Happy Canada Day my foodie friends!!
Summer vacations (or staycations), backyard drinks and dinners, barbecues, bike rides and bare feet, Farmer’s Markets, ice cream, rosé...
What will you get up to in July?
For most of the year we pine for the warm days of summer that July usually delivers. However, on occasion... some people complain when it gets too hot! Maybe these are the days that are here to remind us to slow down and keep it simple. Particularly if June was insanely busy. (After all HALF of the year is now done!)
On the topic of simplicity, we welcome the return to cooking outside. Check out our marinated meats that are barbecue ready and seasoned to perfection. We're talking burgers (like Maple & Whiskey), Ribs (Jerk and others to come), Spatchcooked Chickens (Citrus & Herb), Flank Steak (Smoke & Maple) and Chicken Shawarma (which a customer recently said was the best chicken she's had in her life!) Our freezers are fully stocked with new items each week. Eat them straight out of the container or use them as one of the components of your meal. For example, turn one of our Asian specialties into a fresh salad roll in rice paper with some shredded fresh veg and rice. Or top a rice bowl with our fabulous Black Sesame Salmon with blistered snap peas. Thinly sliced flank steak forms the basis for a great fajita and a grilled, spatchcocked chicken can pretty much make an appearance at ANY meal. One meal. Endless possibilites. We've got you.
Don't forget the nibbles on the side or on their own. Olives, pickles, condiments galore and of course CHEESE! Complete your entertaining ensemble with some new glassware, cocktail picks or beautiful napkins that have just arrived.
For the days you don't feel like donning your apron, check out the seasonally evolving selections in our freezers, including these lovely choices: Japanese Braised Chicken & Vegetables, Brazilian Moqueca, Mexican Whitefish with Charred Corn, Vegetarian Moussaka, Beef Provencal (Beef Bourg's summer cousin), Corsican Chicken, Balinese Beef Curry, Lemon Chicken with Olives & Feta... and so many more!
STORE HOURS:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1ST - STORE CLOSED FOR CANADA DAY
Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Don't just walk by, drop in and say Hi!
Lisa
"Everything magical happens between the months of June and August."
—Jenny Han
School's out for summer...
Well sort of. Summer classes are sold out but the release of our new FALL classes will drop in our next Newsletter to come out on Friday, August 28th. Class registration the following Tuesday, September 1st.
Mark your calendars today!
IN THE STORE
BEST GUEST AWARD?
Cottages, Boats & summer visiting...
If you're lucky enough to be invited somewhere this summer, make an impression by bringing this fabulous bottle of French Dry (2gr sugar) Rosé. It is a customer and staff favourite.
sweet new supplier
Kitten & The Bear come to town...
We love the products carried by this Toronto shoppe and are thrilled to now offer them at the Passionate Cook. We are carrying four flavours of their delicious jams - Midnight Berry, Strawberry Raspberry & Cream, Sunshine Peach and Wild Blueberry & Chai. We also have a yummy Scone Granola and their Signature Scone Mix but the latter is going like hot cakes (or scones). Beautifully packaged and perfect for gifting if you are lucky enough to be invited somewhere for the weeked!
cooking & cocktail essentials
OXO Good Grips Citrus Press
Fresh citrus is pretty much an essential component for cooking, baking and cocktail making. There really is no substitute. Fresh is best. Make the job easier with the OXO Good Grips Citrus squeezer. Made of strong, die cast aluminum, this smart tool strains seeds and pulp from lemons and limes with ease and will allow you to keep the juices flowing!
Rougie
Au Pied de Cochon-Montreal Restaurant
This iconic restaurant, is famous for unapologetic, over-the-top Québec comfort cuisine; and yes, foie gras is very much their signature. In this pate you can expect the combination of rich duck foie gras and pure maple syrup which is a true nod to Québec indulgence at its finest. Sweet. Savoury. Luxurious. Bold. And inside? That glossy maple layer on top. That silky, buttery foie gras underneath.
Serve with warm baguette or crostini, fresh berries or a touch of fig with Sauternes, late harvest, or Champagne. The star of your next grazing moment!
It's picnic season!
Wine & Cheese Tool Sets
This great little Wine & Cheese set includes a serrated bread knife, corkscrew and small cheese knife. Beautifully boxed for gift giving but priced reasonably enough to buy for yourself so you are always "picnic ready". New in store is also a wood Board that slides open to reveal corkscrew and cheese tools. When "Charcuterie on the go" is on your travel menu.
Wine, baguette, cheese and accoutrements not included (but available at the Passionate Cook's Essentials).
Coffee time
Stock & Crown coffee
Summer mornings (ok all mornings) start with coffee. Enjoy Passionate Cook's signature blend of coffee, roasted locally by Stock & Crown in Stouffville. Grind some to brew the perfect cup in our beautiful cream ceramic Artisan French Press or guild the lily with some frothed milk using the AdHoc Milk Frother (USB chargable).
CHEESE NEWS
You choose what you want or we are happy to make the choices for you. Prices are based on the weight of the products chosen and we can work within whatever your budget is. Are you looking for crowd pleasing favourites for 12 or a higher end curated board for a small gathering with foodie friends? Either way we will make it look fabulous with the addition of dried fruit, nuts, seeds, olives, chutney and garnish. All you need to do is remove the lid and it is ready to roll! Let the nibbling begin!
New:
Sheep with Honey and Lavender
Our favourite La Tur is back- This special cheese is not to be missed. It is made with Goat, Sheep and Cow's milk and is incredibly delicous
Caprino. This Italian fresh goat milk cheese has indulgent black truffles in it making it a show stopper on your cheese board
Some our favourites are back. Picobello, Beemster Goat Gouda and Grand Creme Delin.
"Age is of no importance unless you are a Cheese."
GLUTEN FREE CORNER
Places I have been recently:
I went to Senla on Richmond St in Toronto last weekend. What a lovely little restaurant. Everything on the menu is glutenfree, what a treat!
I had the Vietnamese "butterfly" drink (Butterfly Pea Flower Tea). Famous for its deep blue colour, it is highly celebrated for its health benefits, earthy flavour, and "magical" color-changing properties. They make it into lemonade by adding a small pitcher of lemon juice and it miraculously turns purple. It's my new favourite drink.
The rest of the meal was delicious and if you are downtown, you must try this restaurant.
I went to Läderach chocolate in the Eaton Centre. If you haven't been, you need to as it is a feast for your eyes and your tummy. Known for their delicious FrishSchoggi ( a marriage of fresh Läderach chocolate with carefully sourced, quality ingredients, presented as delightful slabs.) Think sliced and caramelilzed almonds, Salted Caramel, Hazelnuts and the list goes on and on.
While not everything in the store is gluten free, the staff knows exactly what is glutenfree and takes all precautions when preparing and packing this delicious treat. Perfect for gift giving as well, their packaging is gorgeous.