maxmillan

I want to head out to Trout Lake Farmer's Market for garlic. Does anyone know if they will be opened for Canada Day holiday?

Went to Featherstone in Richmond to to pick strawberries one last time. They said there is probably one more week left for them. Many of the strawberries were very crimson and had less flavour than last week's bunch. It's such a shame to see so many strawberries go to waste. Drove up and down on Steveston and did not see any U-pick raspberries. I ended up buying a small container of them at a roadside and they were beautiful. Guess it'll have to be Delta for U-picks.

I want to pick raspberries this Wednesday. Is there any place in Richmond that has U-pick, is not picked out and has good berries? It would be helpful to have a name and address. I also plan to pick strawberries in Richmond Featherstone) and prefer not to drive out to Ladner or Chilliwack. Thanks.

Thanks for the info on strawberries. Hopefully Duthie Books will carry Harrowsmith as I don't often see this magazine around. I've picked over 80 pounds of strawberries for family and friends. I've gone three times this week and each time the berries just get bigger and sweeter and easier to pick. I think I like the harvesting better than the eating. I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but I am looking forward to raspberry picking. I understand it's not ready yet and I have asked around for a farm close by, like Richmond. I see lauramart has suggested Ladner but I don't often get out there and it is rather far for me. Is there any place in Richmond that has decent U-pick raspberries? Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I'll be checking it out after the Ladner's Village Market. I've picked strawberries in Richmond this past week and found out that we have three varieties in BC. The ones I picked are called Ranier. What are the other two types? What is the difference in flavor, shapes, etc? The ones sold at the Riley's Farmer's Market were different and I didn't catch the name. The vendor said his strawberries are firmer. Do some make better jam than others?

I'm planning to go to the Ladner's Village Market and there is a U-pick farm nearby. Is Ellis or Westham the farm that has ALL types of berries for U-pick during the summer? The farm I'm thinking of has strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, tayberries, blueberries, etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. They have been tremendously helpful. I'll be picking berries all season and this will be very informative, not to mention much more easier than I thought.

I plan to make an assortment of strawberry jam. In particular, I want to combine apples and strawberry so I won't have to use store bought pectin. I also want to reduce the sugar by about a third. However, I see that there are different kinds of preserve methods. I know you're suppose to sterilize the jars and lids. My mom usually pours her jam into sterilized jars but does not heat the lids to seal it. She stores it in the fridge and freezer. Some people boil the jars and lids to seal it and store it in their pantry. I don't have home canning pots, tongs, etc. Is it necessary to go through the whole boiling method if I don't use store bought pectin and use less sugar? I want to store it in the fridge or freezer and want to avoid poisoning myself. I don't want to use wax either. I just want the simplest method, use the least sugar and be able to store it either in a freezer or a pantry. People tell me home perserving is simple but I'm confused with the different information I see out there. Thanks for your help.

I guess there's no taker on my question. Is there a low alcohol white wine from the LDB that anyone can suggest? I thought there may be one within a 6% alcohol content. Suggestions for both inquiries would be greatly appreciated.

Can anyone recommend a white Moscato?

Woo hoo! Thanks for the tip.

I pass by there all the time. I will look forward to dining there next week. Thanks for the info.

I remember one dance I went to a few years back and there were over 300 people. So I would need a very large venue. I will forward your suggestions to the coordinator.k Thanks and keep the ideas coming.

The Dragon Boat Festival will be in June and they need to find a large space to hold a dance for participants, staff and volunteers on June Saturday 3. They already have Granville Island providing the bar and most places want to provide their own bar. A place the size of the Armoury would be perfect. For some reason that one did not pan out this year. The Croatian Culteral Centre would not allow Granville Island to supply the bar as they have their own provision. Does anyone have a suggestion so I can relay the info to them? I hope this post is okay as the main concern is finding a place that will allow a group to bring in their own alcohol sponsor. Thanks.

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to go with the rice crispies as it is light and can be jostled around in my pack without worry. But I will consider the other ideas for my next hike. I will have to see what creations are made this Sunday and how they've managed to secure it.

