Fellow Chow'ers

I NEED YOUR HELP!

I am making chocolate covered pretzels for a shower this wknd and need to find large pretzels (the dried kind, fatter and bigger than the regular kind found in the chip aisle). I have seen them at Sobey's on Front Street but when I went today I was told they no longer carry them. I went to Loblaws on Queens Quay yesterday with no luck.

Close to the SLM in Toronto would be ideal.

Thanks!

Sticky Toffee Pudding at Starfish.

GREEN TEA!
Full of antioxidants, this is the perfect beverage to maintain an ideal body weight and speed up your metabolism. I tend to drink 2 large thermos portions a day (one on my way into work, and one at lunch) and have managed to enjoy it now without any sugar (I initially needed some because I didn't like the taste right away).
I am looking into making an iced preparation of it (similar to iced tea) to enjoy in the summer....any suggestions/recipes?

Avani - located near the HeartLand Shopping complex in Mississauga. The food is excellent and the actual restaurant is well decorated. They do allow for private functions, but only mid-week (I am pretty sure Saturday is out). You may be further ahead to book a small convention room at a hotel close to the airport and have it catered (from the Host).

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Avani
801 Matheson Blvd W, Mississauga, ON L5V, CA

There was a Groupon offered at Sushi Marche a few months ago (I think near the end of last year) and I can say hands down the quality and portions have dropped since then. It's the unfortunate reality of the food market when money-hungry owners start limiting quality for a few extra bucks (look at what has happened to The Butchers) when they become involved in these internet discount deals. Just my speculation. I really hope it doesn't happen at the Gilead......

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Sushi Marche
1105 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M1K7, CA

An absolutely sinful Mulva Pudding last week for a lunch potluck. Monkey bread and a layered carrot cake with cream cheese frosting this past weekend. What can I say...my SO has a sweet tooth....

Not sure where you are in the west end, but you are sure to find ripe and readily available mangos at any Indian grocery store. There are many in the Mississauga/Brampton area. They are often sold for a better price by the box. Here are two favorites:

Asian Grocers (McLaughin+Ceremonial)

Golden Groceries (Malton, close to Derry+Goreway)

Golden Groceries (McLaughin+Steeles)

Hands down, Ina Garten's classic carrot cake - has fresh diced pineapple, raisins and walnuts for excellent texture and taste. I usually cut each 8" cake into 2 so I can jam more of the cream cheese goodness inside. I find that it is super moist, but maybe on the sweet side. I usually reduce the sugar in the cake by 1/2 cups (originally it is 2 cups).

Maybe I'm biased, but I heart Ina.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Goodness!
Ina Garten

For the cake:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
3 extra-large eggs
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups plus 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, divided
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 pound carrots, grated
3/4 cup diced fresh pineapple

For the frosting:
250 g cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper.

For the cake:
Using a whisk, beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in bowl until light yellow in color. Add the vanilla. In another bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the bowl. Toss the raisins and walnuts (walnuts are optional) with 1 tbsp flour. Fold in the carrots and pineapple. Add to the batter and mix well.
Divide the batter equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set over a wire rack.

For the frosting:
Mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.
Place 1 layer, flat-side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with diced pineapple.

Second that! Love the Hali at BB, but it does make for an upset stomach soon after! I have been making my own at home, with chicken, steak or fish, and I find the best thing about it is the large 12" tortilla wraps I get from Kengsington Market. They look identical to the ones used at BB. They are are big enough to stuff to your hearts content!