Fresh Fest at the Ontario Food Terminal

This past Saturday, armed with my trusty vegan-sidekick, we drove into 'the big city' and went where no veggie-nerd had gone before!  A million thank yous to all the vendors who so graciously opened their stalls for us to snoop around in.  For as long as I can remember I've wanted to know "what goes on in there?"  And now I do.  It's about fourth generation produce-guys keeping the family business alive.  It's about getting fresh produce out to local vendors and local markets across the GTA and beyond.  It's about talking to vendors about various kinds avocados, spuds, lemons and fruits I can't even pronounce. It's about a little girl who handed me a bag and said "my dad said to fill up this bag with tomatoes - you can even give us a donation for FoodShare".  My heart melted and I dug deep into my pocket - you just knew that she was the next vendor-in training.  Her father beamed.  There was this overwhelming sense of 'hope' - I know that probably sounds corny (pardon the produce-pun), but the being surrounded by people who loved food ... FRESH FOOD ... well, it made us feel like maybe, just maybe, 'real food' will return to more family tables.  That is of course, if we left any produce behind ... I'm not kidding we couldn't have fit another single solitary carrot in our car :)  What a fab day out - and what a fab cause. So glad we could be part of it ...

 

 

 



 

 

Going under the knife?

What's a ShortStack to do?  On my most recent and terrifying visit to the dentist (yup, I'm a total wimp when it comes to dentistry) I was told I need to see an Endodentist.  A what?  Ya' ... that's Dentist-lingo for "Root Canal Specialist".  Once I woke-up from passing out at the mere thought of such a thing happening to little old me, I booked my appointment and have since resigned myself to the fact that although my teeth are in excellent condition (I floss people!) I should be brave, go and see this guy and MAYBE have him tell me that I need to go UNDER THE KNIFE?!?!? 

(I'm French Canadian and try to be as dramatic as possible when it comes to storytelling ... )

But then TODAY ... I read that for the FIRST TIME EVAHHHHH the Ontario Food Terminal is going to open its doors TO THE PUBLIC!  On the same day, at the same time, as my trip to Mr. Endodentist.  My heart breaks. Violins play in the background ...

This event sounds amazing, and being a foodie-nerd I've ALWAYS wanted to go and wander around that place ... and here's my chance ... http://fresh-fest.ca/

So ... I'm taking a poll ...

All those in favor of cancelling the Endodentist appointment and supporting a good cause (see, doesn't it sound less selfish to say that I'm supporting FoodShare?) ... say AYE!

And all those in favor of me missing this most fantastic event, being brave and sticking with the appointment ... say NAY!  (I promise not to hate you.)

Vampire Slayers - start your engines!

Some people get excited for Christmas.  Their birthday.  A wedding.  Thanksgiving.  And sure, these are all worthy of a little fanfare.  But it should be said, that our holiday calendars should be adjusted to include The Garlic Festival in Stratford, Ontario.  Harness your inner Buffy, make sure your fridge is chock-a-block full of butter, your shelves readied with olive oil and get yourselves to this celebration of the stinking rose!  With relatives like onion, leek and chive, no wonder 'garlic' is being celebrated.

To say that we're excited for this annual event would be an understatement of the greatest proportion.  Having just recently bought 6lbs of garlic from "my organic garlic farmer in Duntroon" it's amazing I have any need for more garlic.  But really, one can never have enough garlic and given how much we use in this house, it's a wonder I don't start growing it myself!  If you're looking for something to do this weekend - look no longer.  If you're a vampire ... maybe just stay in and watch a movie or something ... clean your pantry ... just stay put and don't answer the door.  Happy Allium Weekend One & All!

Wax-bean stew - stew what yer mamma gave you!

With an abundance of produce lately (and an abundance of bacon ... I know, I know, it's a hardship) the ShortStacks have been tinkering with some 'summer stew' recipes.  This one, is by far our most fav ... quite likely because we threw in some leftover roasted chicken at the last minute.  And really, who doesn't love an opportunity to use up leftovers? 

As the weather finally begins to turn a bit cooler, it seems like we're almost ready to start thinking about cooler temps, shorter days ... red wine and fireplaces.  All you non-skiers are currently cursing us aren't you?

Grab yourself a cutting board, a sharp knife, a dutch oven and a whole lotta wax beans ... ready, set ... STEW! 

The Summer Harvest, Part 2

I am officially overwhelmed.  Just when I think I've got a handle on my farmers' market addiction ... just when I think I've finally got enough room in my fridge for ONE LAST head of kale, punnet of blackberries or have found an inch of space in the potato bin for one more glorious fingerling ... I get an email from my BFF from Uni ... "BaconFest this weekend - are you in?"  Am I in?  Of course I'm in.  Bacon AND a yet uncharted farmers' market ... my hands tremble as I type this.  Leaving the burbs for the big-city I could almost smell the smoke in the air ... the crackle of the bacon as it sizzled, guiding me thru the streets (well, actually it was my GPS).  Having lived on bacon-inspired dishes for about a 2 week period during Uni, this festival of bacon was about so much more than just salty-meat.  It was about lost loves and term papers.  Bacon, zucchini and brie crepes at 2am after the bars had closed.  Trying to scrape together enough money to buy salmon fillets and baby octopus to grill over a BBQ that launched fireballs into the night sky when we lit it.  Yes, this festival was about who we were ... just now we had more than $10 between us - and oh, how we spent it this past weekend! The Leslieville Farmers' Market is wicked-good.  Farmers from all over, bring with them some of the most gorgeous produce my eyes have ever seen.  Rows upon rows of ruby-red radishes.  Emerald green kale.  Heirloom tomatoes.  Goat cheeses.  Grass raised beef (oh ya' I placed an order for my freezer!!!) Rainbow carrots and fuzzy peaches.  And of course bacon. In particular wild boar bacon, which according to our OFFICIAL bacon tester (and pie connoisseur) is also wicked-good.  (I'm not kidding, this guy knows bacon ... also pie, but that's for another post ...)  Our fav. bacon dish?  It would have to be from the folks at Le Papillon on the Park - buckwheat crepe filled with sauteed apples, white cheddar and bacon, topped with a smattering of maple sugar and fresh berries ... on my list of restaurants to now visit?  Oh he** ya'.  I mean, they have Cretons on the menu <angels sing in the distance> ... I digress ... wanna see more from part 2 of 'the summer harvest'?  

Happy 100th Birthday Julia!

On what would have been her 100th birthday - the ShortStacks would like to take this opportunity to thank her from the bottom of our hearts for being such a strong and amazing woman.  Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a staple in our kitchen - whenever we're in doubt we cry out "how would Julia do it?"  Happy birthday Julia - we'll raise a glass of beurre blanc for you at dinner tonight.

Sand between our toes ...

The ShortStacks were in Oakville this past Saturday - seashells, sand buckets and spades in hand - to help celebrate a milestone birthday!  On the jukebox (okay, it was an ipod), the Beatles belted song after song.  Even Yoko wouldn't have been able to stop her feet from tapping!  On the menu, Mediterranean fare - from the islands of Greece, to the sunny shores of Southern France.  The kiddies splashed in the pool, and the adults beat the heat with libations from the bar ... and a trip or two to fill their bowls with homemade ice cream.  Many thanks for asking us to join you at the seaside Ron - "Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach."

See photos from the event ...