Remark Farms

Windsor has a variety of markets throughout the city. Some focus on fresh produce or foods from specific ethnic backgrounds, Remark Farms is a place that tries to serve its customers through great customer service and good quality products. Please read my article on the

Food Network's Website for more details.

In My Opinion...

I have been a terrible blogger lately. I apologise for the lag between posts.

On that note, I have decided to post some of my favourite eateries in Windsor, Ontario. I would love to hear your opinions on these places as well as suggestions of restos that you prefer!

Best Greasy Breakfast - The Velvet Restaurant

Best Place for an Intimate Dinner/Best Fine Dining/Best Wine List - Mamo Bistro

Best Place for Chicken Wings - Rock Bottom Bar and Grill

Best Pizza (this one was hard!!!) - Koolini and Riverside Tavern

Best Place to Grab a Beer - Kildare House

Best Place for Italian Food - Mezzo

Best Place for Ethiopian - Marathon

Best Place for Indian - India Palace

Best Place for Sushi - Teka

Best Place for Burgers - Gilligans

Best Place for Middle Eastern - El Mayor

Harvest at the Homestead Article

Autumn is such a gorgeous time of year in Essex County. It reveals a new bounty of local food products that our area has to offer. Take a look at the Food Network for my article about the Harvest at the Homestead Festival.

I'm Baaa-ack!

Back to reality, what a bummer. I just spent the last week and a half at a cottage in Haliburton, Ontario. It was such a fabulous and relaxing vacation. It was also a chance to enjoy some great food. We had amazing dinners each evening and were also able to dive into some local seasonal treats- including wild blueberries!

Here are some of my favourites from last week:

* Ice Cream from Kawartha Dairy (available in the GTA too)

* Boozy BBQ Brie (see picture)

* Tomato Avocado Pasta Toss

* Grilled Sausage in Pitas with Lemon-Yogourt Sauce

* Peach Sangria (recipe below)

* Sweet Potato Crusted Mahi-Mahi (recipe from Dinosaur BBQ CookBook)

Peach Sangria

2 firm - ripe peaches, cut into thin wedges

1 orange, sliced into thin rounds

1/2 c Peach Schnapps

1/3 c granulated sugar

750 ml bottle white wine

2 c sparkling water

ice

Stir together peaches, schnapps, wine and sugar in a large pitcher

until the sugar is dissolved. Let stand for at least 2 hours. Stir in

sparkling water and add some ice. Enjoy!

Ontari-ari-ari-ooooo

One of the greatest hurdles for people who attempt to buy local is convenience. Driving 45 minutes out of your way to buy local blueberries is not always great time management - it is, however, always worth it for the flavour and quality.

Homegrown Ontario has now made it that much more convenient to identify local Ontario meat. This organization " is an alliance of Ontario Pork, the Ontario Veal Association and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency". Research from Ipsos Reid clearly indicates that "Ontario consumers want to support their local farmers while purchasing fresh, quality meat" and this allows them to easily do this.

The website includes recipes, ways to identify cuts of meat and where to find vendors.

The Toronto Star provides more information as well.

You Are What You Eat

I believe in the Slow Food Movement (see sidebar for research by Anita Stewart). Because of this, I think that it is so important that each person tries to use ingredients that are grown close to home. Luckily, I live in Ontario, Canada where fabulous produce is available year round, thanks to the greenhouses and amazing farmers.

Foodland Ontario has come up with a list of availability for fruits and vegetables in Ontario throughout the year. Search the Internet to find out when fresh and local produce in available in your area too!

* If you are looking for recipes for this fabulous produce check out this blog: Seasonal Ontario Food