Well it’s that time of year again…it’s called “Getting Ready for Camp” . For some reason, I find it more relaxing to buy 15 pairs of socks, 14 pairs of underwear, 4 bathing suits etc etc etc…in Buffalo than in Toronto. This year, I decided to stay overnite in Buffalo to make the trip even more relaxing. (I’m a smart mom).

We booked a mother/daughter trip along with another mother/daughter team!! Another smart move.

SCHEDULE:

8:00 – Left Toronto

11:00 a.m Arrived at the Walden Galleria

11:00 – 12:00 The kids shop while the Moms drink!! er….sample!!

We started off at Taps for a lovely line up of Wood Chuck Cider, Magic Hat #9, Edmund from Great Lakes Brewery, Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA (from Colorado), Holy Moses White Ale from Great Lakes Brewery, Rusty Chain from Flying Bison Brewery, and Blue Pointe Long Island Summer Lager.

Oh how I love beer!!

12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m – Bar #2: Gordon Biersch for another line up of beers: Marzen, Golden Export, Czech Pilsner, Hefewerzen and more!!

Great presentation

1:00 p.m – The Cheesecake Factory; We were 4 people so we HAD to try 4 cheesecakes right? We decided on OREO, Original, Ultimate Red Velet and Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple. Ps this was not an easy decision to make!!

There Are No Words!!

We were happy, happy, happy.

3:00 -5:00 p.m More shopping at Target

5:00 pm Check into the lovely Embassy Suites in Downtown Buffalo. We were thrilled to find  out that our spacious 900 sqf room, included a pullout sofa with a TV, 2 Queen beds with a TV, and a room with a wet bar, microwave and  fridge.  Can you say “HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY”.

5:30 -6:30 p.m Managers’ Reception: This was a total bonus. Complimentary drinks and snacks. What a nice treat.

Had a complimentary cocktail to end the day!!

7:00 p.m Went to Chipotle for dinner. (my friends had never been before). Everyone inhaled their burritos.

8:30 p.m. Back to the hotel to swim.

10:00 p.m Everyone is EXHAUSTED but HAPPY and finally in pyjamas and in bed.

Next Day:

9:00 am Complimentary Cook to Order Breakfast (oh how I love this feature).

10:00 am Bye Bye Buffalo

12:30 p.m Hello Toronto

ps The Walden Galleria has lots of dining options: The Melting Pot, PF Changs, Johnny Rockets, Yogen Fruz and more. No shortage of great shopping OR dining options at this mall.

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For years and years, I did not go NEAR a recipe that involved phyllo dough. I was frozen with fear. I don’t know why but I wouldn’t touch the stuff. Then one day I saw a course being offered called “FEAR OF PHYLLO” and I quickly signed up.

During the class we learned how to make sweet potato purses, spinach/feta bourekas, streudel and more. I think it was one of the first cooking classes I ever went to and I loved the fact that it was hands on.

I STILL have the outline from this course (I am not a hoarder – I swear). But for some reason I make the same thing with phyllo – over and over again. I am addicted to making phyllo cups. I make them – freeze them – serve them.

Here’s the most important thing you need to know: when you are ready to start this recipe, please do not answer the phone, do not take out a load of laundry or start to empty the dishwasher …you must focus on the phyllo!! Otherwise it will dry up, crack, and you will be swearing at me!!

PHYLLO CUPS:

one package of phyllo dough (thawed)

1/2 cup melted butter

muffin pan, scissors, pastry bush

INSTRUCTIONS

1. brush one sheet of phyllo dough with melted butter

2. cover it with another sheet of phyllo dough and brush that sheet with melted butter as well

3. take yet another sheet of phyllo dough and brush that sheet with melted butter. (I used 4 sheets for a “thicker” phyllo cup)

4. take SCISSORS and cut the sheets into healthy sized squares

5. place the square into a muffin pan

6. bake in preheated 375 oven for 8 minutes. (till golden brown).

That’s it. How simple, wouldn’t you agree?

Then I take the phyllo cups and freeze in a tupperware container  till I need them.

ready for the freezer!!

