doronin

I'm wondering if anyone knows how can I find quinoa in bulk 4-10kg here in Montreal, for a reasonable price? Any store, or may be online?

That's right if you happen to sharpen often. But with modern Japanese knives, used at home... I do it just once in a 6-8 month, and with that little practice the chance to ruin a great knife are too high. So here's where Apex comes to the picture...

I have Apex for 3 or 4 years, and this is by far the best system I ever seen. Only one negative point - it does scratch the sides, so you'd better put some masking tape if you're worried. The only better alternative is whet stone, but only if you have already mastered it. I don't have time for that, so Apex works marvelously for me.

Just got a couple of Epicurean boards, will see how well they do...

The major reason is a mere tradition. It's Japanese Nakiri knife. Look here for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakiri_bocho

I played with rice vinegar a bit, adding 1/2 tsp into 800g of whole wheat flour made the dough kind of "springier". I had similar experience when added vital gluten... Crumb texture had well defined cells with thick walls - without vinegar the same dough produced crumb with much smaller cells and crumbly texture.

IMHO, nothing (but whetstone in good hands) compares to EdgePro sharpeners. I have Apex and can't even think about... downgrading it to anything else.

Moving to a new place, and I just learned that I'm restricted to 30" slide-in electric ranges. I like gas, induction, whatever else, but not electric! I know, later in June Viking supposed to come out with a range with induction top, but it's too late, and too expensive. My question if you could suggest a few great (not just fancy looking) electric ranges? - I still hope there's something that can be called "great" among them... For the top the priorities are clear, just as good as possible, if "good" can be said about electric top at all. For the oven... well, I make bread, and I'm used to high quality stuff - fast heating, ability to restore the heat quickly after door opened and closed, even baking without fans on, self cleaning... Is there such a thing? Any suggestions, please!

No, at this stage I'm looking into appliances only, which I hope to fit into existing kitchen. This may change though... I'm currently on very high level "design" stage, budget so far isn't well defined as I'm yet to figure out the Canadian prices on equipment of the level I want, and then to decide how far is it from my abilities - then I'll make necessary adjustments... I don't want to go high end, the Sauter I described as an example wasn't high end either (it was rather mid-high ) I just feel somewhat lost in the available selection here - I don't want to get something fancy of generally cheap brand as it may happen to look good but to work bad, and vice versa - don't want to pay just for look if the same level of quality and functionality can be obtained for less money... So, I would really appreciate if you guys can recommend me what to look at.

I've already posted it elsewhere, but was suggested to try Canadian forum... I'm going to get some new stuff for the kitchen, particularly range (or may be cooktop/oven), and I feel I'll need some help in brands orientation. I took a walk to few large stores, and there are plenty of all kinds of ranges, with very little information on why should I prefer this brand over that one. My last Sauter oven I had overseas was excellent: precise temperature control, 500C self cleaning, super even baking, high speed temperature gain, build quality, etc. And it was priced just above $1000, but yes, it was much smaller. What brands or may be specific models should I be looking on here in Canada for similar level of quality and features?

That's why I tried to start with brands - I thought there are not so many of worthy ones... It's very hard to point on specific models without being familiar with brands, mainly because I can only judge by their look, which is a wrong way I guess. Reliability is not the only criteria, I'm also looking for ergonomics and convenience, features that really work, build quality, and look of course. Example - my last oven "over there" was Sauter which I loved very much: 930 degrees Fahrenheit self-cleaning, very quick heating, extremely even baking, really precise temperature control... What kind of ovens here offer similar level of features and quality?

Ok guys, I see your point. I see lots of Electrolux/Frigidaire and Kitchenaid products among ranges and fridges. Can I trust to these brands, do they represent a good value in general? What about Viking? Please...

