T’is the sesaon to drink eggnog. I know it’s Christmas when I see eggnog in the stores and will always buy a litre (or two). I also know it’s winter when Starbucks introduces their Gingerbread Latte, Eggnog Latte, and Peppermint Latte. Seems like winter is a good time to drink flavorful drinks. Last nite, I had a chili hot chocolate at Grindhouse in Kensington Market…but will blog about hot chocolate in another blog post.

I only seem to drink my eggnog pure  i.e. without any alcohol in it, but always  in small quantities. Eggnog is not good for the waistline even if I’m MOMWHORUNS….and these days I’m running on the treadmill 4x a week.

Back to the eggnog. I decided to do an eggnog taste test from 3 different brands:

• Neilson Eggnog Light (25% lesl fat than their regualr eggnog)
• Harmony Organic Eggnog
• SO Nice Noel Nog

The nutrional information is as follows:

Neilson Light Eggnog:  Per 1/2 cup – 110 calories,  2% Fat (4% saturated fat), Protein 3 g

Harmony Organic Eggnog – not listed (interesting)

So Nice Noel Nog:  Per 1 cup – 120 calories, total fat 5%, Protein 6 g

Here are the results:

Neilson Light Eggnog: watery (very), dark yellow color, sugary

So Nice Noel Nog: strong nutmeg flavor, beige, you know it’s soya milk but I don’t mind actually

Harmony Organic Eggnog: best color – lovely and yellow, tastes like eggnog – no overwhelming nutmeg flavor,

I was also lucky enough to experience a HOME MADE EGGNOG this past weekend. (with rum). It was totally different than the commercial eggnog that I’m use to, so it was a real treat. (thanks @JasonRees).

Basically I like eggnog, eggnog ice cream, eggnog lattes….except eggnog does not like me. Sad but true. I’m delighted that the stores only carry it for 6 weeks a  year.

Cute story before I finish the blog entry: Two years ago, I saw a tweet declaring that there was no more Harmony Organic Eggnog to be found in the GTA.  I read the tweet while visiting Garden Foods in Bolton and happen to notice that they still had a few bottles left – so I picked them up. I then tweeted “just bought a few bottles. Happy to share”. I met her at the bottom of her condo later that week. Twitter is awesome…and Harmony Eggnog is awesome too.

Who else is an eggnog fan?

I’ve seen articles/blog posts written about “My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets” but I’ve decided to turn it around and write a blog post about “Kitchen Gadgets I Don’t Use”.

I don’t know about you – but I know that I have a few kitchen gadgets around my kitchen that has me thinking “Why on earth did I buy this?”  or “Why on earth would I keep this gadget?”

Exhibit A:

While visiting my parents in Ottawa a few years ago, I discovered this gadget:

I couldn’t resist asking my Mom if I could take it back to Toronto. She agreed without hesitation. However it’s doing the same thing in my drawer as it did in her drawer in Ottawa. NOTHING. I was imaging using it to shoot vodka into watermelon slices or  Cointreau into strawberries. But I have done NOTHING with it and probably never will. What do you think? Toss it or keep it?.

Exhibit B:

I must have been having a bad day when I bought this cookie press. For the life of me, I can’t figure out what would possess me to to buy this gadget.  I know I will NEVER be making cookies that require a cookie press. I just like staring at the photos of those gorgeous cookies on blogs and in magazines. I guess I was thinking that if I owned this gadget then I would be making those gorgeous cookies. WRONG – haven’t even opened the box.

Never will open the box either. Time to toss it. Right?

EXHIBIT C:

Again, what was I thinking? I will never be frosting anything – not a cupcake, not a cake, not a cookie. I probably bought this so I could make devilled eggs. It certainly wasn’t for anything that involved icing. I am definitely tossing this. Promise.

I will soon post a blog about “My Favorite Gadgets” . This will be easy blog post to write as I have a few favorite gadgets. Stay tuned.

If you have a kitchen gadget that you don’t use – feel free to comment K?

There are occasions where I enjoy complicated recipes but there’s occasions when I enjoy recipes that are REALLY REALLY easy as well. Everyone has those “moments” in the kitchen – when they are tired from standing, tired from chopping and just want to make something that is EASY…. as in FAST and  WITH TWO INGREDIENTS. The fact that this recipe involves chocolate means that it is sure to be demolished. I mean, seriously, do you know anyone who doesn’t like chocolate?

