Pam R

yay! Kasha and varnishkes! one of my all-time favorites - if I wasn't at work catering a dinner tonight, I'd make them with you. Please post picks so I can drool over them later I was also grocery shopping in the US last week - we actually buy kosher products and resell them here - one thing I noticed in North Dakota is that the produce there is actually more expensive than it is here - is that the same out your way? Can't wait for more

Michelle, I don't know if you mentioned whether or not the dish you wished to make was meat . I haven't tried it, but I know somebody who makes her own fish sauce by tossing some anchovies, soy and water in a blender. I had so much to say when I read your first post, but you all are too quick and it's all been said I will add though, that we catered a bar mitzvah dinner that was buffet and had both fish and meat - we had to set it up in stations and allow enough dishes so that guests could have seperate dishes for each. I understand that it is simply a tradition not to eat them together, not an actual rule.

Gorgeous! I hope they enjoyed them - I love the flowers. I'm catching up on what I've missed over the last few days - I hope you have a chance to sleep when this is all over. Thanks for the wonderful blog

Is it terribly pathetic that at my own book-signing today I ended up with a copy of: Nibbled-200 fabulous finger food ideas? I also just received the Rebar cookbook and Pretty Party Cakes (for decorating ideas), the Cupcake book and another baking book that I left at work and can't remember the name of

I was thinking Quebec more than france Zilla, I'm going out of town today and I'll have to read the rest of your blog after the fact. I just wanted to let you know that I'm enjoying your blog and say thanks. I look forward to catching up when I get home.

Rona, That review is great! IT's written exactly how I would imagine a review for GF to be writte. I went to school nearby and often heard of this restaurant, but for some reason never made it. I'm not sure if my timing in GF will allow a visit this trip - but I'll let you know if it does. The writer also mentioned Whitey's which my parents used to take me to when I was a kid. Up until a few years ago (I haven't been in a while) they still gave you a relish tray when you sat down! Who does that anymore? I'm not 100% sure if they survived the flood... but I think I may see if they're still around if I drive through EGF. I'm leaving in a couple of hours ... I'll let you know if I find anything good in GF or northern MN when I get back!

So many blogs, so little time. My one concern with starting a blog is investing the time. I just don't know if I have it. I would hate to get something up and running and then neglect it (assuming I gained some devoted readers) I will definately start looking at some of the links y'all gave us, and some of your blogs.... I'm finding this all very interesting.

Waddling Dog? The Beagle? Pam, you should have called me, I could have steered you a little closer to town. ← It may have been The Beagle? I'm not really sure. It was located near my Great-Aunt's - my mother and I were visiting her for a couple days after a business trip to Vancouver. For a Winnipeger, the 1/2 hour - 45 minute walk (we were staying in a condo near Rebar) on a lovely November evening was beautiful - and the meal was great, though that could have been partly due to the company. If I get back to your jewel of a city, I'll contact you about where I should go!

I don't know what you consider to be pub food - but I was in a pub in Victoria in November (I can't recall the name... but it had Dog in it I think) and had the best Prime Rib I think I've ever had. $12.95 and it came with Yorkie Pudding, about 2 lbs. of roasted potatoes and a pile of cooked veg.

*hangs head in shame* I'll go this year! Promise! What is a banana blossom? where do you get banana blossoms?? need more info!! Does this sound interesting? (May not offer you more variety if they don't have greenhouses, but thre are some other places listed in the link like "Bread and Circus". In the one I've been to in the US, they have a pretty varied selection of produce and foodstuffs. ← Another eG lurker emailed me one of these links -the Fresh Option link- and it looks interesting. I'm going out of town for a few days but have the sites bookmarked for when I return. While I think organic is great - it's not my goal. I won't turn down organic ... but I want variety really... more than organic. Some of those places listed, like Bread and Circus, are restaurants and bakeries... not quite what I'm looking for. But when I return, I'll look more closely at the links you shared. Thanks!!

