Folklorama Kick Off

Picture removed at request of the subjet.

This Saterday was the folklorama Kick off. There was an all day event at the Forks in Winnipeg, Last year was a low key kick off. This year however was a much bigger deal. There was a group of Brazilian Martial Artists, also called Capoeira, there that Rocked. As well as a Lion Dance demonstration as well. We have tickets to the World Lion Dance compitition that is being held in town too. This is the first time that it is being held out side of Asia.

I was dissapointed that there was no Ethinic food booths there, but the shows were amazing.

Sunday night.. Pearl of the Orient Philippine Pavilion Deffinate Foodie pics coming from that one.

More Folklorama Pictures

end post

IMBB 17

Is My Blog Burning is an international food blogging event that is held every month. This month it is hosted over at a la cuisine The theme this month is Tea. This was an easy one for me I thought of Bubble Tea at first but I opted for a more traditional entry.

Barm Brack is a traditional Irish Fruit bread, I am 1/4 Irish so it was a dish that worked well for me. For Halloween traditionally, special lucky charms would be added to the Bracks (loaves) for the children, the lucky one receiving the slice containing the charm. Watch your teeth folks!!. For birthdays in my family my mom would put quarters into the slices of cake.

The tea that I used is from my Blogging by mail patron Samantha who got it from adagio.com. Adigio is also giving away free tea to Canadian and US food blogers for more info click here

Barm Brack

The Hardware
Loaf Pan
Large Bowl
Tea Pot
Kettle

The Software
1 C Cold tea (I used Earl Grey)
1 C Raisins
1/2 C Mixed peel
1/2 C Currents
1 C Sugar
1 Large egg
1/4 C Butter
2 C Flour
1 Tsp Baking powder
1/4 Tsp Baking soda
1/4 Tsp Salt

The Application
Combine Tea, Raisins, Peel, Currants, and Sugar in a large bowl. Cover and soak overnight.

Stir in egg and butter to fruit mixture.

Combine the flour, salt, powder, and soda in a small bowl and mix into the fruit mixture. Stir till combine well. Spoon into a loaf pan and bake in a 350 d oven for 60 min or till toothpick comes out clean. Let stand for 10 min before trying to remove from pan.

*note to silicone pan users (I am one of them)* Reduce heat to 325 and bake for an extra 20 min.

"Make honest food from honest ingredients" -Rick Kirby

Tabbouleh

This is a totally Vegan Dish. I love this ever since a friend brought it over for a dinner party one day. This is the first time I have made it and it turned out well, and it made lots, this is great for me because I can have this for a quick snack before bed.

Tabbouleh

The Hardware
Knife
Large Bowl

The Software
2 C Bulgur wheat
3 C Parsley
4 Tbsp of dried mint
3 Green Onions Chopped fine
2 Tomatoes Chopped in 1" pieces
1 Cucumber Chopped in 1" pieces
1 Avocado Chopped in 1" pieces
Pepper and Cumin to taste
Juice of 3 small limes
3 Tbsp of Olive oil

The Application
Place all items in a large bowl except the lime juice and olive oil. Mix them all well and then add the lime juice and refrigerate overnight. Before serving Toss with olive oil and then serve.

-end post

'Crab' Quiche

I have been flipping between Vegitarian and Meat meals as of late. I have been having my Vedge stock pile up a bit.. My latest abundance is Beats I duno what I am gona do with that. My Gurl is not too found of them.. I dont have a good borscht recipie either, My grandma is keeping that one kinda close to the cheast. Anyway back to the Quiche at hand. Traditionally quiche is a small individual size pie, this one however is made in a 10 inch pie plate. The dish comes from my Mother-inlaw She made this one up.

'Crab' Quiche

The Hardware
Bowl,
Pie Plate

The Software
4 Eggs
1/2 C of Cheddar, Shredded
1/2 C of Milk
1/4 C of Onion (chopped fine)
2 C of Pollack Flakes
1/4 tsp Dry Mustard
1/2 tsp Worcestershire
Dash of Paprika

The Application
Beat Eggs, Milk, Mustard, Worchestershire, and onion. Pour over pollack in a raw pie crust. Sprinkle with cheddar and paprika. Bake at 450d for 5 min and then turn down to 325d for 40 min.

Cauliflower

This is a dish I have made several times. The first 3 times I failed, it is no surprise why, I am bad for 'Eye balling' Ingredients (however I post them straight from the source) The last few times I followed to the letter. Wow, I know that it is not very impressive, this is food for my life, tasty! Cauliflower has been a standard in my Fresh Box so this is my second choice to Aloo Gobie.