Recipe #1: CHOCOLATE CHEWS:

INGREDIENTS:

1 package of Hershey’s chocolate chipits

1 package of crispy chinese noodles

METHOD

1. Melt chocolate

2. Mix in noodles

3. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and drop onto a lined baking sheet

4. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes

RECIPE #2: CHOCOLATE/CANDYCANE BARK

INGREDIENTS:

1 package of Hershey’s Chipits

1 package of candy canes

METHOD

1. Melt the chipits

2. Unwrap each candy cane (this is the NOT SO FUN part), place in a zip loc bag and crush with a rolling pin (this is the fun part)

3. Mix the crushed candy cane with the melted chocolate

4. Spread  on to a lined baking sheet, to the desired thickness.

5. Refrigerate 15-20 minutes

Bonus: Both these desserts, freeze beautifully. So don’t hesitate to store them in a ziploc container for those ’emergency” moments when you need something last minute.

After following CHEESEWERKS on Facebook and Twitter for many months, I was delighted to get an invitation to attend the opening of this new ‘artisinal” grilled cheese restaurant.

Here’s what I like:

1) The space is gorgeous. Its bright, colorful, and well laid out.

2) The menu: lots of delicious choices with really really cute names.

3) There is an alcohol menu: Brilliant!!

4) The sandwich itself. Everything works  – the bread, the combination of flavors and it’s grilled to perfection as well.

5) The owners are nice nice nice.

6) This brochure (it makes me smile). Please note, that one day soon they will soon have options for those who are lactose intolerant and for those who require gluten free bread.

7) They ‘get” social media and have actively been using twitter and facebook for months.

9) Their website is fantastic. It’s clean, it’s fun and it’s easy to navigate.

10) I know I am repeating myself, but their grilled cheese sandwiches really are DELICIOUS.

You can find CHEESWERKS at 56 Bathurst St (at Wellingston St. West) Toronto, 416-243-3327.

Hoping to put together a tweet up at this restaurant as soon as possible. It would be the perfect spot.

I had a chat not long ago, with the owner of Pantry Foods about salads, and he mentioned that he rarely makes a salad in a bowl. He said
“the the dressing always sinks to the bottom and when you display it on a platter it’s visually more attractive”

After that discussion I decided to try serving salads on a platter. It was a perfect opportunity for me to use this beautiful Umbra Platter I got as a gift from my cousins.

Salad idea #1: Basic Green Salad

Ingredients: Bibb Lettuce , Corn shoots that I found at Natures Emporium, mini corn, carrots, zucchini.

Here’s what the corn shoots looked like, when I bought them at the store. How pretty is that?

Salad idea #2 Spinach Salad

Ingredients: Spinach, red onion, toasted almonds, mushrooms, hard boiled eggs

Salad idea #3 Morrocon Inspired Salad

Ingredients: Lettuce, oranges, dates, marcona almonds, pomegranate seeds

Other salad that I could make using this platter include:

Nicoise: black olives, tuna, red onion, lettuce, hard boiled eggs.

Israeli: cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley, couscous, chick peas

I have to admit, I really enjoyed preparing these salads and then eating them too!! Due to my love for making salads, it has prevented me from eating salads in restaurants. I rarely go to Freshii or Fresh..even though everyone tells me that their salads are fabulous.

I use to go to a restaurant at Bayview Village for their famous salad bar but for some reason I stopped going there too.

I guess I really like to go to restaurants to eat food I can’t make at home. Anyone else agree?

My Bucket List for 2012. Drum Roll..Please.

1. Drive a Volt. I mean how cool would it be to drive a full performance and full speed electric car? Seriously, I want to drive this car not just because it’s cool but because it’s the right thing to do. My next car will not be a gas guzzling car – repeat – will not be a gas guzzling car.

2. Try the Coconut Cream Pie at Scaramouche. It’s about time I order this famous pie. Reservations have been made in early January with four foodie friends. One piece of pie and 4 forks. So technically this will soon be OFF my bucket list. Hooray for me.

3. Try Rowing. I have always wanted to try this sport. I even called the Mississauga Rowing Club but never made it out there last summer. This summer…will be different.

