We knew it – now they know it too!

Last Sunday, July 11, Washington Post writer Michael Kaminer produced a detailed, and rather flattering article about Ottawa, calling our home town Canada’s Cool Capital. Those of us who have grown up in Ottawa suffer from a cultural inferiority complex. I remember when I was barely ten my more cosmopolitan Toronto cousin told me that yoghurt had more culture than Ottawa. At that age, I didn’t really understand what she meant, but after years of having to listen to fellow Canadians describe Ottawa as a boring government town, I started to believe it was true.

Certainly the city has changed over the years, as do all cities. However, as I got older and started to travel to some of these far off and reportedly more cultured locales, I started making my own comparisons. A trip to New Orleans for the Food and Music Festival was hampered by horrible weather, terrible service, and a long bus ride to an open field to fight huge crowds to see some fine musicians. The trip was expensive and they city did not impress me as much as I hoped. Upon my return to Ottawa I saw some of the same musicians for free in Major’s Hill park, without having to suffer the nightly murders, the exhausting heat, and the obvious racial tensions.

After many wonderful trips to New York City, I had to reluctantly conclude that although there were a few memorable meals, generally the quality of food in Ottawa’s finer restaurants rivaled that of New York, at a fraction of the price.

Was it possible that I had been sold a bill of goods by my own countrymen? Could it be that Ottawa was not as dull and drab as I had come to believe?

Finally, a recent trip to the West Coast, a hotbed of locovore activity, revealed to me that Ottawans are every bit as committed to supporting local, seasonal and organic agriculture as our West Coast brothers and sisters. Although interesting things are happening in the west, where they enjoy a much longer growing season, equally interesting things are going on right here in our own backyard.

Now, the Washington Post confirms it. Ottawa is cool!

Thanks to Janteen & Savour Ottawa for getting the word out.

Read the entire article

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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