by

Updates!

I have been crazy-busy, but there are a few things that I thought were worth mentioning. Iceberg season has begun in Newfoundland and apparently the tourists are flocking to take boat tours out among the icy giants. It’s a great year for watching ice melt in something other than your glass! Icebergfinder.com shows 53 icebergs on today’s map.

Food find of the month – PC Lentil Hummus. This new product from the folks at Loblaws is fantastic! Try it with cucumber slices or salty tortilla chips. Oh heck, just eat it with a spoon! It’s worth every penny and every calorie.

I’m planning my next backyard dinner party and am thinking lentils could be the theme. Is that too much? Went to the Good Food Festival in Toronto recently where I was given a cookbook on lentils. Mighty little things, but I don’t want to overwhelm.

Potential Menu:

  • Lentil hummus and cucumbers
  • Pumpkin ravioli with a tomato, basil and lentil sauce with grana padano shavings
  • Chicken breasts stuffed with spinach, red lentils, wild mushrooms and asiago, fingerlings and pattipan squash
  • Okay I’m stumped on dessert. Maybe a summer berry (is there any such thing anymore?) pie and cream. 

Now I can feature another new favourite – PC “flavour burst” blueberries. Genetically-modified food or just some spectacular hybrid? After years of lousy, bland, but massive blueberries, it’s great to have something so big AND tasty. Of course, nothing beats fresh-picked blueberries from the hills in Newfoundland. Another small, but mighty food. Try a blind-folded taste test with your family and friends. Some have said they taste more like grapes.

Last thing, I found a new website that I like: Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. Nice slogans, good sentiments and lovely images. Don’t know if I can join – must investigate further. They are currently featuring a call for nominations for the Hospitality Ambassador awards. Just saying…

Happy Eating!

Pamela

by

Marking the Year of the Dragon

I was born almost 48 years ago, in the most auspicious of years for those who follow Chinese astrology. I decided to mark the significance of 2012 with, what else, a tattoo of a dragon! (See above.) Perhaps an unfortunate or all too common choice in this time of dragon tattoo books and movie monikers, but I couldn’t resist.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to get a tattoo, I can now enlighten you. Imagine someone rubbing repeatedly on your skin with a dull knife until it gets red and irritated. That’s the point at which you are starting to get a tattoo. Think Harry Potter and the “I may not tell lies” pen-etching-into-the-hand scene. Okay, we’re good.

Of course, everyone is different; tattoos might be a cake walk for you. If so, please share your experience and photos so I don’t completely spoil the fun for those who are wondering if they should finally get one.

I’m clearly a wuz, but the artist who did my tattoo was fantastic. Big, no huge, shout out to Robert at Way Cool Tattoos in Oakville! An amazing artist on paper and skin. 

Happy Year of the Dragon! There must be something good to eat for that. Suggestions?

Pamela

by

Newfoundese

Nothing makes me feel more at home than listening to a fellow Newfoundlander speak. Not English mind you, but Newfoundese. I’m more of a Townie, and after decades of living “away”, my ancestors can no longer be heard in my speech. Just the lilt and the speed remains.

It’s always fun when mainland friends come to visit me in Adams Cove and my local buddies drop by. The baymen talk, the mainlanders listen, everyone laughs and nods at the appropriate time. But when the locals leave, my friends inevitably confess that they had no idea what was being said. Happens every time! Who knew you needed a language course to visit Newfoundland? Comedian Mark Critch does his best to explain on TravelYourself.

Of course, all things can be taught, even Newfoundese. Check out Mickey, the talking parrot!

Okay, I`d rather listen to Allan Hawco of Republic of Doyle fame than Mickey the parrot. Who wouldn`t? Watch as he gives a language lesson on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight  (CBC).

No food ideas tonight. Just sipping on Starbucks. Did you know there are only two Starbucks outlets in Newfoundland? Both are in St. John`s and you could walk from one t`other. Kenmount Road – go to the stand-alone store – great atmosphere, nice fireplace!

Happy Eating!

Pamela

Video by

Newfoundland Girl blog promo

Okay, so not the best still capture to post publicly, but hey, the video is worth watching. It was a school project (isn’t everything?) that I hoped would give you an idea of what is planned for Newfoundland Girl: cooking lessons in traditional Newfoundland cuisine; travelogues; suggestions on places to visit; interesting happenings and events around the island; podcast interviews with my famous, and not so famous, friends (I love you all equally); short documentaries on quirky Newfoundland stuff; and photos of the most beautiful place on earth!

