HOME FROM THE CAMBRIDGE FARMER'S MARKET

On one of our long weekend events, Barb and I went to Cambridge Ontario to the Farmer's Market. We bought lots of fresh produce.

Strawberries to eat fresh from the basket or with some ice cream.

Our bounty- tomatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, asparagus, small jar of homemade pickled beets and of course the strawberries.

The 2 litre jug of dark maple syrup for Barb and the grandkids. For pancakes, fudge and to use in making butter tarts!

For dinner we used our day's finds.

An asparagus frittata, fresh corn and tomato slices with olive oil, oregano and fresh leaves of basil. A hearty meatless meat for a Saturday night!
#freshcorn#strawberries#FoodlandOntario#adeliciousSaturdaynightdinner#freshtomatoes#maplesyrupfromShadyGrove#eatingfreshinsbest#frittata

GRANPA'S TRIP TO THE CAMBRIDGE FARMER'S MARKET

As one of our long weekend events, Barb discovered a farmer's market in Cambridge Ontario-just west of Toronto before you get to Kitchener-Waterloo. A quick drive off the 401. Apparently it has been around since 1830, making it one of the oldest markets in the country.

Barb bought us a new trek trolley for such outings. Purple of course! Better than lugging bags of heavy produce.

It was a small market so it did not take us long to look around.

Here I am buying Barb a 2 litre jug of dark maple syrup from the friendly dealer from Shady Grove Maple Co. in Guelph Ontario. There were a good variety of maple syrup products.

I bought some fresh asparagus from this nice lady. She said she had been picking strawberries in the rain on Friday.

On to the next booth.

Nothing like fresh corn from the farm.

Barb likes sweet potatoes so I bought a bag of them.

It is good to buy local produce and support Foodland Ontario. Barb and I like to see if we can eat at a local place too. We found a little cafe and had a toasted bagel with cream cheese and a coffee.

The Grand Cafe was across the street from the market. It is named the Grand because the Grand River divides the town. Barb took advantage of the day photographing buildings, churches, art and the river. She will write about it in her blog- http://reflectivethoughtsbybarbara.blogspot.com
Overall, it was an enjoyable outing. The people at the market  and town were friendly.  Our farmers sure work hard to bring our food to the table.
Visit their website. Cambridge Market
#cambridgefarmersmarket#adayincambridgeontario#lotsoffreshfruitandvegetables#grandcafeforcoffeeandtreats#buyinglocalproduce#bagelwithcreamcheese#friendlyfarmersatthemarket#farmersmarketsarefun#FoodlandOntario#shadygrovemaplesyrup

FEASTS FIT FOR A FATHER

Father's Day weekend was full of good eating. Going to friends for dinner Saturday June 15 brought wonderful appetizers and a creative salad.

Lettuce with strawberries, blueberries and pomegrante! House dressing!

A tortellini pasta dish with meat and pea sauce.

Followed by a meat dish with lots of vegetables. And dessert. Thanks Mary and Ben!

Then to my daughter and son-in-law for a combined birthdays for the grandkids and Father's Day on Sunday June 16.

Appetizers, 4 salads-tossed, caesar, bean and pasta, devilled eggs-made by Barb started the meal.

Lots of barbecued meat.

Chicken, sliders, kabobs, sausage, lamb on a skewer, hot dogs!

Both meals served wonderful desserts.

