I’ve interviewed an NHL Hockey Player before, but never interviewed a Chef till today!!

I put together a few questions for CHEF IVAN FLOWERS  (also known as the “Biker Chef) who brings 25 years of fine cuisine experience as Executive Chef at Top of The Market in San Diego.

Chef Ivan Flowers is in Toronto, as he will be joining forces with Paul Boehmer, owner of Boehmer Restaurant to collaborate on a Mediterranean style meat extravaganza for a U-Feast event that is being held tonight (June 18) at Boehmer (93 Ossington).

Both Paul and Ivan are biker enthusiasts and will be joined by comedian and radio host Mike Bullard (also a biker enthusiast) as the MC for the evening. Sounds like a fun evening, non?

Here’s a synopsis of my interview:

Question: How many bikes do you own?

Chef Flowers: Only one.

Question: What type of bike do you own?

Chef Flowers: A Harley!

Question: Do you have a favorite cookbook?

Chef Flowers: No I don’t use any cookbooks.

Question: Do you miss NY?

Chef Flowers: I do not miss NY. It was nice when it was diverse but it’s not like that anymore.

Question: Favorite food to eat after a day riding your motorcycle?

Chef Flowers: A sandwich!!

Question: What inspires you to cook?

Chef Flowers: I love to feed people!

Question: Favorite place to travel?

Chef Flowers: Greece (especially the island of Paros)

Question: Poutine..yay or nay?

Chef Flowers: YAY.

Question: When was the last time you were in Toronto?

Chef Flowers: Back in the 1980’s

As you can see, I like to keep my interviews short and sweet.!!

Please keep in mind that U-Feast brings together food lovers who are looking for an alternative to traditional restaurant dining with top chefs, restaurants and wineries.

They offer an experience for those people who are searching for more than just good food – but are looking for “experiential” social dining!

NOTE: Tickets are still available for tonights collaborative dinner!!

For more information:

Website: www.U-Feast.com

Twitter: @U-Feast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ufeast

I discovered a few new things last week, which I would like to share with you.

1. JURASSIC WORLD: This is the perfect summer movie. I’m not saying its going to win any Academy Awards but it will certainly entertain you. After the movie, make sure you head to Dairy Queen to grab a Jurassic Smash Blizzard.  (Peanut Butter Cookies, chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter, and choco chunks blended with creamy vanilla soft serve)

2. HONDA INDY TORONTO: I had never been to a racing event of any nature before, but now I know why people love attending this event. All I can say is “see you next year at the races” (with ear plugs). LOL

3. BEAN AND BAKER MALT SHOP: (327 Harbord St.) This adorable shop just opened a few weeks ago and is Toronto’s only fountain soda malt shop! I had a spectacular cherry pie but I know I will be returning for a float one day soon and/or one of their milkshakes.

4. SAMSUNG SUHDTV just launched a new TV with 60 x more colour. Seriously, this TV is brilliant (sorry for the pun) and delivers “colour” like never before. PS this photo was taken with my new Samsung S6 #justsayin’

5. Lastly, I discovered that I really like “plating” food!

Do you have any “discoveries” you would like to share? Please do!

I had some company over on Friday night for dinner and I have to admit – the meal was divine. I served one main course and three salads plus dessert. Right now, I feel like I need to share one particular salad recipe with you STAT.

This Thai Crunch Brussels Sprout recipe was worth all the chopping and all the ingredients. TRUST ME. LOL

Thai Crunch Brussel Sprout Salad (taken from a fantastic blog that I subscribe to..Sweet Eats)

Happy Cooking.

 

Today, Aroma Espresso Bar introduced a nutritious AND delicious new salad made with Freekeh!

I had never heard of this  ancient Middle Eastern grain before but rumour has it that its the next trendy superfood. This salad will now be available to health-conscious consumers as new salad at aroma espresso bar.

I had the chance to try it last week and I loved it. Then again, I love all the salads at Aroma! This particular salad agreed with me, due to the lemony dressing and the dollop of labneh cheese with za’atar sprinkled on top. Other ingredients in this salad include: black quinoa, and brown rice blended with organic baby kale, tomato, cucumber, carrot, pickle, red onion, and parsley!

“The 28 aroma espresso bar locations across Toronto and GTA stores are the first among the global chain’s 165 locations to carry the signature salad, which could be adapted in other countries based on Torontonian’s reactions. #verykewl

Freekeh Facts:

• A flavourful ancient whole grain used for centuries throughout the Middle East, freekeh is made from fire-roasted wheatberries
• The word freekeh comes from the Arabic faraka referring to the wheat-roasting process
• High in protein
• High in calcium
• High in wholegrain fibre (up to four times the fibre of brown rice)
• Low glycemic index
• Rich in probiotic properties
• Low in carbohydrates
• Slightly sweet, nutty taste
• Vegetarian
• Kosher
• Not gluten-free

Hope you get a chance to try it soon. I have no doubt that this new salad is going to be a hit with their customers.

For more information:

Website: www.aroma.ca

Twitter: @aromaespresso

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AromaCanada

Disclosure: I was invited to a media event however all opinions are my own

I’ve just returned from the 2015 President’s Choice® Summer Retreat. To say that I was spoiled rotten would be an understatement. I was well fed and well taken care of!

