Just a Quickie #meatlessmonday

Hello out there....(echo echo echo) perhaps there is no one there? No, you wouldn't desert me... even if I go a month without posting. Today's is a short post in anticipation of a longer one coming this week. ALSO I am looking forward to a nice little guest post coming up this month! Yay! First guest post ever people - she will not disappoint I am sure, master chef that she is....

A have a few updates for you Vancouverites:

Today the City of Vancouver has declared June 10th to be Meatless Monday! Yes, you Vancouverites today is the day to get out there and try all those great Veggie places you have not - or look up any of my very own Meatless Monday Recipes -------> IMO it is about time an entire city sat up and took notice of this great campaign. Greener, healthier option only one day a week is doable for everyone. To help you out VanCityBuzz has put together some places to dine. I will give some of my fav's below:

Heirloom on South Granville - what is more perfect than smashed avocado on toast? Get a side soup for dipping too..

The Classic - the Naam on 4th ave - been around for 50 years and still makin waves with their food and fun people. Try the patio tonight!

The Acorn - Did you ever think that beets could look like beef carpaccio? well then can.. try them out tonight!

Love your hummus? You are not alone - try Nuba for wonderful veggie options and some of the best hummus in town! (that actually may be a great idea for a post...)

*NEW IN TOWN NOTE*
Last month a little gem hidden away on Cardero and Nelson in the cutest building opened up and has become a neighbourhood favourite. The Cardero Bottega is a little treat to find it and try some homemade goodies. The owners are lovely and I wish them all the success they deserve! See if you can find it on a walk this week. (Although they need to get on the twitersphere)

*NEWLY OBSESSED NOTE*
While I might be a little behind the times.. I have become obsessed with Earnest Ice Cream as of late. Specifically the Vegan Chocolate - being a lacty (mostly lactose intolerant) I have been hard pressed to enjoy ice cream. This blows real ice cream out of the water and is quaintly hard to find.. if you don't know where to look hint hint - Farmer's market anyone?

Have a very happy Meatless Monday and enjoy some veggie options today!

Winning for the Hal-i-but

There are winners and there are people who did not win but still make amazing food.

Last week I had the chance to attend Vancouver Magazine's Restaurant Awards 2013. It was a hub of foodies, foodists and people consuming great food from all over Vancouver. Some of my favourite restaurants in the city were featured and won! Those who did not are still favourites and places you should try and visit often. 

Check out MY personal winners and for the full list go here. 

Wildabeest - Undeniably a winner this year. Great design (for which they won) as well as 'Best New in Van'. Winner because? Their concept and team is as good as their food. Bits and parts of a meat you wouldn't normally think about rolled out with great cocktails. Try it for a fun dinner out with a couple of couples or late night tapas with drinks. 

Tableau - Oh how I love thee. Yes, Tableau won this year's "Best Casual French" and boy, does it deserve it. Tableau blends casual french flair with slightly upscale dining. This is not stuffy but great for a date with your bff's, a romantic venture, lunch or brunch with Mom (my own mother can confirm.) Added benefit of also being attached to the Loden Hotel - so grab a patio cocktail on their penthouse bar and come down for dinner at Tableau. You cannot miss with their French Onion soup or the Steelhead Trout, unreal. 

Forage - It ain't easy bein green... but Forage makes it so! Receiving the "Green Award 2013" for best 'Green' restaurant in Vancouver. Forage takes on the not-so easy task of reducing their energy consumption and keeping kitchen consistency for great food. With an unreal brunch and wine menu this place makes all others 'green' with envy! 

Great event. Congrats to all the winners and non winners! Great food. Great fun. This foodie was full. 

After being inspired by all the food possibilities in the city, some friends and I decided to tackle our own version of Iron Chef - Vancouver. Yes, 4 couples - 4 dishes - the not-so-secret ingredient of Halibut. 30 min per couple, 10 min for tasting and grading. No problem right? Mmmmm no. Problems that even our matching headbands couldn't solve. 

We decided to do a Beer Battered Halibut with a Citrus Mango Slaw (courtesy of Martha)
 I used a great Beer Batter recipe here with the additions of Old Bay seasoning and some chili flakes.
To top if off we homemade some Chipotle Tartar Sauce which had great spice to balance the meal (similar recipe here)

Never fried before?! Get a Candy/Fry Thermometer. We did - but it broke. Hey! The show goes on... literally. Up first, B and I and put our matching bandannas on (it is Iron Chef after all) and went to work. The hear the commentary and feel the many sets of eyes watching your every chop. THE PRESSURE. Thankfully we actually came together as a team and got it done. While we did not 'win' we felt pretty good about the dish and we can't wait to do another one! Just for the Hal-i-but.

Have a very sunny day! Going to try to make a not-so-classic Chicken Salad for tonight's beach picnic.

Springing Into Summer - More Italian Pleasures

Butter on the Endive Tasting of Famiglia Creanza Olive Oil

Happy Easter!  As my instagram feed was blown up with photos of the sunny weekend in Vancouver, I know you all must have had a good one. I myself spent the weekend sun-seeking and doing things only Vancouverites do on the first warm weekend of the year; that would be assaulting the seawall in Stanley Park and lunching on patios all over town. Yes, I think we were all very happy to pretend summer had arrived.  It had me drift back to last week, a lovely summery event put on by Katharine Mason PR and Butter on the Endive Catering at Edible Canada.

Guests stay at Masseria La Selva

Dreaming of warmth and summer, Chef Owen Lightly from Butter on the Endive, will be spending some time in the lovely Italian sunshine come June. He has been invited to be the Chef in the field for Messor's Culinary Workshops in Altamura, Italy. A good friend and I were lucky enough to visit with them both at Edible Canada as we tasted the Famiglia Creanza Olive Oil. A taste that has definitely been perfected during generations of Olive Oil production. Chef Owen also provided some amazing bites inspired by his upcoming trip.

Famiglia Creanza Olive Oil

A culinary dinner at Masseria La Selva

Truly a remarkable experience, the Messor's Culinary Workshops incorporate the Puglian culture and way of life, as Chef Owen explained "the connection between food, the land and the whole person" Listening to founder Tonio Creanza, I was transported to his 200 hectare property in Italy, making my own mozzarella, bake bread in clay ovens, and drop fresh pasta for a dinner hosted in the middle of the small village. Amazing, and most amazing of all, the price is actually do-able for someone who perhaps is not working full time (ahem). Cooking? Italy? Generations of Italian food knowledge and culture plus a taste of home? Sign me up. I am pretty sure my mom already has. You will not be sorry if you take a minute to visit their website and take a quick mental vacation.










With those thoughts - I am currently roasting some tomatoes for dinner. Left over Ham - I am breading and baking. The roasted tomatoes will sauce up the final product. Thoughts? Ham Parm? Interesting? You will see...

I am leaving you with a couple photos from Eats and Easter Weekend.

Happy Easter!