Sweets & Meats

Electric Mud

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:51:00 -0400

As if the owners of Grand Electric wern’t busy enough maintaining their Parkdale taco spot, they can now add smokehouse to their list. Electric Mud is their new project, serving southern inspired BBQ food, around the corner from Grand Electric.

I personally loved the ambiance, which receives mixed reviews by other critics and visitors. Inside is very tiny, casual and kind of rustic and edgy with 80’s beer advertisements on the wall. The patio is what really excites me. Picnic tables, and outdoor lights strung above gave it a very summer BBQ, backyard vibe. We did go with another couple and were seated beside two other diners, which was a little cramped, but nothing to get upset about.

Now onto the food. To start, I ordered the Sweet Tea which was iced tea spiked with bourbon, which was pretty strong, but a nice touch. We started with a salad of shoots, greens, radishes, jalapenos, green onions, crispy fried pieces of I’m not sure what, tossed in a creamy buttermilk dressing. It was a fresh start to our rather indulgent meal. Speaking of indulgent, next was fried chicken. Since each dish is rather small, it is meant to be shared, which makes eating only one small piece of fried chicken feel okay. It was incredibly moist on the inside, crispy on the outside, with the perfect coating and honey and tobasco drizzle.

As for sides, we chose the potato salad, coleslaw, and collard greens. Each were a refreshing addition, which a nice tang from the coleslaw, creaminess from the potato salad, and unexpected spice from the collard greens.

We decided to try something different and order the catfish sandwich, which was a wonderful decision. Blackened catfish topped with some sort of mayo sauce, yellow peppers, shredded lettuce, and the best part-potato chips! This sandwich was incredibly flavourful, we debated ordering another.

The star of the show was definitely the brisket sandwich. Tender, juicy, medium cooked thin slices of brisket on a soft bun topped with fried onion strings and green onions was seriously one of the best things we have eaten in a long time. This is a drip-down-your-arm kind of sandwhich. The juice from the meat and the creamy drizzle of sauce work oh so nicely together. Since this was so mouthwatering, the boys decided to order another one at the end, and us girls chose dessert instead (with a few bites of brisket of course!)

Our friends ordered the pork ribs and since we don’t eat pork, we believe them when they say they were fall off the bone, and quite tasty, topped with green onions and peanuts.

The beef rib comes with one rib, which Jonty and I shared because it was quite large. It tasted so smoky and sweet, and the meat was incredibly juicy as well.

Banana cream pie for dessert!!! It was more of a parfait than a pie, since had a graham cracker crust and was layered with creamy banana-y goodness and banana chunks , topped with whipped cream. Oh my. This was unreal. It was so unreal that we ordered another one. Along with our second one we ordered their pralines and cream soft serve ice cream. It was the best ending to an incredible meal.

Electric Mud is the perfect place to come if you are looking for an indulgent, flavourful meal, which is even better when the sun is shining down on the outdoor patio.

Los Angeles Part 2

Tue, 28 May 2013 13:36:00 -0400

Feast your eyes on these pancakes. The Griddle Cafe, as seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, located on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood is known for their huge pancakes. As soon as we walked in we saw the size of these griddle cakes. I have never in my life seen such ginormous pancakes. We sat down and ordered just one pancake for the two of us because truthfully, we wanted to be able to eat again that day. Our choice was the Cinnamon, Banana, Brown Sugar Streusel pancakes. They were huge, fluffy, sweet, and satisfying. The two of us barely made a dent in these, and still left feeling quite stuffed.

Later that day we were feeling hungry again, so we decided to grab a bite at Toast Bakery Cafe. This restaurant is pretty well known by locals and tourists and is quite a trendy spot. It has been featured on shows such as “The Hills”, “Entourage” and “Rachel Zoe”. Whether you stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there are plenty of options to choose from. Since it was kind of an off time to eat, Jonty and I just shared a delicious, fresh chicken wrap with a side of fries.

I do enjoy eating healthy, as hard as it may be to believe. Fresh pressed juice and juice cleanses are all the rage these days, and I have been jonesing to try Pressed Juicery in Los Angeles, which is a trendy hot spot, and celebrity favourite. I was in need of a little refresher, so I chose the “Greens 2” and “Greens 3”. They contained kale, spinach, romaine, parsley, cucumber, celery, apple, lemon, and the Greens 3 had ginger added to it. To be honest, they are not the best tasting things, but they are drinkable and extremely healthy and nutrient dense.

Dinner time had come around and we decided on the well-known, supposedly amazing, Asian fusion spot called Katsuya. Located in the heart of Hollywood this chic, trendy, bustling restaurant is packed every night. We arrived without a reservation, so we had a drink at the bar while we waited about a half hour for a table.

At first glance of the menu, we knew we were in for a treat. For appetizers, we ordered the sashimi salad which was mixed greens with a spicy, creamy ponzu dressing, topped with the chef’s selection of assorted sashimi. The freshness of the fish, paired with the raw vegetables was a refreshing start to the meal. The next dish is what Katsuya is most famous for, the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna. After the first bite, it was clear why it is their most sought after dish. Picture white rice, fried to a crispy texture, and topped with a mixture of raw tuna and spicy mayo. The taste was explosive. I could use one of these right about now!

Wagyu tenderloin was next. Now, I am not exaggerating when I say this, but I can confidently say that it was one of the best steak dishes I have ever had. It was slow roasted and served with soy au jus. The sweetness, juiciness and perfect texture really made this stand out.

As for rolls, we ordered a yellowtail roll, spider roll, and another Katsuya favourite, the Rock Shrimp Tempura roll. This roll was a spicy tuna roll on crack, since it was topped with rock shrimp tempura tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce. These rolls were out of this world, and some of the best I have ever had.

After all this eating, it was time for some physical activity. California is known for it’s amazing hiking trails, so we chose the beautiful, quiet Topanga Canyon in Malibu. However, we did need some fuel before this journey. We stopped at a local Manhattan Beach favourite called Uncle Bill’s Pancake house. Our seat on the patio with the ocean as our backdrop and the sun beating down on us could not have been more perfect. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we went all out. We both ordered eggs, mine with hash browns his with fries, which each came with either pancakes, toast or muffins, so between the two of us, we got all three! On top of all this, Jonty ordered a chicken, apple sausage. Our table was barely big enough for all this food. The pancakes were fluffy, the muffins were moist and full of flavour, and the whole meal really hit the spot.

Along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) in Malibu is this little fish shop called the Reel Inn. We stopped by and enjoyed a platter of fried goodness on the back patio. Delicious calamari, shrimp, haddock, and french fries filled our bellies.

Here is some proof that we actually got some exercise (along with a breathtaking view)!

If you ever go to LA, you must visit Venice. Some really cool restaurants and shops can be found around here. For dinner, we picked Gjelina, based on wonderful reviews and recommendations. The atmosphere is dark, almost industrial, with a trendy vibe. While waiting outside for our table, I spotted the canoodling couple, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester! Anyways, back to the food. We were seated on the gorgeous outdoor patio, furnished with wooden furniture, and vines growing along the walls. Sadly, I didn’t get a picture of our pizza, which was topped with mushrooms, goat cheese, fontina cheese and truffle oil. They are all cooked in a wood burning oven and come out a little bit burnt, but regardless it was still enjoyable. Next was the hanger steak with chili, lime, mint and spring onions, which were all grilled and cooked perfectly. Our other choices were salt and pepper frites with romesco (nut and red pepper-based sauce) and a garlic aioli, along with kale which seemed almost BBQ’d, topped with a yogurt, ricotta sauce, shaved fennel, and macadamia nuts. The kale was a little burnt for our liking, but the crunch and nuttiness from the macadamia nuts and the unexpected creaminess from the sauce brought it all together. The fries however were unreal. Thin, crispy and salty, just how I like them.

