Canada Eats's Profile
Best Italian Cookbook?
I second (or third) the Silver Spoon. I'd almost call it an encyclopedia-cookbook. It's got just about everything you could possibly want (and lots you never knew you wanted).
It's particularly useful for those nights when you find yourself with a haphazard assortment of ingredients to use up, since many of the recipes are indexed according to main ingredient. For example, in the vegetable section, each vegetable gets a couple pages, with anywhere from 5-10 different ways to prepare that vegetable.
Love it!
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Is there any point to Toronto Life's ratings?
Is that not the case with all reviews though, not just Toronto Life?
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
The Future of Print Media / Would You Rather Read a Conventional Culinary Magazine or an Online Version?
I hate to be the curmudgeon in the room (ok, I lie, I love it), but I think the future of print is really tied to advertising. Once advertisers figure out a viable way to make a decent living online (Salon.com is a prime example), a lot of print will shift that way. This isn't to say that print will disappear, but it will likely become an increasingly expensive and specialized product. Media, publishers, and others, will have to come up with a way to offer something different in print than online, to convince people to continue buying. At what point the cost of print will outweigh the benefits for individual buyers is anyone's guess.
While I love print, and will to my dying day, when I stop to think about it, many of my habits have changed simply because certain things are available online when I would previously have paid for them. I've become more selective about what I pay for in print (and often get a better quality product and/or experience- ie. nyfoodjoe's magazine and young lady- for that money), when I know there's a lot of information I can get online, and it's generally free. Consumer expectation of getting service journalism/info for free, such as the recipes on Epicurious, is, IMO, a big hurdle for print providers to get over.
That being said, as other discussions on this board have pointed out, finding reliable online recipes is always a problem, although food bloggers, and even this month's cook"book" of the month, Leite's Culinaria, obviously indicate it's not impossible.
Ok, 'nuff said.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Hellman's vs Best Foods
There's something weird (in a quese-inducing sort of way) about the olive oil Hellman's as well. It's just ever-so-slightly off in taste.
BTW, there were a couple lengthy discussions on Hellman's and Best Foods at megnut.com a few months back.
Hellman's changing their may formula: http://www.megnut.com/2006/11/hellmanns-has-changed-their-mayonnaise-formula
An update after a phone call to Hellman's:
http://www.megnut.com/2006/11/more-on-hellmanns
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Toronto CSAs and Organic Deliveries
We're looking into getting produce delivery in Toronto. I've found a number of different companies, all of which seem to do more or less the same thing, so of course, now comes the picking and choosing. Does anyone else have any experience with produce delivery/CSAs? Any recommendations or warnings?
We're looking at FoodShare, Plan B Organics, Wanigan, Front Door Organics, and Organics Delivered. I'm also trying to figure out proportions- it looks like some of them are delivering just a single orange for 2 people, which seems a little, hmm, meager. Perhaps I'm reading things wrong, and they're really measuring in units.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Conversions website
Before I got my kitchen scale, I used this site: http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/cookingconversions.asp
It's food-specific, which means you select the food and additional relevant details (ie brown or white sugar, etc), and then get a conversion. I've generally found it to be fairly reliable, although sometimes I find the categories a little confusing.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Mail Order Chocolates
Hi Atahualpa, I'm not sure if you're still looking for mail-order chocolates, but we ordered a box from D.C. Duby in Vancouver a while ago. I wasn't completely blown away, but maybe my expectations were a little high. We got a box with pumpkin seed, squash, and other unique combos, which were hit-and-miss, although that was mostly personal taste, not so much a reflection on the quality. They also have a wide range of floral, herbal, and spice flavours. If you're interested in unique, experimental flavours, definitely worth checking out. Their website is dcduby.com.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Mail Order Chocolates
Lindt is also widely available around the country at Shopper's.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
chocolate covered coffee beans - toronto
It turns out I bought the last of the coffee beans at the Hydro building, as they're not just out, they're no longer stocking them. My afternoons will never be the same again. Hope I didn't send anyone on a wild goose chase.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
chocolate covered coffee beans - toronto
There's a candy stall on the concourse level of the Hydro building (700 University, corner of College and University). They usually carry them (although they've been out for the past week or so). You can get a small bag for $1, or try the bulk bins.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Looking for Good Recipe Sites
Hi meat eater, there was a thread on this same topic a month or two ago, which will probably help point you in the right direction:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/354529
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Food Industry Professionals on Grocery Stores
Hi FlavoursGal, you're so right. I should know better than to assume such things- I used to be a fact checker. Grocery stores in general are on my ever-expanding list of story ideas, and I'd be very curious to follow up on this one. If I ever find out, I'll let you know.
And, to add to the original poster's request, I'd love to hear from anyone who can comment on things like the best days to shop for fish and seafood. I've heard varying things about when such items are freshest, and would love to hear more of an insider's opinion.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Sourcing organic dried unsweetened cherries
Not sure if you've found them already, but you may want to try Lennie's, on Parliament (corner of Carleton). I'm always amazed at their selection of, well, nearly everything. I know they stock a wide range of dried fruit and nuts, so may be worth a call.
Lennie's Whole Foods
489 Parliament
416-920-3777
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Food Industry Professionals on Grocery Stores
Hi FlavoursGal, I think that may be an Ontario-specific requirement. If memory serves, I'd never seen that growing up in Alberta, apart from the high-end gourmet stores who were doing it to appeal to their clientele. I didn't realize it was a requirement- it's always surprised me to see origins listed in places like No Frills and Dominion.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Bulldog the only coffeehouse in TO doing latte art?
