Lately I’ve been going to yoga every Monday night at The Rock Store.  However I received an invitation to attend a Chocolate Cocktail event at Cafe CanCan (89 Harbord St) and it was no brainer to skip yoga that night.

Each cocktail featured Green & Black’s premium chocolate and I loved each one. It would actually be difficult for me to pick a favourite!!

These  unique chocolate cocktails are being served at both Cafe CanCan and PianoPiano (89 Harbord St) for a limited time only!! ( from Dec 5-21, 2017).

However if you would like to make one of these cocktails at home, here’s the recipe for the “Highland Holiday” courtesy of Chef Victor Barry for Green & Black’s.

Now if you don’t want to go out for chocolate cocktails or serving cocktails at home., please consider giving Green & Black’s as a gift during the holiday season.
These bars make an excellent sweet stocking stuffer, or tie an assortment together with a ribbon for a unique hostess gift. Bars are available in the following flavours:

White, Dark, White Chocolate, Burnt Toffee, Dark Chocolate, 70% Dark Chocolate
Milk, Ginger Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, 85% Dark Chocolate, Butterscotch Milk Chocolate, Hazelnut and Currant Dark Chocolate, Almond Milk Chocolate, Sea Salt Milk Chocolate

CHEERS!!
For more information:

Website: Green & Black’s https://www.greenandblacks.co.uk

Website; Cafe CanCan https://www.cafecancan.com

Website: PianoPiano http://www.pianopianotherestaurant.com

 

It’s that time of year to bring out the cocktail accessories and enjoy a bit of cheer during these long winter nights.

I recently attended an event that featured some pretty lovely cocktails. The one on the right was my favourite.

Its’ called The Mrs.!
To a flute glass, add:
• 1.5 oz SKYY Vodka
• .75 oz freshly squeezed lemon
• .75 oz simple syrup
• 4–5 mint leaves
Top with Prosecco and garnish with a mint sprig.

I love the story behind SKYY Vodka. It all started with the motivation by one mans’ search for a better martini. The solution was simple: Start with a better vodka. He was not only an entrepreneur but an engineer as well, who set out to create a superior tasting vodka with fewer impurities and unmatched quality.

Another cocktail I enjoyed was this:

Here’s the recipe for this cocktail!

The Wild Turkey Boulevardier
In a mixing glass, stir to chill:
• 1.5 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon
• .75 oz Campari
• .75 oz Cinzano Rosso
Pour over ice in a rocks glass or strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with orange zest

All you need is some friends, some cocktails and some appetizers! Go for it and enjoy the holiday season.

Cheers!

For more information: 

Instagram/Twitter: @WildTurkeyCanada @SKYYCanada

Hashtag: #CampariCanada

I had the opportunity to visit the PC Insiders Collection Boutique last week, which is located at 363 King St. W (at the corner of Blue Jays Way and King St. W).  I had been following the hashtag #PCInsidersBoutique on Instagram so I had an idea what I was visiting but it was SO much better to experience it.

Here’s 5 Reasons You Should Visit the PC Insiders Boutique:

1. There are 4 rooms and one room is nicer than the other.  I actually heard that they’ve been decorating the space since August. There’s 4 rooms in total with a theme of Dine, Brunch, Mingle and Gift.

This “Gift” Room put a smile on my face in a nano-second.

2. You will be treated to yummy samples.  Specifically you will sample the PC® Insiders Collection™ line of products!!

The Boutique features more than 70 new and innovative products that have been launched for the holiday season.  Here’s an example of some of the treats you will sample:

Black Forest Stuffed French Toast made with PC® The Decadent® Chocolate Cherry Loaf and the indulgent PC® Poutine Pie, along with new treats like PC® Speculoos Cookie Butter. You won’t be left disappointed.

3. It’s FREE. #sweet

4. It’s a fun activity to put you in the mood for the holidays.

5. You will go home with a gift!!

So head on over to 363 King St. W (corner of King St. W and Blue Jays Way) to experience the PC® Insiders Collection™ line of products in person at the President’s Choice® Insiders Collection™ Boutique. Please note that the Boutique closes on Dec 18th. So Hurry!!

For more information:

Website: www.pc.ca, www.loblaws.ca

Facebook: President’s Choice

Twitter & Instagram: @PresChoice #PCInsidersCollection

I love Egg Nog, but it’s not exactly the healthiest beverage. Therefore I found a few alternatives to help me with my obsession during the holiday season!

Here’s what was in my fridge last week: (used the past tense seeing as it’s all in my tummy now)

a) Harmony Premium Organic Egg Nog: Notice how I bought the small bottle? It was a hard decision but my waistline knows it was the right decision. This is not your average egg nog. Its ORGANIC and it’s local and it’s delicious. Add some Kraken Black Spiced Rum and your in business!! PS the one litre bottle of Harmony Egg Nog makes a great hostess gift over the next few weeks #justsayin’

b) So Delicious Chocolate Mint Coconut Beverage: This drink satisfies all my cravings for mint and chocolate. I finished it off in no time at all seeing as it’s great for my waistline. Full disclosure: sometimes it didn’t even make it into a glass. Bonus: I don’t need a lactose pill!! 

c) Earth’s Own Almond Fresh Noel Nog – This drink was light and refreshing. Once again I kept returning to the fridge for more!

Sadly all three beverages are only available during the holiday season so make sure you stock up!

Cheers for now,

Momwhoruns who runs for Egg Nog!!