*sorry, the picture isn’t so great, it was dark outside and I really don’t like using the flash…

The next day we headed to Santa Monica and decided on Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, since Jonty had always wanted to try it and it was located right on the pier, overlooking the beach. Another fried platter for us (FML!), which included hush puppies, fried fish, shrimp, and french fries.

After walking along Venice Beach, we were starting to feel a little peckish. We stopped by the take-out window, Schulzies, which is a little bread pudding shop. We chose a small sampler which is three flavours, in which I chose, original, blackberry, and caramel. It was incredibly sweet, amazing, and rich, so the size was perfect for us to share. That being said, next door we came across a sashimi place called Poke Poke. This was an unexpected, yet incredible discovery. We chose spicy tuna on top of brown rice. The fish was so fresh, the sauce was perfect, and the healthy brown rice made us almost lick the bowl clean.

***Almost done, I promise!

Finally, what has been the topic of conversation, our dreams, and our imagination, finally became reality. It came time to try the one and only Rocoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles.

Jonty and I love chicken and waffles, but have always wanted to try the original, famous hot spot. Naturally, we ordered a ton of food. Fried chicken, waffles, cornbread, mac and cheese, chicken sausage, and french fries. When it all arrived, we dug our faces right in and didn’t look up. We were in actual heaven. The chicken was obviously amazing, juicy and fried to perfection, along with a thin, yet buttery waffle. I love cornbread, and this just tasted so traditional, especially with a spread of butter. The mac and cheese also tasted like it was right out of the south, so creamy and cheesy. This meal was so indulgent and highly anticipated that I literally felt like this was our last meal on Earth. Thankfully it wasn’t (as you will see below)!

Nate ‘n Al is a deli in Beverly Hills, who is visited quite often by Larry King. Just like any Jewish deli, it is usually packed, serves huge portions, and has very outdated decor. Jonty and I could not decide which meat we wanted, so we got the best of both world’s with the Reuben sandwich, which was piled with corned beef, pastrami, swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and coleslaw. A side of skinny fries, a side of fat fries, and a side of turkey bacon and we were off to the races. This deli did not disappoint, even though we have our fair share of traditional delis in Toronto.

One last trip to Uncle Bill’s, In N’ Out and Randy’s the morning of our flight and we were off to the airport with two very full, yet satisfied bellies.

There you have it folks, two long, detailed posts about how we stuffed our faces in my favourite state, and hopefully gave you some ideas if you ever want to travel there!

A Lot of Eating in Los Angeles-part 1

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:13:00 -0400

I have a major love affair with the entire state of California. The relaxed, beachy atmosphere just gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside. I am not exactly a winter person and I dream of the day I can move to LA. That being said, it has been quite a number of years since my recent visit to the West Coast. Also, Jonty had never been, so we decided to take a little vacay. I counted down the days until we left and savoured every moment. With every vacation comes my excitement for food. This trip was no different, as we did plenty of eating.

Right after booking our flight, we knew the first stop would be In N’ Out Burger. I have had it years ago but Jonty had never been so lucky. I was salivating the entire flight just thinking about what was to come in a number of hours. As planned, right from the airport we made our first of many stops at this famous burger joint. I ordered a cheeseburger, while Jonty got a double, with a side of animal fries (topped with their special “spread”, cheese, and fried onions). OH MAN was it delicious!! We inhaled it so quickly and realized that nothing quite compares to an In N’ Out Burger. It just doesn’t.

The next morning we decided to take a stroll in downtown Manhattan Beach, which is the little beach town we stayed in. Many LA food guides and bloggers that I follow suggested a trendy restaurant called Manhattan Beach Post for brunch, lunch or dinner. We decided to try it out for brunch and was not disappointed. The corned beef hash with egg on top and the caramelized apple french toast with walnuts were incredible. However, the only downside was that the portions were quite small and the prices were a little high. Since we were on vacation and like to try tons of different restaurants, we refrained from ordering more and figured we would eat somewhere else to fill our hunger that remained. While exploring the area, we came across a fast food type restaurant called lemonade. As soon as we walked in, we fell in LOVE. It is a counter/cafeteria style and has plenty of healthy options such as kale salad, cabbage salad, quinoa, among many others. There are also sandwiches, prepared meats, soups, and desserts. The best part of it all is the various flavours of lemonade. Our favourite was the blueberry mint and watermelon rosemary. We also ordered a plate of different salads which was a nice healthy addition to our brunch.

After a little walking, we felt that it was time for a donut. Now not just any ordinary Dunkin Donut. It is all about Randy’s donuts. You may recognize it from various TV shows or movies. It’s that big donut on top of a building, known as Randy’s Donuts. I have been here as a child, but barely remembered what the donuts tasted like, but I knew they were good based on the amount my parents/everyone who’s been to LA talk about them. We pulled up to this tiny walk-thru and drive-thru window and the smell in the air was pure bliss. As per usual, there was quite the line-up. The donuts are not crazy, unique flavours. They are simple and classic. The best two in my opinion are the plain glazed and the chocolate glazed. On top of those two we got a cinnamon streusel cake donut and a jelly donut for Jonty (I’m not a fan). We immediately ate all 4 donuts before reaching the car. The taste is almost impossible to describe. You just have to try one. They taste so light, not overly sweet, and exactly how a donut should taste. Let’s just say we visited Randy’s four times during our stay and even brought a dozen home to Toronto for our families.

That night we met up with some cousins of mine who live in LA and they took us to Umami Burger, which I have only heard good things about. We enjoyed the truffle burger which was topped with house-made truffle cheese and drizzled with truffle glaze. The burger was incredibly tasty and moist. The fries were also my favourite type of fry, thin and crispy. Along with plain fries, we ordered truffle fries which were topped with some sort of truffle infused sauce.

Our next meal happened as a coincidence. A while back, Jonty and I saw an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives where they went to a restaurant called The Boiling Shrimp, which serves shrimp in a plastic bag. We made it our mission to try it one day. As we were driving through Hollywood, we randomly thought of going there but didn’t know where it was located. We pulled over and was about to look it up on our phone, when all of a sudden I turned my head to the left and we were literally right beside it. If that’s not faith then I don’t know what is. The shrimp come steaming hot in a plastic bag with whichever spices you want. We got a mix of a whole bunch, with a side of the Cajun fries. The shrimp were so succulent and tasty. We are thrilled to cross that off our food bucket list!

The weather in LA started off a little gloomy, so we figured heading to the desert would be just what we needed after our long Toronto winter. The entire drive to Palm Springs was cloudy, and I was starting to get angry!! I was convinced that I was bringing horrible weather with me wherever I went. That was until we literally entered Palm Springs. It was quite surreal actually. We drove from pure grey clouds straight into BLUE SKIES!! It truly felt euphoric, and was the perfect pick-me-up. We spent the afternoon by the pool, with a break for lunch at the one and only, In-N-Out once again.

For dinner we walked up and down the main street until we found a nice, busy restaurant with a patio called Lulu, so we got a table. The food was alright, but the only dish worth mentioning was the tuna tower which was tuna sashimi layered with avocado with a soy ginger sauce. It tasted extremely fresh and the sauce added a nice sweetness to the dish.

