This is how I prepare to go to Toronto’s Festival of Beer (pay attention, there is some good advice here):

a) I wear Beer Glasses.

b) I arrive at 4 p.m. on Friday Aug, 5th.

I’m not fond of crowds. Simple as that.

c) I go to the bathroom BEFORE I get there.

Sorry..not interested in using porta- potties if I don’t have to.

d) I bring cash – it’s just easier

e) I take the TTC- its just smarter!!

On Friday I will be giving away  TWO pairs of beer glasses!! (goggles?)  Make sure you read my tweets on Friday…just follow me on twitter: @momwhoruns.

PS this is going to be a great weekend. I’m going to Toronto’s Festival of Beer on Friday and the Rogers Cup on Sunday at York University. What more could I ask for?

Fact: I have been eating spaghetti with browned butter and mizithra cheese at the Old Spaghetti Factory for a long long time. It’s a very unique dish that you wouldn’t normally find in an Italian restaurant but I love it. How would I describe Mizithra cheese?  Here’s your answer:  very dry and very salty. To be honest, I’m not sure I have had Mizithra cheese outside of the Old Spaghetti Factory!! But I love it.

I recently took my daughter for lunch to the  Old Spaghetti Factory and noticed that they are about to celebrate their 40th anniversary. I started to tell her that I have been eating the same dish there since I was about her age and how unusual it is to see the the same dish on a menu for that length of time.

I remember going to the Spaghetti Factory quite a bit as a kid.  Time passes (ok decades) where I didnt go back to the Old Spaghetti Factory. However a few years ago we had visitors and thought that it would be a fun restaurant to take them too. I have to admit, not much had changed. The same stained window lamps and the lovely train is still there for those diners lucky enough to snap up a table.

Back then (i.e 1970), it was  a big deal to have a meal that included a salad, sourdough bread, coffee/tea and spumoni ice cream, at no additional cost.  It’s still a nice treat – even today!! It made me smile to see the same whipped garlic butter and regular butter appear with the sourdough bread as well as the spumoni ice cream. Nothing has changed!!

I went on their website (like a good food blogger) and noticed that they had locations in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. The one I went to as a kid was in Ottawa. I remember it like it was yesterday. Sadly it has been closed for many years.

In honor of their 40th anniversary, on Monday Aug. 22nd, the Toronto location (54 The Esplanade) will be offering spaghetti entrees at their 1971 prices!!

Think about it: what restaurants (not fast food) have you been visiting since you were a kid that still has the same dish on the menu?

Do share.

I discovered this recipe in 2008 on the Oprah website and have been using it ever since. This dish is truly packed with flavor because you cook the quinoa in carrot juice and not water. Plus the addition of nutmeg gives it a certain punch.

I also love this recipe because it contains all the right elements for a perfect side dish:

• you just need a few ingredients
• it’s got a ton of flavor
• there’s just a few steps i.e its’ easy to make
• oh so healthy

Ingredients:

1 cup of quinoa, rinsed

1/4 tsp olive oil (I didn’t measure but I’m sure I used more)

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped zucchini

2 cups of bottled carrot juice  (I used Bolthouse)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper.

Instructions:

Heat a saucepan, and toast the quinoa. Transfer to a bowl. Set aside.

Heat a frying pan, and add olive oil. Add onion, celery, and zucchini. Cook till the vegetables are soft.

Stir in the carrot juice. Bring to a low boil. Stir in the quinoa, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer until liquid has been absorbed and quinoa is tender. About 25 – 30 minutes.

NOTE:  I put the quinoa and the carrot juice in the rice cooker!! It works brilliantly. Here’s  a picture of my beloved rice cooker.

So much is happening in the world of stores/products these days, who are catering to those with food allergies.  I would like to share some exciting “gluten free” news flashes with you in this blog post.

GOOD BYE GLUTEN…GBG:

A new store opened up recently  called Goodbye Gluten in North Toronto. ( 2066 Avenue Road to be exact). The store is stunning and has a full range of gluten free items. Everything from dry goods, (ie Gluten Free Pebbles), to frozen goods, to freshly prepared goods. I’m sure the neighborhood is delighted that this store opened up.

BETTY CROCKER GLUTEN FREE  CAKE MIXES:

This is truly amazing news that Betty Crocker has introduced a gluten free cake mix. I made it tonite and no one said anything except “Can I have another slice”. LOL.

NUT’N GLUTEN:

Nut’N Gluten is located near Wonderland (3120  Rutherford Rd Unit 17). It has everything one would need and the service is amazing.

There is no question, that more and more people are discovering that they are gluten sensitive or have a gluten allergy. I went out for lunch a few months ago and all 3 off us had some type of food allergy. Two of us were lactose intolerant and the other person needed a gluten free option.

