Waiting on the farmers and public market chapter one · Tuesday May 7, 2013 by colin newell
Hey everyone! Thank you for your patience. It has been a while since I have blogged regularly – no excuse at this point… and it is not like there isn’t a lot going on to report on… because there is. So let’s dig in already!
Living in the urban environment of Victoria B.C. comes with a dynamic and ever changing set of variables when it comes to hunting and gathering – because let’s face it folks: Food and drink is the one thing that you spend the most time thinking about – go ahead, deny it. It is likely true.
For instance, when I am making breakfast, I am probably thinking about lunch and dinner (the latter more likely) and I am often looking forward a couple of days. Our weeks (lucky us) almost always include a date night. And date night means a dinner out – generally on Thursdays. We cook in virtually all the other nights and this is our reward. It is also a good habit to get into – it is good for the economy and it is great for a relationship.
And for those people that know Andrea and I, I might just be a little guilty of frequenting favorite places to the exclusion of a little variety and risk taking. But that is OK too – because becoming a regular at one or more local joints has it advantages.
Back to the gathering for a moment. One of my bad habits, locally, is not making much effort to do fully sensible shopping – and that would include going to farmers markets, local markets, even corner stores or natural food stores that go that extra mile to bring you local produce and products. I will not name any names but I shop at a local “Canadian owned” mega-mart that used to (they probably still do…) sends Island grown products to Vancouver for sorting – and then ships them back to Victoria – which is utterly and inexcusably bad on so many levels.
Anyway – just around the corner is the June opening of the Hudson’s Public Market in the old Hudson’s Bay building on Douglas, Blanshard, Herald and Fisgard blocks. I am so ready for this – and yes, I know there are markets like the “Moss” that is closer that I do not currently take advantage of. My bad. Baby steps right.
Victoria’s last year round Public market closed in the late 50’s – so technically, I have been waiting that entire time for a public market in Victoria. There have been a few sad attempts in Victoria… but clearly, they never succeeded. So. It’s coming. I am excited. And I really hope that the city of Victoria embraces this market – because we need it – for Oh so many reasons.
On one hand, there are great food products around us – which is awesome. On the other hand, there are some fabulous products and foods being produced on the Island that are not readily available – maybe until now – and yes, I get that there are various neighborhood markets… but they are only open on the weekend.
So expect to see me in the front of the line on opening day!
This is the first in a series of hunting and gathering on southern Vancouver Island – how important it is to better understand our food supply – and to embrace and preserve natural, healthy and holistic food production on Vancouver Island.
Stay tuned!
(Reboot) Papardelle Pasta with Scallops and lemon brown butter sauce #2 · Sunday February 17, 2013 by colin newell
We loved this dish so much that we took another swing at it — with improvements!
Put Pasta (fresh or dried) on to boil – enough for 2 people
In a heated saute pan – medium high, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.
Cook butter for 6 minutes until browned. This is called brown butter.
Meanwhile toast 1/4 cup of fine bread crumbs.
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the brown butter over the toasted bread crumbs – toss to coat.
Take 5 large sea scallops – cut into quarters – add to brown butter – and cook until
“cooked through” about 1 minute.
Remove pan from heat – stir in 2 tablespoons mince garlic and 4 tablespoons squeezed lemon.
Pour scallops and brown butter sauce over drained pasta.
Add the bread crumbs + fresh chopped parsley or cilantro and toss to combine.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with wine and garlic bread.
Baked Oysters au Gratin · Monday February 11, 2013 by colin newell
Who does not like a good Oyster bake-up from time to time. Our local fish vendor had local Oysters on sale so we thought, what to heck – here is the recipe we used.
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 (8 oz.) tubs oysters, drained
3 Tbsp. white wine or vermouth
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Brush a 9” x 13” baking dish with 2 Tbsp. of the butter.
Set the oysters in the baking dish.
Combine the wine, lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl. Spoon this mixture over the oysters. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, salt and pepper in a second small bowl.
Sprinkle this mixture over the oysters and then drizzle them with the remaining butter. Bake for 12 to14 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Serve with Foccacia bread, oil and vinegar.
Papardelle Pasta with Scallops and lemon brown butter sauce · Monday January 28, 2013 by colin newell
Try this simple dish – whips up as fast as you can cook pasta…
Put Pasta (fresh or dried) on to boil – enough for 2 people
In a heated saute pan – medium high, melt 3 tablespoons of butter.
Cook butter for 3 minutes until browned.
Meanwhile toast 1/4 cup of fine bread crumbs.
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the brown butter over the toasted bread crumbs – toss to coat.
Take 4 large sea scallops – cut into quarters – add to brown butter – and cook until
“cooked through” about 1 minute.
Remove pan from heat – stir in 2 tablespoons mince garlic and 3 tablespoons squeezed lemon.
Pour scallops and brown butter sauce over drained pasta.
Add the bread crumbed + chopped parsley and toss to combine.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with wine and garlic bread.
Maple Bourbon Dairy Free Waffles Re-Boot · Friday December 28, 2012 by colin newell
I love breakfast. And waffles or french toast – well, they are the breakfast food of life. And there are no more popular recipes than my waffle recipes – the single most requested page on this blog!
1 3/4 cup of all-purpose unbleached white flour
1 heaping tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (or a pinch)
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Egg yolks
1 3/4 cups premium quality Soy or Almond milk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 fluid ounce Makers Mark, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, or your favorite bourbon
1 Tablespoon Pure Canadian Maple Syrup
2 Egg whites
In a large mixing bowl (which will ultimately hold your several days worth of waffle mix) stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a smaller mixing bowl beat egg yolks. Add Soy milk, cinnamon, maple syrup, bourbon and oil.
Add to flour mix all at once. Stir or fold til mixed but still slightly lumpy.
In yet-another-bowl whip egg white to form a stiff peak.
Gently fold egg whites into soya-flour-oil mixture leaving a few peaks of egg white visible.
Heat waffle iron letting waffle mix work for about 7 minutes.
Pour batter onto greased and preheated iron. Do not open while the waffles are cooking! Timing will vary depending on your iron. Assume 3 minutes til golden brown.
Serve with butter, more maple syrup, fresh blueberries and hot, hot coffee on the side!
Enjoy!
