“Shut Ur Pie Hole” might be your exclamation if you knew what birthday D celebrated yesterday, with his boyish good looks and effervescent personality.  I wanted him to enjoy a special treat at the end of a long day standing on his feet and chatting to potential customers at a trade show and then attending a course last evening. The perfect opportunity came along when I had a chance to visit my new friend Heather Daymond at the same trade show. Heather a.k.a. the “pie lady” is the genius behind the local business Shut Ur Pie Hole. She sent me away with a couple of her perfectly sized pies in a jar-pecan, D’s favourite!

Heather is an extraordinary entrepreneur, finessing her passion for pie making into a full time business. While at her gorgeous booth, Chef Rob Thomas dropped in for a visit and to chat about his recent experience on Chopped Canada, which I viewed when I got home last evening. We discussed that the “edge” in the food and culinary world is not simply putting out a great tasting product but doing so in an authentic and vulnerable manner so that potential customers have the satisfaction of a first hand relationship with the food’s creator. Heather, my friend is the real deal.

Since we had just celebrated Boo and the Frenchman’s nuptials this fall, the knowledge that Heather’s pie display is available to rent for weddings (and other events) was of interest.  Our kids worked so hard to create a homey, comfortable and beautiful setting for their reception at Fort Gilbraltar.  The latter already contributed to the feel that they were going for, but had their reception been in a more “banquet-style” room, Heather’s set would have been a fitting addition. Not to mention, that mini pies in a jar are the perfect party favour!

Heather has not yet celebrated her business’s first anniversary and in that time frame she has lovingly made an astounding number of pies. IMHO here’s why-pies speak of love, especially the memory of a slice of your Grandma or Mom’s pie. Of course, the pie must be expertly made and delicious and the “Pie Lady’s” pies absolutely are (D let me have a bite)! In D’s family pies were so revered that he and his 7 siblings each got their own full pie for their birthdays. They did not have to share it with anyone if they chose. D says that he would keep his stashed under his bed and luxuriate in a forkful for the week following his birthday celebration.

And so it was that I was able (in an abbreviated fashion) to give him this gift of love and rejuvenation at the end of a long and tiring day.

Kath’s quote: “But I, when I undress me
Each night, upon my knees
Will ask the Lord to bless me
With apple-pie and cheese.”-Eugene Field

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

Now that D and I are empty-nesters, we love to spontaneously drop in somewhere for dinner before we head home for the night. On this evening, we knew that a televised Jets game was being pvr’d at home. We both wanted something light, not just because it was a mid-week, “no real reason to go out” kind of night but also because of our post-holiday resolutions. You might think that The Keg Steakhouse + Bar would be a poor choice under these circumstances, but you would be wrong.  The Keg has always been very customer focused (D and I are former employees) and it is no surprise that their executive chefs have put lighter items on the menu to ensure that all their guests get exactly what they desire.

New to the menu (as of late November) is Baked Sea Bass. Sea Bass is a meaty, salt-water fish. We are fond of Sea Bass, especially the giant ones called Grouper that we often dine on while vacationing in the Caribbean. Do you see the definition of the fish in this photo? The meat can be easily separated with your fork and the result is as if you were eating a glistening scallop.  The cucumber salsa crowning the fish added crunch and additional clean tastes.  We were really impressed by the Keg’s take on quinoa. A tri-colour variety of the grain is combined with garlic, chives, jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, red onions, black beans and charred corn; taking one super-food and elevating it with others.

Speaking of super-foods: pistachios, salmon and brussel sprouts make appearances in the second dish that we shared. I’ve know pistachios to be paired with chicken and sausages, but never before with fish. They added a satisfying crunch, additional protein and flavour to the already succulent salmon. The sprouts had been sautéed with apple-wood smoked bacon increasing the depth of the dish with pungent tones. The drizzling of maple butter and the bed of decadent garlic-mashed potatoes, cinched our love of the dish.

We ordered a heavier red wine before we selected our entrees, but the next time we select these two dishes, we would be inclined towards one of the couple of Sangioves on extensive wine menu. Typically white wines are chosen with fish, but a lighter red like this or a Gamay can also be enjoyed.

We chose to decline the dessert menu when our helpful server offered it, to help us with those resolutions but also because we had lingered over our wine and were anticipating getting home for the game.

Kath’s quote:“Pistachio nuts, the red ones, cure any problem.”-Paula Danziger

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

I grew up in East Kildonan.  Most of my family have homes in the neighbourhood and our Mom lives in a personal care home there.  As a result, I make the drive to EK many times in a month.  I have a certain route that I take which I consider a short cut.  My path takes me down Stadacona Ave. and I have never made note of Charlee’s Restaurant and Lounge location before.  But my Brother D, who I was meeting for lunch had been there and recommended it.

