CaliPoutine

The other day I made East-West Ginger cake. It's not a Sax recipe, rather it comes from David Lebovitz. I saw it in the book though and made it for sugar high friday( food blogging event). Pics and story are in my 2girls foodblog( link at my signature line)

Having only lived in Ontario for 3 yrs( I'm from California), I do notice here a lot of what you talk about in NS. Seasonal ingredients are a big part of my summer routine as well. As soon as the rhubarb is ready, I bake with it. As soon as the strawberries are ready, I pick my own and make jams, pies, cakes, etc. Every weekend we go to the Farmer's Markets or the Mennonite farms and buy what is fresh and local. All you can eat lake fish dinners are the custom here every Friday night. I count the days until August when we have local corn( I'm in Huron County, a big corn producing county). And Timmie's? Forget about it, there is ALWAYS a line at the drive thru. I only wish there was a Starbucks here. I have to drive to London for that and they finally opened a free-standing store.

details, details please!! What did you make Marlene? eta: Did you bake some bread in your new machine? BTW, I just ordered that today!!

I myself have made an "oven baked" risotto a few times in order to compare, and honestly, there wasnt that much difference. I used a recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food Magazine called "oven baked" risotto.

They are all within less than a mile of each other, and about 3 miles from the Gathering location. Really depends on your price point and how much ambience you're looking for. Weber's is the nicest, Best Western in the middle, and the Super 8 is, well, cheap! ← In the past, I have stayed at the Days Inn off Carpenter Rd. Its cheap too and a great location. ← But completely on the wrong side of town. ← I forgot what exit your place is off of, but if I recall, it's not that far away. Maybe 10-15min drive if that. I don't mind driving that far so if I can't get a priceline, I'll stay there.

They are all within less than a mile of each other, and about 3 miles from the Gathering location. Really depends on your price point and how much ambience you're looking for. Weber's is the nicest, Best Western in the middle, and the Super 8 is, well, cheap! ← In the past, I have stayed at the Days Inn off Carpenter Rd. Its cheap too and a great location.

Marlene, you're butter cream looks fabulous. Did you happen to check out the IBC demo over in Pastry and Baking? What recipe did you use?

Those are great mustards. The last time we went to St. Lawrence Market, we picked up 4 of them. I had a hard time choosing which flavors to try.

We made it there. I bought a few things, 1 bagel( just so so), a few rhugela and an onion board. I liked everything but the bagel. We went across the street to What a Bagel and I got 6. Once again just so/so. I grew up in Florida on NY bagels. I really should just give up on finding those here. I have a bagel recipe to try my hand at, that is next on my list.

London has the rib fest, not sure the exact dates, I just know that it is in early July.

I'd go with the original shape and I'd make it nordicware. Also, I'd make sure I got the platnium series( its heavier).

This reminds me of a commercial that airs frequently on foodtv Canada. 2 boys are in the kitchen and their mom is serving them sloppy joe's( the commercial is for club house(mcormick's in the states) seasonings) and the mom asks " Would you like toast or buns with your sloppy joes. The boy's and their father burst into laughter and the mom says " what am I missing"? btw, that vinegar looks fabulous. I'd kill for some Meyer lemons!! How much did you pay for it, if you don't mind me asking.

I ordered a crab burrito on a wheat tortilla. Turns out it was KRAB( pollack disguised as crab) on a white tortilla. I even asked before I orded if it was real crab. Additionally, their explanation was that the tortilla was wheat as opposed to a corn tortilla( which I've never seen in this part of Ontario). My mistake in the first place was going to a mexican food restaurant in London, Ontario. There is no such thing as "Mexican" food here.

How about individual servings French Onion soup? Or mini soufflés. ← Mini souffles sound like a wonderful idea! French onion soup would work too. ← Or individual mac n cheese!! Cheesy and rich.

If I had to pick just one it would be Coke Classic, if possible a sugar one not a HFCS one. In any case it would not be a flavored one. No lime or cherry or anything. I really like the Diet Coke with Splenda. I think there are two kinds of diet soda drinkers. Ones like me who drank regular and want to find something that tastes like it. And those like Megan who were weaned on diet and never drank regular and have no memory of it. To my taste, Diet Coke with Splenda is the closest they have gotten. This product seems to have bombed as I can't find it anymore. I guess Zero is my next choice. Unless I go back to the real deal. ← I'm in former camp as well. I used to drink regular until I was diagnosed with diabetes and had to switch. I love the diet coke w/ splenda as well. I really enjoyed making a coke float with it. I too can't find it anymore. ( I used to buy it in Michigan as I've never seen it in Ontario) Have you tried any of the flavored diet dr. peppers? Personally, I enjoy the regular diet dr. Pepper. All those new flavored ones take away from the original dr. pepper taste.

