Food For Thought

Do you have any idea how much I love it when someone I know (ie. an acquaintance or higher) eats off of my plate without asking? DO YOU KNOW? I understand why some people might be aggravated by such an act since it might be considered rude - but I love, love, love it. It's so bold and almost, like, a friendly kind of bold. I really think that we, as a society, need to stop viewing this act in such a negative light. Why? Here are some reasons.

1. Sharing is caring. We learned that a long time ago, let's bring that phrase back.
2. When someone is too hungry to ask for a bite, it's a lot faster to just take it - we've all been at that level of hunger before.
3. It's so loving! I might have germs, but does this food-snatcher care? Nope! Not a care in the world! If I've got a cold, well, now you've got a cold, bud. Doesn't bother me, we're friends!
4. Offering someone a taste of your meal with the hope that the person you're with will offer you some of their dish is almost MEDIEVAL at this point. JUST GRAB IT AND EAT IT. 
5. If I've made a bad decision when ordering my meal, I need a backup. Your meal is my backup. Get on board with this. If you find that to be selfish, please keep in mind that this is a two-way street. 

Do you need more reasons that that? Seriously, I will email you more reasons if you ask me. 

In any case, if you and I are ever in a restaurant together - be prepared to have your food eaten by me. It's 'cause I love you.

Creme Brulee at Whole Foods

So I've recently become aware of the fact that I'm basically a fan of the entire baked goods section at Whole Foods. I'll come to terms with that in private, but in the meantime? YOU NEED TO EAT THIS CREME BRULEE. 

Why? Why the hell do I tell you that you need to eat everything on this planet all the time? Well, many reasons.

1. I want you to live a full, delicious existence.
2. Sometimes you don't know what you need to be feasting upon and I do.
3. When you learn about something beneficial to the general population, you should pass that information along to others. (Example: brussels sprouts are heavenly when cooked in turkey bacon fat and garlic.)
4. I pay for this domain name and I can write what I damn well please.
5. Food is life.

But enough of that, the main reason I felt the need to tell you about this creme brulee is because of the following reasoning. Sometimes you don't want to go to a restaurant just because you've got a craving for the brulee. And in addition to that, it happens to be the most irritatingly inconvenient thing to prepare at home yourself (what's that? You DON'T have an at-home kitchen blow torch? Of course you don't, you're not a serial killer).

So when you're craving this beauty of a dessert and you can't make one at home and you don't want to dine out just to satiate this desire, go to Whole Foods. It tastes fucking incredible.

Tiny Tom Donuts

Whenever I fondly think of my days at the CNE, I swear to you I can almost smell the Tiny Tom donuts within those memories. To this day, it's impossible for me to visit that place without coming home with at least a few dozen mini donuts. I used to solely get them because my dad always requested that we bring some back home, but now I'll make sure to get them since it feels sort of wrong to see their stand and casually walk past it.

I had no idea that the company originated in 1959 and made its first CNE debut that same year. I always thought it was some American company that we were lucky enough to get in Toronto, but no - it's Canadian! Of course it is. 

If you haven't tried a Tiny Tom donut by this point, I don't know what you're waiting for. And if you're especially going to the CNE to try one of their yearly abominations of culinary experiments (I mean, a cake poutine? Come on. DON'T TRY TO MAKE POUTINE BETTER, IT AIN'T HAPPENING) then you're completely missing out on one of the great staples of the exhibition. 

Mocha Semifreddo

I don't have an ice cream maker. Why? Mainly because I don't have an oven - and if I must splurge on some sort of luxury kitchen item (yes, it's sad that I view an oven as a "luxury kitchen item" but I'm coming to terms with that), my first purchase would be this oven. That being said, I have dreams of one day owning an ice cream maker. But until that day comes, this recipe will tide me over.

I know that I've gone on and on about how great Chef John's recipes are, so if you have politely nodded your head along to those past posts without actually making any of his dishes - THIS IS THE ONE YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY MAKE. Partly because it's crazy easy and partly because it's summer and you should indulge in something that's homemade and ridiculously delicious. 

Olive Oil Mister

I am definitely in that category of people who never measures his/her olive oil when cooking. It's too boring a detail for me to get on board with, I'm sorry. And I know this is a problem 'cause I always overuse my olive oil, which is a shame because you only really need a spritz of it to be cool.

Enter THIS OIL MISTER! I saw this at Crate & Barrel a few weeks ago and it's almost heavenly. Not only does having it cut down your olive oil intake (while saving you money on not having to buy so much olive oil) but it's also fun as hell to use. You're trying to tell me that you don't find joy in misting a pan before using it? You don't see the beauty of a freshly-misted salad? You don't dream of the day you organize your own dinner party solely for the purpose of walking around a dining room table asking if anyone needs anything "misted tableside"? THAT'S NOT YOU?! Okay, maybe that last one is just me. But still. Everyone should own this mister. Or at least everyone with a kitchen and a dream. 

