OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Our tomatoes are gone from our front planters, we've transitioned the store to autumn displays and the trickle of new product arrivals is slowly increasing. Is there anything better than a magnificent fall day? Someone said October is the Queen of months and we couldn't agree more. People have started coming in to the store in "fall-wear" -- sweaters, cozy clothes and ugh... even a down jacket or two on a frosty morning. No matter how many times these beautiful autumn days come along it just never gets old. Spectacularly coloured trees, the crunch and rustle of leaves underfoot, maybe the smell of a wood burning fire and something delicious and aromatic cooking. Heaven!
Turkey time is around the corner (if that’s your tradition) but even if it’s not, it’s a great time to share any meal and take the opportunity to reflect on all the things we are grateful for. Our own gratitude goes to all of YOU (our loyal customers) for your continued support along with our small but mighty staff who keep the wheels turning here! We’ve said it before but we truly couldn’t do it without you.
What's cooking for Thanksgiving at the Passionate Cook's Essentials?!
Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and great food. While you plan the memories, let us take care of the meal! Stress free, delicious and done for you. Start off with a cheese board (please order before October 8th), dips or other appetizers from our freezer and follow with our fresh (not frozen) dinner line-up:
• Turkey Breast Roulade with stuffing and Gravy
• Broccoli and Cauliflower in a cheese sauce
• Not your Granny’s Green Bean Casserole (no offence to Granny)
• Mashed Potatoes
• Apple Crisp
WHAT’S ON IN OCTOBER:
Friday, October 9th – Happy 17th Anniversary to us!
Friday-Sunday, October 9-11th – Thanksgiving Weekend - Grab your cheese boards, Wine, Prepared Foods or other entertaining requirements
Thursday, October 15th – BIA Ladies Night in Uxbridge! (see details below)
Thursday, October 22nd - Lisa interviews Mary Berg at the Uxbridge Music Hall (see details below)
Saturday, October 31st – Halloween – pick up something from our freezer so you can focus on those trick or treaters!
FALL/HOLIDAY COOKING CLASSES ARE NOW SOLD OUT!
However, there are sometimes cancellations the week of the class and we always call the people on the waiting list first to fill the spots before we re-post. This is a great way to get into a class if you have some flexibility. Call the store to add your name to your favourite class.
Mary Berg in conversation with our Lisa from the Passionate Cook's Essentials!
The Book Drunkard Festival is an annual autumn literary celebration in Uxbridge, hosted by our fabulous local bookstore Blue Heron Books. (The name was inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s famous quote, "I am simply a book drunkard.")
Join ME at the Uxbridge Music Hall on October 22nd at 7:30 pm while we chat about her new book "Mary's Comfort Classics" among other things. Tickets available at Blue Heron Books.
Feel free to message me and let me know what questions YOU want answered. Hope to see you there!
local artisan
Heirloom Rolling Pins
Our favourite local artisan Rick Collins (the maker of our fabulous charcuterie boards and giant bowls) has turned (pun intended) his hand to creating these fabulous rolling pins. A perfect gift for a special someone that is destined to become a family heirloom.
COFFEE LOVERS REJOICE!
Changing light levels may mean you need to elevate your caffeine levels. Lucky for you we have restocked our signature blend Passionate Cook’s coffee beans. We have lots of mugs ordered and on their way but in the meantime we just got in some sweet and simple white espresso cups that we fell in love with, along with our milk frothers. Not to mention our favourite ceramic French Press that just begs you to sit down for just another minute for a second cup.
We haven't forgotten our tea lovers! Sloane Teas are fully stocked and there are teapots, honey pots, strainers and cute little dishes to rest your teabag on.
CUE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME! WE ARE READY!
SHEDIAC IS BACK!
Shediac Lobster from New Brunswick
I can't begin to tell you the hoops I had to jump through to get this product into the store. Many months, dozens of phone calls and emails but at last... IT IS HERE! I posted its arrival on instagram and many of you have already been in to buy it. It is the very best (fabulously CANADIAN) product. The highest quality premium Atlantic lobster sourced by environmentally conscientious fishers for three generations! Sold in one pound packs in our freezer. We are thrilled to have it back.
On a little side note we also are now carrying Zyliss Seafood Scissors in case you are cooking your own lobster (or other seafood) and need a little shell assist.
CONSERVAS ARE HAVING A MOMENT!
What the heck is a conserva you ask?
Well my friends they are high quality artisan canned fish or seafood usually from Spain or Portugal. Think tuna belly in olive oil, clams, scallops, smoked mussels or octopus to name a few. We have carried them for years at the Passionate Cook but the uptake was slow. Enter the viral social media era and our little tinned fishes are now the darling of the food scene. Apparently in addition to satisfying the high protein trend they are also considered "an accessible form of gourmet luxury". Who knew?
Get yours in store while you can! (Apparently the suppliers can't keep them in stock!) We also have an adorable little fish-adorned dish to serve them in or to use for tapas, sauces or whatever you wish. [for those with a fish dish wish]
Have we mentioned how much we love TEA TOWELS and NAPKINS??
Ok, ok we know. You can have never have too many of either. You love them. We love them. We have them. Please come in and buy them.
[and some of us here are not going to apologize about how excited we get about the new designs. Our little fox... that cow and pig??? You can't resist...]
Yee Ha! It's Ladies Night in Uxbridge on Thursday, October 15th!!
Sashay into the store for a browse, purchase a glass of wine and we'll provide some chow (see what I did there).
DREAMFARM Oileroo
Oileroo Oil Sprayer
Don't let the cutesy name for Dreamfarm products put you off. The goal of this Australian born company is trying to solve problems and making better products. Enter the Oileroo - a never-clog oil sprayer with a premium borosilicate glass bottle that creates a fine mist, free-pours, and doses an exact tablespoon. No more plastic that gets that weird coating that's hard to describe and no need for disposable aerosol cans. I can think of a million uses for this handy device.
CHEESE NEWS
Cheese Boards are a great choice for Thanksgiving celebrations. An easy app to put out while you are prepping "the Main Event" or a no fuss contribution that everyone loves if you're lucky enough to get invited to someone's house.
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!
Why age gracefully when you can age like an old cheese... full of character and slightly offensive.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Tarte aux Citron
This Tarte aux Citron has been featured in our French Farmhouse class and was a hit. More importantly, I did a video making the tart and it went viral!! (A first for me). Catch videos on our insta! (@passionate.cook)
GLUTEN FREE CORNER
Gluten Free Corner
So many Gluten Free things to share:
- We have restocked our L'artisan French pastries
- Our Defina Pizza order will be in next week.
- We will have Slice and Bake Spicy Cheddar Coins for Thanksgiving
- Most importantly, coming soon we will be the first to stock ARCHIE'S WAFFLES. This is exciting because it is our own Haley Prentice and Connie's new business and Their waffles are amazing. Fluffy, light and delicious AND they are Gluten Free!