Food For Thought – Had A Glass 2008

GlassThis week, a great new guide to choosing excellent wines.   The guide is called ‘Had A Glass, Top 100 Wines for 2008 Under $20’.  The authors are James Nevison and Kenji Hodgson.  I took a tour of the Marquis Wine Cellar in Vancouver with them to talk about the book.  Here is the audio file for your listening pleasure.

You can save 27% off of the cover price by clicking the link above and ordering through amazon.ca.  Me, my wife and my creditors will thank you for the small portion of the proceeds I receive from leading you to the sale.

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Food For Thought – Margaret’s Kitchen

Img_6339This week on Food For Thought, I chat with Margaret Dickenson and her husband Larry.  Margaret is the author of Margaret’s Table: Easy Cooking and Inspiring Entertaining. 

You can listen to the audio file of our conversation here .  Margaret has a great website full of recipes, tips and even video instructions for some of her best dishes.  It’s also where you can order her book, and her first effort, From the Ambassador’s Table:  Blueprints for Creative Entertaining.

She is a graduate of the Food and Nutrition program at the University of Guelph, but 40 years of life with her husband Larry, who held posts in Canada’s Foreign Service up to the rank of ambassador, gave her invaluable experience at entertaining at small dinner or cocktail parties all the way up to hundreds of people at a time.

I’ll have more with Margaret and Larry in an upcoming podcast.

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All You Can Eat Vol. 46 Kitchen Gadgets 2007

This podcast is the second podcast featuring selection for kitchen gadgets and more for successful giftgiving.  Just go to my podcast page to find the link to the audio, and scroll down for more details.  Sorry I haven’t had time yet to add all the photos, but at least you have the descriptions.

Before this list, a short programming note:

 Please be sure you have the correct feed address for All You Can Eat.  It should be: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AllYouCanEat. The show will soon be switching feeds, and if you’re subscribed via Feedburner, you’ll never miss an episode! (Once there, you can click on your podcatcher and be subscribed automatically)

To update your iTunes settings manually, click on "Advanced", then "Subscribe to Podcast", and type in the feedburner URL, http://feeds.feedburner.com/AllYouCanEat , and you’re good to go. I’ll put all this info on my podcast page on my website, don genova dot com, so just head there while you’re listening to check your feeds.

 

Img_6357 Fontaine Wong from Ming Wo Cookware in Vancouver is my guide.  And if you can’t find these things where you live, she’ll be happy to mail order them for you.  When you go to the website, make sure you contact the Chinatown store on East Pender Street.

Tenderpress_large

Tender Press      $19.95        Fusion
–    gentle way to tenderize and flatten meat without
–    pounding , stabbing or using chemicals. 
By using a rolling motion ( like a rolling pin with tender teeth)
it reduces tearing and eliminates meat juice splatter.
The teeth tenderizes the meat and the bars flatten the meat.

Scrub Skrub’a       
Practical multi purpose nylon Scrubbing glove for removing dirt from potatoes and carrots and other vegetables.  Rinse after use, wring and hang dry.
Machine wash warm water or top rack dishwasher safe.
$12.95
* works great on golf balls too*

Masher_2 Gourmet Masher       $28.98      Chef Jamie Gwen
What makes the gourmet masher so special?
Innovative design of diamond shaped cutting tines/ blades
and a soft comfort grip handle makes preparing food a breeze.
Food doesn’t stick to the blades like other mashers.
It effortlessly mashes, rices and whips potatoes in 60 seconds.
Works with vegetables, egg salad, baby food and more…
and even blending berries for jams and jellies.
Allows for greater control over texture and food consistency.
Simply press the Gourmet Masher straight down through
the hot cooked potatoes / vegetables.

Pastry_cutter Gourmet Pastry Pro    $28.98
Designed to cut through flour and even cold butter .  No need to
Pre-sift your flour.  Just toss your ingredients into a bowl and
in seconds you get the precise consistency you need for pastry.
Dishwashersafe
Rigid stainless frame
Soft Comfort grip handle

Poachpod

Poach Pod        by Fusion         $12.95 pair
Simple to use and clean
Floats in water during cooking
Just crack a raw egg and pour into an oiled  pod
and place it in a pan of simmering  water until desired firmness
Simply run a spoon around the edges and gently remove the egg.
You can use to bake, mold and even make ice treats.
Great for melting butter or chocolate.

