Catering

I have decided to start up my catering business again. I have given it the name of "Maple Syrup and Poutine Catering" - how original!

I haven't done a real catering job since I moved back from Burlington and I do miss it. It helped me to challenge my culinary skills as well as adding some extra moolah to my pocketbook.

On Thursday I will be putting out sample appetizers at a few workplaces, along with some pamphlets, in the hopes of attracting a few customers over the holidays.

Here is what is included in the pamphlet:

Spanakopita Triangles
These phyllo triangles are from a family recipe. They are stuffed with spinach, dill and feta and covered in crispy phyllo dough. Always a party favourite.


Shortbread Crackers
These savoury crackers come in two different flavours, please specify when ordering. Try both kinds: parmesan with pepper jelly or rosemary with blue cheese.

Gyoza
These Japanese dumplings make for a substantial appetizer at a cocktail party. They are filled with ground pork, cabbage and spices.

Satay
Both of these meat satays can come spiced to your liking. The tandoori chicken satay comes complete with a cucumber raita, while the jerk beef satay is served with chutney for dipping.

Phyllo Purses
These tasty purses come with one of two types of stuffing. Choose between tangy cranberry with brie or pear, blue cheese & walnuts.

I am still perfecting the shortbread, but I am having fun tasting all of my efforts! Hopefully I'll be able to do some extra cooking and help out a few busy people over the holidays.

Pop goes the turkey?

Mixed message...

Correction!!!

Re: Post about Port.

What I should have said is that all of the Ports come from the same area in Portugal (Douro Valley) except for the Madeira which is from Madeira, Portugal.


Sorry about the mix up!

Cheers!

Boohoo, my LCBO classes are officially over. I have now completed my last "Wines of the New World" course, as well as the decadent "Port, Cheese & Chocolate" class. All were well worth the money. I am hoping to go back in the Winter to take the "Wines of the Old World" course. The new calendar has come out at all Ontario liquor stores, so check it out.

Here are some products that I really enjoyed:

Wines of the New World

Grove Mill Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand (2005) - $20

Robert Hall Syrah, Paso Robles, California (2003) - $30

Casa LaPostolle Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile (2004) - $17

Bonny Doon Cardinal "Zin", California (2004) - $27

Henry of Pelham Cabernet Franc Ice Wine, Ontario (2004) - $36



Port, Cheese & Chocolate

(Obviously all of these are from Portugal - except the Madeira, which was just an extra thrown in by the instructor, but was really yummy. The industry is apparently working on establishing "Port" as a protected name, just like "Champagne". The rest will be referred to as "port- style wine")

Package of Taylor Tawny 10 yr, 20 yr, 30 yr, & 40 yr Ports - $ 280 (anyone want to buy me a gift?)

Nieport LBV Ruby Port, 2000 - $23

Harvest Malvasia Colheita, Madeira, 1987 - $85

Blissfully Buzzed...

This week at the LCBO I continued my course on "Wines of the New World" on Monday, while on Wednesday I took a course called "Wine Spectator - Wines of 90 Points and Over". In the Wednesday course I was the youngest and least experienced person there. At least that is how I felt. It seemed that there are quite a few people out there who have the big bucks to blow on wine.

It is nice that our instructor's attitude about expensive wine, is that it is only worth it when it is phenomenal. He is all about getting the best "bang for your buck".

Here are some of the wines that I enjoyed.

New World Wines:

Toasted Head Chardonnay 2004 , California (594341)

Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Columbia Valley, WA ( 332320)

Ridge 3 Valleys Zinfandel 2004, California (652875)



Wine Spectator Wines:

Pio Cesare Barolo 2001, Piemonte, Italy (736587) 94 Points

E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2002, Barossa Valley, Australia ( 731620) 97 Points

Gerard Bertrand Banyuls Grand Cru 2000, Southern France (7310) 92 Points