After doing some research for a brunch/breakfast spot, I came across Cheeky’s which was close to our hotel. I could tell it was going to be a great start to the morning just by how busy this place was. We waited about 20 minutes and then got seated on the wonderful outdoor patio. As if it mattered at this point, I tried to be a little healthy by ordering the kale acai icee which was just kale, acai berries and ice blended. Jonty chose freshly squeezed blood orange juice. As for the food, we shared a few dishes which were, truffle tater tots, salted caramel waffles with apple chips, and a herb rolled omelette with a croissant and side of mixed greens. Each dish was better than the next, I didn’t know where to bite first. We thoroughly enjoyed this breakfast and I kept mentioning all day/trip how much I loved Cheeky’s.

We headed back to LA and went for dinner with my uncle who lives there. We couldn’t decide on a place, so he suggested we go to a few different restaurants and just have something small at each. Jonty had some obsession with trying Chick-fil-A, so we started our food tour by sharing a fried chicken sandwich with waffle fries. It was a yummy start for our taste buds. Next we headed to the famous Philippe the Original which is known for their french dip sandwiches. Jonty and I shared a double dipped beef dip which was incredibly moist from the au-jus on a soft, white bun with a side of creamy pasta salad. This was by far the best beef dip sandwich I have ever had. It literally melted in my mouth.

Our next stop was Bottega Louie. The moment we entered this Italian spot I was in awe!! I loooooved it in there. The huge, open space with high ceilings and a very plain, yet chic white interior was buzzing on this Monday evening. A huge display of desserts greeted us as we walked in, which included numerous flavours of French macarons and beignets. There was also prepared foods, as well as coffee and other beverages sold at this front counter space. We were seated and greeted by a friendly waitress and brought an interesting shaped bread, which was perfectly complemented by soft, salty butter. Since this was already stop number three, we opted for just a pizza to share. We couldn’t decide on which one, so we got half of one pizza and half of another which gave us a chance to try some different combinations. One half was topped with fontina cheese, mozzarella, creme fraiche, shittake mushrooms, garlic and Italian parsley, and the other half had ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, roasted garlic, and wild rocket arugula. The soft crust topped with fresh ingredients was the perfect choice. I will most defitnely visit Bottega Louie on my next trip to Los Angeles!

As a little treat for later, which Jonty and I enjoyed in bed, we brought home one nutella stuffed beignet and a few macarons. I was literally in heaven. The nutella oozed out of the fried doughy goodness. My mouth waters at the thought.

Our last stop was Canter’s deli to take a look. We were all incredibly stuffed and definetly did not have any room for a huge deli sandwhich. However, there is always room for dessert. Along with my treats from Bottega, we got a little slice of carrot cake, plain cheesecake, and cookies and cream cheesecake to bring back home with us. *Although not the most appetizing photo, I can assure you they tasted juuuusssst fine :)

Stay tuned for the rest of our eats in part 2, coming soon!

Oddseoul

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:59:25 -0400

Ossington has been buzzing for quite some time now, gaining more and more popularity as the days go on. New to the neighborhood is Oddseoul, coming to you from the brothers behind Swish by Han. This Korean meets American no reservations restaurant means business. On any given night you can find a line up out the door waiting for a table in the 40 seat gem. The dishes are small, meant to be shared, and quite reasonably priced. Dinner for two including beer can easily come in at around $50.

First on our list was the spicy scallion and avocado slaw. To be quite honest, I was a little disappointed when it arrived. It was greens, a couple slices of avocado and a few circles of hot peppers tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. Not exactly my idea of a slaw. It was tasty, just nothing to get excited about.

Next we were graced with large spicy Korean chicken wings doused in extremely hot gochujang barbeque sauce, but still with enough crunch to satisfy.

The next 2 dishes were OH WOW YUM YUM!! The Han brothers grew up in Philadelphia, so they decided to take their own spin on a Philly Cheesesteak. Take a baguette, stuff it with bulgogi (soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame seeds) marinated shredded beef, grilled onions, white American Cheese, kimchi, and a creamy mayo-mustard sauce. You don’t even know how delicious this creation is. However, there was some competition with their very own take on the hamburger, “The Loosey”. A mixture of short rib and brisket are slapped between two buttery pieces of challah bread, topped with processed cheese, shredded lettuce, ketchup and mayo. They are seriously giving the Big Mac a run for it’s money. I haven’t decided whether I prefer the bulgogi or “The Loosey”, because they are both shockingly flavourful, so I will continue to order both.

Since the dishes are small, we were not finished yet. Our next choice was the tempura shrimp, tossed with Japanese chili paste, Japanese mayo called Kewpie, and flying fish roe. The tempura batter was thick and crispy with a generous coating of sauce.

Lastly, the Korean beef Ssam platter arrived, which were ultimately Korean lettuce wraps. The menu offers a choice of meats, condiments and wraps (lettuce, tao or rice paper, depending on your choice of filling). We chose the Beef Short Rib platter which was accompanied by lettuce for wrapping, housemade pickles, kimchi, and bean curd chili sauce. This dish is also served with Kimchi fried rice with an egg over top. The serving of rice was quite generous, and the flavour was explosive. The entire meal was an exciting, unique journey for my taste buds.

We did try to revisit Oddseoul again but unfortunately it was an extremely long wait. I do plan on going back again soon though, and it is well worth the wait.

Smoke in Collingwood

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:28:05 -0500

While up at my cottage in Collingwood, I always wish there were some better restaurants to choose from. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few hidden gems, but it was just needing something more. I am thrilled to annouce that a new smokehouse called, The Smoke has recently opened up. When my boyfriend and I heard this great news, we immediately made a reservation.

The modern, large, open space was quite refreshing to see in this small town. As we walked in, the smoky, BBQ smell filled the air and I was ready to dig in. Each table is set with 4 bottles of homemade BBQ sauces; Carolina Mustard Sauce, Smokey Sweet BBQ Sauce, Sweet Tangy BBQ Sauce, and Hot Vinegar Sauce.

The special of the night was Smoked Beef Short Rib, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Au Jus, Cornbread & 1 Side (we chose fries). Seriously, these ribs were insane. Like out of this world. Jonty and I could not believe how juicy, tasty and literally fall off the bone they were. It’s safe to say these were the best beef ribs we have ever eaten. Crazy, I know. Little old Collingwood has some of the best BBQ food. I love cornbread, and this one did not dissapoint, along with the mashed potatoes and fries. Everything was just utterly amazing.

The only catch slash dissapointing thing about this place is that beef ribs are not a staple on their menu. They only have them every so often and not too many portions.

We also ordered a pound of smoked BBQ chicken wings that are smoked for two hours and tossed in their homemade BBQ sauce. They were sweet, smokey and juicy, just as they should be.

This restaurant is worth some serious mention and praise. It is also worth the trip to Collingwood. Jonty and I are going up to the cottage this weekend and already have reservations!

Happy Birthday Jonty

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:08:00 -0500

This week was Jonty’s birthday and I really wanted to take him somewhere special for dinner. While he isn’t such a fan of surprises, I made sure to keep the restaurant a secret until the very last second. I thought long and hard about where to go, and ultimately decided on Jacobs & Co steakhouse. It is a classic, well-known dining experience and I figured since neither of us had been, it was time we check it off our list.

The grand, and might I add heated outdoor entrance was an amazing, welcoming touch. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by the friendly hostesses and an older gentleman, the maitre d kindly directed us to our seats in the classy, polished upstairs dining room. He pointed out the dry-aged showcase, filled with each type of meat, encased in glass, all labeled perfectly.

