Thursday, May 8th, 2008
Gourmet Emporium in Olde Walkerville is whipping up a feast for Mother’s Day! They are serving up a buffet that will seriously make your mouth water.
- omelette station
- crepe station
- sausage pepperonata
- hash browns
- potato salad
- samosas
- crab cakes
- desserts
And that’s not even every thing on the list. The cost for The Gourmet Emporium’s spread is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 9 and under. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations are definitely in order and I suggest making them quickly as many restaurants are reaching capacity.
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Thursday, May 8th, 2008
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit wants to know what you think.
They are developing a Food Premise Ratings program to tell the public about the results of public health inspections of food premises (which is basically any place you buy food, like a restaurant, grocery store, convenience store). They are asking for public input by conducting a survey.
The goal of the program is to improve food safety practices, reduce the risk of foodborne illness, and raise consumer awareness of food safety.
There are about 11 -13 million cases of food-related illnesses in Canada each year. The medical costs and productivity losses are over $1 billion annually. According to Ontario statistics, most foodborne illness outbreaks are linked to foods from food premises.
A ratings program puts a score or colour to the inspection results to help you quickly see how well a food premise followed the law at the time the premise was inspected. The score or colour is then posted on the Health Unit website and at the food premise.
So fill out a survey and let them know what you think!
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Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
Looking for things to do this weekend for Mother’s day?
You can check out some of the other great events taking place this weekend or any other day on our Event Guide.
Or simply make a reservation at any of our great restaurants on WindsorEats!
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Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
A few weeks back Adriano and I walked over to the Low-Martin house in Olde Walkerville (Andrew of International Metropolis has some great pictures here). The new owner, Francesco Vella, was having an open house and invited the neighbours over. So like a good neighbour (even though I technically don’t live in the neighbourhood) I decided to bake cookies!
Bake or Break had a recipe for Chocolate Chunk Peanut Cookies. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter pretty much made it an easy choice. I mean c’mon! Chocolate and peanut butter??? I’ve been slowly trying to ween myself off my nutella/peanut butter obsession but just couldn’t resist making these.
The one thing I messed up on is that I overbaked them. Although the recipe said 15 minutes, they should have been in there for less. So as a result, they didn’t come out chewy like I wanted them too. I’m still a bit undecided about the addition of cinnamon in the recipe. It definitely added a different flavour to the cookie but maybe one I’d like to try doing without the next time. None the less, once I set them out on the table at the Low-Martin house…they were gone in minutes!
Thank you to Francesco Vella for letting us hang out at his house and take a peek inside! We’re very excited about the restoration of this grand home! (And we’re hoping you have a big backyard party when you’re done and invite us again.)
Chocolate Chunk Peanut Cookies
Makes about 28 cookies
Adapted from Southern Living.com
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1 bag of chocolate chips/chunks
Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electic mixer until creamy; add peanut butter and sugars, beating well. Add eggs, beat until blended.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture, beat well. Stir in peanuts and chocolate chips. Shape dough into 2 inch balls. Flatten slightly and place on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pan for 1-2 minutes.
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Monday, May 5th, 2008
On Friday, May 9 at Foia Restaurant & Lounge, the band Ciao will begin entertaining in the later part of the evening sometime after 8:00pm. Foia will open for dinner at 5:00pm. The regular menu is available as well as a five course dinner created by executive chef Joseph Graziano. It is recommended you make reservations if you are interested in going for dinner.
However, dinner is not mandatory for visiting Foia that evening so feel free to go for a wonderful meal or simply to enjoy a martini while listening to Ciao.
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Monday, May 5th, 2008
Well, the Battle of Hors D’Oeuvres was a huge success! It was a sold out event with 600 people in attendance. Everyone loved that Christine Cushing was there and she had a great time as well. I was lucky enough to sit next to Christine and chat it up with with her, Danielle Piche, Ted Whipp, Ahron Goldman and Mike Diebert.
Christine Cushing and Danielle Piche critiquing Bin151’s entry
of medjool date and chorizo
The hors d’oeuvres varied in taste and presentation, but in the end it was the St. Clair Centre for the Arts that dazzled everyone and picked up not only the People’s Choice Award but the Critics Award as well.
The winners! St. Clair Centre for the Arts
After each hor d’oeuvre, we discussed the pros and cons of each dish and then rated the plate on taste, presentation, creativity/originality and use of ingredients.
