Winnipeg Alternatives to “Fast Food” (that are still quick and convenient)
This post topic was suggested to me by a friend of mine who is a busy Mom and juggles many responsibilities. Here’s her Facebook message to me: “Blog idea for you- fast food that is not from a drive through. I had an amazing (not hot) fresh mushroom pizza from Piazza de Nardi today
as I was rushing around, so much better than a greasy burger in the car and cheap at $2.49! I just ran in and grabbed it so it was just as
quick as a drive through, besides I was waiting for a train!!!” This got me thinking about how we can still make nutritious choices, even when we are in a hurry.
Daughter #3 for example loves subs and artisan sandwiches that she picks up at the Safeway deli. I have also tasted these and they are so much better than Subway’s. I had not noticed, until I gave up salt recently, how salty tasting Subway is. My husband picked up a six inch tuna sandwich for me last week and I could hardly eat it for the salt.
Recently a Papa Murphy’s opened in our neighbourhood and D encouraged me to stop in on their opening weekend to save the hassle of cooking when we were on our way up to our beach house for the weekend. All that is required is a pre-heated oven, remove the plastic wrap and presto, you have made supper! We chose a large Gourmet Chicken Garlic which was created when a creamy garlic sauce (I would deem that it was close to alfredo) was smeared on their original crust (although the “delite” crust looks very appealing too). This was covered with roasted chicken pieces, tomatoes, green onions, parmesan and herbs. It came on its own special pan which ensured a crunchy crust when it was pulled out of the oven. Best of all, it was ready in ten minutes! Did I mention that it was absolutely delicious-as good as I make, and that is pretty darned good? Later that evening, D got out a piece as we were watching a movie and declared that it was even tastier cold. I could not imagine this, so I had to try a piece myself and sure enough….what a great snack. I thought that they were such a good deal that I purchased three single topping pies at $6 each to have around for our boarder, when we are not home for supper. Even if he ate the entire pizza, I could never feed him for $6 AND since you bake them at home, there is no provincial sales tax-win, win, win.
This isn’t from The Calabria Market but The Marion Street Eatery
D and I recently met the folks who operate the Calabria Market on Scurffield Blvd. When I mentioned that I would be teaching in the area this fall, they encouraged me to stop into their deli for an Italian sandwich made of Italian meats and cheese on a Panini. I plan on doing so. Although I also have yet to sample their pizza, I have heard their fans claim that it is the best pizza in Winnipeg.
Have you ever tasted a Vietnamese sub? They are called Binh Mi. At Saigon Jon’s Vietnamese Kitchen they are made with a fresh baked white or multigrain baguette, pickled daikon/carrot slaw, cucumbers, pickled red onion, fresh cilantro, and choice of jalapeno-kind of like a Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowl but with a bun instead of the noodles. You will get a choice of Aiolis/Mayo: Thai Basil Aioli, Sriracha Mayo, Roasted Shallot Aioli or Cilantro Lime Mayo. I think that you would know which I would chose.
Kath’s quote: “Prepared and fast foods have given us the time and freedom to see cooking as an art form – a form of creative expression.”-Jeff Smith
Love-that is all.