Fall Flavours: Crowd Favourites!

Fall is one of my favourite times of year to host friends and family for a warm hearty meal. The season is bursting with fresh produce and rich flavours that I find irresistible.

In trying to choose a recipe to share,  I couldn't just pick one. So instead, I decided to share two of the dishes that I would call crowd favourites! The nice thing about these is that they can be started hours ahead in the slow cooker while you get the rest of the preparations done.

1. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
    (Serves a Crowd!)

Depending on the crowd you are serving, you can always add or take away from the measurements of this recipe. I like to use a 5 quart slow cooker, and typically will fill it to the brim with ingredients.

The key to this recipe is using fresh ingredients. If you have access to locally grown squash, that is the best option. Otherwise, try to select one that feels heavy for the size, is a nice golden tan colour and sounds hollow when tapped.

Ingredients:
2         medium butternut squash, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 or 2  tablespoons of butter
1/2      medium yellow onion, chopped
2         apples, peeled and diced
2         cups chicken broth
1         teaspoon salt, then more to taste as needed
1/4      teaspoon black pepper, then more to taste as needed

1. Place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, set the cooker on high for 4 or 6 hours depending on the   time you have.

2. Once the soup is nearly done, and you can see that the squash and other ingredients have broken down, use an immersion blender to blend the soup to a smooth consistency. Add water if a more liquid consistency is desired, or you can use milk or cream if you want a more creamy texture.

 3. Taste and add salt or pepper if needed. If the soup is lacking sweetness, feel free to stir in a dash of   brown sugar. Sometimes I like to garnish with a little drop of light creme fresh. Serve and Enjoy!

Candid photo from one of the fall parties!

2. Slow Cooker Apple Sauce
    (Serves a Crowd!)

This recipe is a sweet addition to any fall menu, from barbecued sausages to Thanksgiving dinner! One of our fall traditions is going apple picking, and then I try to use them in as many dishes as possible! Some of my favourite apples are Mutsu (tart and holds its shape), Golden Delicious (lightly sweet, bakes well), and Honey Crisp (sweet as honey!). I tend to use a combination of all three in my apple sauce, but feel free to use what you have.

Ingredients:
5 (approx.) lbs of apples (use a variety, dice into various sized cubes, fill almost to brim of slow cooker)
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2    teaspoons ground cloves
1/4    teaspoon ground nutmeg (fresh ground nutmeg is my secret ingredient, its amazing!)
1       tablespoon dark brown sugar (if desired)

1. Place all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and set on high for 4 hours.

2. Cook until the apples are soft and your house smells amazing. Stir for a more chunky-style of apple sauce     or use immersion blender for a smoother texture. Serve and Enjoy!

Good to the last drop!

I'm still learning to grab the camera while I'm in the mad rush of cooking, so these recipes may require your imagination. But I assure you, they will not let your taste buds down!

Dates in Detroit : Dime Store

Last Saturday, I awoke with the spontaneous idea that we should go out for breakfast. My husband is well conditioned for this type of situation, so he was quick to produce a list he had found of recently opened restaurants.

And that my friends is how we came upon: Dime Store

Nestled in the heart of downtown Detroit, inside the historic Chrysler House Building (formerly the Dime Building, where it gets its name), is this gem of an American eatery.

The Dime store is a cozy and vibrant brunch bar with a vintage feel that pays homage to its namesake, the dime. They serve "scratch-made" breakfast and lunch, as well as an after-work drinks and bar bites menu.

As it was a Saturday, the place was bustling, but we were quickly seated at a table straight out of the 1950's.
Our waiter welcomed us with the phrase, "We serve breakfast and lunch all day, eat all of it!" No kidding!

As we browsed the menu, a few things stood out to me. They paid attention to the little details: from the locally sourced Zingerman's coffee, to the housemade ingredients, and creative combinations of traditional plates with an upscale twist. The walls were tastefully accented with chalkboard decor and dime-themed art. Staff were warm, friendly and gave off the feeling that they were just as excited to be there as we were!

We decided to start with two cups of the delicious coffee, followed by an order of  brioche french toast with bacon for me and the duck bop hash for him (see below for pictures with descriptions).

Oh, the coffee! It was a delicious medium roast blend with a smooth finish. So good!

