EVENT: Fish Fry Benefit for Lainie
Lainie Sallmen (nee Armstrong) is a 27-year-old mother of three young children Lainie and I went to high school together. I only recently found out about the recent struggle she has been going through. Lainie has been diagnosed with incurable Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After unsuccessful chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant, Lainie's only options are naturopathic medical treatments which are very costly and not covered by insurance. These treatments are the only thing that seems to keep the cancer from progressing at a rapid rate.
A fish fry benefit is being held to raise money to help Lainie and her family pay for these naturopathic treatments.
Come and join us in a gathering of family, friends, and community to raise some money to help Lainie Sallmen in her battle.
EVENT INFORMATION
Saturday, JANUARY 21st 2012
Saturday, JANUARY 21st 2012
Being Held at: The Wheatley Ontario Royal Canadian Legion Hall
Tickets are $20 each. Available at Bowman Feeds or by calling 519-825-9916 or 519-796-6861.
For more information, or if you are interested in donating to this event, please call or email Christine Bradley @ 519-796-6861 or tcbradleyfam@sympatico.ca
COOKBOOK REVIEW: In My Mother's Kitchen by Trish Magwood
Not too long ago, I received another email asking for a cookbook to be reviewed. This time, it was from the chef herself-- Trish Magwood. To be totally honest, I have never heard of Trish Magwood before but nonetheless I was honoured. A quick Google search turned up numerous guest appearances on CBC Radio, CTV's Canada AM, Rogers Cityline, and NBC's today show just to name a few. To be totally honest, surprised this woman doesn't have her own cooking show yet. She is beautiful, full of spunk, and judging by her culinary career thus far really knows her stuff.
Magwood's first cookbook dish entertains did pretty well in its own right winning the James Beard Award (one of the highest honours for food and beverage professionals in North America). In My Mother's Kitchen is her latest cookbook, and the one I received in the mail. This book is a compilation of three generations of family recipes compiled in a book filled with beautiful pictures of the dishes themselves. The book has quick and easy recipes for a meal on the go as well as some little more elaborate recipes for those fancier meals where you aim to impress your friends or family. Seeing as the cookbook arrived on the lead up to the holidays, I have been a bit busy, so decided to tackle the "Elena's Curried Corn Chowder" recipe found on page 37. Don't let the word "curried" scare you, it is only as spicy as you want to make it.
ELENA'S CURRIED CORN CHOWDER
(serves 6)
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp (15ml) butter
1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp (5ml) curry powder
8 baby new potatoes, quartered (or 2 medium Yukon Golds, peeled and cut into chunks)
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups (1L) fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1/2 jalapeno or red chili pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup (125ml) white wine
1 can (10z/284 ml) creamed corn
3 1/2 cups (875ml) chicken stock (Veggie stock would work as vegetarian alternative)
6 small tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (125ml) 35% cream
Chives, for garnish
HOW TO
In a large heavy soup pot, melt butter with oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Add curry powder and saute another minute. Stir in potatoes, salt and pepper; saute another minute. Stir in corn kernels and cook until corn is lightly brown, about 5 minutes.
Stir in red pepper and jalapeno; saute for another 2 minutes. Stir in wine and let evaporate. Add creamed corn and stock, reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes.
Remove from heat. Remove two-thirds of the mixture and set aside. Using a hand blender, puree remaining soup in the pot. Return reserved soup to the pot.
Return to medium-high heat and add tomatoes and cream. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Serve garnished with chives.
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The recipe was so quick and easy to do and was a hit in our household. My younger brother went back for 2 more bowls and he isn't usually one to try new food-- especially if meat is missing from the recipe. If I were to do this recipe again, I would probably put a bit more curry powder and jalapenos for an added kick. I love spicy foods, and the recipe as it is was not spicy. So, again, don't let the "curry" scare you from trying this amazing soup.
THE VERDICT
COOKBOOK RATING: 4/5
I really liked this cookbook. It has such a wide array of recipes that everyone is bound to get something from it. The fact that a seemingly Canadian-centric cookbook had a stracciatella recipe was quite impressive. I also like Magwood's emphasis on local, fresh Canadian produce not only as a way of supporting local farmers, and lessening your carbon footprint but also makes locating the ingredients easier. I can't wait to start tackling the extensive dessert section in the new year. I highly recommend adding this cookbook to your collection.