What do I do with these phyllo cups? Here’s some ideas:

-goat cheese with a roasted tomato

-roasted garlic

-ricotta with mint/honey

Curious to know if you use phyllo dough often and what you use phyllo dough for.

Note: I put the leftover phyllo dough into a zip loc bag and put it in the freezer.

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My Dyson! Notice the clean area rug and hardwood floors?

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to attend a Dyson event at the TIFF Lightbox. I immediately replied: “How did you know my carpets needed vacuumed? Would love to attend this event.”.

I’m not kidding. I moved into my apartment at the end of September and purchased an area rug in October. Guess what hasn’t been vacuumed since? This event could NOT have been more timely.

At the event I learned more about Dyson and the team of 700 engineers who work on these innovative products. I was in awe of the determination of James Dyson (the founder) to make the first vacuum that has balls. (their words, not mine). Dyson has a great product and a great ad campaign. Everywhere I go, people are talking about Dyson. Either they have one or they want one. This is the type of buzz every brand dreams of!!

As for my “vacuum cleaner” history – it goes likes this:

Childhood: Grew up with an Electrolux that was shlepped around and hit every wall known to mankind. I can still hear my mother shrieking “watch the walls” as I did my chores.

University: Lived in Israel for 4 years and carpets arent really popular in hot climates. So for 4 years I didn’t see a vacuum.

Adulthood: Bought a stand up vacuum cleaner that lasted for years and then graduated to a house with central vac. Recently I moved into an apartment with hardwood floors and one small area rug.

I am delighted to finally own a DYSON so I can finally clean my floors and  my area rug.  Wouldn’t you know that my mom is visiting next week? Another reason, that this event was so timely.

I’m also delighted to announce that I will be giving away a Dyson Vacuum cleaner!! All you have to do to enter this contest is CLICK ON “ADD REPLY” (at the bottom) and answer the following question:

“Are you a pusher or a puller?”.

The contest will close on Monday June 11th at midnite.  The winner will be selected using random.org. Please note that this contest is open to Canadians only and the prize will be mailed to you directly. If the winner does not reply within two weeks, another winner will be selected.

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As you know, I’m kind of a “contest junkie” so when I saw a tweet from Insomnia saying they were giving away a pair of tickets to see the screening of HYSTERIA…..I was right on it.

I clicked on their facebook  page and saw this:

Insomnia Restaurant and Lounge

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Do you make a particular “meal” every single week? No matter what? That’s not usually the case for me. I’m the type of person who wakes up and says “what do I feel like eating today” vs “today is Monday, which means tonites pasta nite”.

However I have make an exception for Friday nite. For the last few years, I have been making this dish every Friday nite. No. Matter. What. I love this dish: it’s healthy, easy to make and  cheap as beans (no pun intended).

I make a dish called “cholent” which is basically a bean stew that  many Jewish households make every Sabbath. My version is a little different as it’s a vegetarian version. For the official definition of cholent please click on this wikepdia link. I should add that I did not grow up with this dish. I was only introduced to it as an adult but quickly fell in love with it.

Here’s my recipe.

VEGETARIAN CHOLENT

1 cup of mixed beans (kidney, navy, barley)

3 types of beans...

1 can of pizza sauce (that’s right, pizza sauce)

4-5 cups of water

salt and pepper (generous amounts….don’t be shy)

2 fried onions

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Rinse beans and drain well.

2. Place all ingredients into a crockpot

3. 24 hours later you will have an awesome healthy meal that will feed four people easily

Note: feel free to add a smokey bbq sauce or any other sauce that you might have hanging around your fridge.

One more piece of advice: If you don’t have a crockpot, please consider buying a cheap one. It’s SO worth it. There is nothing like making a meal in ONE POT that you can leave on the counter and find out that the next day, your meal is ready. Trust me.

Happy Cooking.

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Last week, I biked from Bathurst/Eglinton to Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market. It was a super easy route, and 99 % of the time I was on the beltline and not on a major street. I was kicking myself that I have never done this before!!