Tuxedo cake, oreo cookie cake and one of my favourites-lemon meringue pie! Thanks to Tash and Domi!
#cakes#Tuxedocake#lemonmeringuepie#chickenonthebarbecue#sliders#tortellini#greatmealsattwoplaces#devilledeggs

BARBECUE SEASON CANADIAN STYLE

Although some people barbecue year round, I prefer the warmer weather. It is more enjoyable to take the food from the grill and sit outside to eat. For the record, I do not use a gas barbecue but still prefer the charcoal and smaller unit.  Steaks, chops and chicken are the meals so far. Barb bought me a new grilling pan so maybe I will use it when some of the fresh veggies are ready from the garden. She has trips planned over the next few months to markets and farms so I know I will be buying lots of fresh produce as it becomes available. There are many ways to use the barbecue. Potatoes wrapped in tin foil can be put in the coals to cook. Sometimes I precook them a little in the microwave before wrapping and putting in the fire.  Even corn on the cob tastes better grilled and not boiled in water. As the season progresses, I am sure to have some delights to share with you. Tonight I will be cooking some lean pork tenderloin cut into pieces. We had some last week. It was quite tasty. I bought a large piece and divided it into portions for two. So Canadians coast to coast are in full swing of barbecue season.
#barbecueseason#backyardfun#freshveggiesfromthegarden#daytripstofarmersmarkets#cornonthebarbecue#steaksonthebarbecue#potaoesonthebarbecue#chops#chicken#freshproduce

FISH AND CHIPS CANADIAN STYLE

Fish and chips are usually seen as a very British-English dish. Since many people who immigrated to Canada over the last 100 years came from the United Kingdom, it makes sense some of their dishes came with them.

On a recent outing to Port Perry, Ontario, Barb and I had lunch at the Halibut House. It is one of several fish and chip places in the town. We both had the fish, chips and coleslaw lunch special. I also had the fish chowder as an appetizer. Well it was one of the best fish served I have had recently. The batter was crispy and the fish thick and flakey. The french fries were big and tasty. Not bad for a Canadian meal!
#HalibutHouse#freshfish#fishandchips#PortPerry#fundaytriptoPortPerry#aCanadianstaple

ZUPPA DI PESCE-GRANPA'S ANNIVERSARY DINNER

Everyone knows I prefer to eat at home. But Barb insisted we go out for a nice anniversary dinner-May 15, 2013. She reviewed several places before I agreed to one not too far from home.

Here I am at Stonefire.

For my appetizer, I had the soup of the day-Tomato. Not so bad.

For my entree, it was Zuppa di Pesce ( Fish soup).

Wow-it looks big!

Lobster Tail Jumbo Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, Calamari, clams- simmered in a Tomato Broth with 4 large Crostini. Rarely do I have trouble finishing a dish! However, there was some left at the bottom of my bowl. With the Crostini, there was no need for more bread a the table.

Boy that was good!

Barb decided to have the Rack of Lamb- Roasted Ontario Lamb crusted with Mustard and herbs served with garlic mash potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

I guess it's okay to eat out on special occasions. At least there were no dishes to do! Oh yes, it was my 42nd anniversary! Happy Anniversary sweetheart!
#Stonefirerestaurant#zuppadipesce#lambdish#anniversarycelebrations#rackoflamb#garlicmashedpotatoes#nicetoeatout

BREAKFAST OUT TO CELEBRATE TWO MOMS

I could have made breakfast for my wife and daughter. However, we went to Sunset Grill, one of those all day breakfast places for our Mother's Day breakfast with my wife, Barb and daughter, Sonya and her family- husband-Andrew and my two grandsons Tyler and Brody. Eggs-one over lightly with peameal bacon, home fries, toast and jam is always a good choice. Barb likes the French Connection with French Toast, sausage, scrambled eggs and home fries. She never eats it all but takes half home and nibbles on it all day. Like breakfast and lunch plus snacks for her. It is a fun breakfast place to go. We have had many times at various Sunset Grills throughout York Region. Of course, my home cooking is better but it is nice to be served sometimes. Later in the day, we went to our other daughter-Natasha and husband-Domi and grandchildren-Sophia and Damiano for cake and coffee. Not being a mother, I rather enjoyed Mother's Day. Did not have to cook!!!!
#mother'sday#SunsetGrill#breakfastoutwithfamily#peamealbacon#sausage#scrambledeggs#FrenchConnectionspecial