What can I say about french toast, besides the fact that I love it. Here are the details that stood out about this particular dish: the brioche bread made it both crispy and dense in the right way, the 'real' maple syrup added richness, and the bacon was thick cut and not over-done (hallelujah!)

Dime store is popularly acclaimed for their use of duck confit in recipes, and this hash was no exception. The potatoes were cooked to perfection with just enough seasoning, the fried egg and spicy korean glaze complimented well, but the duck confit was the star. I have never ordered duck before, and I was lucky to sample a taste. It was a melt-in-your-mouth experience, with a hint of caramelized sweetness at the end. If that makes no sense to you, go and try it for yourself, it was so very good!

Overall our first experience at Dime Store, left us wanting to come back for more! It's a quick hop across the river on 719 Griswold, and is open weekdays (8am-9pm) for breakfast, lunch, and bar bites after work; as well as  Saturday  for all-day breakfast or lunch (10am-2pm).

Check out their Website or Facebook page for upcoming events, current hours and menu offerings.

Essex County Wine and Dine

One of the special outings that my hubby and I enjoyed a few times this summer was heading down the highway to the shores of Lake Erie.

If you're not from around here, then let me quickly introduce you to Essex County, the southern-most part of Ontario. We are made up of  roadside farm stands, bountiful wineries, bike trails, greenhouses and natural beauty all surrounded by freshwater lakes and steeped in history.

The north shore of Lake Erie is home to several wineries which benefit from the longest growing season in Ontario. The warm summer heat, combined with the cool lake breeze, allows for a bountiful harvest of robust grapes and full-bodied wines.

In this post, I will highlight two wineries that I particularly enjoy for the atmosphere and wine selection. However, I would recommend making the trip and deciding for yourself!  The summer months are particularly full of opportunities to head to the county for a festival or special event. In addition, many of the wineries offer complimentary wine tastings and if you are up for adventure you could join a wine tour! (See below for websites)

Viewpointe Estate Winery is definitely on our list of favourites because of their wine selection and picturesque setting. I tend to enjoy wines on the sweeter end of the spectrum, and so the Viewpointe Auxerrois, keeps us coming back time and again. They also serve dinner on Friday nights and lunch throughout the week, so we love to go and enjoy a relaxed meal on their patio.
Check them out at: http://www.viewpointewinery.com/

Who can resist this view!

A newer winery to the scene is Oxley Estate Winery a converted farm land, complete with barn! I had heard word of this winery several months ago, and sampled some of their offerings at the local farmer's market, so I knew we had to go! They too have a restaurant which serves lunch on the weekends and dinner on Friday and Saturday, so we took a little jaunt out to Oxley a few weekends ago. We were pleasantly surprised by the variety of wines, modern yet rustic feel and adorable patio area where we could enjoy a glass with dinner.
Check them out at: http://www.oxleyestatewinery.com/

Though the weather is starting to grow cold, the wineries are still open for business. Many have fall-themed events, so check out their websites and Facebook pages for updates.

For more information on the area and wineries, check out this website: http://winecountryontario.ca/lake-erie-north-shore-pelee-island/

If you love to hop on your bicycle and travel through the countryside while stopping for a sip along the way, then a Wine Trail Ride is for you! Check out the amazing bike tours by WindsorEats: http://windsoreats.com/wineride/

Welcome Fall, Welcome All!

As summer gives way to fall and the air picks up with a crisp, cool breeze, a new season of flavours and smells takes over my senses and gets me a little excited.

In short, I love fall.

I love the sweeter scents, the richer flavours, the bounty of foods and the cozy sweaters. Don't get me wrong, this girl loves summer with a passion...but fall is the foodie season that I love most!

So it makes sense that the winds of change lead me back here...

Its been a big year for me. There have been moments of change and times of growth. I've been busy with so many different things, that I couldn't take the time to sit and type these words with energy. 

Here are the highlights since we last spoke, in no particular order: 
- I traveled to Colombia (yes, South America) and there attended dear friends' wedding, met kindred spirits from around the globe, rappelled down a 400 ft waterfall and I still don't know how to speak Spanish.

- I've traveled to the Great Smokey Mountains and deepened my love for the  South.

- My love and I traveled back to the place where our marriage started, and enjoyed a vacation in one of my favorite spots, the Gulf Coast of Florida.