St. Clair Centre for the Arts entry….lamb with an
outstanding dipping sauce
As I tend to forget things within minutes after it’s happened, I probably should have wrote down what each restaurant was making…..but I didn’t. Note to self: bring pen and paper whereever you go.
Casino Windsor’s entry…..delicious peppered monk fish
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Friday, May 2nd, 2008
Just a reminder that the Battle of Hors D’Oeuvres takes place tonite at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts!
There are still a few tickets left and it is always a fantastic event and one not to be missed. Plus how can you give up a chance to miss me in action as a celebrity food critic! (Yes, the “celebrity” status has inflated my ego a bit). Oh ya…and Christine Cushing will be there 
Hmmmm….I wonder if she’ll remember me from our interview together.
Tickets are available by phone at (519) 945-6232 ext. 13
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
The Amherstburg Ice Cream Festival is looking for vendors!
Last year the festival was held in Belle River and in its first year had over 5,000 people attend and received coverage across the region on every major news outlet. To celebrate their new and permanent home in Amherstburg they have slashed the costs to participate allowing more vendors than ever to become involved.
This year’s festival will be held June 28-29 in Toddy Jones Park and the Town of Amherstburg is working hard to ensure it is promoted and becomes an annual town event.
If you are interested in joining this great event contact Karolyn Hart at karolyn_hart@yahoo.ca. You can also contact Sponsorship Director Maddie Howie at 519-562-8817.
Sponsorship packages are also available if you or someone you know is interested in participating in the festival in that way.
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Monday, April 28th, 2008
When looking for a simple dish with a twist, I often turn to Bonnie Stern’s Essentials of Homecooking cookbook. Bonnie Stern is not known for owning a swanky restaurant. She’s not known for a famous cooking show. But she is known for being a great Canadian cookbook author who appeals to the home cook.
Her recipes vary from weeknight easy to special occasions and encompass a number of different cooking styles. Regardless of the style, most of the recipes are simple and easy-to-prepare (two important criteria in my often hectic life).
Essentials of Homecooking is divided into eight sections: appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, side dishes, all-day breakfast (who doesn’t love that?!?!), cookies and desserts. Below I will share with you three menus that continue to be favourites in our home.
Weekend Dinner With Friends
- Thai Shrimp Dumplings with Orange Chile Dipping Sauce
- Korean-style Miami Ribs
- Edamame and Green Bean Stir-fry
This meal takes a little longer to prepare but most of the prep can be done ahead of time so you can enjoy this dinner with your favourite people. For the dumpling wrappers, look in the refrigerated section of an Asian food store. I visited the new Oriental Market on Dougall Avenue near the Zehrs.
“Something Quick Before The Early Show” Dinner
- Caesar Salad
- Sesame Salmon Burgers with Spicy Mayonnaise or
- Grilled Chicken Club Sandwiches with Avocado Mayonnaise
For the salad, I usually make a lighter version by omitting the raw garlic and mayonnaise. Instead, I use roasted garlic and top with tomatoes.
Grilled Chicken Club
Family Dinner
- Sugared Walnuts with Fleur de Sel,
- Carmelized Onion and Gorgonzola Pizza
- Hummus and pita chips
- Arugula Salad with Roasted Tomatoes and Olives
- Roast Chicken
- Double Potato Gratin
- store bought fruit pie (sorry but I’m not a baker)
When my husband’s family comes over for dinner, there are usually more than 12 of us. Typically, we enjoy a few glasses of wine or champagne before dinner so we need plenty of appetizers. As for the main course, I try to make something a little more traditional to suit everyone’s palate.
If you are looking for Fleur de Sel (which is great for salads, sprinkling over grilled steak or the sugared walnuts below) try Far Flung Foods at Market Square, 2109 Ottawa Street or Remark Farms, 2727 Howard Avenue.
I hope you enjoy Bonnie’s recipes as much as I do!
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GUEST BLOGGER
Jordana
Jordana confesses to being a cookbook junkie who spends the weekend pouring over recipes, planning meals and shopping at Market Square on Ottawa St. When she’s dining out, she enjoys everything from fancy-schmancy tasting menus to hot buffalo wings and a beer. Jordana has a well fed husband and a dog. |
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Sunday, April 27th, 2008
WindsorEats.com has just added The Chop House to our ever growing list of restaurants.
The Chop House, located in Tecumseh, is considered to be one of Windsor/Essex’s most rewarding place to satisfy your appetite.
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