Once again, I went to an event as a result of a tweet I saw on twitter between @redhunttravel and @InnisGunnCanada.  The event was an Innis & Gunn Beer Dinner at Fynns Temple Bar. (489 King West). What’s not to like?  I was SO going to this event.

Here was the menu that was presented by Chef Patrick Narain:

One: Mulligatawny Soup and a Mango Chutney Crostini

Two: Dark Chocolate Chicken Wings served with a Roasted Corn, Jicama and Mango Salad

Three: Tender Lamb Stew with Root Vegetables, wrapped in an Arugula Boxty

Four: Cranberry Bread Pudding topped with El Dorado Rum Custard

The above dishes were paired with the following beers (note: I did not eat at this event – I was strictly interested in the beer)

-Innis & Gunn Original

-Innis & Gunn Rum Cask

-Innis & Gunn Spiced Rum – a new beer for me to taste

-Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2011 – another new beer for me to taste

-Innis & Gunn Highland Cask – yet another new beer for me to taste. (which is why I wanted to attend this event).

Each beer was described ….color, nose, palate, finish and food suggestion. Naturally I enjoyed all of them (in moderation of course, I’m not even sure I consumed 8 oz in total last nite). There is something so unique about this beer – I must admit, I really do like it.

As a result of last nites great event, I ran to the LCBO to buy 3 gift packs. I can’t think of a better gift for my beer loving friends.

Cheers!!

P.S A special thank you to the team at Innis & Gunn for accommodating me as a last minute guest.

Recently I was having guests over for dinner and thought that I would make chocolate pudding for dessert. I’ve made chocolate pudding before and it’s always a hit. I even remember making it in “home economics” a thousand years ago – in fact it’s the only thing i remember making in that class!!

I searched online (of course ) for a recipe and after reading thru a few recipes  I found  “the winner” (as I call it). Its from overthehillandonaroll. By the way – this blog has some kick-ass photos and recipes. Worth taking a peek at (in my humble opinion).

Here is the recipe…which by the way, will not take more than 10 minutes to prepare.

CHOCOLATE PUDDING:

Ingredients:

2/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened dutch process cocoa (I bought Ghirardelli –  spent a few extra $$ but thought it would make a difference)

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups whole milk

4 large egg yolks

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tsp vanilla

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS:

1. Whisk egg, sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan.

2. Whisk in milk, taking care to dissolve the cornstarch.

3. Whisk in egg yolks.

4. Put the saucepan over medium heat and whisk constantly (and I mean constantly) till the first large bubble spurts. This takes about 8 minutes.

5. Reduce heat to low, and whisk one more minute.

6. Remove from heat and immediately pour thru a sieve into a bowl.

7. Add butter, vanilla and bittersweet chocolate and stir till smooth

8. Place plastic wrap onto the surface so that a film doesnt appear, chill for 3 hours (or up to 3 days).

Before serving, shave a few sprinkles of chocolate on top or add real whipped cream for additional “wow factor”.

Hope you get a chance to try this recipe soon.  It’s so EASY and so GOOD.

GO FOR IT – try it – you will like it!!

Not only do I collect china but I collect postcards too.  I’m guessing that this collection started when my mom became a travel agent back in the early 1970’s and went on a lot of trips. (I think those days are long gone for travel agents). Plus my best friend in grade school and high school, travelled 4 times a year with her family. That’s a lot of postcards just from her (and I’m ever so grateful).  So between my mom and my best friend – I started to collect postcards.

Naturally my grandparents sent me some postcards too as did a few other friends who knew about my postcard collection.

Here’s one of my favorite postcards. There is a line in this postcard that says “I thought you would like to take it to SHOW AND TELL NEXT WEDNESDAY”

Isn’t that hysterical!! Disclosure:  Im 47 years old…which means that I’ve kept this postcard for a long long time! (by the way – I am NOT  A HOARDER)

I also love this postcard that just has exclamation marks. Clearly my friend was bored of writing me postcards about the same thing i.e The weather is great, you would like it here, blah blah blah.

Every once in a while I pull out this basket of postcards and will look at the stamps, the varieties of countries, the photos, and the dates. I wish I could frame these postcards but its hard to do coz I like to look at both sides of the postcard!!

