The Long Road

If you know me and Mich, you know that food factors into our lives quite prominently. I know, you’re saying “Duh! We all have to eat!”. And you’d be right. Now I wouldn’t call us “Foodies”, but we do look for opportunities to have great food. Couple this habit with our travel one, and you’ve got a couple of happy, well-fed travelers!

Now whenever we discuss our recent trip with someone, they often say something like “Oooo, you must have loved the food in France.” And indeed we did. But not in the way we may have expected. We found a fair amount of restaurants were quite overpriced (keeping in mind that this is Europe) for rather mediocre fare. So really, we didn’t eat out all that much. That said, there were a few things I wanted to be sure graced my plate on this trip.

Paella:
Yes, I know, this isn’t French food. But hey, we were in Catalonia, in the south of France where the Spanish influence is heavy. So when we walked past this little restaurant on a tiny back street in Perpignan and saw the sign “Paella 9.90€” I became hopeful. When I stuck my head in and saw this…

I don’t think I could fit this Paella Pan in my kitchen!

… I was in! We were told that Paella would be ready in 25 minutes, so we sat down for a glass of rose while we waited. The waiter frequently came out into the street to address the patrons with updates. “Paella in 17 minutes!” “Paella in 8 minutes!” When it did come, it was delicious and well worth the “wait”.

Jacqui and Glenn enjoying the ambiance. Methinks Jacqui has spied the garbage truck!

A funny thing happened during that meal. Although it was about 8pm on a Thursday evening (the night that Perpignan has a LOT of live music in the old city), the garbage truck came along to do its rounds. This was funny because as I said earlier, this was a rather small street. I suppose they must do this business in the evening simply to avoid the daytime traffic on the crowded, narrow French streets. Anyway, check out the video below of our fabulous Paella dinner interrupted briefly by the Perpignan Municipal Sanitation Crew hard at work. I THINK it is safe to say that it will be a once in a lifetime dinner experience, but then again, who knows…? Fine dining experience indeed!

Tapas (or Pintxos):
I know, this is supposed to be about French food. Well, being so close to the Spanish border, and due to the fact that we flew into and out of Barcelona, we did spend some time in Spain. Our last night in Europe was spent in Girona, a really delightful city, full of history and incredible cobblestone streets. It’s a future post in its own right. Anyway, seeing as we were there for a night, I felt we had to get some good Tapas. Glenn ran into a North American bloke on the street (quite literally - he said “excuse me” and we recognized his “accent” to be NA) and we had a quick chat. He was kind of a local in that he had lived there for 12 years. I pumped him for info on a good Tapas place and he did not steer us wrong. It was just the kinda place I was hoping for; no menu, rather they put the tapas out on a long counter and you just go up and pick up what appeals to you. Each one has a toothpick in it. They count up the toothpicks you have at the end of your meal and bill you accordingly. Awesome.

And no drool guard!

Fois Gras:
Here’s one I had some trouble with. I KNOW that I shouldn’t eat fois gras. I know it. I do. I know that it is cruel. I know that the geese have a really, really sucky life. But I also know the unbelievable culinary experience it is to dine on fois gras. People really, there really isn’t anything like it. So, this is one of those “when in France” moments. For the second time in my life (and perhaps the last), I ordered it. And I savored it. And I loved it. Like, I really loved it. I shared a bit with my table-mates, but really, I kept the lion’s share to myself. And it was good people, really, really good. Shame on me.

Fois Gras. Yes it looks like I’m sharing, but really, I’m not. Oh no, I’m not.

Cheese, Olives and Saucisson:
I can’t say enough about the cheese, olives, saucisson and, mentioned in a previous post, bread. The variety of cheese was staggering. Each village or region has their own specialty cheese, be it from cow, goat or sheep. It was fun choosing what to try and how much to spend! The same was true for saucisson (sausage). Probably the one we liked the most was this amazing little number that Mich got; it had pistachios in it! It was really expensive, but the saucisson man assured Mich that it would keep, unrefrigerated, in the cupboard for months! You’ve gotta pay for that kinda feature in your sausage! Plus, at the same market, Jacqui got some amazing cheese that was even more expensive. It had similar features though. It all came in handy when Mich and I did our multi-day hike. Nice to have cheese and saucisson for lunch on day three and not even have to be carrying a cooler with us!

Getting olives at the market. What a selection!

Cheese and Saucisson. Look ma, no refrigeration!

Cafés:
Of course we did spend some quality time enjoying coffee and baked goods out on the street. Mostly the little cafés or Boulangerie would have some seating out on the sidewalk, or more likely a little walking square. Many were very old businesses, handed down from generation to generation within one family. Pictured below are Jacqui and I enjoying morning treats from a Pâtisserie that was founded in 1775.

A Coffee Challenge:
And so it was that I decided that Glenn, a tea drinker, should become a coffee lover! See me in the above pic? That’s me absolutely LOVING a shot of espresso. Mmmmmmm. I wanted to see if we could show Glenn the way. I wanted to see him make that very coffee loving face!