I'm moving to a house, and soon going to get all new kitchen appliances - cooktop, oven, and fridge for the beginning. I recently came from... outside of North America to Montreal, and thus not well familiar with the local brands. These days I'm visiting appliances stores in attempt to familiarise myself with what's available here in Canada. My target is highest possible quality equipment available for still reasonable price, i.e. I won't go high-end, but I'm willing to pay for quality. I obviously would like to spend my dollars in a most efficient way, so my question is - given more-less equal price on the item, what brands I'm better to stay away from (ex: fancy but not worth the price)? What brands should I be looking for?

Thanks guys! I now have much clearer picture of my options, and... whatever you say I highly appreciate your advices.

Ahem... so you believe this is the mandatory part of city living Interesting. I never lived in suburbs so far, it always was city - be it in Canada or abroad, but I never had an opportunity to live in between old abandoned factories...

Now, that's one sensible advise. Highly appreciated. I don't plan spending my life on a highway. I checked the area close to Atwater market. The condos there are quite attractive. My only concern is abundance of old industrial buildings and structures in terrifying proximity to the condos. It's interesting how people get used to it... will I have to work hard to learn not to see it?

Thanks to you all guys for tons of useful information. I never intended to offend anyone by not liking JTM, but this is a matter of personal preference, and while I admire the selection on JTM, I like Atwater much more, so when I don't need anything special or exotic I'd rather go there. BTW, this is my first time, ever, someone called me a troll. Thanks a lot!

Of course I did! I found it way too noisy and kind of... industrial, and ended up visiting Atwater much more often. But I admit - I never tried strolling there.

Well, I'll give it a chance... Ought to try Monkland and lower Westmount first

That sound good, but I can't agree. This is a matter of taste I guess. Yes, from purely shopping perspective, JTM offers huge variety of nearly everything. But I believe it doesn't come close to Byward market from another view - ambiance. Byward marked area was one of the most pleasant places for simply walking around there, even not buying anything. All kinds of little shops - not solely grocery related... Overall relaxed, not too busy attitude... I don't know, I come to JTM to buy food, I can't make myself enjoying a mere spending time in the area as I did in Ottawa.

Hey, that's it? Why sushi thread was so much more active? Yesterday I visited Atwater market, and bought there something called "Labane-style" cheese - sorry I forgot the farm name, but it was as far from a real labane as we're here from China. I'm puzzled - there's plenty of mediterranean-style soft cheeses available - local, and imported from Italy, Spain, Greece, etc. How comes there's no high quality spreadable cheeses originating from the same area???

That area around JTM, location is nice indeed, but streets look quite frightening. Don't want to sound picky, but I won't be happy to live in that dark, gloomy surroundings. When I was living in Ottawa few years back, I could easily name 10 quite cozy neighborhoods where I'd love to live, all on reasonable distance from food destinations (well, that's was naturally easy). Here I can't find one any close to the area described. What am i missing?

What't MB, and where is it located?

I just recently moved to Montreal, and initially opted to live at West Island close to the office. Very quickly I realized the place leaves a lot to be desired. Now I'm considering moving closer to center. The problem is: I'm not really familiar with Montreal, and with all those little neighborhoods I have difficulties to find what are the best places to consider, so I hope to get some advice. My rental budget would be about $2K, flexible. It could be anything from a condo to a house. What I really need is nice, quality, unfurnished place with visually appealing surroundings (the latter is highly important, but was especially difficult item in my quest - everywhere I looked was dark and old, I still hope though). I'm looking forward for your recommendations. Please be more specific then just naming a large neighborhood. I was suggested Côte Saint-Luc, but it actually consists of quite different sub-neighbourhoods... so please get down to details Thanks!!

Thanks a lot - I'll check it at the nearest opportunity. As for Liberty and Western... I meant "the real stuff", for me it rules out large scale industrial produce. In place where I came from we had 6-12 kinds of highest quality goat or sheep milk cream- or other spreadable cheeses made by little or mid-range farms. It was normally quite expensive, but so delicious!