Our attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable waiter approached us for some drinks, where I chose a glass of white wine, and Jonty opted for a glass of Johnny Walker black. He then proceeded to go into very much detail about the meat, the cuts, the aging process, and just about everything you could know about the steaks.

First our waiter brought over freshly baked popovers. Crispy on the outside, and fluffy yet hollow on the outside. I couldn’t wait to slather it with the garlic butter, even if it meant burning my mouth a couple times. It was totally worth it.

Jacobs is known for their tableside caesar salad which is literally made in a cart that they bring to your table. We ordered this and enjoyed watching each fresh ingredient go into the mix, and enjoyed eating it even more. The salad was not your typical overly creamy dressing, but it still lived up to its hype, with the perfect amount of garlic and zing.

Before the steaks arrived, a few sauces and salts were delivered to accompany the meat. The sauces included an Argentinian Chimichuri sauce, blue cheese with bacon (YUCK, I dislike blue cheese and don’t eat bacon-but I’m sure it was delish), and a Ponzu citrus ginger soy sauce. As for the salts, there was regular coarse sea salt, volcano smokey salt, and charcoal salt.

With a huge variety to choose from, and some advice from our waiter, we both chose a USDA Prime Black Angus California cut striploin. As it arrived in a cast iron pan, we both cut into a perfectly cooked medium piece of steak. It was juicy, and buttery in a way, and we both enjoyed every last bite.

For sides, we went with mixed sauteed mushrooms and duck fat french fries with tarragon. The variety of mushrooms was a nice light touch to the meal, while the duck fat fries were interesting. The fries themselves were quite delicious, but I felt that the terragon was a little overpowering for my liking.

I had previously arranged that whichever dessert we chose would be delivered with a candle for Jonty’s birthday. Since he loves cheesecake, this was an easy decision. It arrived with a candle, “Happy Birthday” written in chocolate, and smothered in strawberries and strawberry sauce. It was incredibly smooth, creamy and mouthwatering.

Just when we thought our dining experience had come to an end, the waiter brought over a plate of 2 macaroons and wrapped up muffins for breakfast the next day. I absolutely LOVED this extra little touch. It’s little things like this that make me so very happy!

We both enjoyed the muffins the next day and couldn’t believe how buttery, chocolately and plain amazing they were. Probably one of the best muffins we have ever had!

Jacobs & Co is a great place for special occasions or if you are just looking for some good food, service and ambiance!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:13:00 -0500

Wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day filled with lots of love and happiness! Regardless of who you spend the day with, spread the love while indulging in some delicious Valentine’s treats.

Since this holiday is synonymous with sweet treats and desserts, I decided to do a little baking to get in the spirit. I made heart shaped shortbread cookies and decorated them with pink icing. I know everyone in my office bursts with excitement any time food is in sight, so I figured it would be a nice little gesture to share the love and bring the cookies into work today for everyone to enjoy.

See below for the recipe.

Ingredients

Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Icing

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

Food colouring

Crushed strawberries (optional)

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.

2. Stir in flour and combine until a dough is formed and is no longer crumbly.

3. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut dough using heart shaped cookie cutters.

4. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until bottoms are a very light golden brown.

5. Immediately remove from cookie sheet and place on wire rack to cool.

6. Once cooled (about 30 mins), decorate with icing.

*I added some crushed strawberries into one of the icings to add colour and a hint of flavour.

Happy Valentine’s Day once again from Sweets and Meats!

Barque

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:18:35 -0500

I don’t know what took my hungry little butt so long to get to Barque Smokehouse, but oooohhh man am I happy that I finally did! Ever since this goldmine on Roncenvalles opened its doors, I have been jonesing to try it. This past weekend Jonty and I along with a couple friends finally hit it up. Oh and might I mention I had to make this reservations 3 weeks in advance!! I think that says enough..this place is seriously amazing.

On this cold winter night we walked into a cozy, wooden mixed with concrete and brick walls, buzzing atmosphere that instantly warmed me up. As we were seated, a spiced bucket of popcorn was brought to our table, along with two barbecue sauces,a Kansas City (tomato based) and a Carolina (mustard and vinegar based). I immediately noticed the brush sitting next to my cutlery and loved that extra touch of being able to slather your own sauces onto everything.

Because of all the hype about this place and my excitement to finally try it, I had to calm myself down while looking at the menu! For appetizers, we ordered Smoked Miami Beef ribs which had a “savoury rub with a sweet glaze”. They were incredible, not too fatty, and perfectly cooked. We also got what I would award as my favourite dish of the night, the Smoked Dry Rub Wings. Moist chicken was covered in a crisp, but not too crisp skin rubbed with the most amazing combination of savoury and sweet spices.

Us, as well as the other couple we were with ordered the sampler for two, which includes three meats and three sides. Our picks were brisket, beef ribs, and chicken thighs. Our friends wanted Baby Back Ribs but they had just run out, so they opted for pulled pork, Merguez Sausages (Moroccan lamb sausage), and brisket. I found the brisket to be tasty, but a little bit on the fatty and dry side. The ribs were also a little bit fatty with not so much meat, but still flavourful. The chicken was excellent, with a nice mix of spices and juicy meat. Our friends loved everything they ordered, and I enjoyed the bite of sausage that I tasted.

We each chose 3 sides, so in total there was a Caesar salad, fries, sauteed garlic kale, crushed potatoes, and 2 orders of the Sage & Smoked Provolone Pasta. MMMMMMM everything was divine!! The pasta was cheesy and creamy with a hint of smokiness which I thoroughly enjoyed. The kale we didn’t get to try because it was sitting under the pulled pork, but I probably wasn’t missing out on much. The Caesar and potatoes were nice and creamy, and the fries were thin and crispy.

As full as we were, the pecan pie with cinnamon gelato and apple crumble tart with vanilla gelato were calling our name. They were both soooooo yummy, but my only complaint was the crust was very difficult to break! However, this meal truly makes my mouth water at the thought and I need to go back ASAP!!

This was a true sweets & meats experience!!

Birthday Surprise!

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:46:58 -0500

A couple weeks ago was my 22 birthday and boy did I get spoiled!! Besides the gifts, and a wonderfully relaxing day, the food was the real treat. On my actual birthday, I went to Morton’s Steakhouse with my family, Jonty, and my brother’s girlfriend, and the next night Jonty surprised me and took me to Harbour Sixty! Check it all out below…

For starters at Morton’s I ordered a simple, yet satisfying Caesar salad, topped with buttery crouton-like garlic bread. Next was time for the steaks, with a side of crab cake. It’s title on the menu of “Jumbo Lump Crab Cake” really does it justice, since it is just that, large lumps of crab combined together into a rather large crab cake. Jonty ordered a side of shrimp which had a light crisp coating, and were incredibly flavourful. We shared both the shrimp and the crab cake.

As for sides, we ordered a bunch for the table to share since they are quite large. Our picks were Lyonnaise Potatoes, creamed spinach, Parmesan Truffle fries, and onion rings. They were all to die for!! The fries were incredible and the parmesan truffle really added a nice touch. The onion rings had a thick and crispy coating which is just how I like it.

As full as we all were, I couldn’t help but have room for dessert. I ordered Key Lime pie, which came with a candle for my birthday. I have tried many of the desserts at Morton’s and they are literally all incredible!