Upon entering I was struck by the sleek interior (“sleek” that is for a strip mall in a somewhat industrial neighbourhood).  There were black and white photos of Elmwood streets adorning the wall and sunlight streaming in through a bank of floor to ceiling windows, creating a comfortable neighbourhood atmosphere.

The day was a chilly one so we warmed up by sharing a bowl of Chicken Pot Pie Soup.  Huge chunks of chicken, potato and carrot had been simmered in a creamy broth with crouton- like-squares of pastry floating on top.   I was hesitant upon seeing the unusual twist on the special’s board but Charlie Villapando who is the owner and executive chef, completely pulled it off!

We selected two lunches to share (being brother and sister we have eaten off each other’s plates all our lives).  Firstly, a Bacon and Peppercorn burger where a tender juicy patty was topped with so much crispy bacon that it fell out of the bun every time we took a bite.  The savoury peppercorn sauce was fairly subtle but absolutely perfect.

We read on the menu that Charlee’s Chicken Tenders were the real deal.  Having been on the restaurant scene since the early 1990s when chicken fingers made their first appearance. This came about as a result of processors and restaurants needing a use for the “tenderloin” that remains when a chicken breast is attractively trimmed.   Ironically, the finger food became so popular that tenderloins are sometimes more expensive than the breast itself and as a result, chicken fingers have been pulled from many menus. They are still featured on Charlee’s menu and are as good as the “old school” appetizer that I remember.

Both the cole slaw and Caesar salad were quite good as well.  I am somewhat baffled by the choice of frozen French fries when so many items are made from scratch but I am sure that Owner/Exec Chef Charlie has a very sound reason. I spied many excuses to make a return visit including perogies and kielbasa at dinner and Filipino breakfast.

Kath’s quote: “Yes, I’ll have a non-fat, decaf latte, please. Oh, what the hell? Look, make it a full-fat mocha with extra whipped cream. What the hell, put a slice of bacon on it!”-Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

Bistro Dansk has been on my “must visit again” list ever since I saw them featured on the Canadian TV show “You Gotta Eat Here”.  On this evening, I picked up Boo who lives in the neighbourhood and we nestled into to this cozy little spot.  Seafood chowder was on special, so we decided to share a large bowl and then split an entrée.

Oh my, the chowder was silky and full of tender potatoes as well as succulent seafood.  There was a lovely herb that I could not identify.  When I asked our server what the secret ingredient was, she replied: “love”.  The chowder was delivered with two spoons so we met in the middle of an almost empty bowl and then lapped up the remainder with a piece of freshly baked baguette.

Our server, cleared our table for two with the caution: “are you ready for a whole lot more food, because your Chicken Schnitzel is on its way?”  We answered enthusiastically and then were amazed by the size of the platter of food that was set down in front of us.  There were four pieces of schnitzel and a huge mound of sweet and sour cabbage and “O’Brien” potatoes.  One filet of chicken was enough for each of us as we enjoyed each bite with the unusual cabbage and the delectable potatoes.  Perhaps “love” was an ingredient in these too, but our server also disclosed that “O’Brien Potatoes” are prepared with onions, mushrooms and red peppers.  After eating our fill, I still had enough to bring home in a takeout container for both D and I to have for our lunch the next day.  Now that’s a hefty portion!

Boo encouraged me to return for lunch really soon and try the Palachinkas which are homemade crepes characteristic of Eastern Europe.  I understand that the Vocadlo’s who own the Bistro are not Danish, but Czech.  I recognize Chef Paul’s style as my sweet Daddy was also from the Czech Republic.

Kath’s quote: “After eating, an epicure gives a thin smile of satisfaction; a gastronome, burping into his napkin, praises the food in a magazine; a gourmet, repressing his burp, criticizes the food in the same magazine; a gourmand belches happily and tells everybody where he ate; …”-William Safire

Thanks for the image of love Jackie….

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

Once a month I cook for a special gang. Plates are balanced on laps as the dining room is occupied by 8-9 toddlers, as well as D, me and Sister #3. I try to choose nutritious recipes that would appeal to both parents and their children. I will also admit, I try to use left overs or meat that has already been defrosted and perhaps used for another occasion. Such was the case after our recent New Year’s fondue.  I had three whole tenderloin in the fridge as well as homemade cranberry sauce that was left over from a Christmas together.  Put them together and voila-you get this twist on sweet and sour pork which is often served with pineapple chunks. I would have done the same but D had been taken pre-cut pineapple (also left over from our fondue dessert) with him for lunch so I had less to work with than I thought. That was when I discovered the cranberries.

Kath’s quote: “Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour.”-William Shakespeare

Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.