wonderful delicacies am I missing?

Crab cakes with salad. Provided I have crab meat in the freezer, of course. Simple and quick to make and pan fry. Elegant enough for a summer lunch or dinner.

Thank you all for the kind welcome. Michael, I'm honoured you're reading the Toronto forum. I spend a lot of time on the NY forum 'cause I ca't get down there as often as I'd like. Joie, I will indeed investigate more Filipino food, I already have an idea, it's just a little out of the way....more to come. Geoff, either Jake or Barbara is fine, I answer to both. However, if you add the middle name to Barbara I'll think you're my mother yelling at me! I'm really looking forward to this and I'm sure we'll all make the board great. Please don't hesitate to PM me if you have any questions, ideas and/or suggestions, I will welcome it. And most of all -- please keep posting about your experiences etc. Toronto is a fantastic city with so any options for both food and ingredients. We are blessed with many, many different ethnic groups contributing to the food scene. It is especially in this area that I hope to expand my knowledge through all of you. When it comes to Filipino food, I may have to have Joie help me out with the menu remotely!! Anyone else with specific knowledge, please chime in! cheers,

Shalmanese, I gotta tell ya, it looks like something my dog partially digested! That's a winner on this thread for sure! Cheers.

Polenta is NOT like grits. Honest. And I love grits too. Polenta is yummy, especially with the gravy goodness from short ribs. Your nibbles sound great, but what is sweet peppered bacon bite?? I've done grilled sausage/brats and mustard for get togethers in the summer with great success (they seem to be inhaled quickly) but only do them if you have someone who can grill them a la minute when you're ready for them. They dry out fairly quickly I find.

Oh, good call, I didn't think of Finch & Yonge area. That likely would be more convenient for someone coming in on the 401 from the East. Well, you have more Korean than I. I'm not sure ordering a beer and/or telling the shopkeep that I love them would help, but I'll know where to turn for instruction should I decide to go that route. I'll remember mak-sang. Thanks.

Mmmm, Hoegaarden and mussels. But, mmmm Hoegaarden. I REALLY love Hoegaarden, especially on a hot summer day. Off to dream now, thanks Kathleen, this just makes spending the day priming and painting even worse! The only food in my near future is coffee and maybe a handful of peanuts.

I agree, it is not hard to come by in the Korean area off Bloor. I was trying to come up with some places East of Yonge as requested by Jay. There was indeed a language barrier, difficult as it may be for you to believe. The shopkeeper in question did not understand English at all and my Korean is non-existant. Just one of the things I love about Toronto, sometimes the only way is to try something out for yourself!

Sorry Marlene, forgot about the mushroom thing!

Jay, ignore my advice about the Korean supermarket on Lawrence....it is now closed. I'll get back to you if find out somewhere else for fresh kimchee. Perhaps someone else will have some good ideas too.

What about polenta with the short ribs. I love polenta and short ribs, and it's really easy to make. I would likely go with a lighter soup or a composed salad. Maybe a mushroom (broth vs. cream) soup?

Short ribs sound yummy. I still find very few people are cooking them so it might be a nice surprise for some of your guests too. Don't even mention the Christmas decorations or I will send my doggies over to romp through your house at full speed and then see how decorated it is!

Dinner last night had to be something fairly easy/quick as we were out all afternoon celebrating the FIL's birthday. (Food there involved pretzels, Pringles, really bad frozen nibbles, really good chocolate cake). First up tomatillo and serrano salsa. Picked up the fresh ingredients yesterday while shopping in one of the local market areas. The pulled out the pork butt that had been rubbed with various herbs/spices, doused with a cup of tequila, and slowly cooked for about 19 - 20 hours. All pulled apart (it was about 4lbs when it went in the oven). And made into a tostada. Fresh corn tortilla fried and smeared with some refried beans. Add pork and pan sauce, chopped red onion, tomatillo salsa, crema and cilantro. It was good.

Both yours and Yetti's look delicious! Recipes??? Or comparisons to Frog Commissary that I've een using?

Marlene, I can understand that you would think of giving these as gifts. Purely in the interest of helping you out, and not making you decide who to give them to, I will do you the imense favour of agreeing right now to be the recipient of said gifts. Please note, I do this with the sole intent of relieving you of the onerous resposibility of finding appropriate recipients. Purely selfless, I assure you. Seriously, I have to commend you on the items you bid on, and won. You have great taste, girl. And the dinner, well, trust me, it sounds 100 times better than what we were "served" last evening!! Hope the prime rib wasn't overcooked, we've all seen the gorgeous red meat that comes out of your kitchen.

Jay, hope you enjoy the halibut. I picked some up there last week and it was fantastic. 'Kay, really gotta run now before I'm in deep doo-doo...