Cauliflower W/Cheese

The Hardware
Knife
Casserole Dish
Large Pot
Sauce Pan

The Software
6 C Cauliflower
1 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp AP Flour
1/2 Tsp Dry Mustard
1 1/4 C Milk
1 C Grated Cheddar
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/2 C Cornflake Crumbs
2 Tsp Butter, Melted

The Application
Cut Cauliflower into bite size bits. Boil and cook to tender crisp, then shock in cold water. In a sauce pan make a roux with flour, 1tbsp butter, mustard, add milk and bring to a near boil, thicken for a bout 5 min. Add chedder, and remove from heat. In a small bowl combine crumbs and melted butter, mix till combine. Put the cooked cauliflower in a casserole dish, pour cheese sauce over top, and then cover with crumb mixture. Bake in a 375 d oven for 15 min.

You need persistence, the ability to understand that with every mistake comes valuable information-Anthony Bourdain

Folklorama!

It is time to Get Cultured!

It is the end of July and that means only one thing to us in Winnipeg Folklorama . This is an annual festival that has over 40 pavilion each of a different culture or nationality to visit in just two short week.

At each Pavilion there is a show that usually involves Great dancing, Or Mind blowing Taiko drumming (seen above), a cultural display from each countries home land, And of course ... FOOD.. Diet g'bye, I'm gettin out the fat pants for this one ... Everything from Samosas at the Indian Pavilion to Hagus at the Scottish pavilion.. to Vodka at the Russian pavilion. Last year we were lucky enough to win passes to every single pavilion at the kick off this year we are going back to try and win them again. However if we don't win each pavilion is gona set us back 3.75 per.

Oi!

Blogging by Mail 2

Ok I sent my Blogging by mail entry and I thought I recieved my package,,, but much to my suprize I was WONG Bing bong the door bell rings and our postman hands me a package. I was totaly shocked Samantha was my real exchange partner and the previous package was a just gifty from Nic I was super shocked and Surprised.

A List of the yummies
1. Chocolate espresso Brownies
2. Cherry Biscotti
3. A LaraBar
4. Chocolate Walnut cookies
5. Loose tea, Earl Grey, From adagio.com
6. Annie Chung's Udon Soup
7. A Cd of Funky music
8. A list of Samantha's fave recipes

What to say I am over the moon.... I will deffinatly participate in the next one YOU should too Samantha will be hosting so keep an eye out for it!

Saskatoon Berry Pie

My Gurl and I went Berry Picking yesterday and came home with good hall about 8 Liters of berry's.

Our first attempt was at a place north of the city and it was an adventure. What we learned by visiting the Prairie fruit growers web site is that we should call ahead before visiting, so we did. The Srawberry patch said that they were open and the cost was $2.50 per L, Cool, we got in the car and we were off.. The drive was about an hour from us... when we arrived at the place the man said 'we're closed'
I said 'we called someone said you were open'
he said 'well go and pick... it is muddy and I doubt that you will get much'
I said,, "we aren't afraid of a little mud" this guy is trying to hoard all the berries for himself!
We drive into the field and ya it is a bit muddy but we made it now where at the bushes.. for the life of us we could not find them .. after an hour of looking for the saskatoon bushes we say to heck with it and leave! Now we get stuck... so stuck the the crabby man has to get out of bed and pull us out with his tractor! at the end I was so covered in mud I looked like swamp thing.

Not to be discouraged we go to choice 2 about an hour on the other side of town. We arrived at a picturesque orchard with a beautiful house in the middle of it. The trees were in perfect straight rows and were bursting with berries... Ah now I know what I want to do when I retire ... become a saskatoon farmer of course,,

We got lots of berries and it yielded 7 pies an 3 batches of cookies,,,

Saskatoon Pie Filling

4C Saskatoons

3tbsp Water

2tbsp Lemon Juice

2/3C Sugar

2tbsp Minit Tapioca

1tsp Margarine

The Application

Cook Saskatoons with water and lemon juice in a saucepan over low heat for about 10 min, stir in sugar and tapioca. Cook until tapioca is clear and berries are tender. Melt in Margerine and stir. Cool and put in a raw pie shell. Bake at 450 for 5 min then turn heat down to 350 for 30 min yield 1 pie.

"Cha chaa chhaa ch cha cha ch cha ch chaa cha chaaaa" - Peculiar Purple Pie Man of Porcupine Peak

Blogging By Mail

Blogging by mail is and international event that is hosted by the wonderfull Nic It involves an exchange of foods between bloggers. A few days ago I got my package in the mail. I got a package from the Hostess of the blogging event herself.... I got a package of blondies that made my taste buds dance ,, some wonderfull hotchocolate, and a box of Jelly Belly chocolates... they were all very wonderfull...

