Archive for the ‘Food & Drink’ Category

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Aug 10

We made Pickles!

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In my never-ending quest to experiment doing things to see if i actually still dislike doing them – We made Pickles on Sunday!

Now, I shouldn’t say that I dislike pickling – because i don’t – i think it’s a great time! – it just takes SO.LOOOOONG.

If it took half the time, i’d be all over pickling and canning and cooking all kinds of things – but i just don’t have the patience, ya know?

But anyways, these little beasts are just going to be delicious, i can tell.

Since the Corn Pickling post went over ridiculously well – I am going to share my cucumber pickling experience with you too – but after that, it’s over. You’ll have to get your pickling porn somewhere else.

So here goes… get a half bushel of cucumbers from Herrle’s - costs about $15 plus you’ll want to grab a bunch of fresh dill and garlic too.

1. Wash the cukes.

2. Cut the cukes into spears… if you want to fit more than 4 pickles in a jar. Get the cloves of garlic ready and if you’re really adventurous, some pearl onions too…. it is suggested you wear a shirt that matches what you are pickling.

3. Wash and divide the dill (flowers and dilly looking part)- and drop equal amounts into each sterilized mason jar. Also drop in the garlic and onions.

4. Then stick all the spears into the jars, so they are totally stuck in there. Should be about 6-7 cucumbers worth.

5. Fill the jars up with Brine covering all cucumbers and letting about 1/4 inch of space at the top (1 litre water / 250 ml vinegar / 60 ml kosher salt – simmer for a few minutes till the salt disolves)

6. Put the sterilized lids on tight and put them in a hot water bath till they boil – keep’em in there for 5 mins.

7. Then take’em out and let them cool down in slightly warm and then cool water. If you do this step too fast, the jars will crack, so it takes for fucking ever. Beware.

8. Let’em sit for a week or two… then eat. Look at them! They look like real pickles!

I’ll keep you posted on how they actually taste – i don’t recommend making them till i report back!

Hope you enjoyed this installation of Hilary Destroys a Clean Kitchen!

H.

Posted in Food & Drink | 4 Comments »

Jul 31

PICKLING – a good time for $24

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As promised, I pickled baby corns today.

Here’s proof… and instructions should you want to try it yourself!

Step 1. Peel a bushel of baby corns. I suggest enlisting a family full of people… since there are A LOT of corns in a bushel of baby corns. (You should know you can not just walk in and buy a bushel from a store, we ordered it through a woman who is affiliated with Herrles – took about a week to be ready)

Corn dog? hahahahahaa.

Step 2: You’re going to want to soak the corns in some cold water. This makes it really easy to pull off any of the silk hairs that were stuck on there.

Step 3: Throw all those mo-fos into a huge pot of boiling water. Boil for 4 mins.

Step 4. Strain and soak in cold water to stop them from cooking.

Step 5. Strain them again, and start packin’em into the jars. You’ll want to make it a pretty tight fit.

Step 6: Make the pickling juice-goodness and pour it into the jars so all the corns are covered.

Here’s how to make Marlene’s not-so-secret recipe:

1 cup water
2 cups sugar
2 cups pickling vinegar
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp pickling spice
Boil for 5 mins
Then strain out some of the pickling spice, but not all – cuz it kind of looks cute with the little things floating around.
Step 7: Put the lids on tight. Then put them in the sink and pour boiling water over them. You’ll hear the lids popping, which is a good sign, means their sealing.
Step 8:  Once the sealed jars start to cool, you’ll need to give them an extra tighten because the cooling process makes them contract or something scientific like that… just do it ok?
Step 9: Wait at least 1 Week.
Step 10: They’re ready!
Couple extra things to note:
Sterilizing the jars – there’s a couple different ways you can get the jars ready to go.
Option 1: Rinse them boiling water and let them cool
or
Option 2: Bake them in the oven for 14 mins at 250 degrees.
1 bushel of corn, means you need to make the syrup about 3-5 times depending on the size of jars you’re using, we made 4 500ml jars and 8 250ml jars. If you’re reading this, and we’re friends, you’re probably getting 1 of these lovelies for the holiday season so act surprised ok?
H.
PS. Wow. this might be my most informative post yet!
PPS. thanks for showing me the magical ways of pickling, Mom!
PPPS. Things go a lot slower if you have to keep taking pictures of this frickin ridiculously cute puppy ever 5 minutes:

Posted in Food & Drink | 3 Comments »

Jul 13

Get Ready for this Weekend

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I know, I know, it’s only Tuesday and it hurts to think about how far it is until the weekend … but it’s such a great one that you need to start planning your itinerary NOW!

