gourmande

I printed the pages, just wasn't sure what might be available once we get there... Neil, thanks so much for the reply, suggestions and encouraging words. This will be my first trip to the area so you can't imagine my excitement!

This is somewhat spur of the moment, but my husband and I have just booked a flight to visit my daughter in Whistler... we're flying into Vancouver on the 7th and returning on the 15th. What are the chances of us being able to partake in TOY sans reservations at this point? I can't see us being able to commit until we get there since we're not sure what daughter's work schedule is like.

We didn't plant a vegetable garden this year as we knew we would be away too often and unable to tend to it. All to say, I miss my usual crop of green tomatoes for my annual batch of green tomato relish, at least that's what I call it, my grandmother called it "ketchup vert", though it had no resemblance whatsoever to what I considered ketchup It's quite a rustic relish with large bits of green tomato, celery, cabbage and onion, cooked down with sugar, vinegar and spices (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger...) For as long as I can remember, it was THE favourite condiment to accompany "tourtières" (meat pies.) These days I use it with roast pork, chops, as a burger topping, in sandwiches, and yes, tourtières.

Ok... so about four respondents here claimed the Stand mixer makes "GREAT" mashed potatoes. Well, I just tried and what I got was glue! I used all the usual ingredients (Yukon Golds, butter, warm milk and seasonings), the only two variables were: 1 - using the mixer instead of the food mill. 2 - a new batch of potatoes; I usually get regular Yukon Golds from the supermarket, today I used organic Yukon Golds purchased at Field Gate Organics. So what went wrong?

Another idea for future reference: - Wonton wrapper ravioli or tortellini: this is so easy to make and allows for some quality time together. The first ones I made with my niece consisted of a spinach ricotta parmesan filling. I have the same situation going with my niece. She's now 12, but we started bonding in the kitchen when she was about 7. When I gave her a recipe box and index cards way back then, the entries were few and pretty simple. Today, her recipe file contains some pretty sophisticated stuff, and she still emails me for new ideas and recipes. Because her mom doesn't cook much, their kitchen is somewhat lacking when it comes to good tools and even certain pantry basics, so when I visit, I usually bring along a kitchen gift of some sort for her (a tool, a book, a special ingredient), which always thrills her to bits.

Just to update you... Unfortunately, it's too tall to fit under my cupboard, so it's squeezed in that tiny space, which will be its home for the time being. And this is the first batch of bread kneaded by my new kitchen helper

Thanks to Sunday's roast chicken, or should I say its leftover carcass and other trimmings, today's lunch featured a delicious chicken rice and vegetable soup. Last Friday I made mushroom soup (TB's Les Halles recipe), and there was enough leftover for Monday's lunch, and he's right, it's always better the next day, or in this case, three days later!

Last night we had roasted chicken - the skin was beautifully brown and cripsy - with roasted vegetables (tiny red potatoes, orange cauliflower and broccoli) and a Romaine, cucumber and tomato salad. No time for pictures. Once that chicken was carved I just wanted to get it on the table and savour!

Anf if you keep digging you'll find yet more Ottawa threads (I know because I'd post in them) but they keep getting buried - not enough Ottawans to sustain interest I suppose. Last time I was home was in July and we had a very nice lunch at Le Metropolitain. If we're in Ottawa for Thanksgiving weekend, we'll probably do lunch there again at some point... or at least have a glass or two and some light fare at the bar. We've decided it's our new "drinks hangout" (our old one was Patty Boland's)

I'm not sure if this was mentioned before (I haven't the patience to read the entire thread - as you get older, time is precious ) Mello Rolls: Ice cream packed in cardboard tubes that you'd pop onto/into a cone then unravel the tubing to reveal the treat! Gosh those were great, especially the chocolate Mellos that tasted like malted milk! MMMMMMMM-Good!

My lucky day indeed! As it happens I have puff pastry sheets in the freezer, lots of local tomatoes, some home made pesto (basil though) and some gruyère. I will let you see how it turned out!

OOOlala... I know what I'm having tonight Is that simply phyllo (or puff pastry) with basil, tomatoes and cheese?

We spent a weekend in the area recently, that it happened to coincide with the beginning of the Wine Festival was an accident but being thus, we did witness behaviours (by patrons) that could explain the reason some wineries request payment for the tastings. As it has been mentioned, there is no doubt some law requiring a minimal charge, however, whenever we've visited wineries - this past weekend included - the charges for tastings have usually been waived, then again, we usually make purchases as well, but even if we don't, we certainly do show a genuine interest in the wines offered and engage the staff by discussing various aspects of the wines, asking for advice on particular vintages etc. This past weekend we visited 6 wineries and of all them only one charged us for the tasting. Now, what we also witnessed this weekend was busloads and carloads of people descending on the wineries, many of whom were just doing the gulp and go, with clearly no real interest in the wines they were tasting (or purchasing anything for that matter) and some of them were downright rude. At one winery we visited, a lady got quite upset and loud because they had run out of free cheese samples and demanded that they put more out or give her her money back (all 75 cents or whatever it was!) Edit to add: The same goes for the wineries in this area of Ontario (Lake Erie North Shore); if there is a charge, we've never paid yet.

Beautiful stuff, noambenami! was the soup hot or cold?

that looks fabulous liamsaunt! I can taste the skin on the chicken! MMMMMM....

And what's the first thing I noticed in your photos? The Campari and soda... and it's only 8 AM! What a way to start the morning. edit to add: That's my drink too btw

The things I miss not being a Hollywood film addict!

Inspired by Megan Blocker's Chicken paillard (gosh that photo was nice!)... I just craved chicken tonight, so... Not sure what to call it, though it's reminiscent of Les Trois Gourmandes' suprêmes de vollailles à blanc (sans crème) ... - Butter poached chicken breasts (rubbed in salt, fresh dill and lemon zest); - Shallot and white wine sauce (reduced in/with poaching liquid); - tiny red potatoes roasted in duck fat, dressed with chives and butter - watercress and diced tomatoes tossed in a simple vinaigrette Edit: My pitiful photo does not do justice to how wonderful this dish was!

Oh my gosh... I thought I was the only one who still used them! And yes, I certainly feel old fashioned doing so, but it sure serves its purpose well! I always add lemon slices or wedges to the bowls and usually provide an extra napkin. Graciously archaic and nice touch are not necessarily mutually exclusive edited for typos

Today was leftover linguini Bolognese with a nice big garden salad.

You're the second one to mention potato mashing... really? Is this done in the work bowl or are you talking about the food mill attachment?

To answer my own question... I found this site CSA and sent him the link. I also passed along your suggestion re Natural Foods stores as possible sources for connections with local growers/producers. Thanks again.

Linguini with bolognese sauce and lots of shaved Parm, a simple green salad, and a rustic pear tart for dessert.

Tammylc, thank you, that is exactly what I was referring to. Is there a web site, organization or other source besides natural food stores, just in case there isn't one near him?

Can anyone recommend a veg/fruit club or coop available in the Detroit area ? Some time in early summer I caught part of a program on NPR about local organic farmers offering this service, but at the time I didn't bother taking notes since I can't partake, unfortunately (I'm in Windsor.) However, this past weekend I was talking to a friend from Detroit (Eastpointe) about these clubs and he expressed a great interest in purchasing local produce in this manner... so here I am, hoping one of you knowledgeable folk can help us out