- I fulfilled my dream of starting my own private practice (on the side), and still love the challenge of balancing all that comes with working for myself.

- I helped to create a cookbook for my place of work, which was a massive labour of love, but an accomplishment that I am very proud of!

- I sampled new restaurants both at home in Windsor and abroad, which I can't wait to share!

-I've matured in my cooking/baking...okay, mostly cooking. I can now proudly say that I have not yet gluten-ized (fairly certain that is not a word) my dear friends. 

-I've hosted parties, brunches, a baby shower, and varied groups of friends and family in our home.

- I've deepened friendships, I've become more settled in my home, my new church, my place of work, my family and my marriage...

And so here I am, trying to keep a little blog alive with a refreshed perspective.

I hope you like the new look, its a bit more modern and clean. The content will follow suit as well, with a few more pictures and maybe a few less words (hard for a speech pathologist, I must admit).

The first entries to follow will be some of my favourite fall recipes and two wineries that we enjoyed this summer. Can't wait to share it all with you!

Beautiful Colombia

Fresh Colombian oranges

Colombian coffee, straight from the source!

Gulf Sunsets

My guilty pleasure: Southern Fried Okra!

One of my favourite places on earth

Restaurant Review: Green Bean Cafe - Downtown Windsor Star Location

The Green Bean Cafe has been open in Windsor since 2009 at its first location in the basement of University Community Church, right beside the University of Windsor. Ben and Michelle Davidson are the owners and visionaries behind the student-friendly cafe. As a pastor and a nurse, they may seem unlikely restaurateurs, but the quaint, community-based and lively atmosphere that they have created proves this wrong. That is why I was really excited to hear that they were opening a new location in Downtown Windsor, right in the new Windsor Star Building.

In recent years, downtown Windsor has become host to several new restaurants and eateries that encourage Windsorites to make the drive down to enjoy a meal. The new Green Bean Cafe, otherwise known as the Windsor Star News Cafe is no exception. Located right on the corner of University Avenue and Ouellette, the new Windsor Star Building is hard to miss, but few have discovered the coffee scented treasure on the third floor. I've been looking forward to writing this review for a little while now. I happen to have a personal connection to the lovely Green Bean Cafe - my sister works there! 

But besides that, I am always excited when local people open small businesses that promote homegrown ingredients and enrich the community. My husband and I have popped by on a few occasions and have enjoyed each visit. So without further ado, here's the review!

 Green Bean Cafe - Windsor Star News Cafe

300 Ouellette Ave. - 3rd Floor, Windsor ON

Website: www.greenbeancoffee.ca

Facebook  . Follow on Twitter . Yelp

When you drive up, here's what to look for:

The entrance is on Ouellette Avenue just up those stairs or you can take the elevator up to the 3rd floor.

This is the staircase that leads you up to the third floor, 

just follow the smell of fresh coffee.

At the top of the stairs is the beautiful handcrafted sign, you're almost there.

Around the corner, you'll find some historical pieces from the newspaper press of days gone by. 

The dining area has an urban feel, but the food counter speaks of homemade goodies and the welcome of friends.

Friendly staff Sharon and Naomi, ready to take your order! You can't miss the surroundings of freshly made cakes, muffins and brownies. The menu boasts options for all food preferences including our vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free friends. And if you feel like a drink, you've come to the right place for organic and fair trade beverages. You'll find loose leaf teas, fresh coffee, hot and cold espresso drinks, Italian sodas and more! 

If that wasn't enough, our favorite place to sit in this warmer weather is on one of their outdoor balconies. Its the perfect place to read the paper, have some breakfast and chat with a friend.

You're looking at a fresh cinnamon raisin bagel from local bakery 

The Earnest Bagel Company paired with a cinnamon latte. Yummy!

This is a local favourite: The Ham and Cheese Panini. Its made on fresh panini bread from Blak's Bakery with ham, melted cheddar cheese, mayo and apple slices. 

The wrap you see above is the CBC wrap which contains chicken, mozzarella cheese, bacon and cranberry, with a little lettuce for fresh crunch.

Readers, I encourage you to round up some friends and head down for a light breakfast, coffee date, or delicious lunch. Maybe sit on the balcony, read the newspaper or do some work on your laptop. Either way, The Green Bean Cafe is worth a visit, if only to encourage local businesses to keep up the good work! Be sure to check the website for hours and events such as the popular open mic nights.