Buzzbuzz Buzz Buzz   2 in 1 Electronic Mill       Cole & Mason
Reg $79.95    Spec $63.99
Unique battery operated mill has two diamond sharp ceramic mechanisms for grinding salt and pepper.
Simply slide the top button  to choose salt or pepper and press.
Fully adjustable mechanisms for fine to coarse grind.
Viewing windows so you can tell when to refill.
Stylish Brushed stainless steel body
Batteries included    6 x AAA

Peugeot U-select Peugeot Pepper/Salt Mills      
Takes the guesswork out of grinding pepper or salt.
U-select allows for the perfect degree of grind,
With 6 Pre-set levels for grind for pepper or salt.
Just adjust the mill to your preferred grind and
turn.

Blender BREVILLE IKON BLENDERS
Patented Hemisphere 6 blade system, powerful enough to crush ice into snowlike consistency, while still making smoothies, pesto, and mayonnaise.

The revolutionary blade system is designed to hug the base of the bowl, therefore eliminating any food traps.   This prevents lumps in smoothies and cocktails, so that ingredients are shredded into fine and even particles.

Varies from 600, 750, 1000 watt motors.
5 speeds The 600 model offers a Pulse  & LCD countdown display.
550Xl  unit Reg $179.99   Spec. $139.99
600XL unit  Reg $229.99  Spec $179.99
Img_6351 800XL unit  Reg  $299.99  Spec $249.99

Breville Ikon Removable Plate Grill
Reg $199.99   Spec $149.99
1800 Watt element
2 removable ribbed plates for easy cleaning
1 extra flat Quantanium non-stick plate
Variable temperature control
12 x 11”
Adjustable grilling height control is a unique feature that
reduced the weight put on delicate foods like fish or bread
and you can set it high enough for making open melts.
Fat reducing angled grill plates and removable drip trap
It’s now easy for everyone to be chef.

Garlic Zoom    by Chef’n             $12.95
Garlic Chopper
Takes the odour out of chopping garlic.  Simply fill a peeled clove and roll.  The stainless steel blades chop peeled garlic into perfect chunks.

The GRID                        $11.98          Silicone Zone
Potholder, trivet, Jar Opener  3 in 1
Pliable, soft  silicone square, with airy grid pockets to keep protect your
hands when picking up hot items. 
Versatile usages.  Safe up to 675 degrees F, Dishwashersafe

SQUID whisk            $14.98     Chef’s Planet
Squid like shape, thick legs with rounded ends works wonders in a bowl
Design aerates mixtures in half the time of other whisks.  Eggs, cream and
any cold whisking task.
Put this on your Whisk List
Dishwashersafe   top rack

Drip-Less Collar      $3.50
Keeps your messy spoon or fork off the table.
Unique collar prevents messes by keeping your utensil tool heads off
the counter or falling into the pot.   Hinged design with magnet for easy attachment to the tool handle.

“Zoo Friends”  Pancake Pan           $35.98        Nordicware
Have fun making and eating these cute pancakes
Makes 7 – 3”  pancakes with fun animal icons.  Durable cast aluminum
with a non-stick finish for quick release and easy clean-up

Fridge Fresh           $9.98
All natural odor and moisture absorber
Absorbs all odors and moisture inside your fridge .
Prevents cross contamination of food smells and flavors
Keeps fruits and vegetables fresher and longer
Leave in place for one to three months
Recharge by placing in direct sunlight for 8 hours or outdoors in fresh air for 10 days to recharge. Reusable, Non-toxic, unscented and environmentally friendly
Main ingredient is a naturally occurring mineral formed through volcanic activity.
The minerals are molecular sponges with large internal cavities, where molecules can be absorbed. Odors have positive charges and Naturzaire products have negative charges.
Good news is opposites attract!

Bodum Travel Press       $12.50    Spec  $9.99
Have your favorite coffee or tea wherever you go.
Add ground coffee or tea leaves, hot water, press and enjoy.
Holds 16 oz of keeps beverages warm for up to 2 hours
Use coarse ground coffee for optimum results approx 2 tbsp
And water according to your personal taste

For Life “ Tea Infuser”          $17.98
Turn you mug to “tea for one” anytime
Perfect for brewing loose whole leaf tea
Mesh bottom allows for smooth tea flow.
Lid doubles as a coaster.
Stainless steel and silicone construction

Cupcooley       $4.95       FusionBrands
Reusable silicone cup cozy, fits standard cup
sizes.  Heat resistant & slip resistant
flexible and collapsible.

