I am as predictable as they come.  Friends that sit down with me in a restaurant will know what I am going to order before I do.  If the dish includes artichoke or eggplant-I’m ordering it.

Eggplant is a staple the world over and I have savoured it in Greece, Jerusalem and more recently in Sicily.

On that evening, D was at the grill and when he needed more rosemary for seasoning, he plucked it from the bush (I’m talking 4 1/2 feet high) that grew by our friends’ path.

The veggies were just one part of this amazing meal.

At my recent cocktail birthday party a friend served eggplant dip that she had purchased at the Greek Market.  This was not a baba ganuosh style.  It was hearty and chunky and full of luscious olive oil and tons of garlic.  She served it with cut up pita that had been simply sprinkled with sea salt.  It was so good, that I brought home the left overs and tossed it with pasta to stretch the taste farther.

It is pictured in the background of this photo from the Greek Market site.

Kath’s quote:  “How can people say they don’t eat eggplant when God loves the color and the French love the name? I don’t understand.”- Jeff Smith

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)

“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

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)

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.

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