Sidenote: Happy Birthday to one of the best humans I know, my brother Robbie. You're amazing to everyone who knows you and I'll never know how you find enough hours in the day to be such an incredible man. I'm lucky as hell to have you in my life and I've been thankful for that since the whole nipple incident all those many years ago. One day, I promise I'll stop telling that story to people. Love you, brother.

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Georgia Peaches Coming To NYC

Some Georgia in Tennessee #nashville

A photo posted by Liz Heather (@lizheather) on Jun 7, 2015 at 3:52pm PDT

Remember those peaches I told you about a few weeks ago? They're coming to New York City!

Stephen and Jessica Rose launched the Peach Truck in 2012 with the intention of bringing the joy of Pearson Farm's fresh Georgia peaches to cities around the country. They started out small — first delivering peaches in brown paper bags in the Nashville area, and then expanding to the south and Midwest. And now, for the first time ever, the truck is coming to New York this summer.

They've put together a New York itinerary for the three days they'll be in town. On July 17, the Peach Truck will park at Berg'n; on July 18, Wilma Jean, the Fort Greene Flea, Smorgasburg in Williamsburg, and Urban Cowboy; and on July 19, Chelsea Market, the Williamsburg Flea, and Smorgasburg at Brooklyn Bridge Park. You can check out the full schedule over here.

Sweet Jane's in Astoria

The fact that dairy-free ice cream can have the capability to be delicious is proof of a higher power. I'm sorry, it is.

I finally ventured over to Sweet Jane's on 24th Avenue the other night around 10:10pm, just to witness the door locked up tight and someone sweeping up inside. I never had any intention of asking to be let in, but I locked eyes with the gentleman inside and somehow, someway - he motioned for me (and my friend) to come on inside.

He introduced us to Sweet Jane herself and then she proceeded to LET US TRY BASICALLY EVERYTHING. Why? I have no idea. But in my experience, if something amazing is about to happen to you - don't interrupt. Everything that happened next was magical. We tried dairy and gluten-free flavours (like Key Lime Pie, Thin Mint, Peanut Butter) as well as their full-ass-dairy gems (like Cappuccino Kahlua and Salty Caramel Pretzel) in addition to their heavenly Fudgestickle that's better than any frozen treat I've had on a stick before IN LIFE (is it fudgestickle or fudgesickle (?) - 'cause I've seen both spellings on their main board).

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Jane! The real Jane!

I don't know how we got lucky enough to have a behind-the-scenes night at this gem of an ice cream shop, but thank you immensely for having us, Jane! We'll absolutely never forget it. 

And as far as ice cream places go, this is by far the best one I've ever been to in Queens. Maybe even in NYC. There's no reason for you not to check it out this summer. 

My Favourite 10 Things To Eat in Ontario

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day! 🍁

A photo posted by Saurob Ahmed (@sdotahmed) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:51pm PDT

I'm feeling a little annoyed that I'm not in Mississauga celebrating Canada Day with the rest of you, but I'll get over it. What will I do instead? Sit and pine over these items below.

1.    Salted Caramel Timbits. Have you tried these yet? They're relatively new and amazing. 

Photo Credit: Tim Hortons

2.    The poutine at Royal Burger on Lakeshore.

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Royal Burger Poutine

3.    All forms of Coffee Crisps (especially Coffee Crisp Latte, Coffee Crisp McFlurries, Coffee Crisp Hot Chocolate, Coffee Crisp cake, IT NEVER ENDS).

Photo Credit & Recipe: Huffington Post

4.    Any fish and chips that uses halibut and not cod.

Photo Credit: Phenu

5.    Trinidadian doubles near any of the West Indian places near T.L. Kennedy.

Photo Credit: Serious Eats

6.   The garlic cheese loaf at Swiss Chalet (it sucks if you get it for delivery or take out, but it’s amazing when you eat it at the restaurant).

Photo Credit: WaiWai Flickr

7.    The caesar salad at Canyon Creek is especially 'cause they use way too much garlic when they make the dressing and I cannot get enough of it.

Photo Credit: Joey Eats

8.    Parmesan Chicken Bowties at Jack Astor’s.

Photo Credit: Cindy Nguyen

9.     Mind Over Matcha at Booster Juice - (I stand by this statement, Magowans!)

Photo Credit: Booster Juice

10.    Pepperoni slice at San Francesco’s.

Photo Credit: Insauga.com

Ground 2 Table

I think it's clear that I love to cook - but I don't always want to make a big, complicated meal since, well, there aren't enough hours in each day.

I tried one of these Ground 2 Table spice blends last night (Blend #2 - All Purpose Spicy) on a slow cooked whole chicken and it turned out amazingly well. It may not seem like a huge deal, but I love not having to take out my measuring spoons. And these packets are perfect if you want something home cooked, but without the hassle of going through too much effort. 

There are 12 different blends to choose from and they're $2/per packet. I promise you there's absolutely no reason not to try these out. None of the blends contain any salt or sugar either, which seems a little nuts since it tasted so good. Try try try!

“If your grocery store sells California nectarines, I beg you to get half a dozen. Holy hell, are they the shit.”

— #lizadvice