I also had some wonderful treats after dinner with some friends of mine. Jonty’s sister-in-law baked me a delicious cookie cake with an “S” on it, Jonty ordered custom made caramel cupcakes that said “Happy Birthday Shelby”, and my parents got me my favourite white Loblaws birthday cake! I was sooooooo full I could have exploded by the end of the night.

I think I ate enough on my birthday to last me quite a few days, but then again, calories don’t count on your birthday, right?!

Jonty told me he had a special dinner planned for me for the night after my birthday since we were with my family on my actually birthday. He knows I have always wanted to go to Harbour Sixty but never expected him to take me there because it is quite pricey. He told me that he made a reservation at some new restaurant I probably haven’t heard of. Next thing I know, we are pulling into Harbour Sixty!!! I could not have been happier, but still worried about the prices in the back of my head!

I absolutely loved the elegant and classy, yet warm and inviting ambiance of the restaurant. We were seated in a lush, comfy booth and immediately greeted by the most friendly, knowledgeable and efficient waiter. I started off with some fruity vodka cocktail that he created for me, while Jonty opted for whiskey. As for appetizers, we chose a warm mushroom salad on a bed of arugula which was a nice, light start to the meal. We also ordered the shrimp cocktail. Large, succulent shrimp arrived at our table with a side of house made tomato chili sauce.

For the main course, we ordered the Filet Mignon, along with several sides such as a jumbo Lobster tail (and I mean JUMBO), truffle mac and cheese, sugar snap peas, lobster mashed potatoes, and parmesan truffle fries. The mac and cheese and lobster mashed were my favourite of the bunch, although I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite of everything I ate.

Last but certainly not least was the homemade Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding with caramel sauce and Dulce de leche ice cream. Literally every word of that excites me and makes my mouth water. It was warm, creamy, buttery, and everything else that it’s supposed to be. What a sweet ending to a sweet birthday! I am incredibly lucky to have such amazing family, friends and of course boyfriend who treated me like a princess on my birthday!

Southern Accent

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:12:14 -0500

This past weekend, Jonty and I gathered up some friends in search of some Southern, New Orleans style food. We decided to hit up Southern Accent on Markham Street, just South of Bloor.

As we walked in, it felt like we had just entered the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The dark, yet inviting atmosphere was flooded with beads and Mardi Gras decorations which added a little fun to the evening.

As soon as we sat down, we couldn’t wait to open the menu and pick out some traditional Southern dishes. For appetizers, we ordered corn bread, hush puppies (fried corn fritters), Piquant Shrimp, Cajun calamari, and alligator…yes, alligator! Our friends are a bit more daring than us so they chose the alligator, which Jonty and I agreed to try. The whole idea of eating this scary creature really creeped me out, but I went for it anyways. It had the texture of chicken mixed with beef, but was a little too tough for me. I think I was just too freaked out to actually enjoy it. The alligator, as well as the shrimp were tossed in a spicy garlic lime sauce, which added a nice Cajun kick.

The calamari had a nice, crispy coating and was paired with a ginger remoulade and blackened tomato coulis. I’m pretty sure I ate the majority of this dish!

As usual, I loved the corn bread, especially with the warm butter slowly melting into each crevice. The hush puppies were nothing special, a little dry and lacking some flavour, but they did have a crisp coating on the outside.

I did get quite full from the appetizers, so Jonty and I decided to share brisket and sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo. The brisket was so juicy, yet tender and was slow cooked with Maple Bourbon Chipotle BBQ sauce and dark lager. It was served with a side of creamy baked cheese grits and seared collard greens. By the end of this dish, I was stuffed! The brisket, grits and greens was a fantastic end to the meal.

African Adventures Part 2

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:19:00 -0500

*So sorry this is being posted so late! I’ve been so busy and eager to share with you new restaurants that I have neglected this! Anyways, here we go.

To refrain from a never-ending post, I decided to break it up into two. The yummy finds from Cape Town will be focused on here.

I literally think Jonty and I ate our own body weight in calamari on this trip. Not only is it one of our favourite appetizers, but it is incredibly fresh in South Africa. In Cape Town, we were told that we must visit the restaurant in The Chapman’s Peak hotel for its famous calamari, so we did just that. To accompany the calamari, we decided to go healthy and opt for a Greek salad. The vegetables and feta cheese were so crisp and fresh, which was a perfect balance with the fried calamari.

Another spot I was encouraged to try was Steers, a fast food hamburger joint. The burger was pretty good for fast food, and the fries (known as ’chips’ in SA) had this unique seasoning salt with all sorts of spices and flavours which added that extra zing to ordinary fries.

I sound like a broken record, but Jonty also hasn’t stopped talking about this little fish restaurant in Hout Bay called Fish on the Rocks. He recalls it being his favourite meal in South Africa. Coincidentally, we were staying at a flat basically around the corner, so we obviously stopped by for a bite. We chose a calamari roll (go figure) which was fried calamari topped with fries surrounded by a hamburger like type bun. Jonty was onto something, insisting we try this little spot on the water, and I’m glad we did.

Since I was in South Africa, a traditional South African treat is something called koeksisters. Imagine twisted, deep fried dough which has been dunked in syrup. I do enjoy them, but only in very, very small doses because they are extremely sweet and rich. Since I was in South Africa, it only made sense to try a number of their traditional treats. First was a koeksister. Next I tried milk tart which is a pie crust filled with a milky custard, and topped with cinnamon. I am not a custard lover, but I definitely stole a few bites here and there from Jonty.

A little breakfast by the beach never hurt anyone. A little french toast for breakfast also never hurt anyone. I guess you could say I enjoyed my french toast on an outdoor patio near the beach, which was accompanied by assorted fruits, including the ever popular South African fruit, a grenadilla (passion fruit). The portion was a little on the small side for my liking, but I was able to savor each bite and still feel satisfied when I finished.

Piri Piri sauce is basically everywhere in this country. It is made from the spicy piri piri pepper and poured onto pretty much anything. At a Portuguese restaurant that we visited, we ordered piri piri chicken which was delicious, but a little too spicy for me. We also ordered a prego roll with an egg on it which is a piece of steak on a bun. This meal was quite heavy, yet totally enjoyable.

I guess you could say most of our restaurant choices were based on recommendations, and there is no exception for Willoughbys. It is mainly a sushi restaurant, but they do serve non Japanese dishes as well, which you will see in a minute. On any given night you can find this place, also known as the best sushi in South Africa, lined up, as they do not take reservations. As for sushi, we ordered prawn fashion sandwiches which just look like mini sandwiches but made out of rice, seaweed and seafood. As well as the 4x4 which is four spicy rock shrimp tempura rolls and four rainbow reloaded rolls which were both to die for. Seriously, I’d give up a lot for these rolls. A little strange for a sushi restaurant, but the butternut squash gnocchi in a basil pesto sauce caught our eye on the menu. I was a little hesitant about having gnocchi at a sushi restaurant, but the waiter informed us that there are a few different kitchens and that it is truly incredible. I took his advice, and am super glad that I did! It wouldn’t be a meal in South Africa without some fried calamari, so we ordered a small portion as well.

While in Cape Town it would almost be a crime not to visit the wine country. We drove through beautiful Stalleanboch, passing winery after winery, each more stunning than the next. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant called Cafe Bon Bon at La Petite Dauphine hotel in Franschhoek. The outdoor patio surrounded by mountains and beautiful wineries was breathtaking. The sun was shining, the wine was being poured, and it was time to enjoy. The bread that the waitress brought out first was incredible. Some sort of whole grain bread with nuts and dried cranberries was so tasty that I could have eaten just that!

