Dining out. Conversations in the kitchen. Great chefs. Markets. Food inspiration.
The long lost installment of our Real Life. Real Butter. Series. Part IV; Work Experience Student Firoz Thanawalla in conversation with Food Gypsy - behind the scenes at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa, the Production Kitchen.
Critics can say what they like about the rise in status of the food industry in our society, to my mind it has given voice to some of the most dangerous people on the planet; chefs, cooks and farmers. They’ve turned us on to new tastes, brought us back into the kitchen, championed Slow Food and local produce. Many have been sounding a call to action, blocking GMO seeds, refusing to serve endangered species and going head-to-head with corporate backed policy makers. I plant a garden.
Who says Thanksgiving has to be all about turkey? It’s your Thanksgiving, make your own rules (you rebel you). What says Fall Feast in your kitchen? You’re not bound by convention, you're a freethinker. (But, just in case we've got you covered on that whole How To Cook a Turkey thing.)
As technology reaches deeper into our lives and processed everything threatens to consume us, we seek comfort in the simplicity of what once was. Is it any wonder that the Cameron Family’s most treasured possession is Gertrude Cameron’s family recipe book, lovingly referred to as “The Gospel of Gert”.
The Wellington Gastropub has been on my list for a number of reasons a) I love a good pub and b) I love a good pub with food that is something beyond your standard burgers/chicken wings fare. It proved to be a warm Wellie welcome.
Mild mannered Natasha LeBlanc; Chef by day, Bacon Girl by night. Fighting crimes against bacon everywhere. Now that's my kind of superhero (complete with bacon tattoo).
Sprouting chickpeas? Really?! In the Gypsy Kitchen? Oh yeah, we're spouting chickpeas, because it's fun. Nothing I like more than growing things then eating them. When we talk about food in terms of fuel and energy think for a moment about the amount of energy that a seed produces to grow. Sprouting increases the protein, essential amino acids, enzymatic activity, vitamins, and fiber content.
Montrealer's have strong opinions about the smoked meat they love. Some revere Schwartz's other's Lester's, Reuben's, Dunn's, Chenoy's or Pete's Smoked Meat. Each with their own spicing, smoking and steaming techniques it's like arguing which temple to worship at. A day trip to Montreal takes me into the heart of Canadian deli tradition.
There are some things that are uniquely Canadain. We call a wool hat a 'toque' we like our beer above 5% alcohol by volume and then... there's gravy (now on pizza) at the House of Georgie.
Time for an installment of Food Gypsy 'CSI' (Corinna's Secret Ingredient) - The Beauty of Bacon.
What happens when two manic Foodies (Food Gypsy & Paola St-Georges) collide at a downtown Ottawa hotspot (Play Food & Wine) with vino, some charcuterie and a couple of chunks of cheese? "It's like the meeting of Smith & Wesson".
As an added Valentine’s Week Bonus Feature. Tossing a little pastry technique your way compliments of Wendy van Velthonven from Thimble Cakes in Ottawa, 'how to make a fondant rose'. Having fun in the kitchen. A home (and YouTube) schooled cook; Wendy began…