Welcome Green Bean Cafe to our Downtown, I'll see you soon!

Spring Things Edition: Home Decor, Vintage Stores and Thrifty Shopping!

As I've mentioned in the past, I don't spend all of my time in the kitchen. My first love has always been fashion, decor and all things beautiful. So once again, I'm stepping out of the kitchen and into the rest of my home....come with me!

Every year, when the snow starts to melt and the sun feels warm again, I get Spring Fever! I begin to take away all the winter decor, and replace it with things that are lighter, brighter and airy. So here's a collection of what I've been daydreaming of as I get ready for a season of warmer weather in our new house!

Oh Ranunculus!! Where have you been all my life? This year, I have discovered these beautiful blooms. And although they are rather difficult to find in stores, I am determined to have a bouquet of them in my home this spring! I may just have to explore a farmer's market or two. Aren't they just lovely?

I have a similar wreath now hanging on my backdoor. The soft yellow colour sings to me of spring, and so I'll be sure to have some yellow accents around the house this year. 

Welcome Target! The popular American store has made its way across our borders, and just opened a few short weeks ago in our local mall. Once the crowds have subsided and the shelves have been restocked (it was a mad-house on opening week), I've had the chance to browse its aisles. This Target brand in particular: Threshold has captured my attention. Doesn't that print ad look great? I love the Tiffany blue/aqua colour that is popular this season. Here are more lovelies that they carry:

 

 (all photos taken from Target.com)

I can't wait to get back to Antique and Vintage store exploring. Some of my favorites in Windsor are:

The Vintage House- A beautiful store owned by Lorian Taylor filled with all things vintage from furniture to clothing and decor. Every time I drive by, I'm drawn to the lovely display in the front window. Its where I bought the wreath (similar to above) and where my Husband found an adorable side table for me as a Christmas present this year. Find her on Facebook or take a drive to 4667 Wyandotte Street E. in Pillette Village.

Tango/Magpie Antique Shop- Next door to The Vintage House is this intriguing combination of two shops which carry a little bit of everything and then some. Owner, Sally Taylor, is exactly who you would imagine to
run a shop like this. She has a wealth of information about the history of our community and antiques in general. Sometimes I spend extra time browsing just so I can listen to her share a story with someone about an item she is passionate about. Find the store on Facebook or take a drive to 4661 Wyandotte Street E. in Pillette Village.

Timeless Treasures- Along the quaint strip of shops in Olde Walkerville is this consignment shop which carries mostly furniture and home decor items which are of the unique variety, some older and some new. Its a perfect place to drop into after a light lunch on the weekend, there's always something new to discover. Find the store on Facebook or take a drive down to 1747 Wyandotte Street E. 

Penny Jane's Vintage and More- Across the street and down from Timeless Treasures is this newer addition to the vintage scene in Windsor. Still in Olde Walkerville, this shop fits right into the area like it was always there. Penny Jane's carries more of the vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories variety that makes my heart pitter patter. I've found a beautiful bobble or two in the past that have made my dressy outfits one of a kind. Find the store on Facebook or drive on down to 1585 Wyandotte Street E.

Now I don't want to spoil an Essex county adventure post that is soon to come, but I can't leave out The Dusty Loft Antiques & Collectables in Amherstburg which is a barn full of rustic antiques that is so popular these days! Check them out on Facebook or take a scenic drive on to 5619 Concession Rd 5 North, Amherstburg. 

And here's a few little secrets of the savvy budget shopper who only has few dollars to spend on little bright pretties to make her home feel like spring:

-Buy small potted fresh flowers after popular holidays such as Easter and Mother's day. They are usually on clearance and since they are in soil, they will last longer and provide the pop of colour you need without breaking the bank on fresh bouquets. I found pale pink hydrangeas on clearance for 5 dollars after Easter that I placed in a lace-look ceramic pot (that I found sitting beside the dumpster at my apartment building looking so lonely-free for me!). Voila! Weeks of beauty on the cheap!

