Ahh June... Garden tours, planting, peonies, strawberries and the start of Farmer’s Markets. Cooking outdoors on the regular. Despite what recent temps have led us to believe, summer is on its way! Although the coldest May since 1967 sent people in to buy LOTS OF SOUP, we are transitioning to warmer weather fare in our prepared meals freezer. Think Beef Provencal instead of Beef Bourgignon, the return of BBQ ready meats like skewers, flattened chickens and burgers and new selections which we sometimes don’t know about until they show up at the checkout desk! All delicious and house made by our dedicated cooking team!
I am back from a long anticipated sojourn in Sicily. The weather was divine and the food was to die for. Travelling always leaves me invigorated and eager to share what I’ve learned and tasted abroad and recreate those tastes at home and in our cooking classes. On that note, I’m thrilled to share that with this newsletter we are releasing FOUR NEW CLASSES to be held in July and August. We normally take a summer hiatus but know that many of you missed out on the last round and hope a few of you can find a class that works. As always, don’t forget to attend at the store or call as soon as registration opens to avoid disappointment. Registration opens Friday, June 13th at 10:00am.
For many of you June is the time school comes to an end. That often means TEACHER GIFTS! Our teacher friends tell us they LOVE consumables which is right up our alley. Pop in and let us help you with some personalized selections or a Gift Card in a little bag that always fits!
Father’s Day is June 15th – a time to honour the father figures in our lives. Somehow a BBQ theme is never wrong whether it’s the ready to go meats to eat on the day (ribs, marinated flank steak, burgers) or the tools or accoutrements to give as a gift for that hard to buy for guy (knives, flippers, tongs, favourite ingredients, a great apron). For dessert, we’ll also be making a Brownie with Caramel and candied bacon because... well bacon. Not to flog a theme to death but we'll also be making our Bacon Onion Jam for the summer to go with your burgers (and anywhere else you can think of) which will be available in our dip fridge.
We end the month with Canada Day – technically in July but the holiday falls awkwardly on the Tuesday this year. For those able to extend their weekend to then, we are re-naming it “The Canada Day-ish Weekend” which starts whenever you can begin the patriotic festivities. (Hopefully no one in
the statutory holiday department of the government reads this newsletter). We’ll have lots to choose from in the freezer including spatchcocked chickens with Montreal Spice marinade and Nanaimo Bars in our pastry case. Elbows up and dinner plates out! Oh Canada!!
JUNE EVENTS:
Saturday, June 14th - Springtide in Uxbridge
Sunday, June 15th - Father’s Day
June 21st – Uxbridge Garden Tour
July 27-July 1st – The Canada Day-ish Weekend
Tuesday, July 1st – STORE CLOSED
STORE HOURS:
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
Father’s Day is for all men who love with a father’s heart.
—Linda Barnes
2024 Mid-Summer Cooking Classes!
Check out this "mini" release (full class schedule will resume in September):
LISA'S MALTA, SICILY & ROME VACATION (Tuesday, July 15th - 7:00-9:30pm)
~ Insalata d’Arance Siracusa
~Parmigiana d’Melanzane
~ Mussels in a red wine tomato sauce with garlicky crumbs
~ Brioche con gelato
SUMMER ON THE MED (Tuesday, July 22nd - 7:00pm-9:30pm)
~ 3 Bean salad with mint, basil and parsley
~ Lemon garlic salmon
~ Herbed parmesan orzo
~ Blueberry Cheesecake icebox cake
SUMMER GARDEN LOVE (Tuesday, August 12th - 7:00pm-9:30pm)
~ Asparagus Tomato Salad with Burrata Cheese
~ Pan seared Scallops with Chorizo & Corn
~ Blistered Shishito Peppers
~ Almond Amaretti Semifreddo
MEXICAN SUMMER (Tuesday, August 19th - 7:00-9:30pm)
~ Shrimp ceviche with tortilla chips
~ Chilequiles
~ Mexican Street Corn Salad
~ Churros
IN THE STORE
Madama Oliva
How many times do you just want a little something to take the hunger edge off but don’t want anything sweet? Fear not. We have the most cutie patootie 30g packages of green pitted olives from Italy. You decide whether it’s a little add-on to a gift or something you just need to eat as soon as you walk out the door.
STRAWBERRY SEASON!
We are ready for you! We have strawberry hullers and baskets, beautiful bowls and colanders, tea towels, jam, sauce.... you get the idea. Ok sunshine... over to you to ripen those local gems!
L'Artisan Boulangerie re-stocked!
Something's fishy...
Our Vodka Smoked Salmon, Kolapore Springs Smoked Trout filets and our (occasionally available) house made Smoked Trout Pate. Choose just one or all of them for carefree summer entertaining.
Introducing our new DIY S'morecuterie Kit!!
A bold, savoury twist on the campfire classic. Oozy centre of creamy brie and thinly sliced artisan salami are gently warmed between crisp crackers or toasted bread rounds, then finished with a swipe of our house made caramelized onion chutney for that sweet-savoury balance. Think charcuterie meets comfort food—melty, smoky, and irresistibly indulgent.
Coming soon to our Grab'n'Go fridge!
Compound Butters
In our quest to bring you seasonal offerings, we have started making small batch compound butters which correspond to what's happening in nature. Last month had our chefs foraging for ramps in the woods and this month's selection is Beurre du Printemps - an infusion of chive flowers, garlic, lemon, tarragon, salt and pepper. Such an elegant finishing touch on the season's asparagus or anywhere else a little "somethin somethin" is called for.
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:
NATURAL PASTURES CHEESE COMPANY is an artisanal cheese company that started as a heritage dairy farm on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
Garlic & Chives Verdelait
Verdelait is a unique, award-winning blend of cheddar, Dutch gouda and Swiss raclette. They combine the delicious verdelait with a variety of Island grown fresh herbs and garlic. Verdelait is versatile and wonderful for cooking, grating, fondues, sandwiches, or salads and it melts beautifully.
Comox Brie
Comox Brie exemplifies the traditional, gentle flavour of a superb, bloomy rind cheese. Slight buttery taste and a delightful, creamy texture.
Both cheeses are sold individually in our Grab’n’Go case.
Morbier is back!
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Malta, Sicily and Rome.
It is really unbelievable that they are so far ahead of us when it comes to Gluten Free choices in restaurants.
Almost every restaurant or road side stop had Gluten Free options and Gluten Free Beer. Why is it so hard for our restaurants to have a few options on the menu. When I say that , I don't just mean a salad or a pasta option. I mean an entire meal
Oh well, the squeaky gets the oil so speak up people!
Gluten Free Cooking classes
Thanks so much for your support for our Gluten Free Classes. Our first cooking class dedicated to Gluten Free cooking was a roaring success as were Gluten Free 2.0 and subsequent classes. Please keep the feedback coming so we can provide what you want for the next class!
Places I have been recently:
If you have been looking for a delicious burger and fries, look no further!
The Burger's Priest has the most soft and delicious gluten free bun AND a dedicated fryer. I was more than delighted.