I sent my package a few days ago,... they should make it to one of the southern states soon.. I am chuffed that this event worked out very well I hope that Nic will run it again... I dont want to blog my package B/C that would spoil the fun... Thanks Nic...

End post

Broccoli Herb Sauce

Due to the fact that we get broccoli regularly in our fresh box I found this recipe in an older cook book. This freezes well and I make lots and put it in containers with pasta and there you go instant home made TV dinner!..

The Hardware
Knife
Blender
Glass Bowl
Pot

The Software
2 3/4 C Broccoli
1/3 C Olive Oil
1/3 C grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 C Fresh Parsley
2-3 Leaves of Basil
1 lb of Pasta

The Application
Place broccoli in a bowl with about 2 tbs of water, cover with cling wrap and microwave for 5 min. Drain broccoli and place in a blender add cheese, Parsley, basil, and then start pulsing... Once you have gotten to a rough chop start to slowly add the oil and continually blend till a nice sauce comes together. Cook your fav pasta and volia.. Broccoli that rocks!!

French Canadian Toast

Alas Work has been taxing as of Late, that leaves me with very simple foods, I have only had 2 days off in the last two weeks. This is my French toast recipe. I learned to make french toast from a good friend and visitor from Washington state last year. I of course changed it a bit.

French Toast.

The Hardware
Bowl
Fry Pan
Wisk

The Software
6 Slices of home made bread
4 Egg whites
1/4 Cup of Cream
1/4 tsp of Cinnamin

The Application
Wisk egg whites in a bowl, add cream, and cinnamin. Dip bread in mixture and fry in a hot pan about 3 min on each side. Thats it... I love the taste and texture of French toaste.. to me it is comfort food. Garnished with Maple Syrup.

The up coming days I have a list of things of to do....
-pick berries
-make my blogging by mail entry (post comming soon)
-Maple cookies..
-tortsier

Laterdays... I will be more of a blogger and less of a slacker soon

The Panini

We had a BBQ yesteday with one of my Gurl's oldest friends, With all things BBQ I made Steak. Now at 2 am I get hungry after reading Domestic Goddess blog I knew exactly what to make with the left over steaks.. Cause Ninja always Makes too much of everything.. LOL

Panini

The Hardware
Knife
Two Pans

The Software
One onion
1 left over cooked steak
2 slice of Bread
1/2 C of shreaded cheader

The Application
Fry Onions till translucent, then add steak that has been sliced as thin as possible against the grain, cook till onions are golden. On a seperate round on the stove heat a cast Iron fry pan for about 8-9 min, This may be a bit tricky to try and explain cause I suck at this kinda stuff so I will do it point form
-remove onions and steak from first pan
-place a slice of bread in the above said first pan
-pile steak onion and chease on top of bread
-add anouther slice of bread on top so it looks like an assuming sandwich..
- now take the castiron pan and spray the bottom with cooking spray
- place the pan on top of the sandwich to grill from both directions at once ...
is this why it is called a PANini? Sounds good to me and it tasted great... 2am snacking will never be the same..

-end post

Sev

Since about February I have tried to get my stuff together when it comes to eating, There was a time when I was a fast food junkie. I was Eating KFC, McD's, Burger King, ect.. Every day! I watched my weight sore I was 80 pounds heaver than I was 10 years ago. It was in February that I saw the documentary Super Size Me After that it was like holy s*it time to get my crap together or I am gona end up dead.

I was a Big Gulp/Slurpee a Day for about 8 years. I live in the Slupee Capital of the world. Winnipeggers per Capita consume more Slurpees Per Person than anywhere in the world. I have the commerative cup to prove it.

Now Since that day that I watched that show,,, Good things have happened I have dropped 25 lbs (and if you have noticed it is not by cutting out rich foods) I have done it by doing 2 things,
1. Reading Product information lables on packages and not eating Trans Fats and artificial anything, No Colour, No Flavor. Things have to be in there natural state.
2. Plain old exercise. Praise you Dance Dance Revolution

Now that I am slimmer and looking to by new pants cause the old ones don't fit anymore!!! 7 Eleven announces SLURPEE DAY Thats right every person who walks through the doors of any of the 46 Winnipeg Sev's gets a free Slurpee.. From 9am- 9pm I was like a Heroin Addict in an Opium den. Sweaty, Bitchy, And Generally carrying on cranky. I just want to give it up to my Gurl For being there for me and helping me be strong, We kicked the addiction together, truth be told she introduced me to 7 Eleven..

