I was strolling through Loblaws and noticed a pomegranate machine that helps de-seed that beautiful (but annoying) fruit.

I took a photo and tweeted…”has anyone seen this machine? does it work?”.

To my surprise, a handful of people responded.

So guess who went running back to The Superstore in my neighborhood later that nite? ME.

I bought the pomegranate machine ($5.99)  and two pomegranates and  ran home to test it out. (I know  I know, I have too much time on my hands).

I got home and followed the simple and easy instructions.

a) take off the crown and slice the pomegranate in half.

b) place the pomegranate on the plastic gizmo with holes (flat side down)

c) put the rubber dome on top.

How Simple!!

d) get a spoon and bang bang bang a few times

e) VOILA – pomegranate without the MESS.

OH HOW I LOVE Kitchen Gadgets.

So Good For You!!

Especially ones that cost $5.99 and WORK.

I went back to Loblaws to buy 5 more (I have a few foodie freinds..LOL) and sadly they didnt have it in that particular store. Will need to return to the store in my neighborhood to grab them before they are out of stock.

Happy Kitchen Gadgets!!

For further info: Check out the Pomegranate Tool website

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It’s that time of year again, when my family inhales consumes latkes. Trust me, I’m not complaining. I love latkes. Everyone does! Here’s the recipe that I have been using for close to 20 years. It’s adapted from Still Life with Menu Cookbook by Molly Katzen.

The reason I prefer this recipe is due to her secret trick: you parboil the pototoes.

Let’s start from the beginning K?

(my mom would be proud that I really tried hard to get peel off ALL of the skin!

9 yellow potaotes – peeled

the cusinart does a great job of grating - no fuss, no muss

Grate them in a cusinart. (or by hand)

Then, take the grated potatoes and put them in boiling water and par boil for 10 minutes.

RINSE under cold water – (this takes a bit of time cause you want the potatoes to be cool for the next step) and squeeze out the excess water.

Place the grated par boiled potatoes in a bowl, along with 4 eggs and 3/4 flour, and salt.

Last step..simple eh?

Place dollops of  the mixture on a heated griddle with vegetable oil. I love using my griddle for latkes for two reasons 1. you  dont have to use a lot of oil 2. you  get to make a lot of latkes at a time.

so simple...I swear.

FINISHED RESULT..

ready to be inhaled...with sour cream or applesauce.

I love Chanuka don’t you?

For those of you looking for last minute gifts, please check out this guest blog entry I wrote for Everything Mom.

Happy Chanuka and Happy Cooking.

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Look at this variety of ketchup!!

I came home from Florida with Ketchup. Ok..I will admit, I also brought back beer and mustard. But today’s focus is all about KETCHUP.

a) Ketchup with no salt (Heinz)

b) Ketchup with reduced sugar (Heinz)

c) Organic Ketchup (Heinz)

d) Ketchup with no high fructose corn syrup (Hunt’s)

When I saw the variety of ketchup on the shelves at Publix…I said “hmmm..Ive blogged before on mustards, I should blog about all these ketchups”.

When I returned back to Toronto, uut came the veggie nuggets and we did a taste test. The results: They all kinda tasted the same. One word that came to mind: tangy. I wish I had a more sophisticated palate. I really do. I might have to do this test taste again!!! Anyone interested?

My Mom and I...enjoying the taste test

Despite the results of the taste test…I’m thrilled that Heinz and Hunt’s  are listening to customers.  How awesome.

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My luck, I had two events in the same building on the same evening. How awesome is that?

Originally I had planned on just going to the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo. But then, I found out I had won a ticket to go see Jamie Oliver!! How sweet is that? I was a happy camper. (thanks to @mybindi)

I have attended the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo for YEARS. (this doesn’t come as a surprise to you, does it?). Every year, I promise myself that Im going to try try new wines and every year I end up drinking beer!!  This year, was a little different. I had THREE  samples of beers and ONE  sample of wine. (I’m a big time drinker, can you tell?).

I discovered a gluten free beer from Nickelbrook brewery, that will soon be on the shelves of your local LCBO. This is exciting news.

I also stopped by to say hi (and to drink beer)  at the Creemore booth and the Beaus booth.

As for the wine: I did infact have a glass at the Muskoka Lakes Winery booth. That was the only glass of wine that I sampled. What is wrong with me?…(don’t answer that question).

As for the food: I had a wonderful cheese platter from Taste of Cheese. It was  a perfect combination and I was happy that I found them. What’s a gourmet food show, without a cheese platter?