It was my first time visiting the Farmers’ Market since the Fall and was eager to buy vegetables, but I didn’t!! I bought only one item that day and that item was a cinnamon bun for $3 that was absolutely heavenly! I nibbled on it the ENTIRE DAY – that’s how good it was. (I wish I knew the vendor but I was clearly intoxicated from the smell and forgot to ask for a business card).

This was what was left at the end of the day.

The next day, I went to Ottawa to surprise my mom for Mother’s day. The sun was shining, so off we went to the Ottawa Farmers Market in their new home at Brewer park. We loved the lay out and every vendor that I spoke to was thrilled with the new location.

Once again, I had every intention to buy vegetables but ended up buying maple cotton candy. I felt like I won the lottery as I scored the last two bags.

Does anyone make this in Toronto?

What is wrong with me? Why didn’t I buy anything healthy? I honestly don’t have a sweet tooth but for some reason…did not buy one single vegetable at either farmers market. I’m not really concerned as I know that I will be visiting plenty of farmers markets over the summer and fall!!

For further info:

a) Farmers Markets: click on this website  www.farmersmarketsontario.com

b) Biking in Toronto: click on this website  www.bikingtoronto.com

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Drinking With My Mom in Vegas. (a whole different blog post)

A few weeks ago, I was visiting Ottawa and stumbled upon a copy of  Fifty Shades of Grey in my moms’ room. I wasn’t exactly surprised seeing as I remember my mom buying Cosmopolitan and People magazine on a regular basis when I was a kid. She’s still VERY IN THE KNOW. Can you tell?

We had a conversation that went like this:

Me: Hey Mom…., um, noticed you had a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey in your bathroom. Did you read it?

73 year old mother: I not only read Fifty Shades of Grey but I read the entire trilogy.

Me: How did you hear about this book? Did all your friends read it?

73 year old mother: No..I was too embarased to tell them I read it. But they know now.

Me: How long did it take you to read the trilogy?

73 year old mother: A DAY!!!!

Me: What did you think?

73 year old mother: I have experienced sex but not much of the stuff in the book. Let’s just say it was a learning experience for me as I was reading these books.

Me: Did you tell Dad?

73 year old mother: NO. I don’t want to cause him to jump out of the wheel chair.

I asked her if I could borrow the book and she agreed but I’m SLOWLY getting thru it. I’m not flipping the pages as fast as I thought but then again, I am only on chapter 3.  I’m sure I would be reading it faster if I was on holiday.

Back to my mom..She’s cool eh? Wonder what she will be reading next!!

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My mom went to Israel recently for an epic two week trip to visit some relatives that live in Ra’anana.  Over the last few years, I have asked her to bring me FOOD ITEMS from her travels and not handbags, belts, scarves etc. I’m really a foodie and she understands!!

This is what she shlepped in her luggage. (Thanks Mom).

1. Curry Flavored Sesame Seeds and Garlic Flavored Sesame Seeds.

Will be sprinkling these seeds on EVERYTHING

Too funny – I had the wasabi flavored sesame seeds in my freezer from my last trip to Israel!!. Im thrilled to see that this company has expanded their line. Last nite, I made the most delicious piece of terriyaki salmon and added the garlic flavored sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

2. A Roll of Paper Towels (from Nikol)

Can Someone Please Make These Paper Towels in Canada? Pretty Please.

We actually fought over this item as she said “I only brought back ONE and I want it”. I begged her to unroll it and give me a quarter of the roll – which she agreed to. Now I should explain that this is not just ANY paper towel. It looks like a paper towel but it’s not. Its a cross between a paper towel AND a jcloth. Once its wet – it acts like a jcloth. How brilliant.

I have friends who are visiting Israel as I type this blog entry, and I’m hoping they squeeze a few rolls into their luggage. At least it doesnt add a lot of weight, right?

3. World Of Nuts – Cholent Mix

I make cholent every Friday and one day hope to blog about my special vegetarian recipe!! I usually buy a few bags of mixed beans and add them to the crock pock. I guess this offers me the convenience of having all the beans in ONE bag. Will find out on Friday.

4. Asian Home Gourmet – Spice Paste for Thai Tom  Yum Soup

Again, I bought these packets on my last trip to Israel only to find out that you can buy them at No Frills or Kosher City. (oops)  Not sure yet if this particular soup is available but I will soon find out.