Above is the picture of my personal Sev In the last 3 cities we lived in we have been living within line of sight of a Sev.. Of course we bought a house in December and it is only 3 short blocks away from this crack house... For lovers of pop I hope that moderation does you well but I am week and I do not Damn slupees and there power I just have an addictive personality and can't stop myself.

Rant Over

My Fav Cookies

These are my fav cookies, Chocolate chip, they are also known as B's cookies. A big thanks to espiritgirl for the recipie. Who doesnt like cookies? And one good thing about these is that I make the batter, then make a batch and then wrap the batter in plastic wrap and put in fridge for upto about a week and then just pop out the batter and bake when I am in the mood..

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Hardware
Spatchela
Baking sheet
Bowl

The Software
1 C White sugar
1 C Brown sugar
1 C Shortning
2 Eggs
1 Tsp of Vanilla
2 1/2 AP flour
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Baking Soda

The Application
Step 1 Cream together sugars and Shortning
Step 2 Add Eggs and Vanilla
Step 3 Add Flour,Salt, and Baking soda.
Step 4 Roll to 2 inch balls and press flat onto a cookie sheet.
Step 5 Bake in a 325 degree oven for 12 min.
Enjoy

Whole Wheat Bread.

I have my trusty camera back now... Bread, I do not know what it is about making bread that has such a spiritual connection with people. I don't know if it is the kneading of the dough, the same act that you know generations before you have taken comfort in because the recipe has been handed down from when grannie came the the new world. This is the same bread that your family has enjoyed fresh for breakfast even before there was electricity to power an oven. The recipe is first page on in the hand written cook book, but rarely have to look at it anymore.. The recipe has been adjusted some time in the 70's when instant yeast was introduced

Basic Bread.

The Hardware
Large bowl
Baking sheet

The Software
1 C Milk
1/4 C Butter
1/2 C Sugar (white) I sub honey sometimes
1 Tsp salt
2 Eggs beaten
6 C Flour (I use whole wheat AP is great too)
2 Tbsp Yeast
1 C Warm water

The Application
Scald milk and add butter, then water if using honey add here and omit sugar in next line. Cool till luke warm. In a large bowl mix 3 C flour with sugar, salt and yeast. Make a well in flour an add in milk mixture and eggs. Mix well and add 1 more C flour. By now you should be able to turn onto a floured work surface, continue to add flour till just tacky. knead for about 10 min. then cover with a tea towel and let rise for about 1 hour. Or till I walk to and from Tim Hortons with my double double. Punch down and then sharp into two loaves, score the top with a sharp knife and let rest covered for 10-15 min. place a tsp of oil on top and coat loaf using your hands. place on a baking sheet and place in a 325 degree oven for about 35 min. I free form my loaves. I have used a loaf pan, I just prefer the odd shaped sandwich cut from the roundish loaf.

Who can resist the taste and smell of freshly cooked bread?! -Jamie Oliver

Jamaican Beef Patties

(my appologies our camera is on loan I used a camera phone for this one)

We have lived in a house for about 8 months now. It is turning into a bigger expense than we thought, Something always needs fixing, or the tax bill is bigger than anticipated ect... So the extra expenses are cutting into our grocery bill.. Now I am resorting to some of the things We used to eat when we were dirt poor.. Alas good bye heavy cream,,, good bye sour cream.. Something we used to live on that is cheap and filling was the Jamaican beef Patti.. I got the recipe from a lady that used to work for me.. she went away on vacation one day and came home with a husband,,, he was Jamaican..

Jamaican Beef Patties.

The Hardware
Baking sheet
Large bowl
Fry pan
Knife
Pastry cutter

The Software.
Filling
2 Onions chop fine
3 Stalk green onion Chopped fine
2 Hot peppers seeded and chopped fine
1 lb bread crumbs
2 lb ground beef
1 tbsp thyme
2 tbsp curry powder
1 C water
Pastry
4C AP flour
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp salt
1 C margarine
1 C water (aprox)

The Application
Filling
Fry onion, peppers and beef for about 10 min, Add crumbs, thyme, curry powder, and water. Simmer on Low for 30 min.

Pastry
Sift together flour, salt, curry powder. Cut in the 1 C of margarine till the consistency of oatmeal. Add the water slowly till ball of dough comes together

Assembly
Take off a piece of dough and roll out till the size of one's hand. Place the dough into your hand and spoon in 3 teaspoons of filling, then fold dough in 1/2 and crimp edges with fork. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 min. These are awsome hot, they yeild about 2 doz ... the extras can be frozen and reheated when needing a quick bite.