For the main course, Jonty and I shared a vegetarian risotto with dried cranberries and a salad with chicken. Although both of these dishes are simple, it was a nice, light meal which was perfectly paired with a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. I will also mention that it was extremely peaceful and quiet at this restaurant, with just the sounds of nature in the background. I never wanted to leave!

I know this is getting quite lengthy so I will try and wrap is up soon. The winery we visited was called La Motte. I expected nothing less than for it to be beautiful. Vines of grapes, surrounded by a little river was the perfect location for some wine tasting.

Next we were off to Kruger National Park to see some wildlife. This is one of the best national parks in the world, and I feel extremely privileged that I got to visit there. We saw tons of wild animals such as elephants, lions, giraffe, monkeys, hippos, rhinoceros, crocodiles, to name a few. We stayed over for a couple nights and made our own dinner each night. Below is a picture of the prawns that we put on the brie (BBQ to South Africans).

Our last and final place we visited back in Johannesburg before heading to the airport is called The Dollhouse. It has been around for years and years, and used to be the “it” place for teens late at night. Jonty’s parents recall basically growing up there. You stay in your car and someone comes to take your order and delivers your food right to the car. Jonty has been there before and knew that I would love the milkshakes that they are known for. He got a chicken mayonnaise sandwich and I opted for the extra thick chocolate banana milkshake. I now see why they are famous for these thick, indulgent drinks! It was soooo thick and creamy that I had to eat it with a spoon, but I loved every minute of it.

You have now seen our food adventures during our trip to South Africa. I literally felt full the entire time. I was definitely ready for a detox slash healthy eating plan when I got home!

Momofuku Takes Toronto

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:44:14 -0500

New York, Sidney, and now Toronto have been graced with the Momofuku goodness. This Asian style restaurant recently opened a noodle bar in the Shangri La Hotel in downtown Toronto. I have been eager to try Momofuku in New York, and was super excited for the opening in my hometown. The open concept, floor to ceiling windows, and communal seating really add to the simple yet sleek atmosphere of this unique restaurant. My friend Cassi and I decided to go on a Momofuku lunch date.

Upon arrival, the manager was extremely friendly and outgoing and recognized my friend from a previous visit. As soon as we were seated, he brought over a mini size of the Seven Spice Sour Slushie which was a blended mixture of yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit), togarashi (chili pepper), lime and sake. The spiciness from the togarashi and zing from the other ingredients took my taste buds on an interesting journey with a kick.

As for the main course, we shared a bunch of dishes to ensure we would try a little bit of everything. The ginger scallion noodles were our first choice, complete with shiitake mushrooms, cucumber, and cabbage. The noodles had a slight stickiness and al dente texture to them, which made for a mouthwatering experience.

Next were the shiitake buns, stuffed with hoisin sauce, scallions and cucumber. The buns were heavenly. They were as soft as a cloud and paired perfectly with the sweet, tangy shiitake filling.

Lastly, we tried the chicken and egg rice which was smoked chicken combined with scallions and topped with an egg. The rice was cooked to perfection, the chicken had a crisp, smoky flavour, and the gooey yolk brought the whole dish together. I have to say this was my favourite dish of the day and can’t wait until the next time I taste this!

Make a Wish

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:15:00 -0500

I think I found a piece of heaven at Wish nestled on Charles Street just East of Yonge. By the looks of it, one could easily have mistaken it for a house. Once I opened the doors to the heated patio, I instantly fell in love. White, wooden panelled walls surrounded comfy white couches, pillows, country chairs, fur blankets and candles. It was an extremely chic, yet cottagey atmosphere, where I could just plop myself down with a few cocktails and never get up! Jonty and I then entered the actual restaurant, where again I was blown away, as it was equally comfy, with a little more glam. The all white, country-like interior was the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. It was extremely warm and inviting. We were seated at a corner booth on a couch, adorned with comfy pillows.

Our waitress approached us with a friendly and welcoming attitude. She then brought us a variety of wines to sample. Eventually I was set on the Pinot Grigio, while Jonty chose the Reisling. We also had difficulty choosing our food because everything on the menu sounded insanely delicious! Our helpful, efficient and pleasant waitress gave us some recommendations and adivce, which allowed for us to choose some dishes.

Soft, warm bread was brought to the table with a side of hummus with a hint of garlic. It was an impeccable start to our meal.

(Sorry, not the greatest picture!)

For an appetizer, we went with the Fried Calamari with a chili honey drizzle. The crispy batter perfectly coated the calamari, while the chili honey drizzle added a wonderful sweetness with a kick. I fell in LOVE with this dish and have been dreaming about it ever since.

As for the main course, we first ordered the gnoochi with basil pesto, butternut squash puree, cherry tomatoes, and toasted squash seeds. Unfortunately our waitress came back and informed us that because they are made in house, they had run out. We then chose the Lobster Ravioli with asparagus and snow peas in a citrus tarragon butter. The pasta was cooked to an al dente perfection, with a generous amount of lobster in each bite. The lobster tail on top was a nice touch. I was quite a fan of the citrus tarragon butter which paired well with the lobster.

We also ordered the Black Angus Beef Burger with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, and grainy dijon mustard, which was so juicy and flavourful. The fries were just how I like them, thin and crispy.

Wish also serves lunch and brunch, which I am DYING to try. It will be the perfect place for a cozy weekend brunch, and I cannot wait until that moment!

The Food & Wine Expo

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 22:59:00 -0500

Year after year I have heard advertisements for the Food and Wine Expo, yet never attempted buying tickets. My curiosity and eagerness to attend was at its peak this year, so I decided it was time. Jonty and myself ventured down to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this past weekend to sample some incredible wine, and of course, food.

Since it was Saturday night, the venue was quite packed, as we presumed. However, I think this added to the ambiance of an exciting, fun filled evening. Hundreds of booths filled the room, ranging from wine, vodka, beer, whiskey, and different cuisines.

To start things off, we chose a brisket sandwich from Barque Smokehouse. It was incredibly sweet and smoky. We polished it off rather quickly.

After this, although very similar, we chose the Prime Rib slider from the Windsor Arms Hotel. The sweet BBQ sauce, paired with tender meat, red cabbage and horseradish was a wonderful way to get our taste buds going. To be honest though, Jonty and I both commented on the overload of horseradish which was a little too overpowering.

Next we moved onto Food Dudes, a Toronto based food truck which is all the rage these days. The white wine mac and cheese with lemon zest panko and smoked tomato ketchup immediately caught our eye. It was so creamy and cheesy with the perfect amount of crunch and lemony zing that we went back for seconds later on in the evening.

Maritime Lobster caught our attention next. Simple, yet mouth-watering and extremely fresh, we wolfed down a shrimp skewer, and some lobster pieces smothered in butter.

The trendy Kultura restaurant was serving up some delicious dishes, and we chose the Mushroom Orecchiette with Pinot Noir Pear Chutney and Aged Cheddar. It was soooo tasty that I think I barely left any for Jonty. The sauce was sharp and creamy with a hint of sweetness from the pears which made for a delightful dish. We also made a second stop here a little while later to try some of the other dishes they were offering. The Tuna Cornets seemed light, which is what we needed between all of the food and wine. Tuna sashimi, mayo and avocado mousse all sat in a nori shell, which is another word for seaweed. It tasted exactly like sushi, without being too fishy, which was a nice light bite. The lamb shank also looked too yummy to resist so we got just one to share. I couldn’t get over how tasty it was. Cooked to perfection, with a hint of sweetness, this lamb shank was on the top of my favourites list of the night.

