In desperate search for sunshine during this deep freeze, I came across this gorgeous mango mousse cakelette. The colour made me think of sunsets in July and the flavour was deliciously exotic. It lasted a mere five minutes on my plate but it was well worth it!
What’s making you smile this weekend?
Thank goodness that staying away from mouthwatering treats was not one of my intentions for 2015. It would have been an impossible feat as I crossed the threshold of Nadège Patisserie in Rosedale, Toronto’s chicest neighbourhood. Unlike it’s older sister on Queen Street West, and the first shop opened by fourth-generation confectioner Nadège Nourian, this location is presented like a jewel box boutique rather than a bakery and cafe.
Warm wood accents, exposed brick, and LED lighting serve to highlight the coziness of the space while providing a perfect backdrop to the colourful, mouthwatering treats. The shop feels high-end but not intimidating.
Nadège, trained as a pastry chef in Lyon, France, oversees the preparation of the gorgeous baked goods, impressively delicate cakes, and multi-flavoured macarons which are delivered to the boutique daily from the Queen location. The Rosedale shop now serves as the epi-centre for their hand-made chocolate production. From artisanal truffles which pair unique flavours with complementary chocolate, to their famous “Chocolate Tablet”, a 26 letter exploration of unique ingredients and chocolate (J-Jasmine; M-Mint; P-Parmesan), the handmade sweets make for perfect gifts and treats. I’m slowly making my way through the alphabet!
But the real reason I can’t avoid Nadège Patisserie during my Toronto visits are the confections perfectly lined up and displayed in the glass cases like precious jewels. Stepping up to the counter I’m transported to the gorgeous shops of Paris, where as much care is given to the taste of the treats as to their presentation.
All the attention to detail is not just for show. With the first bite, you’ll be on your way to a serious Nadège addiction! Although there are some staple products like flakey croissants and melt in your mouth Marie Antoinette cakes, many of the flavours change seasonally so there is always something new to try. For those who don’t have a chance to visit Toronto (or Paris!) on a regular basis, Nadège has an online boutique with delivery coast-to-coast. And trust me, you must give these fabulous french treats a try…they are worth every sinful bite!
Today is my birthday!!!! I’m not shy about celebrating my special day and extending it into a birthday weekend. The opportunity to spend laugh-filled moments with my friends and family is a joy I look forward to all year. The ever increasing number on my “age-o-metre” never bothers me because I know that a number doesn’t reflect on my life. It only reflects on the time I’ve had to collect all the experiences which have shaped me into the person I am today!
All year I look forward to the yummy treats I allow myself to indulge in without guilt or regret. In fact, my biggest problem is coming up with where I’d like to go for my birthday dinner. To solve that issue, last year, the boy gave me “7 Days of Dinners” as a birthday gift. Every day, for a week, we had dinner at a different restaurant of my choice! By the end of the week I was stuffed and had all my cravings satisfied. It was amazing!
This year, my first birthday surprise was this beauty. The boy snuck off to my favourite London cupcake shop Razzle Dazzle Cupcakes and presented me with a delicious confection called the Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Shuffle. The chocolate cake was light and moist, while the pink cloud of raspberry frosting was whipped perfection decorated with tiny pearls. It was a sweet start to my birthday.
When the weather gets cold outside I have a tendency to indulge in warm, comfort food. Soups, stews and roasts feature heavily in my menus. There are few things more comforting than sitting under a blanket with a good book, snow swirling outside the windows, and delicious smells drifting from the stove. The steam envelops the room in warmth and my belly grumbles in anticipation of things to come.
However, all my comforting meals usually have a heavy meat component. All that meaty goodness is not so great on my digestion (and my waistline!!!!). So I have decided to keep trying to add more veggie based dishes to my winter repertoire. I’ve come up with this pasta dish because the shittake mushrooms still give me the meaty texture and the cream cheese allows for the comforting creaminess without being too heavy. I hope you give this a try as well.
1 garlic clove chopped 2 tbsp olive oil 3 shittake mushrooms sliced 3 sundried tomatoes sliced 1/4 cream cheese brick 2 cups pre-washed baby spinach leaves pappardelle or other ribbon pasta (cook according to package directions) 1/2 cup of pasta water reserved Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes1. Add olive oil to a saute pan and turn the heat on medium. Put the garlic and sundried tomatoes into the pan and gently fry to flavour the oil and warm the ingredients.
2. After about 2-3 add the sliced shiitake mushrooms. Keep frying them until they soften and release juices.
3. Add the cream cheese to the pan and stir to form a creamy sauce. Use the reserved pasta water to thin out if the sauce becomes to thick,
4. Place half the spinach into the pan and stir into the sauce to wilt down.
5. Add the second half of the spinach, then the cooked warm pasta and combine into the sauce.
6. The dish is ready to plate when the ingredients are all combined and warmed through. Don’t forget to garnish with some parmigiano after plating.
This pasta dish tastes very luxurious because of all that creaminess and the flavours are strong and burst in your mouth. With this one, a little goes a long way…your taste buds and your waist line will thank you!
This past Sunday the boy and I had an opportunity to indulge in a Christmas feast in Toronto, Italian style. With promises of abundant food and a gregarious group of strangers (soon to be friends) squeezed in at a communal table, we were ready for a real European dining event!
Our host, Italian chef Massimo Bruno, had organized another of his popular, always sold-out Supper Club dinners. This one around the holiday theme, the fifth annual “Buon Natale” Christmas in Italy. The holiday dishes featured were many of his favourites, and the evening was dedicated to his Mama who would be celebrating Christmas back in Italy. The dinner was held at his cooking studio on King Street East where many of his Supper Clubs and cooking classes are held.
Like a great host, Massimo kept an eye out for his guests, welcoming each personally, and entertaining the rest of the room with great Italian humour, as we waited for everyone to arrive. Whether you were a Supper Club virgin or a frequent diner, you were made to feel right at home. And with a “bring your own wine” policy, the atmosphere was more than merry. Although, the boy and I didn’t bring any wine since we were driving back to London after dinner, more than a few of the guests offered to share their libations with us.
But of course, we were there for the amazing food. The warmth of the studio was only intensified by all the cooking in the open kitchen. Massimo, along with some help from his brother and friends Giovanna, and Enzo, prepared the feast in front of our eyes. And cooking for such a large group is no small task.
And we came ready for a feast!
As soon as the food hit the table, I didn’t know what to try first. The burrata’s cheesey exterior revealed a flowing cream centre that paired perfectly with the fried tomatoes. Thin slices of bresaola were coated in a thin layer olive oil and shavings of parmigiano. Homemade barese sausages swam in tiny lentils and were the perfect start on a cold evening. Small plates of these antipasti were placed along the table and everyone passed them around for second and third helpings.
After these “small” bites, I couldn’t believe there was more food to come. The variety was amazing and the chatter around the table grew in the casual family atmosphere. I felt like I was having dinner with all my extended family and cousins back home. Massimo floated around the room chatting, taking photos, and generally ensuring that no one went hungry.
Finally the dishes were cleared and the desserts and coffee passed around. I’m positive I wasn’t the only one thinking of unbuttoning my pants or looking around for couch for an after dinner nap. The best evidence for the quality of food and dining atmosphere is a doodle filled wall full of thanks and comments from past guests.
The drive to Toronto was well rewarded with the best Italian food and atmosphere I’ve found outside of Italy. If you’d like to experience it yourself, head over to Massimo’s site and discover something unforgettable.
Buon Natale a Tutti!