Now that everyone is always sending emails and texts – I still ask friends/family to send postcards. There is something special about these little cards that I enjoy. Can’t put my finger on it – but I like collecting them.

What do you collect? I know from the comments on my previous post – that many of you collect china too!! But what else do you collect? My friends’ parents collect menus of restaurants that they have visited  while travelling. They are then framed and displayed on a big wall. I LOVE THAT IDEA. It’s brilliant.

Hope you leave more comments about what else you collect.

Hi. My Name Is Vicky and I collect CHINA. Here’s how it started.

I grew up in a house with a lot of china – my mother loves having different sets of dishes.  You could say she has a collection!! There’s a set for brunch, a set for formal dinners, a set for every day, a set for special holidays, a set for no specific reason etc etc.

Guess who is in the same situation these days? that’s right…me!  I have  a collection of 6 different sets as well. Despite the fact that I just moved from a house to an apartment, I could not part with one set. They all have some form of meaning to me, not to mention, I really do hope that I will USE them and they won’t just sit in the cupboard.

Here’s some details about the 6 sets of china I own:

1.  This set is called Black Onyx  from Ainsley  (now discontinued)) and was purchased 21 years ago. Back then it was a FORTUNE (let me repeat – a fortune). I use this set mostly for formal holiday meals and I’m proud to say that 21 years later – the entire set is in perfect condition.

2. This next collection consists of 12 different tea cups with matching saucers. I can’t even remember the last time I used it but I know it’s been YEARS. However I love the “look” and I love the IDEA of having tea on a Sunday afternoon. (with 11 friends of course)

3. This set was buried so deep, I didnt even know I had it till I moved. No joke.

4. This set I bought at Target just before I moved and it’s now my every day set. However I have been using these dishes for Friday nite dinners as I’m really enjoying a more contemporary look. Do you know what I mean?

5. This set I inherited from my grandmother. I couldnt part with it. Again, I havent used it for YEARS but it’s meaningful and it’s going nowhere. I also inherited another set of dishes from my grandmother that I use every year during Passover. This means that I have 6 different sets of dishes. This is a problem!!

You are probably asking “where oh where does she store all these china sets”? Here is the answer: I have an entire shelf dedicated to china in my ONE hallway cupboard. I invested in those “china storage containers” and believe it or not – they are all labelled. Plus I have one box of china in the storage unit that came with the apartment.

Is there anyone out there with the same type of china collection?? I should start a club – “The China Diaries” as each set of china has a story!!

ps I also collect postcards…..stay tuned.

Back in the day before twitter, I was on chowhound A LOT!! I didn’t post at that time – I was what one calls a “lurker”. (not a stalker..LOL).

Anyway, I’m sure it was on chowhound that I discovered this little restaurant on the SW corner of  Hwy 7 and Weston Rd. called Panini. It was cheap and cheerful and just my type of restaurant when I’m out on the road and looking for a quick sandwich.

I order the same sandwich each time – the veggie ‘n cheese. I use to eat it in my car – but have learned my lesson and will never do that again. (see photos below and you will soon find out why).

What strikes me about this restaurant is the fact that there are only women in the kitchen. (think nonna – wearing a hair net). I finally had the chance to introduce myself to the owner who told me that when she (and her partner) bought the restaurant, the women in the kitchen stayed and have been with them ever since.

As for the sandwich: perfect bun, perfect amount of mushrooms, and I love the spicy tomato sauce!! Plus, it leaves the perfect MESS! Naturally I make sure I order my sauce “hot”. (as always I like flavor and heat)

I’ve tried other Italian Sandwiches: Sandwiccio, Mustachio, California Sandwiches but always seem to favor Panini. I don’t know what it is – the spicy sauce, the mess that it leaves behind, or the  smiling nonna’s in the kitchen,  but it always seems to be my fav. panini sandwich.

I also love the fact that Five Guys opened up just a few doors away from them and they still are busy!! A burger is a burger and a panini is a panini. Clearly this little restaurant has a loyal following.

