All posts filed under: Food Journeys

The Heart Of Goan Cuisine: A Culinary Journey Through Goa’s Local Ingredients

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“Food Is Everything We Are… It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get -go”- Anthony Bourdain Locally available ingredients most often contribute largely to the essence of regional cuisine. Of course the cuisine is further enhanced by cooking techniques, traditions, cultural nuances and flavor combinations , all contributing to the uniqueness of the dishes from the region. In every sense then it could mean , that Culture and Cuisine go hand in hand. To understand a city or a region one then has to know it’s food, local ingredients and what inspires the cuisine. The region in question is Goa, easily the sunshine state of India and perhaps popular with tourists and locals alike being a beach dotted paradise that promises a laid back lifestyle, fun and frolic. That said the cuisine is best described as an influence of several cultures including Portuguese,African, Arab and Brazilian. The predominant one being Portuguese. Goan staples consist of rice, coconut, …

Discover Flavors Of Syria: Zezafoun Toronto

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“We wanted to share mamas delicious Syrian culture with the people in Toronto and beyond.. says Marcelle Alexis, Co-founder Zezafoun Eid celebrations often bring back memories of our time in Dubai and the joy of celebrating with friends and indulging in the various Iftar buffets that most hotels and restaurants plan around this time of the year. I also fondly remember the foodie walks in Mumbai with my sister, that are a delightful culinary journey into the by-lanes of the city which are abuzz with food vendors and street stalls that are a delightful experience to the senses and a symphony of flavors, aromas and textures that elevate the dining experience. Whilst here in Toronto, a bunch of ladies decided to embark on a culinary journey at Zezafoun last evening. This hidden gem serves some very authentic Syrian cuisine crafted with love and warmth making our meal a memorable culinary experience  Walking into this restaurant is like stepping into the comforts of Syrian warmth and hospitality.This place is run by Chef Yola and her daughter Marcelle.The …

Peach Picking: Summer’s Delightful Fruits & A Recipe Or Two

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Summer’s are just about the perfect time to head out to the Niagara region. While wine sipping and patio hopping are pretty much amongst fun activities to do, one of my favorite ways to spend time around this region is fruit picking. Fruit picking and vegetable farms are open through the summer across Ontario and are a great source of locally grown produce. We were out and about last weekend and whilst it was a scorching hot day here in Toronto, we arrived fairly early in the morning at The Parkway Orchards located in the Niagara region. As luck would have it, we did manage to pick some wonderful peaches that morning. They are located on 15000 Niagara Parkway on the way to Niagara on The Lake. Ideally it would be best to call them a day in advance to check on timings and availability of fruit for picking. The farm charges a small entry fee of $4 per head and a minimum $6 deposit per basket which is deducted from the fruit purchase. I …

Summer Fruit Picking: Mixed Berries & Chia Seed Jam

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    Spring & Summer outdoor activities are synonymous with farm visits and fresh berry picking. With an abundance of  summer berries ranging from strawberries, raspberries, Saskatoon berries and black currants, one is spoilt for choice through the summer. We visited Brooks farms located in  East Gwillianbury, Ontario a couple of weeks ago. This family run farm has vast acres of various  Berries, Peas, & Sunflowers. The sheer joy of walking through the fields and getting to pick your own berries is very relaxing and therapeutic indeed. Covid measures were in place when we arrived at the farm.One was able to buy ones baskets at the entrance of the fields. These baskets were of various sizes depending on the quantity one required. The farm also hosts a covered farmers market store that stocked on various fresh farm produce including asparagus, rhubarb, snap peas and corn. They also had a great variety of honey and maple syrup, home made old fashioned fudge and a variety of dairy and meat products.   Berry picking is a delicious …

Beyond Poutine: Montreal Must Eats

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The past few years have taken us to Montreal on several occasions. The very first visit was in seeing  the dear son off for his first year at McGill University. We have been there a couple of times since and of course the last visit a couple of weeks ago for his graduation. Each visit has been unique in exploring this city to its best.