Lazy days of summer…

For the past 5 years my family has rented a perfect little plot of land on the shores of Golden Lake. We live in what we lovingly refer to as our “Cottage on Wheels”. This is actually quite a modern RV with all the basic amenities…electricity, beds, microwave, table, etc…however there is one basic amenity missing…NO WATER HOOKUP!! The most convenient toilet facility is the nearby outhouse! Some might refer to our accommodations as “Rustic” but this suits us just fine!

It’s a mere 30 paces from our deck to the beachfront, which is really what these weekends are really all about. Long lazy days are spent swimming, fishing and kayaking. Evenings are spent around a roaring fire, laughing, discussing and generally enjoying being together as a family .

What is most enjoyable to me about these weekends is that we choose to cook over an open firepit. Most Saturday mornings, after drinking a pot of campfire coffee, we drive to the Combermere Farmers Market and source out the ingredients for that nights dinner.

The market is not yet in full swing and the variety of vegetables is lean (growing season is slightly behind Ottawa’s). Nonetheless, we have been able to piece together some memorable meals.

Recently, our Saturday night ‘Farmer’s Market’ feast consisted of delicious ‘Schulist Family Farm’ grassfed beef T-Bone steaks. We also purchased a pound of organic shiitake mushrooms from Henry at the ‘Aldergrove Mushroom Farm’ booth. After adding local organic asparagus to our basket and some of the world’s best butter-tarts, we were ready to head back. A quick detour into Killaloe for a bottle of Bonneterra Organic Cabernet Sauvignon and we were set.

Escaping for the weekend always rejuvenates and prepares me for the busy work week that follows. This is truly our little piece of paradise!

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Filed Under: Travel, Uncategorized, by Season

Lansdowne Farmer’s Market Pesto

This past weekend, Jacqueline treated the patrons of the Lansdowne Farmer’s Market to a demonstration on how to make the most of this summer’s bounty. All of these ingredients were sourced on site on Sunday morning.

It’s so easy and oh so delicious! Make sure to carefully wash and dry the herbs!

1 3/4 c. organic basil (from Roots and Shoots)
1/4 c. parsley
1/3 c. hemp seeds (Stone Farm)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed (from Jambican)
3/4 c. Sheep’s Milk Nettle Pecorino cheese (Canreg Station)
1/2 tsp. Salty Don’s smoked maple salt
1/2 c. hemp seed oil (Stone Farm)

Pulse everything EXCEPT THE OIL together in your food processor until they are finely minced but not a paste.

Put in a bowl and mix in the oil.

You can freeze it in ice cube trays if you have leftovers, serve it with a pasta salad, grill it on chicken or fish, make potato salad, eat it from the spoon or use your imagination.

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Filed Under: Recipes, Uncategorized, by Season

No Fresh Meal Service

There will be no Fresh Meal service on August 3, 4, and 5th. Our retail store remains open for regular hours with the exception of August 2nd when we will be closed to celebrate the August long weekend. Come by our shop and stock up for all your holiday entertaining needs.

Happy Summer!

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Filed Under: Around Town, Uncategorized