Cooking Club I - Mexican Fiesta

Our March meeting was hosted by Imogen and focused on Mexican delights. I enjoyed the food immensely but, once again, filled up on the chips, salsa and margs before the mains even showed up!

Imogen - Garden Tomato Salsa (mild & spicy) with Chips

Guacamole

Easy Frozen Margaritas

Jillian - Wild Mushroom Enchiladas

Rosemary - Grilled Fish Tacos

Dana - Masa Stuffing

Melanie - Southwestern Black Bean Cakes with Salsa

Danielle - Cinnamon Churros with Dulce De Leche for Dipping

Farmer Fresh

Every foodie knows that eating seasonal and local is going to increase the flavour and quality of any meal you consume. Using your local market to supply these foods is another great idea. I like to wander the market and let the displays inspire me.

Here are some of my favourite places to frequent:

*The Windsor Market

* Your Kitchener Market (be sure to visit Casa Salsa for some amazing Mexican food)

* Covent Garden Market - London, Ontario

* The St. Lawrence Market - Toronto, Ontario ( Kozliks Mustard is the best!)

The Food Network Canada also has some great informative articles about fresh markets across Canada.

Better Than Your Average Grocery Store

After returning from our glorious vacation I felt like my cooking was in a bit of a rut. I needed some inspiration. So decided to head out to some small grocery stores in the area to see what I could find.

I hit Royal Pita Baking Company which is a Middle Eastern Store that used to be owned by Windsor's current mayor. When I walked in I saw at least 8 different types of olives - I knew I was in the right place. I left with my bags filled with fresh flatbread, glaceed fruit, haloumi cheese, rosewater and pomegranate molasses.

Mexico Lindo is a favourite of my husband and I. We love walking in to the smell of freshly cooked tamales and other dishes that are created each day. From there I was able to snag corn tortillas, hot sauce, dulce de leche, chorizo sausage and tomatillos.

So far I have made tomatillo salsa, grilled haloumi on poached eggs with arugala from my garden, and a pizza with the flatbread for the crust.

I am so thankful for the diversity in this city!