RECOMMENDED
REVIEW: Sake Sushi
Monday, December 19, 2011
5
comments
Categories:
All You Can Eat,
CANADA,
Japanese,
KINGSVILLE,
ONTARIO,
Sushi
Sake Sushi
1571 Seacliff Drive
Kingsville Ontario Canada
Phone: +1 (519) 326 1688
Website: N/A
TYPE OF RESTAURANT: Japanese
ATTIRE: Casual
PRICES: All You Can Eat (Lunch: $14 Dinner $21; +$2 for weekends and holidays)
Kids pay their age.
Kids pay their age.
$ CHEAP
PAYMENT OPTIONS: Mastercard, Visa, Debit/EftPOS
HOURS: Monday - Thursday 11am-10pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11am-10:30pm
RESERVATIONS? Walk-ins Welcome
HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE? Yes.
VEGETARIAN? Yes.
VEGAN? Yes.
GLUTEN FREE? Yes.
RATING: Service: 2/5 Originality: 4/5 Atmosphere: 4/5
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REVIEW: Frenchy's Poutinery
Sunday, December 18, 2011
1 comments
Categories:
CANADA,
French-Canadian,
Fries,
ONTARIO,
Poutinery,
WINDSOR
Phone: +1 (519) 915-6720
Type of Restaurant: Canadian Poutinery
Attire: Casual
Prices: $5-$10
$- CHEAP
Payment Options:
Debit/Eftpos
Debit/Eftpos
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am to 10pm
Friday 11am to 4am
Saturday 2pm to 4am
Reservations? Walk-ins
Handicap Accessible? Yes.
Vegetarian Friendly? Yes. (They have vegetarian gravy available on request)
Vegan Friendly? Maybe. (Not sure whether their oil is 100% Vegetable)
Gluten-Free? Not sure.
RATING:
 |
Quality of Food: 3/5
Service: 2/5
Originality: 3/5
Atmosphere: 2/5
Ever since returning back from Australia, all my friends in Windsor have been ranting and raving about one of the newest places to open on Ouellette Ave. Frenchy's is a Canadian-inspired poutinery. Poutine, is a French-Canadian inspired dish. Typically fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. A delicious and gooey combo that is loved and enjoyed throughout this great country.
Was looking for a place to dine for a quick lunch, and thought I'd give this place a shot. Upon walking in, I felt like I was back in university. The place was so poorly lit, with awful looking furniture, chipped paint on the walls, essentially it is a hole-in-the wall student establishment. Clearly judging by their hours of operation, they cater to the late night partying crowds drawn in by the numerous clubs and bars on this strip and the 19 years to drink Ontario law that draws in young Americans from across the Detroit River (who have to be 21 to drink at home). The place did not even have a menu board. Their menu consists of an 8x10 piece of computer paper with their menu printed on it (similar to their website above).
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| The Gooey, Filling Frenchy's Poutine |
The choices are simple. In terms of poutine, you get a small ($5) or large ($7), and the price includes all the non-meat toppings of your choosing. If you are feeling extra carnivorous you can add meat (an extra $3-$5). I went for the vegetarian option, which included a vegetarian gravy (you need to ask for).
I waited at the counter, and after a while decided to sit down. Once it was ready the young guy at the counter who took my order, and prepared my poutine waved for me to grab my poutine. If any part of me was hesitating on classifying this place as a student-haven, the poutines get served in a styrofoam take out container even if you are eating in.
Service was not all that friendly, I was the only one in the place and the manager (perhaps owner) walked past me 3 or 4 times and never once asked how I was enjoying my meal.
If he did ask, I would have told him the poutine was very good. I especially enjoyed the way they poured on the gravy and the cheese was incredibly gooey as well.
Overall, Frenchy's has the opportunity to be a pretty cool dining establishment. It just requires a bit of $ investment to "classy" it up a bit.
In the meantime, it will continue to cater to the drunk, young crowds who for the most part don't care what their service or dining environment is like.
For anyone who has tried Lord of the Fries, a popular fry chain in Australia, this place will let you down in comparison. But if you are just after a cheap, filling food and nothing else... this place is your place.