5. Pomegranate Sauce

Im going to have a lot of fun with this sauce and intend on using it in a salmon dish.

Receiving “food gifts” makes me really happy. However I know I’m not going to be happy when I run out!! Good to know that I have friends who regularly go to Israel!!

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If you like lemons, and are searching for  a healthy “treat” then this recipe from  Rose Reisman Brings Home Light Cooking is the answer!! It’s super easy to make and its also pretty healthy with only 3 g of fat per half slice. Not to mention, the loaf freezes beautifully.

I also want to share my love for this gadget that I picked up by the cash register. (can you say Impulse Buy?) at Kitchen Stuff Plus. It not only helps me squeeze lemons and limes but it measures the quantity for me – all in one GIZMO. Cant remember how much I paid for it – but whatever it is – it’s making me happy!! Oh how I love gadgets that make me happy.

Loving This Gadget!!

Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf  (from Rose Reisman,  Brings Home Light  Cooking)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup soft margarine

1 egg

2 tsp grated lemon rind

3 tbsp lemon juice

1/3 cup 2% milk

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 tbsp poppy seeds

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/3 cup 2% yogurt or light sour cream (I always use yogurt).

METHOD:

1. Preaheat oven to 350 degrees

2. In a large bowl or food processor, beat together sugar, margarine, egg, lemon rind and juice, mixing well. Add milk, mixing well

3. Combine flour, poppy seeds, baking powder and baking soda. Add to bowl, alternatively with yogurt mixing until incorporated. Do not overmix.

4. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes.

Happy Baking!!

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The last time I went to the Toronto Jewish Film Festival was to see a documentary called “The Shvitz”. I loved the film but for some reason never went back to the Jewish Film Festival. Tonite, I googled to find out when that movie was made and it was 1993. That’s right…1993.  So you could say, it was about time I returned to the Festival.

Well I certainly made up for lost time as I saw 5 movies in 48 hours. All of a sudden I became one of those “festival goers” – who studies the guide, circles the films that I wanted to see and becomes obsessed reading reviews.

See What I Mean?

Here’s what I saw. (funny…usually I write, Here’s What I Ate). LOL.

I saw 5 movies in 2 days..which meant I was pretty busy running to the Bloor Cinema (which is stunning by the way) and the Sheppard Centre.

4 out of 5 tickets. Proof that I kept busy.

Salsa in Tel Aviv, Israel 2011, Spanish, Hebrew, Director: Jorge Weller.

I really enjoyed this movie. It had great characters, beautiful scenes of Israel and a funny story.  Not to mention I had a slight crush on the main actor who was beyond handsome. It was a great way for me to get introduced to the Israeli Film Festival. Total Score.

How To Re-Establish a Vodka Empire, UK 2011, Director: Dan Edelstyn

A well executed documentary that revealed a humorous and fascinating journey. The audience has a chance to witness this young filmmaker as he tries to revive a village in Ukraine by rebranding and distributing vodka back in London.

Off White Lies, Israel, France, Hebrew Director: Maya Kenig

A drama that focuses on the relationship between a young 13 year old girl who has come to live with her estranged father in Israel. It was probably my least favorite movie out of the 5 movies I saw but I still enjoyed it.

Deaf Jam, USA 2011, Director Judy Lieff

This was the best movie I saw. I left this movie inspired, moved and in total awe of the cast and the vision of the director. I would see this movie again in a heart beat. I really hope that this film becomes available on DVD one day soon. What was it about? It was about ASL (American Sign Language) poetry and some amazing students and teachers.

Polish Bar, USA 2010, Director Ben Berkowitz

A fantastic drama about a young adult struggling to make it big as a DJ. Great acting and a strong story which made for a very entertaining film.

Sadly I wont be able to see any more movies on Sunday as I won’t be in the city. Otherwise I would be going to more!! If you get a chance, take a peek at the schedule and catch a film There’s still plenty of films to see. You won’t be disappointed.

Guess who will be going to the Toronto Jewish Film Festival next year? ME!!

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