Every time we visit the Mad Italian, it is always for gelato. However we have been itching to try the Zazzu pizza cones. Lucky for us, they were being sold at this event, so we naturally picked one up. We chose the simple Margherita Zazzu with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, tomatoes, tomato sauce and basil. It was just as tasty as we had imagined.

As for the wine, we sampled a variety, and had an incredible time doing so. Neither Jonty nor I are wine experts, so we just enjoyed wandering freely while tasting a bunch of different wines and having a lovely time together. I also sampled a few different vodkas, while Jonty tried some whiskey. After about five hours, YES FIVE HOURS, we decided to call it a night. It was an enjoyable and out of the ordinary way to spend a Saturday night instead of just going out to a restaurant like usual. I plan on attending the Food and Wine Expo for many years to come!

Cookie Battle-Recipes

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:07:10 -0500

As promised, I will share with you the recipes that I used for the Chef’s Challenge Cookie Battle that I attended the other night. I made two different cookies, leaving me options as to which cookie to bring with me to the battle. The face-off was between Momofuku Compost Cookies and Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip cookies with browned butter, vanilla beans and sea salt. I decided to go with the Momofuku Compost Cookies, as you saw in my previous post.

Momofuku Compost Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter (two sticks, unsalted)

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 Tbsp corn syrup (I left this out)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsps baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsps Kosher salt

1 1/2 cups your favorite baking ingredients (I used milk and semi sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips)

1 1/2 cups your favorite snack foods (I used potato chips, pretzels)

Directions:

1. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter, sugars and corn syrup on medium high for two to three minutes until fluffy and pale yellow in color. Scrape down the sides with a spatula.

2. On a lower speed, add eggs and vanilla to incorporate.

3. Increase mixing speed to medium-high and start a timer for 10 minutes. During this time the sugar granules will fully dissolve, the mixture will become an almost pale white color and your creamed mixture will double in size.

4. When time is up, on a lower speed, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

5. Mix 45 – 60 seconds just until your dough comes together and all remnants of dry ingredients have incorporated. Do not walk away from your mixer during this time or you will risk over mixing the dough. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula.

6. On the same low speed, add in the hodgepodge of your favorite baking ingredients and mix for 30 – 45 seconds until they evenly mix into the dough. Add in your favorite snack foods last, paddling again on low speed until they are just incorporated.

7. Using a 6 oz. ice cream scoop, portion cookie dough onto a parchment lined sheetpan.

8. Wrap scooped cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour or up to 1 week.

DO NOT BAKE your cookies from room temperature or they will not hold their shape.

9. Heat the oven to 400 F. Take the plastic off your cookies and bake 9 to 11 minutes. While in the oven, the cookies will puff, crackle and spread.

At 9 minutes, the cookies should be browned on the edges and just beginning to brown towards the center. Leave the cookies in the oven for the additional minutes if these colors don’t match up and your cookies still seem pale and doughy on the surface.

10. Cool the cookies completely on the sheet pan before transferring to a plate or an airtight container or tin for storage. At room temp, they’ll keep five days.

Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies with Browned Butter, Vanilla Beans and Sea Salt

Yields about 2 - 2 1/2 dozen

Ingredients:
1 cup salted butter, diced into 1-inch pieces
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
seeds of 2 vanilla beans (or increase vanilla to 2 tsp)*
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
about 2/3 cup Nutella, chilled
coarse sea salt

Directions:
1. Brown butter in a medium saucepan

2. Pour browned butter, using a rubber spatula to scrape out any excess, into the bowl of an electric stand mixer and allow to cool until lukewarm, about 20 - 30 minutes.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and 1/4 tsp kosher salt, set aside.

4. Add light-brown sugar to cooled butter in stand mixer fit with paddle attachment.

5. With mixer set on medium-low speed, blend mixture together until well combined, about 1 minute.

6. Add in vanilla bean seeds, and vanilla then add in eggs one at a time and mix until well combined after each addition.

7. Set mixer on low speed and slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined.

8. Mix in chocolate chips.

9. Transfer dough to an airtight container (or place plastic wrap over bowl) and chill in refrigerator about 1 1/2 hours.
10. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

11. Remove dough from refrigerator and scoop dough out about 2 1/2 Tbsp at a time and shape into balls, then align them on a large sheet of parchment or wax paper. Evenly flatten dough balls until you have about a 3 1/4-inch circle.

12. Place 1 tsp chilled Nutella in the center on top of each. Carefully fold dough up and around Nutella, covering it entirely

13. Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 12 minutes until golden brown.

14. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle cookies with coarse sea salt (you can also sprinkle them with sea salt before baking as the salt sticks better that way).

15. Allow to cool several minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Chef's Challenge Cookie Battle

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:36:00 -0500

Last night I attended the Chef’s Challenge Cookie Battle which was a fundraising event for cancer research and education at Mount Sinai Hospital. Each attendee showed off their culinary talents with homemade cookies tested by Food Network chef, Chuck Hughes (who is just as good looking in person as on TV!). Although my cookies were unfortunately not the winners, it still was an incredible night for a great cause. I had the opportunity to mingle with other bakers, “foodies”, and of course Mr. Hughes.

There were a huge variety of scrumptious cookies such as brownie stuffed chocolate chip, pink lemonade, candied bacon, various shortbreads, lemon meringue, among plenty others. The winner’s Chocolate Macchiato Shortbread cookies were beautifully displayed and were clearly a hit. I am not a coffee fan so I didn’t try one, plus they were all eaten pretty quick after Chuck pronounced them his favourite.

And the winning cookies (the ones in the coffee cups)…

I put some thought into which cookies I would bring to this event and decided to make two different recipes to choose from. First I made Momofuku Compost cookies which are one of my favourites. It is a very intricate recipe which can be a hit or miss, so you must pay attention to detail in the baking process. I also stumbled upon a recipe for Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies with browned butter, vanilla beans and sea salt. They sounded amazing so I gave them a try. The final product was quite delicious, but I felt that they were kind of just ordinary. Therefore I chose to display my compost cookies at the cookie battle.

Pictured below are my two different cookies at home while deciding which to bring to the battle.

Stay tuned for the recipes.

New Continent, New Food

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:18:00 -0500

Although I have not been blogging for the past three weeks, I sure have been eating! Sorry for the hiatus, but I was busy hanging out with penguins and lions and rhinos and other cool stuff in South Africa. Still sounds crazy to me that I’ve been to Africa! If someone would have asked me a few years ago if I could ever see myself visiting Africa, I would have probably said “ummm are you crazy?!” Little did I know that a boy would change all of that. That boyfriend Jonty of mine who joins me in a ton of eating was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. That being said, it was time he show me his roots and where he was brought into this world.

Visiting a new place always sparks my taste buds with excitement. I dedicate a large majority of my vacation to finding the best food to enjoy, photograph, and write about. After all, if it hasn’t been photographed then you didn’t really eat it…right?! After spending some time in Johannesburg and Cape Town, I can confidently say that the food is incredibly delicious, fresh and worth talking about.

An authentic South African food is dried meat, also known as biltong. It is quite comparable to beef jerky, yet I find it way more enjoyable. To be honest, before this trip I would never indulge in some biltong whenever Jonty would come across some in Toronto. Three weeks surrounded by this stuff has converted me into a biltong fan.