We did finally convince him to have a cup. I asked him to express the love in his face so I could capture it with the camera. Below are the results.

The first try. I think he’s just warming up and only smelling it. Not quite ready I suppose.

Second try. What do you think Glenn? Hmmmm. He’s trying at least to look like he’s enjoying it.

Third try. Really? I’m supposed to like this stuff?

I don’t think he’s had another cup since. Back to Earl Grey for him.

In the end we did a lot of this; bread, tomatoes, cheese and olives. Accompanied by rose of course. And it was awesome.

Yes, we are back. Feels pretty good. Things are fine, the nice folks who stayed in our house in our absence did a great job of keeping the yard going and thus the garden harvesting is beginning in earnest. Yum! Mich is already back to work and we are actually sleeping pretty well. We were both up at 5 am yesterday, but at least we aren’t feeling like zombies all day!

We are totally missing being in France, so we’ve tried to soften the blow by picking up some nice french cheese, a baguette, pouring over travel pics and making Ratatouille, the one french dish I really wanted to have over there that I didn’t get to. Lots of fresh garden veggies in that one! We haven’t popped any corks on the bottles of wine we brought back… maybe because there are only three of ‘em!

A little over a year ago when we were in Laos during Spring Break, we discovered a great little open air bbq place overlooking the river in Luang Prabang. And though it was hotter than hell out, we sweated away as we enjoyed this SE Asian style bbq over red hot coals. It was so good that we went back for more another day.

And while I was able to find one of the bbq contraptions in the market, I ended up not buying one as I didn’t really want to pack it around for the rest of the trip. It was a bit bulky for the backpack and I was also worried it would get all bent up. I’ve regretted that decision ever since.

Good thing my bro-in-law Jamie is a world traveler. He picked up not one, but TWO of ‘em in Thailand. Nice.

So Sunday night we tried it out. Jamie was in town for a couple of nights, and the weather was grand so really conditions were perfect. Jamie hit the hardware stores earlier in the day so we could make up a base for the thing and that was it.

Mmmmmmm, BBQ

In Luang Prabang, Jamie tries to feed Mich raw meat.

In the back yard, Jamie tries to feed Mich raw meat.

I can’t think of the last time I bought a beer produced by a major label. In fact, it’s possible that I never will again. I think it’s pretty funny that in my younger years me and my friends routinely reached for Bud, or Kokanee, or MGD, or one of those stupid Ice Beers that I don’t think they even make anymore. Now by no means do I feel I’m a beer expert, but I know what I like and why, and yes, I feel my palate is enlightened. Not that I drink light beer. Sorry, that was a bad pun. Anyway, these days Mich and I stock the fridge with mostly micro brews, often the local swill. Of course we have our favorites, the current being Granville Island Brewery’s Lions Winter Ale. In fact I just picked up the last three boxes of it that we’ll see until next winter as it’s seasonal. It’s a wonderful little brew, dark and rich with this awesome vanilla finish that has earned it the moniker of “Pudding Beer” in our household. We will miss it when it’s gone for the year, but though sad, its passing means we are on the cusp of enjoying other tasty suds including a nice array of wheat beers and fruit wheat beers. Though before the snow is completely gone, I do have one bottle of Young’s Luxury Double Chocolate Stout waiting patiently for us!

Anyway, the point? I guess it’s that there are too many awesome beers out there for us to ever pour the “beer” from major producers - you know the ones: Labatt, Molson, Anheiser-Bucsh etc. I find them worthless. And I know there are those of you out there who have Coors Light in your fridge. And I have heard you say things about the Silver Bullet like, “Hey, it really tastes good”. Except, actually, no it doesn’t. Bite your tongue. Go ahead. You might as well as you haven’t been using it to taste anything anyways. Folks, that kinda stuff really isn’t beer. I don’t really know what it is! Go out to the import section at the liquor store and pick yourself up some Belgian stuff brewed up for you by Trappist Monks like a Chimay. Mmmmm. Thanks to Blake D. for introducing it to us. The only reason I don’t quaff more of that stuff is that it has to travel a long way to get to me. So I focus on the local brew(s).

So off you go - find yourself a nice beer that is NEW to you - there is so much great stuff out there! Now crack it open, pour it into a glass and enjoy it while your watch this:

And if you are still reading, perhaps take this opportunity to suggest a great brew to us in the comments! What’s your favorite?

Texas Beef Brisket Chili

Quick Corn Bread

Tonight, a few new recipes. We’re embracing the chilly weather with Texas Beef Brisket Chili from Bon Appetit, and Quick Corn Bread. They are both cooking away right now so I don’t know how tasty they are, but both look and smell promising!

Also recently we tried a few tasty numbers from my new book (Christmas from Mich), Flatbreads and Flavors: A Baker’s Atlas, by my favorite cookbook duo Jeffery Alford and Naomi Dugius. It’s cool in that it not only has flatbread recipes from around the world, but tasty dishes that go well with the breads. We tried Mushu Pork and Four Thread Salad, both wrapped in Beijing Pancakes as well as Georgian Cheese-Filled Quick Bread. Yum.