B Espresso (111 Queen E.) does some latte art (although it depends who's making your coffee), but nothing fancy. Mostly hearts for cute girls, that sort of thing.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
MOVIES w/ food themes
Eat Drink Man Woman (Taiwanese)
Tortilla Soup (American version of the above, and IMHO, not nearly as good, either cinematically or food-wise)
Mostly Martha
Big Night
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Not-to-be-missed Food Festivals?
Hi librarian, what's your part of the world? Are you looking for festivals in North America? Internationally?
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Looking for Amba in GTA
For years now, I have cajoling travelling friends into bringing me my favourite mango sauce from Israel (which I happily slop onto every falafel I can manage). The sauce is called Amba, and it's a spicy pickled mango sauce like nothing else I've ever had.
Imagine my shock (and delight) when the very same sauce appeared in the Saveur 100. And, available in the US through a company called Kalustyan's, no less. I'm trying to find out if they'll ship to Canada, but in the meantime, thought I'd check in with fellow Chow-folk to see if anyone can answer the million-dollar question...
Is Amba available anywhere in the GTA??
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Help- Swimming in Milk Chocolate
I finally did it- I unearthed the first of the chocolate and, voila, Cointreau brownies appeared, thanks to the February Gourmet (they must have been snooping in my kitchen, because it was all about milk chocolate this month).
In case anyone's interested, the recipe is here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/237216.
I added the zest of one orange, about 2 tbsps Cointreau, and 2 tsp nutmeg. They're a bit sticky and heavy, so I'll work on making them a little more cake-y and less fudge-y for next time, but so far they make for a very decent mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Chocolatechipkt, I'm afraid you've got about 5 minutes left before it all disappears :).
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Healthy Butcher-YUM
Not as exciting as in-house sausages and burgers, but I've had both chicken and ground lamb from there and it's absolutely excellent. Plus, less attitude than I've seen in some other small butchers.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
TORONTO LIFE 2007 - DO YOU TAKE THE RATINGS SERIOUSLY?
Hi BLM, you're right on Burrito Boyz, my mistake. I've seen it in a few places recently, so I must have gotten mixed up. The line-ups there are long enough already without any more mentions.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
TORONTO LIFE 2007 - DO YOU TAKE THE RATINGS SERIOUSLY?
Speaking of the 2007 ratings, I'm curious what people think of the Take Out guide in the February issue. I was pleased to see lots of my favourites, but then a little disgruntled when I remembered the lines that already exist at these places. I guess some of them aren't really a secret anymore (ie. Sandwich Box and Burrito Boyz), but still.
Other thoughts?
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Canada
Hi Magnapro, I fully agree. There was a bit of chat in a similar vein earlier this month, mostly about Ottawa. I personally would love to see Canada set off in its own section, so that the various regional boards are clustered together. However, I have no idea what the traffic needs to be at for something like that to happen (and I'm sure there are plenty of other factors that I'm not even aware of).
You can read the other thread here:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/357949
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Lazy Researchers
And, none of them will likely be reading this particular post...
That being said, Tail Section made a good point, in that it's unfair to assume this is the only research source from someone making such a request. There are so many routes to researching, and only the person doing the research can see the entire picture- the rest of us are just getting bits and pieces, so it may only seem to us that the person is lazy.
And, of course, one is always welcome to abstain from answering, or alternately, ask for more details.
Also, in defence of "lazy researchers" (and reporters and writers), sometimes they may simply want to generate a list of names. Deadlines are always a factor, and some people may feel that it's faster to post a question than to dig through the search results (which may not yield satisfying answers).
Finally, having done research and fact checking for several years (although not on this board, LOL), I sometimes play slightly dumber than I am to make sure I'm getting the same answer more than once, or to generate alternate responses to the same request.
All of which is not to say that there aren't an absurd number of lazy researchers out there, just playing a little devil's advocate.
-Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Should I buy a Pannini Press?
I inherited a George Foreman panini a few years ago. Unfortunately, kitchen space is tight, so the press is tucked away, which means I don't end up using it very often. But every once in a while, it manages to makes its way onto the counter for a few days, and then I do use it quite a lot, especially when I'm rushing around a lot- it's quick, but still makes me feel like I'm "doing something."
But unlike, say, a food processor, you don't "need" a panini- unless it's stored somewhere visible and accessible, you likely won't use it much.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Lunching My Way Around College & University
Price-wise, about $10. The less, the better, but I like having a range of options.
As for walking, about 10-15 minutes is my max most days, weather/time permitting.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Lunching My Way Around College & University
Hello, I've moved offices to College and University; my new building has some abysmal food court selections. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend decent (inexpensive) lunches in the vicinity? I'm somewhat familiar with the options on Baldwin and McCaul, but don't really know the rest of the area.
Thanks muchly.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Rebel House - What to order?
Mmm... my vote is for the sausage plate mentioned above- it's an appetizer which changes daily, and comes with mustard and, if I recall correctly, bread. I also really enjoyed their duck main- can't quite remember the details, but it was a heap of duck with orange sauce, over either mash or rice.
Enjoy!
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Cookbooks from the Good Cook
Thanks so much for all the responses. Perhaps I'm being a little too curmudgeonly about the whole enterprise. As some people have noted, their books tend towards the Food Network celebrities which doesn't interest me, but they do seem to have enough gems to warrant the initial membership agreement. Plus, I'm a sucker for snail mail (once it actually arrives).
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
Good food reviews [Moved from Ontario Board]
Hi Vinnie, here it is:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/358709
You just have to type in the full URL (rather than the name of the site plus coding), which automatically creates the link.
- Lea
http://canada-eats.com