To begin with the retreat took place in a spectacular 18,000 sqf “cottage” that was situated on Lake Rosseau. Yes – that’s right, 18,000 square feet!

When I walked into my room there were no fewer than 3 bags of goodies waiting for me:

1. a personalized outfit from Joe Fresh

2. Sun Bum Sun Care products from Shoppers Drug Mart

3. Products from Real Canadian Superstore® including some fun PC®  products (animal baking tray, waffle maker from Everyday Essentials, napkins and more)

When  I woke up in the morning there was an incredible spread that featured sweet AND savoury waffles, fruit and more. Chef Andrea Buckett ensured that we started off our day on the right foot with a solid breakfast.

I especially loved this PC®  Pineapple Kale Smoothie that I had never tried before.

After breakfast, we were treated to a relaxing yoga session on the lawn. My Bad…I only took a photo and didn’t participate!

For lunch, there was a tasty BBQ….seriously no one was hungry. I was in condiment heaven!!

Naturally in the afternoon, I relaxed on the dock with my favorite beer that I purchase all the time – the PC® 2.5 Carb beer.

There were certainly no shortage of magazines to read or snacks!! I must admit – I was in heaven!

Here’s one of the recipes that was used over the weekend that I really enjoyed:

RECIPE: Cauliflower and Sweet Pea Salad

1 bag PC® Frozen Cauliflower, thawed

2 cups PC® Frozen Peas

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup thinly sliced radish

2 tbsp chopped tarragon or dill

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp sea salt

Dressing:

1 tbsp PC® whole grain Dijon Mustard

3 tbsp PC ®black label Honey & Ginger Condiment

4 tbsp PC® New World EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl

2. Whisk the ingredients for the dressing together

2. Pour dressing over vegetables and serve.

As you know, I’ve been along time fan of PC® products and gravitate toward them for their unique flavours and quality. I’m actually going to be posting a dessert using a few PC® products later this week so stay tuned. It’s a winner!!

Many thanks to the entire team at Citizen Relations and the team from Loblaws who worked really (really) hard to put this fantastic retreat together. I am truly grateful.

For more information:

President’s Choice: Twitter: @PresChoice, Instagram; @PresChoice Facebook: PresidentsChoice

Joe Fresh: Twitter: @JoeFresh, Instagram: @JoeFresh, Facebook: JoeFresh

 

I have no idea why I have never owned  a Waffle Maker before. However I’m thrilled that I now own a Breville No Mess Waffle Maker.

This waffle maker really made my FIRST experience making waffles super easy!!

 

Features that I liked about the Breville No Mess Waffle Maker:

– it has a wide wrap around moat that catches the over flow. Which also makes cleaning up, really easy!

– you can select your preferred color from light and fluffy to crispy golden brown. #loveit

-the best part? It BEEPS when the waffle is ready. How cool is that?

I’m delighted to announce that this is what my morning breakfast looked like!

Here’s the recipe I used. (taken from www.bettycrocker.com)

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (I used melted butter of course)
Fresh berries, if desired

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the waffle maker

2. In large bowl, beat eggs with wire whisk until fluffy. Beat in remaining ingredients except berries just until smooth.

3. Pour slightly less than 3/4 cup batter onto centre  of hot waffle iron. Close lid of waffle iron.

4. Bake about 5 minutes or until steaming stops. (I simply had to wait for my waffle maker to BEEP!!)

5. Carefully remove waffle. Serve immediately. Top with fresh berries. Repeat with remaining batter.

I promise that you will continue to make waffles on a regular basis as the Breville No Mess Waffle Maker really delivers.

P.S. Now it’s time for me to host a brunch with a Waffle Bar. I’m already thinking about the topping options – whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries,  raspberries, banana chips, nutella, chocolate chips, chopped pecans etc. OH MY!!

Disclosure: The waffle maker was provided to me, however all opinions are my own

Here’s a round up of a few new places to check out. After all…it’s summer so it’s the perfect time to get out there and embrace the warmer temperatures and introduce your taste buds to some new restaurants:

a) BareBurger: This is a hot hamburger chain in NYC that has recently opened their first franchise in North America. #luckytoronto. Bareburgers’ menu embraces vegan and vegetarian menus. Observers of paleo and glutenfree and low carb diets: and of course, lovers of meat, game and poultry! They are also committed to organics.

What to try? Any of their salads, a hamburger (of course) and save room for their the ice cream sandwich for dessert!!

b) Booyah Ice Cream Parlor: This new ice cream parlour just opened and it’s a few blocks from Dutch Dreams. So if you ever see 50 people in line and don’t have time to wait – you should really walk one more block and try one of their ice cream sandwiches. I tried a GRAPE NUT ice cream sandwich and was a happy camper!!

c) ZaPizzeria: This new pizza restaurant has my name all over it. I simply fell in love with their Oh Canada Pizza! (maple syrup, bacon and potato chips). This combination of sweet/salty and crunchy is exactly the type of combination that I adore. However I sampled their entire menu and seriously they were all equally tasty!!