All in all it was a great night. I enjoyed beer, wine, cheese AND meeting lots of twitter friends. Here’s the list: @pronosher @foodie411 @zoltanszabo @SaraBHood @M3Foods @CdnFoodieGirl @JenniferBlylok @kalaofagas @MirandaAK @strub_pickleman @sweetescapes.

NEXT EVENT: Jamie Oliver.

I must admit, I only went for about 45 minutes. I missed the introduction and only went for the question and answer period and watched his cooking demonstration.

The hall was packed with 3,000 people. Clearly Jamie Oliver is a celebrity chef!!!

He is definitely entertaining, passionate about food, committed to local food, and charming too!!

But I was still hungry and thirsty, so I returned back to the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo. Me Bad.!!!

Four hours flew by!!! A fun evening – that’s for sure.

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Could life get any better?

I decided to wake up with a Tim Hortons coffee before my body pump class. Sure enough, I REALLY WOKE UP when I saw this sign:  We  accept Interact/Debit Now. Thanks.

HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

I immediately got out my iPhone and tweeted: Great News: Tim Hortons now accepting Interac and Debit cards. Within an hour – there were 10 replies: “thats the best news” “what took them so long” “Ive been complaining about  that for years” “I don’t have to read the Sunday paper anymore” “finally, for real, would have been helpful in uni”, “for real?” etc etc etc.

There were only two comments that this might slow down the lines. But generally everyone was THRILLED.

Later in the day, I returned to take a photo of the sign and asked to speak to the owner. The nephew of the owner returned my call,  and told me that at the moment the six stores they operate/own, now have these signs but in about 2 weeks, 90 percent of the stores will be converted too.

The location of those six stores: Bathurst/Drewry, Promenade Food Court, Wilson Heights/Shepherd, Yonge/John St, Yonge/Steeles, Bathurst and Finch!

However a friend told me that the Tim Hortons at Victoria Square in Richmond Hill also accepted Interac.

Bottom Line: go visit your local Tim Hortons!!

Enjoy this new service. I know I will.

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As a sales rep, I’m always visiting accounts throughout the GTA. One day as I’m parking at the Rutherford Marketplace Plaza, I noticed  a sign –  “MENCHIES” Frozen Yogurt. I walked in, shmoozed with the owner, took a few photos (as always) and knew that I would be returning with my daughter. (who is the queen of frozen yogurt!)

I took Rebecca on Monday night and the place was hopping for a business that just opened a month ago!!

The sales clerk immediately asked us if we had been there before, and then explained how it works:

a) you help yourself to samples of the frozen yogurt. It’s self serve and little paper cups are provided. Flavors rotate regularly but that night this was our selection: cake batter, pumpkin, chocoolate banana, pina colada, irish mint, green apple tart and more. We weren’t complaining!

A Winner.

b) after you decide  which flavor, (WHICH IS NOT EASY) you take a container and fill as much or as little as you want.  Genius concept:  you pay per weight. (49 cents an ounce)

c) you then proceed to the toppings bar and take as many toppings as you want. Toppings included: cinnamon toast crunch, reeses puffs, gummy worms, nerds, flax seed, granola, cashews, walnuts, and many many more!! (i.e over 40 toppings are available)

d) proceed to pay

Menchie’s has a lot going for it…the frozen yogurt is delicious, but we liked the inviting space as well.

There’s chairs, stools, a fireplace, and even a chalk board to leave messages. Sarah Richardson would approve!!

What’s exciting is Menchie’s is opening a second location on Sat. November 6th at 511 Bloor St. West.

On that note, welcome to Toronto Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. We are delighted that you are here!!

You got a thumbs up!!

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It was a busy week!! As you know I went to the Canadian Health Food Expo on Sunday. Then on Monday morning, I was checking twiiter (for a change) and noticed a tweet from @savvari “Anyone else going to Grocery Innovations today”?. Had I not seen her tweet..I would have missed the show!! I had no idea it was taking place.

Several hours later…I was at the Canadian Congress Centre, strolling (happily) thru the aisles looking at new product. I was in my element, once again.

Here’s a few products that caught my interest:

yes? no? maybe?

Sadly I did not get the chance to taste it. However it certainly caught my attention. What do you think?…

The next item makes me VERY VERY happy. Dempster’s has come out with a KOSHER bread. This is HUGE news for those who keep a kosher kitchen and have to go to a kosher bakery to get bread. Now you can find kosher bread in your local grocery store. Dempster’s has made my day!!  All you have to do is preheat the oven to 400 degrees, put the bread on the rack, and 8 minutes later….warm delicious bread. How awesome is that?

Im also a huge fan of butter  so when I noticed a new butter from Cows Creamery…I was ecstatic. It not only has a higher butter fat ratio but it has the addition of sea salt to it. Heaven.