Munchlers Insulated Lunch Bags       $11.98         BUILT
Whimsical and practical lunch bags.  Made of lead and food safe polypropylene.
Unzips to a flat placemat.  Save hundred of bags over the year.
Fun Animal Characters.

Gourmet Getaway Insulated Lunch Tote.    $29.98   Spec $14.99   BUILT
Great for carrying all kinds of objects besides food.
Neoprene material keep things cool or warm for up to 4 hours

Posted in My Podcast | 4 Comments

Food For Thought – Book Gifts 2007

One_pot

This week on Food For Thought, surefire book suggestions for the foodie on your gift list.  Here is the audio file for your listening pleasure, and the list of books.  I’ll have cover photos and links to Amazon.ca a little later…

 

There are many good things about giving a cookbook as a gift.  They can provide hours of enjoyment, even if the recipient never cooks from them.  Some people just like to look.
If they do cook from the book, you might get to eat the fantastic results.  And, as I like to remind people who are clumsy with scotch tape, shiny paper and scissors, they are easy to wrap.

Before I head into some of the latest books on the shelves this year, I want to remind you about some of the books I’ve already talked about this year that I feel are surefire winners, like Into The Vietnamese Kitchen, by Andrea Nyugen. This book is full of fresh, flavourful ideas, and Vietnamese salads are now part of my regular repertoire. 

Then there’s One Pot Italian Cooking, by Massimo Capra, the pork rib and cabbage dish is to die for.
Another great Italian cookbook is Two Meatballs, by Mark Strausman and Pino Luongo.  This book brings together authentic Italian with New York Italian cooking.

The Guy Can’t Cook, by Cinda Chavich, gives every guy the tools he needs to be a success in the kitchen, and maybe the bedroom.

Now, onto newer books. This year’s must have wine guide is a formula with tried and true success:  Had A Glass 2008, by James Nevison and Kenji Hodson, Top 100 Wines for Under 20 Dollars.  It’s the third edition, and sized just so you can put it in the glove compartment of your car when you’re out shopping.  Kenji Hodson explains the first edition sprung from demands from their friends who were getting excited by the world of wine. I’ll have more from James and Kenji in the new year. 

If you want to go beyond meatballs, get ballsy with this next book.  Balls! By Angela Murrills, puts everything round in perspective, from around the world, and more.

Regular listeners to this program know that my favourite place to shop for any food book is Barbara-jo’s Books to Cooks in Vancouver.  Even though Barbara-jo a specialty retailer, she’s been doing her best to even out the differences this season between American and Canadian prices.  When she takes a few days off after Christmas, she’s going to settle down with a couple of books about food you just read, not cook from.  Her first selection is The Tenth Muse, by Judith Jones, and details the life of the woman who was responsible for getting Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking published, and many, many more cookbooks.  The second book she mentioned is by Clarissa Dickson Wright, one of the Two Fat Ladies.  Her autobiography is called Spilling the Beans.

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Food For Thought – Kitchen Gadget Parade 2007

Img_6357Nothing like a handy pair of potato scrubber gloves for a Christmas stocking stuffer!  This week on Food For Thought, my annual gadget suggestions with Ming Wo store manager Fontaine Wong. All of the gadgets are available at Ming Wo, and the prices you see listed here are from the Chinatown shop. (and they do mail order!)

Here is the  audio file for your listening pleasure, and the list is about to be published as well.  Later this week I will be publishing a podcast with many more great suggestions from Fontaine, so be sure to check my podcast page for that.  Better yet, subscribe to my podcast from that page so you never miss another podcast!

Tenderpress_large

Tender Press      $19.95        Fusion
–    gentle way to tenderize and flatten meat without
–    pounding , stabbing or using chemicals. 
By using a rolling motion ( like a rolling pin with tender teeth)
it reduces tearing and eliminates meat juice splatter.
The teeth tenderizes the meat and the bars flatten the meat.