Years ago, when visiting NYC, my friend and I had dinner at Risotteria in the East Village (270 Bleeker St). It was packed with people who were seeking a gluten free restaurant. I thought it was a brilliant concept and I’m sure one day we will see a restaurant like that in Toronto. In the meantime, congratulations to restaurants like Milestones, Il Fornello, Magic Oven, The Burgers Priest and Yes to Fresh who have gluten free options for guests.

Have you noticed that more and more people have gluten allergies? Have you noticed more and more restaurants that have gluten free options?

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog are my own.

I came across blk at the Fancy Food Show. It wasnt hard to notice the black booth, the black tshirts the booth staff were wearing or the BLACK water! I actually  had to look twice at the product – was that really black water? Indeed it was.

Of course I had to stop and ask for a sample and to find out more. Right?

I learned that blk is a Fulvic Enriched Mineral Water. The water is black as it’s from a natural spring that has been enriched with fulvic acid. (which is a plant derivative)

I also found out that blk  contains Canadian Spring Water, has fulvic acid,  is low in acidity, pure, certified kosher and the bottle is 100% rPet recyclable.

What makes blk different? (besides the color..LOL) It’s full of electrolytes, and contains 75 traces of minerals and powerful antioxidants. Clearly not your average glass of water!!

Today is going to be A HOT Day…and guess who will be drinking blk? I only have one bottle (boo), but I hope that this company found some Canadian Distributors while at the Fancy Food Show.  The website indicates that you can buy it at Wegmans (in the States) but I’m sure you will be seeing this drink in more stores soon.

Hope everyone is drinking lots of water today – black or clear!!!

My mom lives in Ottawa and I live in Toronto, therefore to meet in Kingston for  a weekend, is ideal. We did it last year and said we would do it again so we did. Exactly one year later!!

We stayed at the lovely Four Points Sheraton both last year and this year. We love the location, the service and the spacious updated rooms.

As for the meals. We repeated the same meals too.!!

We had dinner at Lukes Gastronomy again and have no regrets about eating there two years in a row. We love his creativity, his commitment to using local ingredients, the presentation, and his use of flavors. Luke is a 20 year old self taught chef and he is certainly a chef to be watching!!

I had a main course that was out of this world called “Fields of Jamnagar”: curry, mango, lassi, coconut, tomato, rasam, lentil, rice and lime pickle.

For dessert, we split the “testosterone”: vanilla tobbaco, scotch, coffee, and honey dates. I received a tweet from @mattkantor saying I should try the “estrogen” but we had the testosterone last year and I’m simply in love with this dessert. It’s nothing short of brilliant.

On our trip to Sandbanks we make sure to stop off at Schroeder’s Bakery for some home made donuts. I read about it on Chowhound and put this on my list of  “where to eat”. LOL.  We also made sure to stop into Buddhas Dog where we were treated to some whoopie pies and where we bumped into @laurenendorphin and her hubby. Small world.

On the beach, we needed dinner, so we picked up some sandwiches from Panchancho Bakery on our way out of Kingston and we werent disappointed. (we did the same thing last year….do you see a pattern here?). Not to mention, we had a pain au chocolat for the drive to Sandbanks, that was perfect. (i.e I’m so glad I dont live in Kingston..LOL)

After a long day at the beach, we were in despearate need of  a beer. The Sizzle Restaurant and Bar, which was convenientely located at the bottom of the Four Points Sheraton…came to our rescue. We both enjoyed a Shock Top Belgian White Beer. Infact I enjoyed it so much, I had two!!

On our last day, we enjoyed a sit down breakfast at Panchancho. We both ordered the same thing (like mother like daughter). A fennel/apple salad that was accompanied by a horseradish egg salad with smoked salmon on top of a slice of St. Johns bread. We demolished it.

My mom and I, plan to repeat the same weekend next year. Same hotel. Same restaurants. There is no need to mix things up!!

Info:

Lukes Gastronomy:  26 Princess, Kingston

Pan Chancho Bakery: 44 Princess St, Kingston

Buddhas Dog: 172 Main St, Picton

Schroeder’s Bakery: corner of hwy 62 and country road 1 (just outside of Picton)

Four Points Sheraton: 285 King St. East, Kingston

It wasnt an easy decision, but I drove to Washington last week instead of flying.  I dont regret that decision for a minute. There is something to be said about “road trips”.  For example I got to discover a beach on the way there and a small city on the way back.

On the way down to Washington, I stopped off at Presqule Ilse in Erie PA. I love beaches and this one is magnificent. I was so tempted to return there on the way back it wasn’t funny. Thats how nice it was. The beach is quiet, there’s lifeguards, the sand is gorgeous, and the water is clear and calm. What more could you ask for?

When I arrived in Washington, it was too hot to walk around (in my humble opinion). I waited till I went out for dinner and drinks to kinda explore and take photos.

