Archive for category Food Talk
Granville Island Market
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Double Smoke Bacon Dressing 
A couple weeks back James and I were on our holidays and had long decided to stick to the lower mainland to do a little exploring and cooking. To be honest the nearly three grand to fix the truck was the decision maker! This day we spent down at the Granville Island Market knowing the bounty of the summer would be inspiring and delicious. Normally I get anxious and claustrophobic in large crowds with the exception of anything to do with food! I feel at home in these busy little markets, cooking for crowds of people when I actually take on the odd catering gig.
In my life there is nothing more inspiring than quality ingredients. When a person puts care into growing gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, takes the time to master the artisanship of cheese making or as Oyama Sausage Factory does I become so enamored in the process. I feel obligated to transfer that excitement to the preparation of my dishes. Read the rest of this entry »
La Belle Patate
Well…what a pleasant little surprise this little Davie Street eatery was! My husband James is always going on about how nobody can make proper poutine. You know the poutine using McCain fries with fake curds melting into blobs of nothingness messing about in a goo of gravy and soggy fries?
I’m not sure how James heard about this place but he was adamant that we went to La Bell Patate before our visit to Granville Island, which is not as inspiring as it used to be. After paying a ridiculous $4 for parking because I can’t parallel park we headed into this neat little place.
I loved the vibe, the random music was fun and I really liked the two guys running the place. I noticed fantastic interaction with their obvious regulars and us! They were so friendly and inquisitive about our visit. I think my camera made them think we were tourists, while we acted like them I don’t think Richmond is far enough away to count as vacationers.
So what’s on the menu?
Over 30 different styles of poutine that’s what’s on the menu!
Right, lets get right to it then. James had 1. Traditional Poutine. I think because he’s going Read the rest of this entry »
Gudrun Tasting Room, Steveston BC
James and I went to Gudrun Tasting Room in Steveston today for brunch. The servers were youthful, funky and very personable. We enjoyed the food and service very much.
The interior is fantastic. The polished cold grey cement floor warmed with beautiful wooden benches and tables, minimalistic decorations and a crazy ass long table built around a tree in the courtyard. I remember when that tree was Read the rest of this entry »
Beer Clams…Clams Beer
Local clams meet local micro brew. How do they get along? Deliciously! Beer is overlooked for the most part when it comes to throwing together a recipe most likely because of the bitter notes created from Read the rest of this entry »
Growing Up Blueberry
When I drive past a blueberry farm or stand on the side of the road I think of a friend who grew up on a blueberry farm. Envious imagining how lucky she was and what a blast it must have been as a kid to wonder the fields loading her cheeks up with fresh picked blueberries, still warm and Read the rest of this entry »
Richmond Country Farms
While visiting Richmond Country Farms yesterday not only did I grabbed myself some fresh produce I grabbed a coffee and wondered the gardens for a while. Once I took in the new outdoor plant area I gathered up tender baby eggplants, gai-lan, leeks, beet greens, kale, English peas, new potatoes, 2 varieties of cherries, raspberries, rhubarb and strawberries.
I’m making a spiced ginger summer fruit chutney with the fruits listed above. Read the rest of this entry »
Wally Burger & Cates Park…
Growing up in North Vancouver I frequented Cates Park through-out my childhood. Winter, Spring and Summer didn’t really matter when.
I have fond memories of Sports Day’s, family picnics on the small beach watching ships sail through the inlet which in my little eyes, the coolest thing in the world.
Recently I had heard Wally Burger opened in the old Cates Park concession stand and asked my husband if we could head to North Vancouver for the day. I wanted to experience the famous Read the rest of this entry »
Strawberry Fields Forever
Honestly! As we were pulling out of No 4 Road strawberry fields that very song started playing, Strawberry Fields Forever…all the while our Jimmy was perfumed with fresh strawberries lovingly picked by my husband James. Could there have been a better moment?
I had every intention of participating in “MY” idea to go pick our own strawberries but natures little creatures put a quick stop to that. For those who know me yes…it was a spider. My strawberry adventure was done. I became camera person and instructor!
We had visited another farm in that area between No 3 & 4 Road. It was a lovely farm and surprisingly busy for the small selection of vegetables. Read the rest of this entry »
Welcome to … Rustically Speaking!
How lucky are we to live in BC?
Richmond Farming
BC is inspiring! Why? Where else has the multicultural mish-mash so harmoniously joined together, becoming the norm for our weekly dim sum excursions, sushi nights with the girlfriends to enjoying contemporary west coast cuisine. Where else can you drive for a few hours and to buy fresh Chilliwack corn, Harrison for wildflower honey or hazelnuts, go to Richmond to hand pick fresh blueberries and strawberries to taking a scenic ferry ride to Salt Spring Island for award winning cheese.
Where does Rustically Speaking fall in that landscape? It falls into a little bit of everywhere . The middle of the road but not middle of the road flavours. Jokingly my sous chef said my food was Rustic Elegance with an edge. Oddly enough I think he nailed it. As time goes by I think my blog will reflect that statement more and more.
I have no master plan of what will be shared in Rustically Speaking, I am a chef first and a writer…very last. I love photography as you will see through-out the site. I have a “thing” for tractors, roosters and taking pictures of food stands with hand-written signs. I love it!
What’s missing from our dinner tables today? Company. Gather the family, roommates or your significant other to the table. Eat family style, pass the food around while engaging in the art of conversation and story telling over delicious food.
Thanks for being here!
The Bastardization of Tapas
I may get enemies for this but…
I am a purist when it comes to Tapas. I don’t think Tapas should be compared to dim sum or sushi. Do you ever hear them being compared to Tapas? I go crazy when restaurants call appetizers Tapas and get really annoyed when Read the rest of this entry »
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