Scrub Skrub’a       
Practical multi purpose nylon Scrubbing glove for removing dirt from potatoes and carrots and other vegetables.  Rinse after use, wring and hang dry.
Machine wash warm water or top rack dishwasher safe.
$12.95
* works great on golf balls too*

Masher_2 Gourmet Masher       $28.98      Chef Jamie Gwen
What makes the gourmet masher so special?
Innovative design of diamond shaped cutting tines/ blades
and a soft comfort grip handle makes preparing food a breeze.
Food doesn’t stick to the blades like other mashers.
It effortlessly mashes, rices and whips potatoes in 60 seconds.
Works with vegetables, egg salad, baby food and more…
and even blending berries for jams and jellies.
Allows for greater control over texture and food consistency.
Simply press the Gourmet Masher straight down through
the hot cooked potatoes / vegetables.

Pastry_cutter Gourmet Pastry Pro    $28.98
Designed to cut through flour and even cold butter .  No need to
Pre-sift your flour.  Just toss your ingredients into a bowl and
in seconds you get the precise consistency you need for pastry.
Dishwashersafe
Rigid stainless frame
Soft Comfort grip handle

Poachpod

Poach Pod        by Fusion         $12.95 pair
Simple to use and clean
Floats in water during cooking
Just crack a raw egg and pour into an oiled  pod
and place it in a pan of simmering  water until desired firmness
Simply run a spoon around the edges and gently remove the egg.
You can use to bake, mold and even make ice treats.
Great for melting butter or chocolate.

Buzzbuzz Buzz Buzz   2 in 1 Electronic Mill       Cole & Mason
Reg $79.95    Spec $63.99
Unique battery operated mill has two diamond sharp ceramic mechanisms for grinding salt and pepper.
Simply slide the top button  to choose salt or pepper and press.
Fully adjustable mechanisms for fine to coarse grind.
Viewing windows so you can tell when to refill.
Stylish Brushed stainless steel body
Batteries included    6 x AAA

Peugeot U-select Peugeot Pepper/Salt Mills      
Takes the guesswork out of grinding pepper or salt.
U-select allows for the perfect degree of grind,
With 6 Pre-set levels for grind for pepper or salt.
Just adjust the mill to your preferred grind and
turn.

 

Blender BREVILLE IKON BLENDERS
Patented Hemisphere 6 blade system, powerful enough to crush ice into snowlike consistency, while still making smoothies, pesto, and mayonnaise.

The revolutionary blade system is designed to hug the base of the bowl, therefore eliminating any food traps.   This prevents lumps in smoothies and cocktails, so that ingredients are shredded into fine and even particles.

Varies from 600, 750, 1000 watt motors.
5 speeds The 600 model offers a Pulse  & LCD countdown display.
550Xl  unit Reg $179.99   Spec. $139.99
600XL unit  Reg $229.99  Spec $179.99
Img_6351 800XL unit  Reg  $299.99  Spec $249.99

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All You Can Eat – Tribute to James Barber vol. 45

Dsc_1526 This episode of All You Can Eat is a tribute to the late James Barber, also known as The Urban Peasant.  He passed away Nov. 29th at age 84. James was a mentor, colleague, neighbour and friend.  I’ll miss him.

In the podcast you will hear a lengthy interview with James I conducted in October or November of 2006, as I was getting ready to go to Italy and his latest cookbook, One Pot Wonders, James Barber’s recipes for Land and Sea was being promoted.  While we talked about the book, we also spent quite a bit of time talking about his earlier years in England and France and how he ended up being a restaurant reviewer and cookbook author. 

I left for Italy and while I had the interview with me, I never ended up using it.  So, it is being heard for the first time on this podcast. To listen to this podcast directly, click here for the audio file, or visit my podcast page on my website to subscribe.  If you would like to pay tribute to James, you can comment on the bottom of this blog entry, or go to his website, where your thoughts are also being accepted. 

This episode of All You Can Eat was brought to you in part by Hamilton Beach, makers of the Eclectrics line of kitchen appliances.  Check out the great all-metal stand mixers at www.hamiltonbeach.com or www.hamiltonbeach.ca.You can also find all of your website hosting and design needs at my other sponsor, www.godaddy.com.  You can save on the products there by entering the code eat1 when you check out.

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