Here’s a couple things you might want to check out:

Craft Beer and Ribfest in Victoria Park – the most delicious event of the summer FOR.SURE. All weekend long. We went last year and it was unbelievably tasty. If you’re not into Ribs and Beer, a) you are crazy b) there is bbqd corn and lemonade and rides for kids. This event rules. Hope you’ll be able to make it!

Uptown Jazz Festival – Going on all weekend in Uptown, the Jazz Festival is always a good time. 100% FREE. There’s two stages, one in the Waterloo City Hall Parking lot off Regina and Waterloo Public Square… so get out, have some gelato and listen to some goodness.

If these two events aren’t quite your style… maybe you’d like to check out Summmer Jam at Bingemans on July 17. Totally sold out, but there’s still tix available on Kijji. Busta Rhymes and T-Pain in Kitchener. Amazing. Last year The Roots played – we were going to go, but totally bailed due to a hangover and being broke. Totally regret it now, The Roots are awesome.

The weather should be glorious, there is no excuse for anyone to have a lame-o weekend…. Get out of your house and do SOMETHING!

H.

Posted in Food & Drink, Music, Film, Theatre | 1 Comment »

Jun 01

Herrle’s Country Farm Opens TOMORROW!

YAY!

Monday – Saturday 8am – 6pm

Sunday 9am – 5pm

I will be stopping there on my way home from work for some delicious localness!

You should too.

Full site is HERE…. or find them on Twitter @HerrlesMarket.

Could tweeting from a tractor be any cooler? No, i didn’t think so.

H.

Posted in Food & Drink | 1 Comment »

May 07

Chotchkie’s Redesign

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The Starbucks inside Chapters in Waterloo was closed for a little bit for renovations.

It’s open again, and pretty nice inside… the ordering area is bigger and there’s more room for lining up and looking at all the delicious pastry-ness.

I heard that all the wood is made from trees that had fallen due to natural causes. lol. ie. no trees were harmed during the making of this yuppy facility.

They even have a pretty nice wood “community table” – Matter of Taste must be threatening them!

Just thought i’d share. I know, all my posts are about food lately. Deal with it.

H.

PS. It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday you selfish bastard. Do something nice for her.

Posted in Food & Drink | 1 Comment »

07

Muffnuts.

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In the last episode of The 100 I mentioned I would post a recipe for “Muffnuts”

What, you ask, are Muffnuts? Well, they are a little baked deliciousness that is a muffin that tastes like a donut.

My 11 year old cousin Ali makes them, and they are lovely.

Here’s the recipe:

MUFFNUTS: Muffins that taste like donuts

Ingredients:
 1 1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup milk

Dip:
 1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
 Preheat oven to 350*F
Mix all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon NOT SUGAR)
Mix all wet ingredients (oil, sugar, egg and milk)
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until combined (still lumpy)
Put batter in either big muffin tins or you can also do mini muffin tins
Bake for 20-25 minutes (best if you do 25 minutes)
Shake muffins out of pan immediately after baking
While hot, dip tops of muffins in butter, then sugar, then cinnamon

There you go people. Enjoy ;)

H.

Posted in Food & Drink | 1 Comment »

May 06

The 100 Episode 8 – Cooking Classes at the Kitchener Market!

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Here’s the link to the 8th episode of The 100! It was a super fun episode for me, since Bryan from Artbar was our guest and we’ve been friends since like… the 90s. whoa!

The main focus of the episode was the cooking classes that are happening at the Kitchener Market! (some links appear to be down, they’re working on it)

I checked out a class a couple weeks ago where Chef Ryan was cookin up some slow-cooked pork shoulder with root vegetables. Oh my god it looked and smelled amazing… however, the fucking gallbladder predicament meant no taste test for me. boooooo.

Here’s a couple pictures from that morning! courtesy of Ramy!

Chef Ryan and Bryan!

Emily smelling some serious Sauerkraut and Gavin giving Ramy the finger?

Ryan working up some amazing smelling root veggies!

Ah YUM. final product.

So here’s the deal. You should check out one of these classes – they’re GREAT.  And… if you would like a deal to try it out, join the Facebook group The Market place at the Kitchener Market and you’ll get:

A) A free Saturday 10:30 am class before the end of the summer

or

B) $15 off an Evening Class – which are a bit more intense – which is usually $35, also valid till end of the summer.

IF YOU WANNA USE THIS DEAL, JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP BEFORE MAY 31.

Ok? Ok.

Happy cooking / eating your delicious creations!

H.

