what did you do super bowl sunday?

I made food.

I admit it! I'm not a football fan. I was rooting the '9ers because I think San Francisco looks like a swell city. But parties will be had on Super Bowl Sunday, and that's always a great reason to eat delicious, decadent and fried food.

I may not get the game, but I get food (mostly the eating part). I am especially proud of my peanut butter and chocolate star (notice how I'm cleverly avoiding saying Reese's Pieces) and my gingerbread marshmallow fondant mini football.

And that's the cheese ball I mentioned on Friday in Link Love. I halfed the cheeses, and probably quadrupled the green onion and pepper and it was delicious. So my suggestion: follow this recipe very loosely.

I also made pita chips to spread the cheese on. So easy and so yummy!

 What's your favourite Super Bowl recipe?

it's time to eat, drink and be merry!

We have a Christmas potluck this Saturday. Everyone has been tasked with bringing one appetizers while our lovely hosts will serve up a delicious main meal. I've been going through my repertoire of food sites for some yummy and different appetizers, and I think I might have found the one: fig and blue cheese savouries via Epicurious.  

I tend to shy away from anything that requires me making dough. No matter how many people tell me that dough is easy, I can't help but have a vision of me in the kitchen, hair in disarray and sweating, flour everywhere and cuss words flying about. 

But no more! This week, me and dough, we're having a throw down.

 Apart from that challenge, these little bites are perfect for the potluck. Easy to transport and, most importantly, easy to eat! Plus, they're kinda fancy. Check out the supposedly easy recipe here.

{image: epicurious}

breakfast muffins

One thing I don't do enough is bake. I might not be the quickest or most efficient in the kitchen, but the end results is usually pretty damn good, if I do say so myself.

Lately, I've been itching to make some delicious muffins, and Smitten Kitchen did not disappoint! I tried the whole wheat apple muffins. My husband and I agree—they were a success!

 

{photos: my flickr}

the spritz

Once upon a time, I lived in a world where spritzes weren't the quintessential aperitif. In retrospect, it was a sad life. 

Then I went to Italy and discovered that a simple mix of Campari (or Aperol) and white wine could really brighten my day. Not that my days needed much brightening; I was on vacation in Italy, for crying out loud.

Personally, I prefer the Aperol Spritz to the Campari. It's less bitter, smells refreshing, and the colour of the drink, topped off with an orange slice really makes it the summer beverage. It has become the cocktail that reminds me of laid-back summer days and terraces on bustling streets. A spritz would mark the end of another day in Italy, but it also represented a great evening (and meal) to come.

It's a tradition I'm definitely bringing to Canada. 

For a spritz, you'll need:

1 part white wine or sparkling wine 

(I opt for Prosecco, just 'cause it's Italian)

1 part Aperol or Campari 

(you can also try fizzy non-alcoholic bitters to add some bubbles if you go with flat white wine)

And that's it, folks! Just that easily, you can be sipping on a spritz, just like they are wont to do in northern Italy.  

An Aperol spritz in Venice near Piazza San Marco

Campari spritz at Il Calandrino in Padova

{photo credit: my flickr}

arhoma

Last week, after a hard day's work, I treated my mom and myself to a little treat. We made our way down to HoMa to check out ArHoMa, a cafe/bakery that did everything right.

 They make their own bread, and you can place a special order if they don't have what you're looking for - as I was informed when I requested a loaf of pumpernickel. They also have a well-stocked cheese counter...

and an array of jams, oils and spices.

 When you're done drooling over the cheeses and breads, you can make your way over to the cafe side and sample their delicious food. Everything was tasty, but the pistachio chocolatine was a revelation.

 The place has a vintage touch with its toasters and coffee makers from what seems to be every era.

(photo credit: my flickr}

bake or break

I found a great new baking site, Bake or Break. And I will, bake or break, that is. Everything pictured is mouthwatering, and puts an ache in my belly for lots and lots of sweets. First attempt will be the nutella swirl cheesecake bars. I mean, does it get any better than that? 

It might. At every post, I keep thinking I found the best new recipe ever.

 Ever.

it's friday! now let's talk cheese

I love the not-so-new ad campaign for Fromages d'ici (Our Cheeses - "ours" being Quebec's) at the Place-des-arts metro station. The tag line Connaissez-vous les 300 fromages d'ici? (roughly translated to: "are you familiar with the 300 cheeses from here?") is a daily reminder that I don't. But I think I should.

And I think I will. Cheese is one of my all time favourite anything! Can't get enough of it. I figure that setting a goal of trying all 300 Quebec cheeses would be an interesting and delicious endeavor. I could try a couple every once in a while, make Quebec cheese a constant on my list of appetizers when I'm receiving. It's also a great reason to host a wine & cheese. It might take a while to try all of them, but I'm willing to make that effort.

And so, upon all this pondering this morning, I googled Our Cheeses. It's a great website with a wealth of delectable recipes, various videos, information on pairing cheeses with wine, beer or cider, numerous tips, beautiful photos and, of course, a list of Our Cheeses. The website's design is fresh and fun. Definitely worth a look.

grilled peaches with brie from here and almond snaps

caramel sauce with camembert from here

{photo credit: Our Cheeses website}

olive & gourmando

About a year ago, I was taking a walk during my lunch hour when I stumbled upon this little gem. Faithful to form, I quickly proceeded to forget all about it for a good six months. But just from the window, you can tell that I would love this place, and had high expectations.

Good thing my subconscious made note of the little cafe. So a couple of weeks ago, the fiance and I made our way to the Old Port for lunch at Olive & Gourmando. It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon (don't sunny days always feel so much better when it's a work day?) and the place was buzzing with people.

 The decor is fantastic! O&G finds its charm in the details: the wild flowers in mason jars, the o&g shelf brackets, the exposed vents, the dishes served in baskets, the indie backgorund music and the colourful offbeat messages on the blackboard walls all come together to create a welcoming atmosphere.

The staff is friendly and efficient, and the food! Everything we tried was fresh and delicious. It was a food-gasm!

 I had the homemade ice tea and a latte. Both were great. I don't like throwing around extreme statements, but the latte might've been the best latte I ever had.

I had the grain-fed chicken sandwich. It was light and tasty, with cajun spices, guacamole, tomatoes and mangoes. Rob had the cubain, a hot panini with ham, braised pork, homemade mayonnaise and gruyere cheese. We shared the soup of the day; a pleasant and surprising mix celery and apples. For dessert, I indulged in one of my favourites: the almond croissant.

A lot of the homemade goodies are for sale, like their jam, ketchup and mayonnaise - even the water!

They also offer some decent advice.

To sum up, Olive & Gourmando is a great little find. The atmosphere is friendly, the food is fresh and the decor strikes the perfect balance between homey and trendy. Check O&G out here, or if you're in Montreal, drop by and see what all the fuss is about.


{photo credit: my flickr}