Harvesting my small lavender crop is one of my most favorite parts of summer. Working among the colorful and beautifully-scented flowers is a rite of summer for me.
Lavender Ready for Harvesting
I picked the crop this weekend and, since it was such a lovely evening, I used it for the inspiration for my al fresco dining. And, of course, my menu drew its inspiration from these edible flowers as well.
Lavender Harvesting
I wanted to keep the tablesetting simple since the table is a small square. So, I simply gathered together a lot of the flowers into a single stuke shape and tied it with a complimentary shade of wired burlap ribbon.
Lavender Bouquet
A simple trim on the ends of the stems formed an even base for the bouquet to stand upright in the center of the table.
Centerpiece
I carried the floral and color theme through by tying small bunches of the colorful stems with an airy ribbon. These gave a pop of color and definition to the white napkins.
Seasonal Tablesetting
I like the clean, crisp backdrop of a white tablecloth. I often tend to use plain white dishes because food really shows well on them. However, an all white table can be a challenge because it can sometimes look flat and lack definition. I acquired these white dishes with a double dark rim this summer. They work well in these kinds of situations because they lend some depth and definition to a table.
PlacesettingSummer Tablesetting
I used my antique stemmed water glasses to add a bit of height and nostalgia to the setting.
Al Fresco Tablesetting
This was my summery Saturday evening dining table.
Four years ago, I wrote a story on the Five Sisters of Lavender Lane in Kelly’s Cross, PEI. These ladies had a small farm and sold edible lavender. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business but, by following this link, you can get my recipe for Lavender Honey Ice Cream which was the finale for my dinner last evening.
Lavender Honey Ice Cream on a Chocolate Brownie and Drizzled with Raspberry Coulis
Strawberry Slush is my newest summer drink creation and it has quickly become a favorite! Strawberries take center stage in this beverage but there is also a mix of other fruit juices that include rhubarb, pineapple, lemon and orange juices, and some pink lemonade. The addition of Epicure’s “Summer Berry” sweet dip mix deepens the flavor and adds some interesting speckles throughout the slush. Because I know Epicure products may not be available everywhere, I have included this as an optional addition as the slush will still taste quite fine without it. My recipe calls for gin and any brand may be used. Continue reading Strawberry Slush→
Seafood chowder is a very popular dish in Prince Edward Island and many Island restaurants include it on their menus. I just completed reviews of five (5) fabulous seafood chowders from restaurants in the Green Gables Resort Region (Cavendish, Prince Edward Island). Head on over to the Cavendish Beach website to read my guest post about these mouth-watering chowders from North Rustico, Stanley Bridge, Cavendish, and New Glasgow.
To whet your appetite, here are photos of each chowder:
From the Blue Mussel Café in North Rustico, PEI
Seafood Chowder from the Blue Mussel Café in North Rustico, PEI
From Chez Yvonne Restaurant in Cavendish, PEI
Seafood Chowder from Chez Yvonne Restaurant, Cavendish, PEI
From Carr’s Oyster Bar in Stanley Bridge, PEI
Seafood Chowder from Carr’s Oyster Bar in Stanley Bridge, PEI
From the PEI Preserve Company in New Glasgow, PEI
Seafood Chowder from the PEI Preserve Company in New Glasgow, PEI
From the New Glasgow Lobster Suppers in New Glasgow, PEI
Seafood Chowder from the New Glasgow Lobster Suppers in New Glasgow, PEI
The craft beer brewing industry continues to grow thanks to consumers with a thirst for traditional hand-crafted beer and a demand for unique locally-made artisanal products. While not a huge industry on PEI, craft breweries are starting to emerge….and with remarkable success. As Upstreet Craft Brewing in Charlottetown, PEI, celebrates its first birthday, I thought it was time I paid a visit so I recently journeyed “upstreet” to meet Joey Seaman, one of the owners, for a tour and chat about the brewery.
Upstreet Craft Brewing Co-owner Joey Seaman
I began by asking Joey where the name “Upstreet” came from. He says that upstreet, means “anywhere but where you are” and, colloquially, if you are downtown and someone asks where you’re going, chances are you might say “I’m heading up the street” and, since the location of the brewery is ‘just up the street’ from downtown Charlottetown, it became the name of the brewery.
Upstreet Craft Brewing began operation in June 2015 when three friends, who were long-time hobby home beer brewers, decided to take the leap, leave the security of their careers, and co-found a craft brewery in their hometown. This trio – Joey Seaman, Mike Hogan, and Mitch Cobb — have turned their hobby and passion into a growing success story.
Upstreet Craft Brewing Owners Joey Seaman, Mitch Cobb, and Mike Hogan
The three partners are very hands-on at the brewery. Mike is the beer engineer who brews all the beer while Mitch looks after general management and operations and Joey takes care of sales.
Upstreet Craft Brewing’s Brew Engineer, Mike Hogan
The brewery currently has 19 employees and is a beehive of activity.