An overview of what you’ll find on the blogsite http://www.newfoundlandgirl.com. Includes images from Newfoundland and Labrador tourism ads, original video and photos.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism ads are among the best I’ve ever seen. Who wouldn’t want to go to Newfoundland after viewing these? I admit that they make me so homesick, I could cry (and sometimes do).

by

Iceberg Season

It’s somewhat ironic that as winter comes to an end in Ontario, I find myself dreaming of ice. Huge, floating islands of the stuff. A few years ago, there were hundreds of them parading down the northeast coast of Newfoundland. That was exceptional, but I can assure you that even one iceberg is an impressive sight. This beauty parked itself in Adams Cove – the most striking backyard accessory I’ve ever seen!

If you want to go on your own iceberg hunt, head to Twillingate on the north shore. Twillingate is famous for being part of what’s called iceberg alley.

A great online tool is icebergfinder.com. Iceberg enthusiasts can follow the progress of these floating giants as they move down the coast.

Of course, all topics lead to food and icebergs are no exception. At your next cocktail party share a piece of Newfoundland with Iceberg Vodka. Promoted as the world’s purest vodka, the distillers use 12,000-year-old ice harvested from melting icebergs off the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. Works for me!  

Happy Eating!

Pamela

by

My Dinner with Jamie Kennedy

Last week I joined about 100 other lucky diners to share a special meal prepared by Canadian chef Jamie Kennedy and his team. The event was a celebration of a few things: the unveiling of the new donor wall “Pathway of Dreams” at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School in Oakville and the families and individuals who had donated to the school’s recently completed capital campaign. For Jamie Kennedy, it was a celebration of Ontario’s finest offerings. My favourite was the whitefish and lake trout from Georgian Bay. My only regret is that I forgot to take my sample of preserves from the table! I understand from my tablemates that it was delicious. Next time…

Speaking of preserves, my mom used to make something called freezer jam from freshly-picked strawberries. Anyone know that recipe? The final product requires refrigeration or freezing (the canning process is not used). It is really good, not too runny, and perfect with Newfoundland tea buns. The recipe for tea buns I have and am happy to share that with you.

You’ll need: 2 cups flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2/3 cup milk, 1 egg, raisins

Directions: MIX dry ingredients together; CUT in the butter; BEAT egg with a fork; ADD milk to egg; ADD wet ingredients to flour mixture; COMBINE into a ball; TURN out onto a floured work surface; KNEAD dough lightly; ROLL out to 1-inch thickness; CUT out round buns; PLACE on lightly-greased baking tray; BAKE for 12 to 15 minutes at 450 F. 

Happy Eating! 

Pamela

by

The Skinny Dip

The Skinny Dip

A friend sent me this link to another Newfoundlander who likes to convince people to go skinny dipping with her, in some very interesting places!

by

New Facebook Fan Page

Yes, it’s kind of under construction, but have a look and maybe you’ll LIKE what you see!

http://www.facebook.com/newfoundland.girl1964?ref=tn_tnmn

by

Food Finds

I believe in sharing, especially in sharing new food finds. I know I’m not alone. I hope you find some inspiration here and in the true spirit of sharing, leave some behind for me.

When I lived in California, I looked forward to every edition of Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer. Now, back in Canada, my enthusiasm has transferred to the President’s Choice Insider’s Report.

Loblaws is brilliant. The new PC products start appearing on store shelves (I spot them right away), whetting my appetite for the coming food adventures. And then I wait. I know the Insider’s Report is on its way and it never disappoints. It guides me like a food GPS, through every aisle until I’ve tried every new product (well, except for anything with goat cheese).

The latest issue for the 2011 holiday season now sits on my kitchen table, already dog-eared and lined with red marker. In upcoming blogs I’ll let you know what I’ve tried and if I’ve discovered any creative adaptations that propelled me one step closer to food heaven.

I don’t only eat PC products, far from it, but I am a fan so you’ll see lots of comments on their new products – good and bad.

Happy Eating!

Pamela

by

Panettone Season

The holidays mean many things – family gatherings, frenzied shopping, more leisurely meals, and for food lovers like me, they means fresh panettone can be found everywhere.

Nothing compares to the delicious aroma that follows the opening of the plastic wrapper. My favourite version of this delicious Italian sweet bread is the Whole Foods brand that comes in a family-size or perfectly portioned individual serving. It’s ideal for one and justifies my desire to not share. Oops, not very seasonal in my thinking, am I?

No Grinch here, the individual size makes a great stocking stuffer or addition to a gift basket of Christmas favourites.

Another fun seasonal baking idea for fans of Canada’s East Coast, gingerbread saltbox house cookies, can be found at http://www.everydayrecipes.ca/. They are almost as lovely as the real thing (this photo is not the best – sorry)!  

 

Happy Eating!

Pamela