4. Make Risotto. My friend @TheBumpercrop told me she would be happy to help me out as I have “fear of risotto”. LOL

5. Visit Detroit. I have never been before and again it’s time for me to “eat my way thru Trader Joe’s“.

6. Go to a Concert. I’m pathetic. ..have been to only 3 concerts in my life. Bay City Rollers (stop laughing. Please.), Rod Stewart and Dire Straights (in Israel). I think it’s time to change this.

7. Camp out on Island Spirits. Last year I stayed in their eco cabin but this year I want to try camping on this spectacular island.

8. Participate in another half marathon AND a sprint triathlon. Last year, I only did a half marathon but I really miss the challenge of doing a triathlon. See how happy I am in the photo?

9. Use RCI. I have 3 weeks to use and haven’t used it for years. All my weeks have disappeared into Time Share Heaven and I need to fix this.

10. Watch TV more often. Would like to watch tv shows that I hear about all the time and never watch i.e Modern Family, True Blood, and Dexter.

I visit my parents every 6-8 weeks in Ottawa and every time I visit I continue to discover great food. Sometimes I even divert from food and stumble across something else. (keep reading).

Last weekend my visit was really really quick i.e I arrived on Friday at 4 p.m. and left on Sunday at 11. No time for a tweet up – however I did have a bit of time to have a coffee with two food bloggers…@AMWATERS in the morning and @FoodiePrints in the afternoon. There is no question that every minute I am in Ottawa  – is a productive minute. LOL

@AMWATERS (who has a great blog – If Music is The Food of Love, Play On) suggested we meet at Le Michel-Ange, Coffee-Warehouse-Roasting. Thankfully I had GPS to find it – as it’s tucked away in the middle of nowhere. But oh-what-a-gem of a spot. I really really liked the atmosphere…cool art, bean bag chairs, interesting nooks and crannys, comfy couches etc. As for the coffee – I am always too busy chatting to notice if my latte was good or not. I even ordered a pumpkin truffle  (made by Clove Chocolatiers) as I’m sure I never had this flavor before. It was a perfect breakfast – coffee and a truffle combined with a discussion about FOOD.

In the afternoon I met @FoodiePrints (who also has a great blog called FoodiePrints) at Planet Coffee in the  Byward Market. I have been there once before and I’m always impressed how busy this place is and the size of their baked goods in their display.

On Sunday, I ran to Rideau Bakery to get fresh rye bread. (3 loaves – thank you very much). On my last visit I only bought one and when I got back to Toronto and had a slice, I said “what was I thinking only to get one loaf?”. Here’s some history on Rideau Bakery. It’s a 80 year old, family run – kosher bakery and their rye bread is the BEST. Really – the best. When I got home, I popped it into the freezer so I can enjoy a slice (or two) every week for weeks!!

Then I ran to the Landsdowne Farmers Market. I had never been when the market is indoors and I was thrilled that I went. The building is BEAUTIFUL and the market has some new winter vendors that’s not there in the summer.

I stumbled across Egyptian Onions. Never seen this before, have you?

In between running to visit my dad, having coffee, visiting relatives…I also took a minute to visit a new Art Gallery that recently opened in Westboro called Michael Gennis Gallery.

I am so glad I dropped by. The art is stunning, the space is stunning and to be honest,…there isn’t much not to like. Michael Gennis (who own the Gallery) was a neighbor that I havent seen in decades so it was a real treat to see beautiful art as well as catch up with an old neighbor.

I ended off the trip with a taste of Saskatoon Berry Pie from Farm Boy. Not a bad way to end a great weekend in Ottawa.

As you know, I’m a food sales rep and every day I visit 10 (or more) grocery stores. However I am genuinely interested in grocery stores and will drive 1.5 hours on a a regular basis to visit Tops and Wegmans in Buffalo. I’d rather go to a grocery store than to the outlet mall. Go figger.

As a result of my passion for food (and grocery stores)..I was thrilled to be invited to a food bloggers media tour when Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens opened.

Here’s a list of reasons why you should visit this Loblaws:

1) IT’S ENORMOUS. You have never seen anything a grocery store this SIZE before. Ever.  It’s 85,000 square feet. …yes, 85,000 square feet.

2) They have supported local businesses. I love the fact that ACE Bakery is right there baking from scratch every day. Tea Emporium is also there with tea experts to help you pick the just the right tea.