I will be gong on a 7 hour hike this Sunday and it looks like a warm one. This is an annual hike where we each make dessert and have a buffet during the midpoint. I didn't attend last year's first hike but I heard ice cream was to be had! I don't want to go to too much fuss with refrigeration and packing. Rather than make the mundane cookies can eGulleteers suggest something different? I don't mind cookies if it's unique. Someone is going to attempt a Black Forest Cake and another is bringing a pie. Any ideas?

In a couple of weeks my company will be issuing a sizeable bonus to most of its employees. I want to suggest a restaurant where we can drink, eat and forget work politics. A suggestion was the Keg in Granville Island because my co-workers love their mixed drinks and good beer. Parking is decent and it's central to where most of us live. Prices seem decent for food and drink. However, there was only one opposition to this particular Keg by one of our more popular staff member. Another suggestion was Earls. Somehow I don't see this as being the most comfortable setting for my blue-collar co-workers. From past parties this is what I think would be good: - good variety of mixed drinks (including shooters) and beer - wine selection is not an issue - variety of good food with a sizeable portion and choice of appetizers for nibblers - space for approximately 30+ seating with easy mingling option - opened Sunday approximately 4pm and on (we tend to drink for a couple more hours after dinner) - free parking and lots of them - generally, a good atmosphere where we can hear each other talk and we can walk around to mingle and staff are relaxed and on the ball with drink orders. The last party was hosted by Alexis, a Greek restaurant on Broadway and Vine (?) where we had privacy with the use of the large back room. This is a perfect type of setting except we want to upgrade with a more diverse menu. Thanks for your input.

I'd like see a change. The prices are high, the food is mostly junk and I usually go off site to get food.

Not that it's a whole lot better, but I saw the KA attachment for $100 at B,B,&B the other day... not sure if it was on sale or not... you could also use one of those 20% off coupons that they send out every week! (I'm getting the attachments for my b-day! Woo hoo!) ← Woohoo. Got my pasta attachment at the local department store for Cad$131.21 in total (including tax.) I received 30% off with "scratch and save" and by applying for a points card/credit card. I'll be busy making pasta from my new book. Can't wait to give my family fresh egg noodles. I'm sure my friends won't mind being guinea pigs. Thanks for all your input.

I have had the Cuisinart supreme for almost a year now and I really like it. Very nice if you are interested in making icecream in 1 Qt. batches. The only downside is that it is rather noisy. ← Aside the noise, how is the ice cream produced from the Cusinart Supreme? Is it better than the non-refrigerated systems? How does it compare to store bought ice cream? What have you made with this model? I don't care to hear about other refrigerated models as the Cusinart Supreme is the only affordable unit for me. I've had the ones in which you freeze the cannister and I don't like the fuss. Your response would be much appreciated.

Does anyone have a Cuisinart electric ice cream maker? This is the one with it's own fridge unit and (I believe) a half pint container. The cost is approximately $300 Canadian. I'm not interested in the hand crank as I have a Donvier already, and I don't there is another fridge unit ice cream maker in this price range for the home use. I just like to know what your experience and opinion are on this particular model. Thanks.

I understand the cook use to be a personal Chef to Green Day and that it is by invitation only and the main goers are people in the entertainment industry. So even if one gets the info on Hunger Hut, it sounds like you may not get in. I agree with appreciator. There are many fabulous meals to be had in this city.

Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm convinced to get the KA attachment. I checked out the KA site and the price for a pasta roller/cutter is over $150. Is there more than one kind of pasta attachment one can buy? The roller sounds more within my budget as I don't mind cutting my own fettucine and I'm probably going to make jumbo raviolis and other unusual shapes.

I'm thinking of making a variety of pasta flavors and shapes and wonder which type of machine to buy. I have a book which has recipes using alternate grains such as spelt and soy flour. I also want to make flavored semolina pasta as well. I have a KA and I see that there are two different kinds of attachments; a linguine and a ravioli maker. I would probably prefer to hand cut my own ravioli. Can the linguine attachment make plain sheets for lasagna and ravioli? Or should I go cheaper and get a hand crank style? I see that many of you have an Atlas brand. Are there other brands you recommend? I thought I should try rolling out the pasta dough by hand before investing in a machine. I know this takes some time but I don't mind if the results are the same or better. What have been some of your experiences? I welcome all comments.

Urban Fare in Yaletown. They are part of Save-On-Food so I assume it will be similar selection.