September is a bit of a transitional month. The beginning still has its feet deeply rooted in summer with a confident denial that fall is on its way. Then routines (of school or work or life) are re-established, the apples and pumpkins appear and leaves start their colourful transformation. We make the most of the late fall treasures in our farmer's markets -- both because they are delicious but also because we know their abundance is fleeting. We bust out all our plum, apple, pepper and squash recipes and our soup pots and brasiers are pulled out once more. By September's end, no one can deny autumn has arrived.
We always think those of you who read our newsletter as old friends and frequent visitors to the store. Maybe it's me but it seems like lately there have been many more "people from away" and new Uxbridge residents who pop into the store to chat and just see what's in town. We love those conversations! So if that's you, WELCOME... to our town and to the Passionate Cook's Essentials community. We are always eager to answer any questions but you'll also find our customers do the same. We've overheard many a conversation at the meals freezer where our customers rave about a certain entree and it turns into an "I'll have what she's having moment". So, whether your info comes from us, or from fellow PCE shoppers, we hope we can help you settle in and become one of your go-to destinations.
Our kitchen is in full "harvest mode" with returning faves -- soups and mains with local root veg and warming spices, the last of the corn, squash, apples and pears and of course tomatoes. Savoury pies (with a delicious quiche/tart in development) will knock your socks off and it won't be long before the "bourgignonnes" will be back. The sign in the window will reveal the new things cooking that week which are also posted on Instagram.
The biggest news of course is that the new release of COOKING CLASSES ARE HERE!! See the details below. Check your dates and come join us for an evening of food and fun! REGISTRATION OPENS ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST AT 10:00 AM! As you may know, there are a limited number of class spots which fill up quickly. We suggest that you select a couple of alternative dates/classes in case your first selection has sold out. We are doing duplicates of all the classes in an effort to avoid disappointment. We'll cross our fingers you get in to what you want!
[Insider tip: the people that are at the store at 10:00am on registration day usually have the highest success rate!]
Tuesday, September 1st – CLASS REGISTRATION!
Sunday, September 6th - CLOSED (LABOUR DAY WEEKEND)
September 19 & 20th – Uxbridge Studio Tour (Soup's on!)
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
"Autumn mornings: sunshine and crisp air, birds and calmness, year's end and day's beginnings." Terri Guillemets
The Uxbridge Studio Tour is Saturday and Sunday, September 19th & 20th. We'll be serving our housemade soup hot and ready to go with a demi-baguette for $10. We'll also have an array of accoutrements available to purchase - mini brie and other cheeses, olives, Marcona almonds, dried nuts & seeds.
2026 Fall to Holiday Cooking Classes! CLASS REGISTRATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST @ 10AM!
Cancellation policy: Classes are non-refundable, but you can send a friend in your place, or use the equivalent store credit for a future cooking class or store merchandise, provided we are given one week’s notice. If cancellation is made within one week of the class, no credit will be given. By signing up for a class you agree to these terms. Doors open on class evenings at 6:45pm.
The new release is here!