(10.5 days until organ removal)

Posted in Food & Drink | 2 Comments »

May 05

The Conestoga Room

A couple weeks ago on The 100, Andrew Coppolino mentioned “The Conestoga Room” – which is a little restaurant on the University Ave campus of Conestoga College that serves lunch and dinner prepared and served by Conestoga Culinary & Hospitality Students.

When I lived in Toronto, my office was pretty close to George Brown College which had a similar restaurant going on – and lunches there were always wicked. So I am psyched to try the local version.

They’ve got a new schedule and menu coming out for the Spring/Summer term – starting May 26th and I am all over that post organ removal.

Little bit form the website:

“Hospitality and Culinary students operate the dining room as part of their curriculum. Our full service dining room offers exquisite 3 and 4-course lunches and is licensed. The menu items are prepared and served by aspiring Chef’s and Restaurant Manager’s studying in the hospitality programs at Conestoga College. Students gain real life experience applying the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom by producing and serving high quality food in a controlled learning lab environment.

Reservations are highly recommended. Please reserve for lunch at one of the following times: 11:45am, 12:00pm or 12:15pm. Spring/Summer reservations will be accepted by phone only 519-885-0501. (Email will not be checked)”

4 course lunch = $18.

yep. you read it right.

H.

Posted in Food & Drink | No Comments »

May 04

FOOD BANK – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MAY 15

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So, the Food Bank of Waterloo Region is looking for volunteers for one day : May 15.

They’re going to have donation sites set up around the region and they need volunteers at each site to accept donations from the public… and canvas the neighbourhoods nearby to pick up donations… bring food to the sites… etc…

Come on. One day of your time people.

Get off the Couch, you can do it.

To get involved, contact Rose Tanyi at 519.743.5576 x 226 or roset @ thefoodbank . ca

H.




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Mar 23

mmmmm pancakes….

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This picture is on The Record homepage today. I instantly started craving pancakes with Elmira Maple Syrup on them. mmmmmmmm.

It’s the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival this weekend.

I’ve lived here my whole life and never been. I am hoping that changes this Saturday!

H.

Posted in Food & Drink | 1 Comment »

Mar 18

Cinq a Sept tonight!

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Forget you St.Patrick’s Day ~ Cinq a Sept is on tonight!

(as if there was any doubt in your mind)

H.

Posted in Food & Drink | No Comments »

Mar 17

Happy St.Patrick’s Day!

We’ll be at McMullan’s in Uptown tonight!

Come hang out!

H.

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Mar 16

LOUD LUNCH

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Kitchener Waterloo Life just posted about this GEM!

LOUD LUNCH.

Blogging about lunch in Kitchener Waterloo. Fucking Genius.

If you eat food during the day, you should visit this site.

H.

Posted in Food & Drink | 1 Comment »

Mar 09

OMG

This is what we’re having for dinner.
It has been slowcookin since 2pm!
H.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

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Feb 22

Food For Thought – Social Entrepreneurship

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Little bit last notice on this, but just saw it online.

“Food for Thought” re: Social Entrepreneurship.
Seven Shores Cafe
Tonight, 6:45pm
Screening of a short, thought-provoking talk, and then discussion over a coffee.
Tickets are free, but register HERE.
H.

Posted in Food & Drink | No Comments »

Feb 19

Drink for Cancer?

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RQ reader Ramy Nassar is participating in a 200km bike race from Toronto to Niagara Falls in a couple weeks, in support of Cancer Research. His team of 3 needs to raise at least $7500.

That’s a lot of fucking money.
So, they’re hosting a “kegger for cancer” olympic-themed party this Saturday Feb 20 at:
103 Huck Cr. Kitchener.
It’s $15 min donation to consume all the drinks that you can possibly consume. And all in the name of life saving research! Yes please.
Want more details?
Lemme know,
H.

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19

Cinq à Huit

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Wow! Last night’s crowd was awesome!

Thanks to everyone that came out – so great :)
No Cinq a Sept next Thursday Feb 25, because it’s TEDxWATERLOO!
YEAH!
After party at Artbar, starts at 8:45pm and is open to everyone, so come by!
H.
Oh, and this is what a muskrat looks like:
Photo courtesy of Insider’s Guide to Waterloo Region

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Feb 18

Cinq à Sept Tonight!

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It’s Thursday! Yeah!

Come out to Bauer Kitchen 5-7 tonight to celebrate it almost being the weekend!
It’s going to be great.
See you soon!
H.
PS. Did i mention that there is delicious apps ON THE HOUSE. that means free to you my friend.

Posted in Food & Drink | No Comments »

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