-Troll thrifty places like Value Village (one of my biggest secrets I like to call V V Boutique), Bibles for Missions and The Salvation Army for little items that only you see the value in. Some items I always look for are: one of a kind plates to display things on, china tea cups, unique vases, vintage looking furniture or picture frames (a little coat of bright paint is a cheap way to dress these up!) Here are some of my finds:

Cup from Timeless Treasures for under $5 and Plate from Vince's Furniture in Pilette Village for $1

Wine Rack (wine not included ha! ) for under $10 at V V Boutique

Bright purple side table for $4 at V V Boutique, I plan on painting it.

-Last but certainly not least is YARD SALES. Now this activity spills into the summer months as standing out in the rain with your belongings is not the brightest idea. But I would encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for those little signs on the front lawns of your neighbors or do what I do and hop into your car on a Saturday morning and drive to a nice neighborhood to see what people are trying to unload. SOME TIPS: in a minute you will figure out if the sale is to truly get rid of items (STAY)  or make a buck (LEAVE) (you want the people who are moving or downsizing or just updating and not emotionally attached to their Foreman Grill). Don't be afraid to ask for a deal. Lastly, bring lots of smaller change and bills, nothing is worse than asking for a bargain and then proceeding to ask the owner to break a $20. 

Well I truly could go on and on about all of these things that I love, but I'll just have to save something for a future post. So what about you? What gets you in the mood for spring? I'd love to hear from you! 

In the meantime I'll be daydreaming of warmer sunnier days (April showers..blah blah blah) and hoping you find some enjoyment in the things that I've shared. 

Happy Spring, Dear Reader!

Restaurant Review: The Willistead

Just this past December, ownership of Walkerville's Walkermolé changed over to Chef David Dimoglou.  Shortly thereafter, Walkermolé closed its doors for a new transformation into the recently opened restaurant, The Willistead. 

As I read news of the change and watched the space transform through pictures on their Facebook page, my curiosity grew.  Rustic finishes, hand painted signs, a cozier feel, changing menus....all sorts of things were taking shape as the days passed.  When I heard that they were opening their doors on March 1st, I had to see what it was all about.

The Willistead is slated to bring a change to the culinary scene in Windsor. Building on its roots of farm-to-table fare, Chef David's vision was to make dishes that are ever-changing and closer to what he would serve family and friends at home.  When we walked through the doors, we noticed the difference right away.  The bar was longer and filled, the tables were closer together, soft bench seating surrounded the dining area and staff were dressed like your friends.  The walls were covered with pickled produce, wooden crates, rustic decor and a picture frame collage depicted the new name "The Willistead" in the background.  I liked it already. 

(taken from the Facebook page)

By the time I stopped looking around to read the single page printed menu, I was already looking forward to the rest of the night. The food was sectioned into à la carte groupings of "Snacky Poos, Salada, Sandwiches, Main, Meat Bowls, and Veg". Prices were very reasonable, with the intent that you would order from a variety of sections. 

Here's what we had:

To start, we ordered the Arugula Salad with fennel, red onions and radish in a mustard vinaigrette.  It was crisp and fresh, but to be honest, a bit on the tart side.  But, it was a large portion and more than enough to share. 

                                                   

I ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich with Butter lettuce, Apple and Maple Mayo with a side of their Handcut Frites with Dill dipping sauce. It was delicious!  The fried chicken was crispy and flavourful, and all of the toppings created a balance of sweet and savory in my mouth.  Mmm!  The frites were a tad on the salty side but the plate was huge and the dipping sauce was really tasty (and I like dill). 

My hubby enjoyed Braised Beef on Orzo as his main dish.  It was very filling, the sauce had a tomato base, and the dish reminded me of a comfort food my grandmother would make.  Good for a cold winter's day.

Our sweet waitress, Mary Ellen, shared that the menu will change on a daily basis as decided by the chef and the fresh and seasonal local foods available to use.

Congrats to the staff on a wonderful opening night, I can appreciate that with everything new, comes growing pains, but to us it added to the charm. We had a good laugh as wandering servers bearing our food discovered that we were in fact, table 10! 

The culinary scene in Walkerville continues to amaze me, as it grows each year in vibrancy.  The Willistead is a welcome addition to the area, providing diners with a fresh menu, creative dishes, an urban and rustic environment with an atmosphere that takes you to a place all its own. 

So put on your nice jeans, get ready to listen to some good folk rock music and gather your friends to go and try The Willistead, Windsor's newest addition. Yum!

The Willistead

1840 Wyandotte St. East,

Windsor, ON

(519)253-8226