Harvest #1 Wednesday, September 9, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Sweet potato and Corn Chowder
~Roasted pork loin with garlic jus
~Roasted carrots and fennel with pomegranate vinaigrette
~Pumpkin Budino
Harvest #2 Tuesday, September 15, 2026 7:00pm-9:30 pm
~Sweet potato and Corn Chowder
~Roasted pork loin with garlic jus
~Roasted carrots and fennel with pomegranate vinaigrette
~Pumpkin Budino
French Farmhouse #1 Tuesday, September 22, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Mushroom Palmiers
~Bistro Salad with pickled red onion and toasted walnuts
~Doesn’t take all day Cassoulet
~Lemon tart
French Farmhouse #2 Thursday September 24, 2026 12:00pm-2:30pm
~Mushroom Palmiers
~Bistro Salad with pickled red onion and toasted walnuts
~Doesn’t take all day Cassoulet
~Lemon tart
French Farmhouse #3 Tuesday, September 29, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Mushroom Palmiers
~Bistro Salad with pickled red onion and toasted walnuts
~Doesn’t take all day Cassoulet
~Lemon tart
Rustic Italian #1 Tuesday, October 6, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Arugula and Roasted pear salad
~Beef ragu cannelloni
~Charred Broccolini
~Chocolate Salami
Rustic Italian #2 Tuesday, October 13, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Arugula and Roasted pear salad
~Beef ragu cannelloni
~Charred Broccolini
~Chocolate Salami
Rustic Italian #3 Thursday, October 22, 2026 12:00pm-2:30pm
~Arugula and Roasted pear salad
~Beef ragu cannelloni
~Charred Broccolini
~Chocolate Salami
Let’s go to Morocco Tuesday, October 20, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Baked Feta with green olive tapenade
~Chicken and chickpea Tagine with apricots
~Spiced couscous
~Date Cake with Fresh Orange Slices and Orange Honey Cream
Holiday Appetizers #1 Tuesday, October 27, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Mini Cherry tomato tart tatin
~Maple Fire Cracker Shrimp
~Flammkuchen flatbread (bacon, onion, creme fraiche)
~Double salmon and horseradish canapés
~Beef Tataki with ponzu sauce
Holiday Appetizers #2 Tuesday, November 3, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Mini Cherry tomato tart tatin
~Maple Fire Cracker Shrimp
~Flammkuchen flatbread (bacon, onion, creme fraiche)
~Double salmon and horseradish canapés
~Beef Tataki with ponzu sauce
Holiday Appetizers #3 Thursday, November 26, 2026 12:00pm-2:30pm
~Mini Cherry tomato tart tatin
~Maple Fire Cracker Shrimp
~Flammkuchen flatbread (bacon, onion, creme fraiche)
~Double salmon and horseradish canapés
~Beef Tataki with ponzu sauce
Holiday Entertaining #1 Tuesday, November 17, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Shrimp and Crab puffs
~Steak Diane (The Passionate Cook Way)
~Chantilly potatoes
~White Chocolate pistachio mousse
Holiday Entertaining #2 Tuesday, November 24, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm
~Shrimp and Crab puffs
~Steak Diane (The Passionate Cook Way)
~Chantilly potatoes
~White Chocolate pistachio mousse
IN THE STORE
BAKING SEASON HAS ARRIVED!
We are often asked during our classes what kind of pan or bakeware we are using and where we can find them. You know our preferred answer is “you can purchase these at the Passionate Cook’s Essentials!” So with that in mind we thought we would highlight some of the great bakeware available in a variety of sizes. We have square (9.5”) and rectangular (9.5” x 13.5”) and 9.5” springform pans from Cuisipro which are oven safe to 500 degrees are are PTFE, PFOA and PFAS free. Beautiful tart pans with a removable bottom from Gobel (a renowned French manufacturer of specialty baking tins and moulds) are on order. If you are looking for baking/cooling racks that are oven safe (think chicken wings or anything you want to elevate in the oven for better air circulation), we have those too. Then there's the very best vanilla, a quality rolling pin, measuring cups and spoons, sheet pans and all manner of spoons and spatulas. Come check it out in time for all that fall and holiday baking ahead!
GELATI KISSES
Sometimes we are reluctant to include something in the newsletter when it sells so well we worry it will be gone by the time you read about it! Such was the case with these yummy, addictive little morsels. They are bites of gelato (about the size of a truffle) covered in a thin layer of chocolate. I'm sure you can use your imagination about all the ways this is a good thing (literally any time of the day when a little bite of deliciousness is just what you need). The flavours include Salted Caramel, Chocolate, Pistachio, Vanilla, Espresso, Limoncello...
VICTORINOX TOMATO KNIVES
Tomato Knives are ON THEIR WAY and not a moment too soon! These little kitchen workhorses are an essential item for tomatoes of every kind but particularly those lovely beefsteaks and heirlooms that are at their peak!
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO ORDER A CHEESE BOARD! (Labour Day, return to school, Thanksgiving...)
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!
RECIPE
Classic Panzanella Salad
This is the time of year tomato lovers dream about all year long! From our Best of the Season cooking class, our exceptional local Ontario tomatoes hit this recipe out of the park. This is the time to pull out a great olive oil and get some buffalo mozzarella from Italy.
You're in luck that both are available in store!
GLUTEN FREE CORNER
DEFINA PIZZAS ARE RE-STOCKED!
These delicious pizzas are hard to keep in stock! They are selling like hotcakes (or pizza pies)! Available in Margherita, Diavola or Pepperoni. You know where to find it!