I'm not sure.... but can I assume my French won't be good enough to follow the blog? mmm... poutine.

I can't I'm leaving for a few days in Northern Minnesota tomorrow morning, and I don't expect good food where I'm going. That's just the way it is. I'll be spending 1/2 a day in Mpl and most of a day in GF shopping ... it has to be done. I'm sorry, it just has to.

Loooks like you're going to have to find a nice Sephardi boy to marry. ← I'll work on it

ahhh... At first, I suppose, I learned a lot from my mother. My mother and grandmothers are/were all amazing cooks. None of them trained - all of them good. My childhood memories are vague - but I grew up knowing how to cook, and that's all due to my mother. Now, we have more of a give and take relationship in the kitchen. She is still teaching me how to make certain dishes, mostly traditional ones. I am updating what we're doing - picking up techniques online, through books, shows and experimentation. We've even thrown the idea of a mother/daughter cookbook at my publisher. I am sure of one thing though - if my mother wasn't such an amazing cook, who makes her living from cooking, I wouldn't make my living from cooking. I grew up in her food business and it shaped my life. And since it's her birthday today, I may let her read this post

I've been wondering about blogging myself lately. My question it does it make more sense to blog or to try to get a column or some articles into local publications? I suppose if you're using it as a tool to practice your writing then it's a great idea. For exposure and working on that 'fan base', is it better than getting stuff into 'print'? I know that there are many more people who can access a blog than there are people who may pick up the local rag, but do they access the blog?? What kind of numbers do you get and how do you get the word out to the masses?

Yer crazy. Good luck! I'm already enjoying - looking forward to more.

My mother's maiden name was Shapiro... so I've been reading this thread wondering the same thing.... now I'm wondering if I'm related to your wife

I love almost any roasted vegetable - in fact, I just counted and I have Nine Roasted fillintheblank soups in my book - one of which is Roasted Vegetable Soup. Roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, squashes, onions, mushrooms, cauliflower, zuchhini, beets, broccoli, asparagus are all favorites. Just toss with some olive oil, salt and black pepper - herbs of choice or none at all. If you want to add some vinegar you can. One of my favorites is roasted corn on the cob. Carmelized corn rules.

I just moved from Garden City - the Superstore there usually has a great selection of Asian produce. While this is great I want more!! It's frustrating. I hate to say I have never been to the farmer's market at St. Norbert. Since I now live in LW and since I don't cater as much on the weekend as I always have - it's definately in my plans this summer - can't wait. I also heard that there's a good green grocer on Pembina - but I haven't been yet. There's gotta be something else out there.

I need help. The food fatigue threads have got me thinking. I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting produce. I love fresh fruits and vegetables and am always on the lookout for new things - but I never seem to find any. Apples and oranges are wonderful. Carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers are great. But I want to mix things up. I want things from outside of my region - enough root vegetables! I've gone to a few out-of-the-way places, only to find their hocking the same stuff as Safeway and Supervalue. Growing things myself is not an option - condo dwelling limits growing things - as does climate. Help! Does anybody know where to go for interesting produce? Is there such a thing in Winnipeg? Am I doomed to the same old same old?

Spoilsport

Nor am I the original poster, but I'll probably be driving into MSP on Thursday morning - for a few hours only. Any good places North of the city (or along 494...or is it 694?) to stop for lunch? Anybody know if there's anywhere good to eat in North Dakota these days (Grand Forks/Fargo)

I'd hardly say landlocked - even slightly We're an entrepreneurial bunch here. I live in a condo and am not allowed to do anything in my little yard so I'm trying to figure out what to grow in my business. Suggestions are appreciated - keep it legal people!

are you in a Manitoban restaurant??

Yes. Hand in your ID at the door. ← I was going to say that I hardly know you, but I think so. I find it especially hard when I'm trying to come up with recipe ideas for my column and all I want is a piece of toast - how many columns do you think I can get out of the subtleties of toast?