Georgian Cheese filled Quick Bread with Spicy Twice Cooked Eggplant and Bean Salad

A new recipe this week was an adaptation of a recipe we found in Bon Appetit, Jan ‘08. We changed a few things and ended up with… Seared Bison Steaks with Fontina and Bourgogne Sauce. Mmmmmm.

Last week, on the food front, we were in PG for Thanksgiving and had a great turkey. The recipe is a really great one from the New Best Recipe book (mentioned here many a time). The secret to roasting fowl, according to this great kitchen bible, is brining the bird. The result of this technique is very moist, tender meat and crispy skin. What could be better?

Another recipe recently enjoyed was also from Bon Appetit. From the Oct’08 issue comes Arugula and Goat Cheese Salad with Fig Vinaigrette. Fresh figs and fried breaded goat cheese… are you kidding me. Delicious.

Man, am I ever ruled by my stomach!

Well Mich made me a great meal tonight. And as you might expect, it involved two new and scrumptious recipes. Mmmmmmm.

Dinner was Scallops with Asian Noodle Salad. Damn! Scallops are a bit of a special treat that we only have a few times a year, so I was extra excited to find this on my plate tonight. Mmmmm.

For dessert is a great cake that Christian originally introduced us to - Cassava Cake, a great little Filipino treasure. It just came out of the oven and is too hot to try yet, but the house smells right now of cassava and vanilla. I just drooled into the keyboard.

Both of these great recipes are available online. Both are also pretty easy to do! Click on the links below to check ‘em out.

Scallops with Asian Noodle Salad.

Cassava Cake

Thanks Mich!

Q: What do you do when you have so many peaches that your tree loses branches?

A: You get an ice cream maker attachment for your mixer. Mmmmmmmmmmm.

This is, perhaps, an obvious choice of a tune to share with you… but I’ve not heard it for a long time - maybe you haven’t either!

We had 52 peach pits left today after we made peach puree (destined for future yummy projects…). These are just culled fruit. Haven’t even made a dent into the still ripening beauties still on the tree. Slurp!

I’ve posted about this recipe before, but hey it’s damn great, comes with a spectacular photo op, and is hitting our table in five minutes!

…and yes, it is supposed to be on fire!

… that you could make your own hamburger buns? I guess it is something that I’ve always taken for granted - you pick up HB buns at the store! Anyway, I have to say that I’m getting pumped about food again - making it that is. So yes, I found a great recipe for making HB buns using a bread machine for the dough. Couple those tasty buns with our own garden tomatoes, lettuce and cukes on the side, and you’ve got some of the tastiest darn burgers I’ve had in quite some time! The taste of summer.

Want to try? Click here for the recipe.

We were pumped to find upon our return from holidays that our Japanese Blood Plum tree is heavily laden with fruit! We thought it’d be done. So now we are scrambling to use them all. Tonight we made two great new recipes.

Red Plum, White Nectarine and Blue Cheese Pizza

This grilled little treasure mixes some unusual flavors perfectly. We substituted a peach for the nectarine. Wow. The recipe is here.

Italian Inspired California Plum Flatbread

Lettuce on a pizza? Who knew arugula tasted so good? The only thing I’d add next time (and there will be a next time!) is nasturtium flowers. Mmmmmm. Click here for the recipe.

Well rhubarb seems to be on my mind a lot this summer, perhaps because our patch took off so well this year, recovering after being moved from a poor location in the yard. Now out at Bev and Gerry’s we are enjoying their crop - last night with a new recipe, Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Rhubarb. Delicious! You can find the recipe here. Enjoy!

So on Canada Day, the CBC program Sounds Like Canada aired a story about Canadian food. I got to hear most of it. Interesting stuff that centered on the question of the Canadian meal. Just what is the quintessential Canadian meal? I’ve been asked that question many times over the years and I have to say that it is not the easiest to answer. Should it be made up of indiginous ingredients? Or could it simple be something that’s imported, but somehow changed a bit or just become a huge part of the cuisine for the majority of Canadians? Is there something that represents the whole country and isn’t really regional? See? It is a tough question. So is it poutine? Perogies? Burgers? Meat and potatoes? I guess I’d say it could be something with Bison (with blueberry sauce) or Salmon (possibly smoked), had maple syrup in there somewhere, with perhaps bannock and root veggies and fruits. Oh, and Butter Tarts! ANY THOUGHTS?

You can download or listen to the Sounds Like Canada podcast of the Canadian food show HERE.

In keeping with the New Recipe rule (yes we’ve been good about it, no I haven’t always posted about it) we made a great new one from a great new book that I got a sweet deal on. It’s called Home Baking:The Artful Mix of Flour and Tradition Around the World. It’s by the same people that wrote Hot Sour Salty Sweet that we love so much. Tonight was Savory Bangkok Waffles with Dipping Sauce. Was saliva creating, lip smacking, tummy rubbing great!

Oh, and the deal on this book right now on Chapters.ca is ridiculous. I shit you not, you can buy this 444 page hardcover volume for $2. Yes, that is TWO dollars.