REVIEW: Walkermole
Phone: +1 (519) 253-8226
NOTE: Restaurant has CLOSED and rumour says it has switched hands and will be reopened as "The Willistead"
Prices: E- $8 M- $13 D- $5
$$ - Affordable
Payment Options:
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Debit/Eftpos
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Debit/Eftpos
Hours: Limited Hours at time of review. Currently open for dinner starting at 4:30pm. Will update as hours expand.
Reservations? Walk-ins Welcome.
Handicap Accessible? Yes.
Vegetarian Friendly? Yes.
Vegan Friendly? No. (But able to accommodate variations ie. no cheese, no yoghurt, etc.)
Gluten-Free? Yes. See comment below the review from co-owner Mark Boscariol
. Everything but the Steak Burrito and Tortas are Gluten-free.
RATING:
Quality of Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3/5
Originality: 5/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Walkermole, probably one of the most anticipated restaurants in Windsor's recent history. Aside from places like Acalpuco Delight, Windsor is really lacking on the Mexican Cuisine front. Windsorites often having to travel to Leamington, Ontario or across the border to Detroit, Michigan for some authentic Mexican Town eats.
Walkermole, as the name alludes is located in the heart of the Walkerville area of Windsor. Kiddy-corner to the Gourmet Emporium, and across the street from the Yoga Loft, Shop Eco, and other trendy, modern storefronts. Hard to miss, with their lucha libra (mexican wrestling) inspired mask illuminating the Wyandotte East strip.
My friend Nicola joined me for this review and we both couldn't wait to see if it met up to all the hype and expectations. We were quickly greeted at the door, and offered up a table for two. The interior is beautiful-- bright orange, fairly long bar, all with a very "Ikea-modern" feel to it.
We were greeted by our waitress and she asked if we had dined here before. When we both replied we hadn't she welcomed us and explained that all the food is fresh and made on site asides from the tortillas which are sourced from Leamington. She then offered us up some margaritas to start off with. I prefer a good Mexican mojito, but my preference got turned down. They apparently "don't have those here". Margherita it was. Did find it odd that our server didn't mention the extensively large (60+) Tequila menu, or offer up a drinks menu for us.
It wasn't long before the waitress returned with not only our margaritas but some complimentary nachos and salsa as well. For really wanting a mojito, the margarita was probably the best I've ever had. It tasted so fresh, with a slight sea salt taste to tame the tequila a bit.The salsa was delicious as well.
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| Veggie Sandwich (Background), Refried Beans & Rice (Mid) Pescados (Forefront) |
As for our meals, Nicola and I asked for our servers recommendations to help us out. She recommended the steak burrito to share amongst the two of us as the portion size is very large. Nicola was after something with seafood or vegetarian. On those criteria, our server recommended the Pescados (Crispy Mahi Mahi tacos). We chose to go with that selection, as well as the (Tortas) Vegetarian Mexican Sandwich. Both were accompanied with rice and refried beans. The food was fairly quick to come out. Unfortunately, I wasn't as impressed with our meals as I was with the margherita. The portions were small and flavourless. The Mahi Mahi tacos were advertised on the menu as having a spicy coleslaw but had no spice or flavour aside from the accompanying yoghurt and cucumber. The Mexican Vegetarian Sandwich was better with a hint of spiciness, but had us wishing there was more stuffing as the bun was thick and the lack of filling made it taste slightly dry. Perhaps some mexican hot sauce on the tables so that diners can add spice to their preference level?
Despite the nachos, and the two dishes we were still hungry. We went for desserts which were just a verbal menu. On this particular day it was flan, bread pudding, and brown sugar shaved ice with mint. We went for the first two. The flan was a larger than expected slice, but had a lumpy texture we both did not enjoy but was okay flavour-wise if you could get over the texture. The bread pudding however was the winner of the night. Yes, the bread pudding was the winner at the Mexican restaurant. It had nice chucks of crispy bread, with walnuts, caramel, and a big scoop of vanilla all in a cocktail glass. Simply AMAZING!
The Verdict: This place will definitely be around for a while. The food is okay but a little pricey for the portions you receive. The dessert was what really impressed me more than the main meal. With the garage door that is attached to the dining room, I can see this being *THE* lunch destination to be this summer for drinks out in the sun and perhaps a small bite to eat. As for dinner, there isn't enough there to make it worthwhile to fill you up. However, if it is a social night with drinks and friends you are after Walkermole could definitely be the place you are looking for.
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