Panini Italian Sandwiches

7600 Weston Road

Vaughan, Ontario

905-264-0064

Everytime I have guests, I receive a lot of compliments about my salads. I use to think that the secret to a great salad is to make homemade dressing but lately I’ve been thinking that there is a lot more to it.

So I decided to ask my twitter friends (tweeps) “what’s your secret to making a great salad” and here’s what they wrote:

@MuskokaRx Broccoli @yyzsportsmedia fresh ingredients @mominc toasted nuts. Or goat cheese. Any cheese really, now that I think of it  @IraKates building flavours @Upaya_Naturals Our #raw sprouted croutons @SharonDV Bacon @ChickyMara crisp cold lettuce. Great dressing. Everything is better with croutons @TheBumpercrop local greens, grainy mustard @Winemakersboots vinegar and something cool like Montrefort cheese and Bizjak pears @Table17 Bacon @foodNURD I’m a big fan of adding candied walnuts/pecans to salads. Great texture/flavour contrast @elisecooks Dry Greens! Something crunchy. Something fruity. The right ratio of salad to dressing @Forkin_Healthy very clean, organic mixed greens. Fruit and cheese too. Maybe nuts or seeds. But clean spun is #1….and it rhymes!

I then took some of the above advice and  made a plate of goodies that I was going to add to a bowl of plain mixed greens. I prepared: chopped apple, pomegranate seeds, dried blueberries, pecans, herbed goat cheese, fresh thyme, blood oranges and roasted dried garlic (that I recently discovered).

Here’s the result:

I will be serving this for dinner Friday Nite and I have no doubt that it will be inhaled. In the event you are wondering what type of dressing I am going to use – please visit again – as I will be blogging about dressings in the near future. Please also take a minute to visit Life Made Delicious for more great salad recipes.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog are my own.

I bake Challah every week. Well kinda – I cheat. At least, I’m honest, right?

I should take a minute and explain what is Challah!! Challah is a braided bread that is served on the Sabbath(Friday Nite to Saturday Nite) in Jewish homes. I grew up with Egg Challah from Rideau Bakery in Ottawa but when I moved to Toronto I discovered that there was a variety of different challahs. ie raisin, whole wheat, with a sugary coating on top etc.

I also found out that you could make it!! I tried – I really did but it was never as good as all my friends who make it on a regular basis. (you know who you are)

Then I discovered: FROZEN challah and never looked back. There are two competing brands out there – Montreal Kosher and Lenchner’s. Im not loyal – I just grab whatever I see.  I really think they are both amazing but some of my friends say that one rises better than the other. Perhaps one day I will try and test out both challah’s side by side.

Step 1: I usually buy it frozen from No Frills (at Bathurst/Wilson) or Metro (Bathurst/Lawrence). However you could find it at any major grocery store from Bathurst/Lawrence to Bathurst/Rutherford.

Step 2: I unwrap it, lay it on parchment paper and cover with saran wrap. Then I wait 6 hours. (not 4, not 5).

Step 3: I take the wrapping off, and put an egg wash on it (my fav. step)

Step 4: I put the challah in the over at 325 degrees F and bake for 35 minutes. (not 30, not 40).

Step 5: see above photo for the finished product

I serve it on Friday nite and its generally GONE by Sat. Nite. However if you have leftovers – challah can be used to make a wicked french toast!!

I kinda like the whole wheat challah these days but truthfully they are all fanatastic.

All I know – is that this challah rocks and I look forward to making it every week. Baking challah makes my apartment smell great, and you can’t beat the convenience. Sure, it’s not the same as taking the time to make it from scatch – but I can’t get over the fact that IT ALWAYS COMES OUT amazing.

Hope you get a chance to try challah one day soon!!

Back in late September, I was invited to the opening of  CakeStar.  I was not going to miss this event even though the next day I was moving. Thats right – the next day I was moving. But I was determined not to miss this opening…I like cake and I have priorities. Clearly eating cake was a higher priority than packing another box!!

Here is some background info about CakeStar: It’s owned and operated by two sisters and it’s a great story about two women who are clearly passionate about the food business.

