Food Musings

A Winnipeg blog about the joy of preparing food for loved ones and the shared joy that travel & dining brings to life.

Market Analysis

June10

Although the St. Norbert Market just outside Winnipeg is officially open, I understand the produce trucks have not moved in as of yet.  The vegetable harvest will be hard to predict this year as the rain is plentiful but the sunshine scarce (or up until now that is).  I intend to go anyway as I love the home baked and home processed goods that the market has to offer.  Just thinking about it, takes me back to our market day in Nice.

Olives in one direction and olives in the other-more varieties than I have ever seen.

Sea salt mixtures-who knew?

I thought honey from clover was the norm-I was wrong.

The most beautiful marzipan-every creation a work of art.  Too beautiful to eat.

Candied fruit of every imagining.

Spices from around the world-this area was mostly curries.  We bought Herbs de Provence in a herb grinder at the next table.

Focaccia.

Varieties of raisins and other dried fruit.

Edible flowers.

A morning to remember forever and always.

Kath’s quote: “The difference of a single day is perceptible. Vegetables can only be tasted in perfection, gathered the same day.”-John Pintard (1759-1844)

Guest Blogger: Sis #3 & Watermelon Salad

June9

“Recently visiting the community of Georgetown, Ontario (just north of Mississauga) we discovered a great little steak and chop house called the Cellar.  Located in the basement of the town’s old bank, this cozy space was a lovely mix of exposed brick, candle light and crisp white table cloths.  I think the photos speak for themselves.  It was a good as it looks.”

Kath here: I heard a story today about someone with too much watermelon on their hands and I thought of this first watermelon salad photo.  I wish I had that recipe!  In the mean time, here’s a tried and true one of mine (for Ben):

Watermelon & Feta

1/2 small red onion

3 c watermelon balls or cubes

1/2 c crumbled feta (chevre would also work)

enough balsamic vinegar for drizzling

Slice onion into thin rings.  Place in glass bowl with watermelon pieces and toss.  Top with crumbled feta & drizzle with balsamic.  So easy and so delicious.

Kath’s quote: “Watermelon — it’s a good fruit.  You eat, you drink, you wash your face.” –Enrico Caruso

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

June8

I cleaned out my spice cupboard last night-yea!  I came across the Dean & Deluca  Jerk Rub that was given to us as a wedding favour.  We have friends who wed in Jamaica but assembled friends for a lovely brunch at The Gates upon their return.  Perhaps you know that my mind is like a long winding spaghetti noodle…..the discover prompted me to remember that I had been recently sent this delicious recipe by Granny’s Poultry.  Our plan is to try it the next sunny barbecue day.

2 kgs Chicken legs, back attached

2 T of olive oil

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

2-4 hot chili peppers chopped

2 bay leaves

3 bunches green onions., chopped

1 T ginger, chopped

1/4 c dark rum

2 T fresh limes juice

2 t salt

1 1/2 t ground allspice

2 t fresh thyme

Add all ingredients except chicken to a food processor and pulse until just finely chopped.  Prick the chicken pieces with the point of a knife and then rub with jerk marinade. *Skin may be removed first.  Cover and refrigerate for 4 -24 hours. Cook slowly over medium heat on the oiled grill of a barbecue for 45 minutes, turning once after 20 minutes. Chicken is done when the juices run clear or internal temperature reaches 170°F or 80°C.

For an extra hot marinate use Habanera or Scotch Bonnet chilies. For a milder version use Jalapeno chilies.

Recipe courtesy Chef Jason Wortzman of Granny’s Poultry.

Kath’s quote “Eating highly seasoned food is unhealthful, because it stimulates too much &  provokes the appetite too much.” -Catharine E. Beecher (1846)

Coconut Shrimp

June7

I was reminded this morning by a posted comment that I have readers who share our mutual love of Isla Mujeres.  I wrote and saved a couple of entries after my most recent trip:

“I have been tempted to sample Coconut Shrimp here in Winnipeg when I been to the  The Star Grill on Portage Ave or their sister at The Conservatory in the park.  For me tasting is a multi-sensory experience, Winnipeg even in June is not quite the right setting-I need to smell the sea and hear the whoosh of the palm fronds around me.

Sounds like I’m making a case for my constant treks to Isla Mujeres. My first taste was in 2005 at the Sunset Grill.  We were staying on the south end of the Island and it was our first full day.  With our fabulous map reference we found the Grill on North Beach and ordered exactly what Laura the writer of the map suggested and I was hooked.  We’ve returned to the Sunset other years hoping to enjoy the same quality.  One year I was with Sister #2 and our girls and we had the privilege of witnessing the most romantic wedding on the beach.  That same year our kids treated my husband and I to a progressive dinner and we shared the shrimp as our first course before meandering elsewhere for dinner.

Coconut shrimp

On another trip with Sister #3 and an Honourary Sister, we tried the shrimp at El Pulito near Punta Sur.  The restaurant is mostly outdoors with a little covered kitchen.  The views are stunning and shrimp pretty darn good.

My husband and I have only been alone to the island on one occasion and we stopped at Chili’s Loco right on the main street of Hidalgo.  I was very impressed but for some reason the taste is enhanced by sitting right on the beach when the shrimp is consumed and so we head to the strip of restaurants along Medina.

You can’t get nearer the sea than the Miramar.  I’ve been to the restaurant twice-once with my adventurous friends from TO who took a chance on IM with me and are now hooked  and the second time with my friend V who also happens to be the mother-in-law to my son.  Along this strip of sand where the ferry arrives from Cancun, is where the locals mend their nets sitting on overturned pails.  The shrimp is beautifully cooked in a crunch coating and the huge serving comes with all the trimmings. “

Kath’s quote:  “We’ve been sold on the idea that travel is no longer a luxury  It’s a staple, like soymilk.”-James Morris

Segovia-Part 2

June4

I should taken notes or asked to take a copy of the menu -what kind of foodie blogger am I?  My head was spinning with the whirlwind of food that started arriving at our table and was soon divided up and devoured.  A couple of these items are referenced on the Segovia website so I know that I have gotten them right but for the details that I am just trying to pull from memory…forgive me please.

This was one of their specials-braised beef tongue served over succulent baby peas.  I was going to pass and let the guys enjoy this one on their own.  Good thing I got brave or I would have missed out on the most amazing dish.

I truly don’t remember what this was but it had a poached egg on top and was smooth, creamy and delectable.

This dish was part bruschetta/part salad and totally delicious.  I recall fresh basil, grilled tomatoes and crispy pancetta.

We had two orders of these…even without the enhancing drizzles, they might have been the best “french fry” I have ever tasted, rivalled only by the papas frites at La Lomita on Isla Mujeres.

We had two orders of these too….we call them croquettes and Sister #2 is a master maker of them, having been taught be her Italian mother-in-law.  The bechamel was rich and substantial and the creamy/salty/crunchy combination so much fun.

Salt and pepper squid with apple saffron aioli-a curious taste twist on calamari, highly successful.

Seared scallops atop of cauliflower puree.  Scallops may be my favourite shellfish especially when they are expertly seared as these were, leaving the inside moist, firm and bursting with flavour.

We thought that we should start winding down with this platter arrived brimming with cured and smoked meats.  Duck, tongue, salami, ham-each taste made unique by the substance, heartiness, spice and length of cure.

This  was the bread grilled and brushed with olive oil that accompanied the platter.  I could have been happy with just the bread and a little sea salt!
Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant on Urbanspoon
Kath’s quote: “Man does not live by bread alone”.  -Deut 8:3

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