It’s a new year which is code (for me) for checking out some new recipes! So here are 3 recipes that I want to share with you that I recently tried. I hope you like them as much as I did.

a) PERSIMON MIXED SALAD:

I was recently introduced to PERSIMONS for the first time in decades. This particular variety from Spain has completely changed my mind about this gorgeous looking fruit. They have a sweet, delicate flavour similar to a peach or a mango and are only available for a short period; usually from mid-October until January/February. I think their limited availability makes them even more special, which is why you must seize the opportunity when they are in market!

Here’s a fabulous salad that I whipped up one night wtih just a few ingredients that were hanging around my fridge.

For more information about this fabulous fruit: www.persimonsays.com, Twitter: @PersimonSays

INGREDIENTS:

-Salad Mix

–Persimon

-Toasted almonds

-Pomegranate

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

2. For the dressing: take the pomegranate juice, add oil, dijon mustard and salt and pepper. Whisk together.

FINAL PRODUCT

b) APPETIZER: Mediterranean Ricotta fritters

I couldn’t believe how easy this recipe was to make. I will be making these again but probably going to add a different topping. ie fresh sasla or a spicy ailoli or mango chutney or a pesto. Clearly this a versatile recipe!! ps if you are looking for more amazing recipes please check out www.dairygoodness.ca

INGREDIENTS

1 egg

1 cup Canadian Ricotta

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp nutmeg

salt and pepper

1 cup Canadian Swiss Cheese, grated

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1 tsp black or green olive tapenada

2 tablespoons fresh herbs..ie parsley and/or chives

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F

2. In a bowl, whisk egg with Ricotta, flour and nutmeg. Season generously with salt and pepper. Incorporate Swiss Cheese and half the herbs

3. Drop small spoonfuls of dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven on top rack for 10 to 12 minutes or until fritters are puffed up and golden brown.

4. Place fritters in wonton soup spoons (which I own of course..LOL), with hot tomato sauce, tapenade and remaining herbs.

FINAL PRODUCT

c) DESSERT: Cherry Vanilla Blintzes (recipe from Food Network courtesy Wayne Harley Brachman)

I generally buy blintzes from a box but I was in the mood to make something from scratch and came upon the recipe while searching on the internet. It’s a winner. Next time I’m going to make a blueberry filling though!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
3 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons melted butter
Nonstick vegetable spray

Cherry Filling:

1/2 cup dried cherries
1/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
1 -teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/2 scraped vanilla bean
2 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg
1 pound (2 cups) farmer’s cheese, pot cheese or cottage cheese

DIRECTIONS

Put the milk, water, eggs, and flour into a food processor or blender and process until smooth, about 10 seconds. If necessary, scrape down any solids that stick to the sides. Add the butter and process for a few more seconds to blend. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours or overnight. (I let it sit overnight)

Set a 10-inch, non-stick crepe pan over moderately high heat, then spray with non-stick vegetable spray. When the pan is hot, remove the pan from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of batter, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes and lightly browned. Set aside on a plate, cooked side up, and continue with the remainder of the batter.

To make the Cherry Filling:
In a small saucepan, cover the cherries with water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and let rest. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and egg until blended. Gently mix in the pot, farmer or cottage cheese. Drain the cherries and fold in.

Place 2 tablespoons of Cherry Filling in the lower center of the blintz. Fold up once from the bottom then fold over the sides. Roll up the rest of the way. Repeat with the rest. Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan. In 4 small batches, fry the blintzes fold side down until golden brown. Gently flip to fry the other side. Serve with sour cream or yogurt.

FINAL PRODUCT:

Happy Cooking!!

There is something about the month of January that just screams “TREAT YOURSELF” and I  have the perfect secret to share with you on how to achieve this – without breaking the bank!!

I recently discovered a new program called Gift Card Offers that is powered by Samba Days. It’s a gift card program that offers an array of gift cards for various highly rated restaurants, spas, services, products for  15 to 38% percent off the face card value. The cards have no blackout periods, do not expire and can carry a balance. (oh how I love these flexible conditions).

This blog post might be a little late but I know a good chunk of you are still out there buying Christmas gifts or hostess gifts. So here’s a few ideas if you are looking to buy a “foodie” the perfect gift!!

Twelve Ounce Ladles: This ladle ensures your host/hostess isn’t double dipping all the time as he/she serves soups to their guests. Put a bow around it and you are set to go. It’s brilliant and my friends still thank me to this day for this gift. Head to Nella Cucina (876 Bathurst  St) for these ladles.

Sloane Teas: This line of tea is outstanding. The packaging and the varieties will impress your foodie friends. Available at numerous fine food stores.

A Chocolate iPhone Case: This is perfect for the foodie that loves their iPhone and loves chocolate. I spotted these at All the Best Fine Foods (1101 Yonge St).

A Cutting Board: This is perfect for foodies. I spotted this in Yorkville at the paper store called Paper Things (99 Yorkville Ave)

Candles:  The Gap is selling candles in a variety of interesting scents: (repeat – INTERESTING)  Black Pepper, Tomato, Grapefruit, and more. $29

Samba Days: An amazing concept! You simply buy a Samba Days Gourmet Getaway card and the recipient of this card gets to choose from a variety of amazing gourmet getaway packages. I love this idea.

Anything from the Good Egg store!! (267 Augusta Avenue). Seriously, it’s hard to go into this store and come out empty handed.

Taste of the Month from Taste of Cheese. The recipient of this gift will receive a box of  5 unique cheeses once a month. This is a cheese lovers dream!!

Laura Slack chocolates. Not your average chocolates. She is a true artist.  Please Please…visit her website.

So have I provided you with enough ideas? I hope so.

Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays too!!