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?

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.

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!!

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.