Food Trucks - A Whole New World

When I was a kid...no cracks, please!   I remember two types of food trucks... ice cream trucks in the neighborhood with the sound of magical bells that attracted every child within hearing.  Think Pied Piper.  The other type of truck I remember, was at the side of the high way (not the super highways of today, but rather slow two lane roads)...The chip truck.... freshly made fries... awesome!

Best of Both Worlds - Local Ingredients & Mediterranean Flavors

Finally, the sun is shining and I don't need a jacket (hopefully I did not just jinx things)!  I know I talk a lot about eating locally grown, locally raised food - It tastes better, stays fresh longer and it supports the local economy.  And what could I possibly mean by "stays fresh longer"?

Last Minute Trip to Montreal

It's been too long since my last post.  It's not that I haven't been enjoying life... just somehow too lazy to write much...or thought of taking photos only AFTER delicious meals were eaten.   The Passover Seder was great, but the photos... what there were...not worth sharing.  So on to some more recent experience - a last minute quick trip to Montreal. That's the view from our hotel room in downtown Montreal.   My Honey was there on business and I was in the business of leisure.

Getting Ready for Passover

Passover is probably my favorite Jewish Holiday.  The photo is the lull before the cacophony of clattering dishes, noisy guests and general frenzy.  I love the weeks before it starts with the scouring through my favorite Jewish cookbooks, apps and Pinterest for new recipes and discussing options with my daughter (and then always end up with the classics)  You can check out some of my earlier ramblings and recipes.  I love the list making and schedules..

New Cookbooks, New Recipes & Fond Memories

It seems like forever since I've last written anything here... chalk it up to a short but intense stint working, lots of colds, some travel... and pure laziness.   Not that there is any excuse for not sharing my local market joys, some great cookbooks, and a taste of recipes.    I haven't been totally silent.  I have shared three cookbooks and quite a few recipes from them just to whet your appetites.  And now that I've got my blogging mojo back, I promise to write more frequently.   But this post is really about comfort food and a flashback to my childhood.

Local Flavours

I'm most often found writing about two of my favorite intertwining topics... food and local sources. Typically, though, it's about the ingredients, the producers of said ingredients, the season they are harvested and, naturally some recipes to go with them.  This time, I take a slightly different tack.  Still local, still flavorful, but this time it's about an evening out  - late dinner following a book launch... Seasoned Recipes and Essays from The Spiceman, Costas Halavrezos

A Fun Farm Visit

Monday was a teachers' PD at my grandsons' school and since it was a beautiful day, my daughter invited me to join them on a farm outing.  Another gorgeous drive to "The Valley". A visit to not JUST a farm, but a farm with tons of benefits.  Welcome to our trip to Noggins Corner Farm. That's Boaz beside Winnie the Pooh Pumpkin and his Honey Pot

Autumn in Nova Scotia

I do love this time of year....leaves changing colors...cool enough weather to actually use the stove without the need of fans or air conditioners ....tons of fantastic local produce for making batches of preserves ... my "why I love Autumn" list is endless so I thought I'd share some of the beauty of Nova Scotia and how we've spent a recent weekend...along with recipes, of course.

The Brown Bag Challenge

I love supporting local farmers and purveyors of all things delicious so I was intrigued by the Brown Bag Challenge presented by the folks at East Coast Organic Milk Coop and Just US! Coffee.  But as often as I am tempted by foodie challenges...I've never actually entered one...until now, that is.

A Perfect Slow Food Kind of Day

Yesterday was perfect...sunny and warm.  A perfect day for a Mother -Daughter date.  And a perfect day for a special hike along the Gaspereau River at White Rock in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.  For the longest time, my daughter Joanna has been talking about foraging for food in the wild.  I, of course, see poison and death at every corner.  So how could I not suggest a fabulous Slow Food NS event like this one - Foraging for wild edibles led by awesome and very knowledgeable botanists Ruth Newell and her husband Reg, followed by a heavenly lunch on the grape vine covered terrace at Le Caveau Restaurant at Grand Pre Winery.

Brown Bag Challenge

How do I start... normally, I don't participate in cooking challenges.  I'm not sure why exactly...afraid of the competition...?afraid I won't meet the deadline...?afraid I won't be able to come up with an original idea?  So why did I agree...

A Twist for Chimichuri - Pasta with Mushrooms

Sometimes, like today, I really love how my brain works.  This pasta dish started out at least a week ago or maybe more, by pinning a delicious looking pasta dish created by Nigella Lawson and shared on Food52.   I mean, lemon, mushrooms, thyme and garlic - what's not to love?  Then life - and other recipes got in the way, but I've been obsessing about it ever since.

Happy Tenth Food Day Canada

I've loved Anita Stewart for a long time.  I first chatted with her back in 2008 and was hooked on her and her projects ever since - not to mention that Anita Stewart's Canada is still one of my all time favorite books (check out my review)  So naturally, I've been following Food Day Canada and all the wonderful events around the country.  You can too.   So a big shout out to Anita and Food Day Canada's Tenth Anniversary. And this week, we're also celebrating Nova Scotian Farmers all around the province.  I thought I'd share my heavenly day with you.  But first here's a taste  of my wonderful Nova Scotia farmers & artisan purveyors from a couple of years ago.

Citrus & Herb Chicken From Kebabs to Pasta

I love it when one meal can turn magically into another two or three completely different options and I love it even more if I don't have to think to hard to prepare them. It's kind of like dressing up your favorite outfit with different accessories.

I didn't even bother to make a side dish of rice or even a salad to go with the original Citrus & Herb Chicken Kebabs.   In addition to the usual fresh herbs, whole cremini mushrooms,  wedges and slices of sweet red peppers and sweet onions, there are a couple of surprises...

Frittata - A Perfect Breakfast

If you ask me what to make for dinner when I a) have unexpected guests; b) am exhausted and don't even have the energy to check out a cookbook or the web; c) am plain brain dead... I'd say pasta, but if you ask me for the perfect breakfast/brunch I'd have to say...

Lobster - You've Come a Long Way

 

We've all been asked the question "If you were on a desert island, what one food would you choose?"  A ridiculous question for those stranded who could be eating the same thing over and over and over and

The Joys of Sleepovers

If you come here often, you know I write about food... where to find it, what to do with it when you do... but this time it's not really about food at all.  It's about sleepovers at Grandma & Poppa's and |I'm sure you're curious as to what that's a photo of...

Daydreaming of Greece and Portugal

After a week of sneezing and coughing every five seconds, not to mention rarely leaving my cozy bed, I'm finally returning to the Land of the Living. Having a leisurely coffee, sitting on the balcony and enjoying the view of Bedford Basin and Halifax Harbour on a such a sunny morning, made me think Mediterranean ..... which naturally had me thinking of food.

Love My Market Breakfast for Dinner Omelet

Ever have one of those rushing around days when you've wolfed down a quick breakfast, run around town and missed lunch?  Of course you have.  Ever droolingly planned what you'd eat once you got home and then been too tired to make it?  Me too!

Canadian Living Collections and a Give Away

Lucky me!   that I'm often given the opportunity to choose some cookbooks  from Random House and share my favorites with all of you.  And this time around, I even have an extra copy of Canadian Living The Appetizer Collection to give to one of you lucky readers.