For years I have been hearing Jonty talk about this Shawarma restaurant in Johannesburg that he went to years ago on his last visit back. I always just thought “ok yeah it’s shawarma, what’s the big deal?”. Well, I now know the big deal. It is super yum! The array of toppings and salads you can stuff inside your sandwich include the staples such as hummus, lettuce, eggplant, veggies, and then some nontraditional ones such as mashed avocado and potato salad!! Also, the beef ribs were literally fall-off-the-bone delicious, yet also quite rich. The juicy, soft meat smothered in a sweet, tangy sauce made for probably the best ribs I have tasted.

A common chain throughout the country is a place called The Spur. Since Jonty and I love to indulge in anything that has hit the deep fryer, we ordered calamari, with fries and onion rings. The one thing I couldn’t comprehend is why they are called rings. They are onion strings to us North Americans! Oh well, I still had no difficulty eating them.

The surrounding oceans in Cape Town allow for seafood to be readily available and extremely fresh throughout the country. Also a chain, which was just mediocre in my opinion was called the Ocean Basket. The food is tasty and the price is reasonable, but it would not be my first choice of restaurants. Anyways, Jonty and I ordered a seafood platter which consisted of prawns, calamari, fries, rice and hake fish, in which we got two fried and two grilled. When it arrived at our table we were overwhelmed with the amount of food, but before we knew it, our plates were empty.

These days you can find frozen yogurt on basically every corner in Toronto, however this trend is quite new to South Africa. There is only one fro yo shop, called Wakaberry, which we of course visited. I do prefer the yogurt here, as I find it to be creamier and tastier. However, for something so new in South Africa, I give it two thumbs up. The toppings were also a little bit different to me, considering there was some candy and treats that I am not familiar with, but I did give many of them a try and was pleasantly surprised. After all, if it’s sweet and sugary, I’ll most likely enjoy it!

We actually only ate Italian food once at a restaurant called Mimmos. Avocado is extremely popular in many dishes because of the freshness and mass quantity of them. The pizza we chose was topped with mushrooms, avocado, and chicken, which are three of my favourite things! We also ordered linguine with chicken and spinach in a garlic cream sauce. My carb craving was thankfully filled with a fresh, satisfying meal.

After all these savory delights I was in desperate need of something sweet. As I entered Milky Lane, I knew I had found the right place. Milkshakes, ice cream, sundaes, donuts, I didn’t know where to begin. I found a section on the menu which was kind of like a Mcflurry or blizzard with different flavours. I chose a Bar One (kind of like Mars bar) and banana creation. As soon as it arrived, I dug in and didn’t look up until I could see the bottom of the bowl. Let’s just say I enjoyed it. As for Jonty, he was feeling nostalgic and ordered something he loved from his childhood, which I find quite revolting, a bubblegum milkshake.

Whenever the topic of food and South Africa come up in conversation, the restaurant Turn n’ Tender is almost always recommended. Since this is the case, I just had to see what it was all about. To start, Jonty and I ordered biltong carpaccio, which was thinly sliced biltong topped with a bed of arugula, Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil. This isn’t something I would have ever thought to order before this trip, but I am sooo glad that I did because I couldn’t get enough. As for the main course, Jonty and I each ordered a steak cooked to a medium perfection with a side of fries and onion rings/strings. I now know why this restaurant is talked about over and over again.

Stay tuned for part two and the rest of our photo diary from Cape Town.

Happy Fall

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 11:09:13 -0400

Nothing quite says like fall like a nice, crisp apple. This chilly weather got me thinking just exactly how to put a spin on the season’s hottest fruit. I came across this recipe for Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, and there was no turning back. Plus, it is Paula Deen’s creation, which means you’re in for a treat…a real, buttery treat. Nonetheless, everything Mrs.Deen makes is truly worth the extra 48374375987 hours on the treadmill!

There you have it, sweet, buttery, smooth deliciousness all created by the genius, Paula Deen. Don’t be afraid to try her recipes once in a while for an indulgent treat!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I omitted, due to preference)
Streusel topping, recipe follows
1/2 cup caramel topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.

Streusel Topping:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

Yield: approximately 3 cups

Cinnamon Bun Fun

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:30:00 -0400

It was a quiet, rather chilly fall day, and I was in the mood to bake something indulgent. I started thinking and realized that there is nothing quite like a hot, gooey cinnamon bun straight out of the oven. Baking these can seem quite intimidating because of their complex shape and pure deliciousness, however, they are actually quite simple. Check out the pictures and recipe below to find out how you too can make this wonderful treat.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Add in the butter, milk and egg. Stir until you have a dough consistency.

Roll the dough onto a floured surface.

For the filling, combine brown sugar, butter and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Sprinkle filling evenly onto dough.

Roll up the dough.

Cut the dough into approximately 12 rolls and place either on baking sheet or in muffin tin.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Ingredients

Filling:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Dough:
2 cups bread or all-purpose flour, + more for rolling
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg, beaten

Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2/3 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk or buttermilk

*I added about a teaspoon of butter to the icing as well

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray.

2. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine the filling ingredients with a fork until a crumbly mixture is formed.

3. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Use clean hands (or a pastry blender) to work the butter into the dry ingredients. Add the milk and the egg and stir to combine.

4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into roughly shaped large rectangle (about 1/4-inch thick). Sprinkle the filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all the way around. Carefully roll up the rectangle (the dough will be soft). Use a sharp knife to cut 12 rolls. If you want smaller rolls, cut them a little smaller and you’ll get 18. Carefully place the rolls in the prepared muffin tin.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the frosting: Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk/buttermilk in a medium bowl. Use an electric mixer to combine. Add a little more milk if you wish to have a thinner frosting. Spread the frosting on top of warm rolls or drizzle on top. Serve warm.

P.F. Changs

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:28:00 -0400

The long awaited Canadian debut of the American chain has finally graced Toronto with it’s presence! P.F. Changs opened at the Shops at Don Mills at the end of July. Now I know that this post is a little late, considering I did visit the restaurant a couple weeks after opening…and then again a couple weeks later. All that aside, let’s get to the good stuff.

An obvious appetizer choice, and staple in my opinion are the Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps which include “wok-seared minced chicken, mushrooms, green onions, and water chestnuts served over crispy rice sticks and served with cool, crisp lettuce cups”. They pretty much speak for themselves and if you’ve been to P.F. Changs then you’ve most likely had them and know what they are all about-straight up goodness!

Next we knew we wanted a shrimp dish, so we decided on the Crispy Honey Shrimp. They were lightly battered and smothered in a sweet honey sauce and topped with green onions. The tangy sauce combined with the crispy coating made for a wonderful dish.

Since this post is combining two trips to P.F. Changs, I will include the two chicken dishes. First we went for the Almond and Cashew chicken combined with onions, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, peppers and water chestnuts in a garlic soy sauce. To be honest this dish was a little bit boring. I would like to try something different next time. As for our other chicken dish, we ordered the Sesame Chicken which included broccoli, onions and peppers in a spicy sesame sauce. The sauce was actually a little bit too sweet for me, but tasty nonetheless.

The next dish was classic beef with broccoli, in which you can’t go wrong. As for noodles, we chose the chicken lo mein stir fried with mixed vegetables. It was a nice balance to the meal with just the right amount of flavour. On the side we each had our own bowl of brown rice to mix with all the goodness on our plates.

I recommend you make a reservation well in advance, as the restaurant is quite busy with Torontonians eagerly waiting to visit P.F. Changs without crossing the border.