The cakes are gorgeous (see above photo) and that evening I treated myself to cannoli that was superb. I don’t say that lightly – as I take my desserts very seriously and often don’t indulge in just any old dessert – its got to be GREAT. It was recommended and indeed it was a fantastic recommendation.

CakeStar offers classes too. Ranging from beginners to 3D cake decorating and even a class called “rock ‘n roll romance cake”. I don’t know if you noticed, but my blog posts over the last year have never been about cakes. I can make cookies, muffins, crisps, pudding, and tiramisu but avoid making cakes. (fear of cakes perhaps?). But you never know, one day soon I could get over this fear. Hey – I can make that a goal for 2012 – learn how to make cupcakes and cakes.

If you can’t make it to their store, soon you can watch them on CBC’s the Steven and Chris show as the resident cake expert!! Alternatively, you can find out more about their cakes and cake decorating classes by visiting their awesome website. I have to say, their website is great. (kudos to the webmaster too).

CakeStar

3431 Lake Shore Blvd West (at Kipling)

Etobicoke, ON

416-259-9053

twitter: @CakeStarGirlz

While visiting Grocery Innovations a few weeks ago, a dark chocolate milk by Natrel, caught my eye. I mean – how genius is this? EVERYONE seems to love chocolate and there is no question that dark chocolate has been popular over the last few years. Subsequently I found out, that this product was voted at the show, as one of the 10 most innovating products for 2012. Well – they have my vote too!! Natrel – you rock!!

I coudn’t wait for this to hit the grocery shelves and indeed I saw it this week, while visiting the IGA in the Beach! (oh how I love my job). Naturally I bought a litre and then bought the Sealtest regular chocolate milk to do a quick comparison. As you know, I’m always up for a taste test!!

Here’s my findings; (sorry, the panel only consisted of me)

Sealtest 1% milk chocolate: lighter on the palate, watery, and the color almost looks like silly putty

Natrel Dark Chocolate: thick, rich, sweet and it looks like dark chocolate!!

I don’t know who thought of this dark chocolate idea – but I really do think its clever. Don’t you?

What I’m not fond of is the packaging. They added a 5th side and it just feels weird when you pick it up. Plus I’m not crazy about the fact that that it’s got a shelf date till JAN 2012. Milk should have a shorter life span unless its in a tetra box. It’s just weird to know that I bought it on Nov 8 2011 and its good till January 2012.

Sadly I’m lactose intolerant (I whine about this a lot) so I wont be enjoying this milk as much as I would like. However I’m eager to use it in a chocolate pudding recipe next week!! I’ve already told my guests that I’m making chocolate pudding and I’m sure this dark chocolate milk will make the dessert even better!!

It really is a winner and I’m sure that this product will be flying off the shelf. I just wonder why nobody thought of this earlier?

Dear Starbucks,

Today I was on twitter and read a tweet from @SteveatGoodLife that I could pay for my Starbucks coffee using my iPhone. I was ecstatic. This news made my day. (thanks Steve)

I am one of those people who carry around 4 different cards with 4 different balances and this app is really going to make my life SO much easier.  I am truly in love with those companies who embrace technology. I sincerely  think you “get it”. I follow you on twitter (and hope you follow me back…hint hint) and hope that other retailers will follow your lead and embrace this type of technology too.

Last week, I was at an independent coffee shop who asked me if I wanted a “loyalty card” – you know, the type where they punch a hole, every time you visit. I declined, just the way I decline when given coupons. If you want my business – for heaven sakes – go hi tech! I can’t believe coupons or those types of loyalty cards even exist.

Starbucks, you really know what you are doing and I’m impressed. Even though I can’t find a table (don’t ask – my neighborhood Starbucks is busy ALL THE TIME), I will still get my tall pike from you on a regular basis.

My daughter is also a  fan of your hot chocolate (with peppermint), and I’m sure she will be downloading the app on her phone soon too. (She is 12). She once sent me a text on her way home from school that said “can i stop off at Starbucks and get a cookie”. How could I say no?

Congratulations once again for developing this amazing feature for your customers. I hope the news spreads quickly and more and more customers will be flashing their iPhones to pay for their lattes, cookies, coffees etc.

I am one happy customer! (can you tell?)

Cheers,

Vicky – @momwhoruns