You must not have left California very often, then, because there are entire sections of the US which are immersed in frying oil. And fried twinkies, funnel cakes, corn dogs, etc. were not invented in Canada... ← Actually, Its not only me who thinks that. In the book " How to be a Canadian", under the topic " canadian cuisine" the authors state " If you let a Canadian get anywhere near a piece of food, they are sure to fling it in a deep fryer OR cover it with sugar, OR fling it in a deep fryer AND cover it with sugar". LOL. Of course I know the authors are poking fun at Canadian Cuisine, which is what I was doing as well. And, yes, I've traveled out of California. We weren't talking about United States cuisine, we were talking about Canadian Cuisine. Btw, contrary to popular opinion, these are Onion rings, not donuts.

yes, yes, yes!!!

Rustic, chewy, puffy but dense. Nothing that even remotely resembles what passes as a bagel here in Ontario. Where is Open Window Bakery?

Sure, but a true Canadian uses only distilled white vinegar, preferably Heinz. Nothing but the best! I wonder if McD's still gives out vinegar packets if asked. I'll have to try it out this summer. ← Yes, they do and you don't even have to ask. They are right next to the vats of ketchup and serviettes aka napkins. To me, Canadian food = anything fried. I've never seen so much fried food since I left California.

A friend and I are coming to TO tomorrow just for a day of shopping. Where can I find really, really good NY style bagels( not montreal style) and what is the best jewish bakery.

Don't know if this has been mentioned, but don't miss The Fish House in Key Largo. Great, fresh fish. If you have time, stop in at Pennekamp and take the snorkel trip out to the reefs. Its fantastic. Oh, Cafe Matarano in Ft. Lauderdale is amazing italian food too.

Hmmm, you're rolling your eyes Do you really want it? It'll be scaled weird and honestly, I cook according to formula versus recipe, and adjust as I see fit. Saturday's dinner party is casual, with fancy food. the more I think about these russets, the more annoyed they are making me. I can't do au gratins! What the hell was I thinking? Not with the first course I have planned .... Anyway, no baked-potato parties can happen any time soon here, even if I was so inclined. My oven is practically easy-bake size, and I won't have enough time to do pommes anna. They really are kind of attractive for potatoes. Maybe instead of the potted herbs I was going to give the guests, I'll dress each little potato up like a member of the Senate. Or, I can make potato battery gifts for my friends, or just leave them on someone's front porch, during a midnight ding'n'dash. ← How about potato chips?

"Other than Janet and myself, I don't know too many people in these boards who have used both with any regularity. " I do use both too, but I use my LC more often. I have a nomar pot, correct me if I am wrong, but staub used to be called nomar. I bought it for the unbelievable low price of 14 dollars at TJ Maxx a few years ago. Its matte black and I've only made a couple things in it due to the small size. Cleanup is a bear though, so I tend to use the LC more.

I've never thought about what Americans could bring back with them. Are there lots of restrictions? Do you ever have problems at the border? Most grocery items are duty/tax free, but there are exceptions - specifically dairy, eggs, meats. I once had to pay a few dollars per litre of whipping cream. Now, I'm quite careful about what I bring back. ← knock wood, I've never had a problem. I know the restrictions, sometimes I exceed them, but not that often. One time right before Canadian Thanksgiving I was asked if I had any turkey's and I did not. ( you can have 1 per person)

I cross a couple times a month( if not more) over to Michigan using the Blue Water Bridge( $35.00CAD for 20 tokens( 10 trips). I normally just go for the day. I have my choice of Kroger or Meijer. I usually check both grocery store ads online before making the trip. I have my own personal chef business so I know my prices pretty well. The main items I always buy in MI are. Chicken breasts( bone in, .89-1.29lb), 1 gallon of milk(4L) 1.88-1.99, cheese( shredded and blocks, 1 dollar for 8 oz). Ricotta and Michigan brand cottage cheese. Philly cream cheese too. I'll also buy ice cream( in the winter) Ben and Jerry's and Hagen Daz is a lot cheaper. Additionally, I'll buy a lot of toilitries over there too( Target rocks!!). I've only lived in Ontario for 2 1/2 years. Moving from California has been a major culture shock. I used to visit multiple Target stores a couple times a week( they have the best clearance). I also have a po box there and I get my food magazines sent there. I send out US mail when I go to the states as well, and I fill up my car. In fact, tomorrow I'm getting my new back brakes on my Spouse's car. Its 150.00 cheaper there than here.