I know that not everyone has the same size hand, but I have found that peoples portion size preference can be proportionate to the size of ones body.

Fish-wich

Hiya... I am starting to warm up to fish.. I am only in the fried mood... maybe soon I will try something different.. There is soo many different kinds of fish, what to choose... I do like sashimi thou.. but other than raw and fried I am not sure what else to do.. Suggestions welcome... One other thing that intrests me is a mexican dish or sauce called Moli..

Fried fish sandwich

The Hardware
Fry Pan

The Software
4 Fillets of cod
1 C Corn flake crumbs (you can buy them that way or Buzz them in a blender)
1 C Flour
1 Egg
1 C Vedge oil
4 Rolls
Toppings I used Mayo, chease, pickles..

The Application
Pre-heat pan on med-heat, Coat the fish in flour, then dredge in egg wash, and then coat in corn flake crumbs. Add oil in pan and let sit for 3-4 min. Fry fish in pan for 3 min per side or till golden.

Alas it is simple but very tasty...

Stop Thief!!!!

*edit*Ok due to teasing I have gone through and corrected my spelling errors...

Alas... My last job prior to the one I do now was arresting shoplifter at the W**-Ma*t, I loved that job and got a good laugh out of the 25-35ish people who said "I just forgot to pay for it" I would say Yah I get that all the time and proceed to call the cops and charge them for theft under $5000.

Well Yesterday... It happened to me... Except it wasn't at Val-mart. It was at somewhere much much more bizarre... It is always stranger when it involves a rubbermaid tote full of fruits and vegetables...

Fresh Options Organic Delivery Or F.O.O.D. offers a service where they deliver organic produce to your door once a week.. Now the food rocks and is very tasty.. Except we were out of town for there normal delivery night so we arranged for me to pick up the Fresh Box the next day at their office.

I leave my house around 3 and head to the area after finding Richard St I follow the house numbers.. I am looking for 1377 the numbers on the buildings are as follows... 1373,1375, 1379... WTH .. It turns out that it is the door around back.. So after finding that place I take my empty tote to the desk inside the small office.. The nice lady gives me a tour.. It consists of 3 rooms all together are smaller than my livingroom.. wow.. from that small space they service about 300 customers...

I was very impressed so she hands me my full tote and we talk about how her cooler is the same size as the cooler we keep milk in at the store, and I cant believe that only 3 people run that business, and 300 totes fit in that cooler. I thanked her and left with my vedgies..

When I got home I emptied my fruits and vedge into the fridge... and snacked on an apple they always taste best strait out of the box... and then I emptied my pockets and low and behold I FORGOT to pay... D'oh.... so we sent them an email apologizing for my thieving ways and will run the money to them on Monday... so until then I am fearfully looking out the window for the cop car with a carrot on the side..

-end post

Biscotti

In my area there is a local butcher that I buy most of my meat from, Yesterday was the day I go to get my bulk hamburger, Because I am on a night scheadule I was the first customer of the day. As I was paying for my meat the lady behind the counter said " You I like, always smiling, take biscutee" ( she has a german accent) I thanked her and was on my way. The butcher shop is next door to a bakery, so they display each others stuff in thier stores. I had never had biscotti before my gurl told me that you dip it in coffee. So I brewed up my coffee and was hooked. So ya know I had to make my own......

Chocolate Citrus Biscotti

The Hardware
2 bowls
Large Bakingsheet
Sharp kinfe
Wire Racks
Double Boiler

The Software
2 cups flour
3/4 cup fine yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

The Application
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar in another large bowl until pale yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the orange and lemon zests to the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture to the eggs and sugar and beat just until blended. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Using a rubber spatula, transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet, forming two mounds spaced evenly apart. Wet your hands with water and shape the dough into two 11 by 4-inch logs. Bake until lightly brown, about 35 minutes. Cool the logs for 5 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices. If you like a very dry biscotti like me do the blue shaded section, or you can skip and have a moister one Arrange the biscotti cut side down on the same baking sheet. Bake until the biscotti are pale and golden, about 25 minutes. Cool the biscotti on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.

Using a double boiler melt chocolate chips (dark ones) make sure you wisk constantly. Dip one side of the biscotti into the chocolate and then let cool. Then melt white chocolate for drizzle. My I recomend a pastry bag.. I used the old snipcourner off of a ziplock bag trick and it came out too thick.. but hey too much chocolate.... who ever heard me say that before.

Yes, man can make pot roast with heavy duty aluminum foil and some raisins.... -Alton Brown