Where did I eat dinner? Ben’s Chili Bowl because it’s cheap and cheerful and FAMOUS. As in line ups. But that’s ok – I was on vacation!! I had a veggie chili with chopped onions and cheese and it was just perfect.

Where did I drink? First drink…PS7….plymouth gin, gran classico, dolin vermouth and salted ice. I was happy.

Second drink…The Passenger…fernet, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and a whole egg. Once again – I was happy.

On my way out of the city I passed Georgetown Cupcake and HAD to stop, despite a line up of 10 people standing outside in the heat at 3 p.m!! (I’m sure we were all tourists). I chose a honey banana cupcake and it was worth standing in line for.

I decided to cut the journey in half by stopping in Altoona. Dont ask me why!! It was kinda out of my way. (clearly I didnt look at a map). Altoona had a Target – so I was happy. On the way OUT – I heard on the radio that the Food Network was there to film a segment for “The Best thing I Ever Ate” at Anthonys Pizza and Grill. Apparently they serve a famous Rum Cake.  I was so pissed that I heard this ON MY WAY OUT of the city. GRRR.

I have already marked in my calendar that the fancy food show is June 17-19, 2012. Guess who will be repeating the exact itinerary?

I love having parties. I’ve had Canada Day Parties, Sex and the City Parties,Going Away Parties, Birthday Parties, and more. I use to throw a party a few times a year, and loved planning the two major components of throwing a party:

• WHAT TO DRINK...
• WHAT TO EAT….

I think by now,  you know what  I would serve for the “drink” component. Hint: Beer and Scotch.

WHAT TO EAT….

I would serve a variety of snacks.(savoury not sweet).  I would put out a variety of the usual snacks (i.e pretzels, chips, nuts, popcorn etc)  and serve some dips as well. Here is one of my all time favorite dips for a party: It was so popular that I started to make two of these platters at each party.

TACO PIE

Ingredients:

3/4 of a brick of cream cheese ( I bought the light version)

1 cup cottage cheese (I bought the full fat version…i.e 4 %)

1 cup Old El Paso Salsa

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2  cup shredded lettuce

scallions to garnish

Directions:

1.Combine the cream cheese and the cottage cheese together, till smooth. (this is the hardest part).

2. Spread onto a serving dish.

3. Spread an even layer of salsa on top.

4. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese.

5. Sprinkle the shredded lettuce.

5. Garnish with scallions.

6. Decorate with nachos around the perimeter of the serving dish.

END RESULT:

As I’m writing this blog entry,  I’m thinking I should have a party before the summer is over…I would serve the watermelon martinis, the cucumber lemonade (with vodka of course), taco pie, chex mix (that I just bought in the US), these new pretzels I’m in love with, fresh fruit, and more.

What do you think? Are you having a party this summer?

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog are my own.

You are probably saying “what is Vicky up to now?”. Here’s your answer:  I am eating my way thru the Fancy Food Show in Washington DC!! The Fancy Food Show is North America’s largest Specialty Food Show that features 180,000 products, 2,400 exhibitors from 80 countries and 24,000 attendess! Naturally I brought flat shoes and outfits with no waistbands!!

The show is taking place NOW (which is why this blog post will be short). It started on July 10 and will end on the 12th however I will be leaving today so that I can take my time driving home (this is code for: I will be stopping to shop at Target and Wegmans).

Wish I could write more, but another 1000 booths are waiting for me!! In the meantime, here’s some photos:

I have no idea how I got introduced to the Halumi Sandwiches at Aroma Espresso Bar but it’s the only thing I have eaten there , despite knowing that their salads are fantastic too. I also enjoy their coffee, but once in a while I crave their Halumi Sandwich.

I have a feeling that I like this sandwich so much cause no one else makes it!! If I had to break it down even further, I would say that Aroma has all the right elements for making this sandwich perfect:

-unique ingredients (halumi, a pickle, lettuce, tomato)

-the right thickness of FRESH bread (white, multigrain or whole wheat).

I have been to a few Aroma locations in the GTA (thanks to the perks of being a sales rep!!) – the Promenade Shopping Centre, Bloor St, Yonge/Eglinton and Rutherford Plaza too. Next on my list is to visit their latest location at Don Mills Centre. I like the space and feel of Aroma so much that I once inquired about renting the Bloor St. location for a party (it was declined – but that’s ok – we rented Steam Whistle and had a great party there).

So next time you are looking for a unique sandwich – check out Aroma Espresso Bar, K?

Locations:

Aroma Espresso Bar  500 Bloor St. W.

Aroma  Espresso Bar 2300 Yonge St (Yonge/Eglinton)

Aroma Espresso Bar  1090 Don Mills (Don Mills Centre)

Aroma Espresso Bar  9320 Bathurst (Rutherford Plaza)

Aroma  Espresso Bar 121 King St. West (Standard Life Building)

I hear buzz that an Aroma is opening in Forest Hill Village. Stay Tuned!!