Disclosure: I was invited to media events at BareBurger and ZaPizzeria however all opinions are my own.

For more information:

Bare Burger, 111 Dundas St. W, Toronto (647 345 2273)

Booyah Ice Cream Parlor, 16 Vaughan Road., Toronto  647-347-2001.

ZaPizzeria,, 402 Bloor St. W, 647 345-9292 

 

I stumbled across this banana cake recipe online and it intrigued me for these two reasons:

a) You bake it at 275 degrees for 1 hour and 10 min.

b) You transfer the cake right from the oven into the freezer for 45 minutes.

So I tried it and it was SO good that I made it three times in one week. Not to mention I had these two compliments;

a) my mom said it tasted similar to the Sara Lee Banana Cake (that we use to eat decades ago)

b) my aunt actually tried it and then made the recipe the following week. She’s an amazing baker so this was a huge compliment!

Here’s the recipe for you to try (in your spare time ..of course)

CRAZY BANANA CAKE WITH CREAM CHESE ICING (credit: www.happyhooligans.ca)

• 1.5 cups very ripe bananas (3 fresh bananas or 4 thawed, previously frozen bananas)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
•  3/4 cup soft butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1.5 cups buttermilk (OR milk soured with one tbsp vinegar or lemon juice….I used this method as I didn’t have buttermilk hanging around my fridge)

DIRECTIONS

Pre-heat oven to 275º F, and grease and flour (or spray), a 9×13 cake pan.

Mash banana and mix with lemon juice and set aside.

In a med bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

If you’re making your own buttermilk, combine milk and vinegar (or lemon juice) in a small bowl, and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. ( I used a mixer for this step to make it light and fluffy)
Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Stir in vanilla.

Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk.

Stir in bananas.

Pour into greased/floured (or sprayed) cake pan and bake at 275º F for 1 hour and 10 mins (or until knife comes out clean).

HERE’S THE INTERESTING STEP:

Immediately place in the freezer for 45 minutes. (if not completely cool upon removal from freezer, let cool further before icing).

No need to cover the cake, but you’ll want to place it on a thick, folded towel to protect items underneath.

FINAL RESULT:

Cream Cheese Icining: (which as you can see from the photo I did’t make as I think it’s amazing on it’s own)

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temp.
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3.5 cups icing sugar (also known as powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar)

1. Cream butter and cream cheese.
2.  Beat in vanilla and icing sugar on low until combined, then high until smooth.

Note: This makes a ton of icing so you might want to halve the recipe.

Happy Baking!!

 

 

For many years, every time I travelled to Ottawa we would stop at SUBWAY for lunch in Kingston. It was right off the highway and offered us a quick and healthy meal.

My relationship with SUBWAY continued as I recently turned 50 and served my guests a 6 ft subway. It was a HUGE hit with my guests (sorry..couldn’t resist the joke). Take a peek at this enormous box that it’s packed in!!

Not sure if you know this, but there’s a Build a Winner contest that is taking place now, that invites SUBWAY Canada fans on Facebook to build out their unique sandwich combination!

There’s weekly draws for a $100 SUBWAY cash card, and a grand prize of $1000 up for grabs.
Please click on this link for further information http://bit.ly/1Gbmdzx.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SubwayCanada

Twitter: @SubwayCanada

Hashtag; #BuildAWinner

Hope you get a chance to enter this contest soon as the contest ends May 31st, 2015!!

Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored however all my opinions are my own

 

I have a relative who rarely snacks in between meals. I kind of envy his discipline but not quite sure I could ever adopt that lifestyle! I absolutely adore “noshing” on stuff in between meals. A chunk of cheese, a few berries, a few nuts or even a few crackers will do the trick!

Notice that I’m not snacking on chocolate or ice cream? I really do prefer snacks that are savoury vs sweet. All the better if the snack is crunchy!!

Goldfish® Canada would like to invite you to share your own “snackable moments” using the hashtag #GoldfishSmiles to show them that Goldfish Crackers brings little smiles to your family.

The winning smile will win $500 and a year supply of Goldfish® Crackers to enjoy. Yes – that’s 48 packages!!

Here’s my smile!

Here’s some interesting facts about Goldfish® Crackers:

-they are BAKED with REAL cheese

-they contain no artificial colours or flavours

-they have zero trans fats

So sit back and feel good about eating your favorite snack that smiles back.

Here’s another announcement: I’m tickled pink to announce that Goldfish® Princess Crackers have now arrived. This is a limitation edition cracker so make sure to grab a pack before it’s too late.

There’s many varieties of deliciousness to choose from – try them all! Original, Chedddar, Cheddar made with Whole Grain, Cheese Trio, Colours, Pretzels, GIANT Cheddar, Flavour Blasted, Atomic BBQ, Screamin’ Salt & Vinegar, Xplosive Pizza, Xtreme Cheddar, Vanilla Cupcake Grahams, Honey Bun Grahams and Cholcolate Brownie Grahams.

In the meantime, I’m grabbing a few Goldfish® Crackers to take with me on an outing to Crawford Lake!!

 

For more information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldfishCA

Instagram: GoldfishCanada

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own.