3) There is a wall of cheese. That’s right – an 18 foot wall of cheese.  This store carries more than 400 varieties of cheese. Holy Cheese!!

4) Joe Fresh has 8,500 square feet. OMG – heaven for people like me who love Joe Fresh.

5) T&T has a sushi bar there where customers can watch the sushi being made while sitting at the bar.

6) There is a huge commitment to organic fruits and vegetables as well as local produce (when available).

7) There is free WiFi

8. There is one hour of free parking with any purchase of $18 or more (before taxes)

9) There is an LCBO, and a Presidents Choice  Cooking School (which you can rent out for a private function).

10) The Sculpture: There is a 3 dimensional sculpture created from reclaimed stadium chairs in the shape of a Maple Leaf.

Hope you get a chance to visit this outstanding Loblaws one day soon. I’m sure you will leave impressed.

Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens

60 Carlton Street

(415) 593 6154

Hours: Monday – Sunday 7 a.m to 11 p.m

Let’s talk about soup. Every one loves soup right? Seriously, have you ever met someone who doesn’t like soup?

I’ve been enjoying a variety of soups from the Moosewood cookbooks for the last two decades. In particular:

• Split Pea
• Russian Cabbage Borsht
• Creamy Squash (New Recipes From Moosewood)
• Armenian Lentil
• Potato Leek (New Recipes from Moosewood)
• Minestrone

However sometimes (only sometimes) I’m short on time and want to make a soup that’s really quick. Guess what? I found a soup that takes NO TIME at all and its delicious. Once again, I found it on the internet (thanks to FoodLoversWebsite)

Here’s the recipe for Spicy Tomato Soup (which I modified a lot cause I bought the wrong can of tomatoes)

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 1/2 cups minced onion

3-4 cloves of garlic cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp dill

lots of ground black pepper

12 oz crushed tomato concentrate (I bought canned diced tomatoes by accident)

2 cups water

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon of mayo or sourcream (I used milk)

2 medium sized tomatoes, diced

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a saucepan.

2.Add onion, garlic, salt, dill, black pepper and stir till onions are translucent (about 6-8 minutes)

3. Add canned tomatoes, water and honey

4. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20-30 minutes.

Because I screwed up buying the wrong tomatoes, I then took a sieve and separated the tomato chunks from the liquid.

Then I took the solids, whizzed it in the Cuisinart while slowly adding the liquids. To make it creamy – I added a touch of milk.

I love soup. In fact my freezer is full of soups at the moment. I crave soup during the winter – don’t you? What’s your favourite soup? Would love to know.

I was lucky enough to obtain a ticket to the Cuisinart Warehouse house sale before it opened to the general public. I had never been before and thought that this would be a great opportunity to “check it out”. I was also super curious to see the selection and the prices.

I got into my van, and off I went to 100 Conair  Parkway in Woodbridge ON. This was a trek, but in the end I discovered it was worth the trek. Let’s go into some detail, shall we?

1. SIZE OF THE BUILDING.

It’s enormous. It’s probably the biggest space I have seen for a sample sale and trust me I have been to a few over the years. The manager I spoke to, told me that they have 20 cashiers on hand and that even if there’s a line up – they are efficient. (i.e TONS of staff). Cuisinart has been doing this for years and years.

2. PRODUCT SELECTION

You name it – Cuisinart makes it: toaster ovens, juicers, plate sets, bread makers, coffee make, deep fryers, mini choppers, knive sets, ice cream makers, rice cooker & steamer, food processor, roasters, pots and pans, blenders. Plus Connair has a selection of products at the sale too: trimmers, hair dryers, heating pads, clothes steamers, irons etc.

3. PRICE

Here’s a few photo’s that will convince you that the Cuisinart Sale is worth the drive. Whether you are looking for something for yourself or to give away as a gift (housewarming, engagement, wedding, christmas, etc).

I came home with: a deep fryer (my waistline is in HUGE trouble), a knive set ($25 with the butchers block), 2 juicers ($15) and a few other knick knacks from Connair. I could have bought WAY more i.e I had my eye on the pots and pans( $60) and another ice cream maker as a gift.

The sale will continue FRIDAY DEC 2 from 9 to 9 and SAT. DEC 3 from 9 to 6 at 100 Connair Parkway in Woodbridge. GO GO GO. You wont be disappointed.

PS stay tuned for a blog post about the deep fryer. What do you think I should make?