Heaven.

This product caught my attention too…SEXY dressing. I tweeted about this product and the name certainly got peoples attention.

I love clever marketing and packaging.

Sexy dressing for your salad!!

Next shows that I will be (happily) visiting: The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo and The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

Stay Tuned.

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I seem to have been attending food shows for as long as I can remember. Its a great chance to discover new products and it’s a great way to notice food trends and meet others in the food industry too.

On Sunday, I attended the Canadian Health Food Expo with an empty stomach so I could enjoy a sample (or two..or three..or four…hee hee).

Here’s a look at a few of the new products I discovered:

love the marketing campaign!!

The product is called POPCORNERS.…The New Shape of Popcorn. It’s actually triangular in shape!! (perfect for scooping).Why do I love it? let’s see…a) it tastes great b) its all natural, gluten free c) its kosher d) only 8 % fat per serving e) available in 3 flavors: butter, sea salt and kettle.

Now here’s an interesting beverage:

The owners with their new product!

It’s called KIKI…and its maple sweet water. Interesting concept – that’s for sure. It’s 100% natural, no additives, no preservatives, and contains over 80 nutrients. What’s really cool is that a 473 ml bottle only has 55 calories. Now that’s sweet!! (sorry – I couldn’t resist)

Finally: A new veggie burger.

Great tasting veggie burger

I’ve met the owner of Sol Cuisine at food shows for the last fifteen years.  Now there is an new addition to their line up: A mushroom rice burger – that is indeed very tasty. I’m always looking for new veggie burgers for the family and I certainly will be buying this new flavor.

As for Trends. Here’s what  I noticed:

-COCONUT water was EVERYWHERE.  I even saw coconut milk (not the canned stuff – this one was in a carton like normal milk)

-GLUTEN FREE products were EVERYWHERE

I had a lot of fun walking thru the aisles and of course, when I got home, the kids loved the samples!!

Happy Grocery Shopping!!!

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I have been using the same pancake recipe for a long long time and everyone has been happy.

But last weekend, I was in Ottawa at the Landsdowne Farmers Market and came across a vendor (Castor River Farms) selling oats, oat flour, and other grains. I stopped and noticed a recipe for oatmeal pancakes. I was intrigued so I purchased oats and the oat flour that I needed for the recipe.

Oats and Oat Flour

I returned home and made the oatmeal pancakes for dinner. Actually I made two batches. One batch was made with the FRESH oats from the vendor at the farmers market and one batch was made with the Quaker Oats bag from my pantry.

I asked three people to tell me which one was the one with the FRESH OATS…two out of three got it right.The texture was chewier, the pancake was denser and all in all it was better tasting pancake.

Oatmeal Pancakes

I love taste tests…we have compared real oreos vs. fake oreos, organic milk vs. non organic milk and now the oatmeal pancakes. The kids think I’m nuts. (but in a good way).

Here’s the recipe for Oatmeal Pancakes:

1 1/2 cups of freshly rolled oats

2 cups of milk (dairy, soy or almond)

1 cup oat flour

1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp baking powder

1 egg, beaten

1/4 oil

Let oats and milk sit for at least 10 minutes. Mix ingredients 3-7 together, then add to oatmeal mixture. Add egg and oil and mix well. Makes 10-12 pancakes. Note: They are very filling

This recipe is from Castor River Farms, 2696 9th Line road, Metcalfe.

They are a regular vendor at the Ottawa Landsdowne Farmers Market where I will be returning, to buy more oats!!

Happy Pancakes!!

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Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the new Longos near the Air Canada Centre. That’s right, a 45,000 square foot grocery store is right in the smack of downtown Toronto.

The first thing that you notice is that the place is buzzing with staff, with customers, with suppliers, with head office  “suits”, etc. The second thing you notice is that there is prepared foods EVERYWHERE.

If I worked near by, I would be buying my salad there everyday.

Healthy Lunch Options.

I would hang out by the fire, on the leather couches, enjoying free wi-fi and a coffee.

A perfect place to drink coffee.

I would even consider having a beer or a glass of wine at the bar.

Wine or Beer is served at Corks.

They have thought of everything!! I was so impressed.

Naturally I bought some beautiful kumquats and some other items so I could take advantage of the free parking if you purchase $30 0r more. Hey Longos…my pleasure to buy some groceries there. The produce was beautiful.

I will end this blog entry by saying “congratulations” to Longos for building a grocery store that will really appeal to the residents who live in condos nearby and to those office workers who work downtown.

Not to mention the fans who go to the ACC for hockey games or to concerts will also love Longos.

You won’t be disappointed.

Happy Grocery Shopping.

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