Craft beer is brewed in the traditional way in small batches using 4 main ingredients – barley, hops, yeast, and water. One of the trademarks of a craft brewery is that it offers the opportunity to experiment with ingredients and flavors because small batches of the beer can be produced. This is in contrast to industry giants that produce huge quantities of the same beers year in and year out. Craft breweries, on the other hand, are small enough that they can keep experimenting and come up with fresh new flavours that keeps customers returning. They can also produce small quantities of seasonal beers that are likely only to be purchased during a short period. Upstreet is currently brewing six batches of beer, four times a week. This translates into about 10,000 litres of beer a week. The brewery has built a strong local customer base that has meant Upstreet is presently at maximum capacity. To double their capacity and meet growing demand, the brewery just recently added two more fermentation tanks and they still can’t fully meet demand. In fact, at the time of writing, they have a wait list of 15 restaurants/bars wanting to sell their beer.
Filling the Kegs with Beer at Upstreet Craft Brewing
The brewery produces four mainstay flagship beers – Rhuby Social (Strawberry Rhubarb Witbier), Commons Czech Style Pilsner, Do Good-er (an American pale ale), and White Noize (a white IPA). Joey says their most popular beer is the Commons Pilsner which he describes as a clean crisp beer.
In addition, the brewery has brewed over 10 different beers, including seasonal brews, in the first year of operation. This includes specialty flavors like Imperial Pumpkin Ale brewed last autumn and Vanilla Cranberry Stout during the Christmas holiday season.
You won’t find canned beer at Upstreet. Instead, they use tall slim brown bottles that give a classic feel to the Upstreet beer experience.
Each bottle is labeled with an eye-catching unique label that contains information to educate the consumer on the beer product and experience. So, look for a beer profile on each bottle that will tell you the level of hoppiness and a description of the color and flavour.
Check under each bottle cap for a unique PEI colloquial saying – great conversation pieces! The owners solicited submissions from the public of typical PEI sayings and received over 2000 suggestions in 48 hours – yes, we Islanders have lots of colloquial sayings!
As many readers will know, a growing sector of the alcoholic beverage industry is pairing foods with the different beverages. Many will be aware of food and wine pairings but there is also a burgeoning trend to pair craft beer with good food. The label on each bottle of Upstreet beer will also give a good food pairing suggestion, the type of event in which it might be enjoyed and even a suggestion for best listening tunes by which to enjoy the beer. For example:
White Noize, a strong beer, would pair well with a hearty chili that might be enjoyed after a day of skiing and while listening to some chill beats.
Rhuby Social, a tart and refreshing beer, would compliment spicy Asian foods and is a beer that could become a patio favorite while listening to the classics. Last fall, I attended a beer and food pairing event that was part of the PEI Fall Flavours Culinary Festival. Celebrity chefs Anna and Michael Olson recommended Upstreet’s Rhuby Social be paired with seafood such as PEI mussels, clams, and white fish.
Commons Pilsner would go well at a beach day event with Island seafood while listening to acoustic campfire jams.
The Do Good-er, the brewery’s “go-to” house party beer, would be a good choice for a BBQ while listening to some rock.
In addition to their bottled beers, the Brewery also sells growlers at the brewery. And, of course, they also sell and deliver kegs of beer to restaurants and bars and there are over 30 venues in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia currently carrying the Upstreet products.
Inside the cooler at Upstreet Craft Brewing
Joey says that, while their patrons come from all walks of life, he finds the largest growing market for craft beer is the female population who tend to like the dark beers and those that would be classed as bold, hoppy beers. New and creative flavours of beer may be contributors to that trend.
Taproom at Upstreet Craft Brewing
The brewery is not only a production facility. It, like many craft breweries, has a taproom onsite. The taproom, which can accommodate about 90 people, is a mix of industrial and eclectic décor. Be sure to check out the bar counter repurposed from an old elm tree that had to be taken down in the city.
Joey Seaman pours a glass of beer in Upstreet Craft Brewing’s Taproom
While Upstreet does not have a full-fledged restaurant per se on site, it does have a chef as part of the team and the taproom does offer snack foods and tapas/small plates with a menu that changes according to season. However, don’t look for table service at Upstreet – in keeping with the casual atmosphere, you simply go to the bar to place both your drink and food order.
Upstreet Craft Brewing is very community minded. The brewery offers its taproom as a community space for locals to come and hang out. In fact, several groups meet at the brewery to socialize, including a group of local knitters! The brewery also hosts adult coloring nights and other community events and there is always a good selection of board games for patrons to enjoy over a glass of cold beer. In addition, the brewery offers a venue for local musicians to share their musical talents with patrons. The brewery is also a strong supporter of the local arts, music, and culture scene and, in fact, a percentage from the sale of every bottle of Do-Good-er beer goes to a “do good” fund to support local arts and culture.
The brewery, located at 41 Allen Street in Charlottetown, PEI, is open 7 days a week, noon to midnight.
Upstreet Craft Brewing, Charlottetown, PEI
As is my tradition when I visit a local producer, I develop a recipe or two using their product.
PEI Mussels Steamed in Rhuby Social Beer from Upstreet Craft Brewing
Click here for the link to my recipe for steaming PEI mussels in Upstreet Craft Brewing’s Rhuby Social beer and here for the link to my recipe for Rhubarb and Beer Barbeque Sauce, also using Rhuby Social beer.
Rhubarb and Beer Barbeque Sauce Made with Rhuby Social Beer from Upstreet Craft Brewing
We have a good-sized patch of rhubarb and, every year, I develop one or more new recipes using it. I recently paid a visit to Upstreet Craft Brewing in Charlottetown in preparation for a story on this brewery and, lo and behold, they have a strawberry-rhubarb beer. This got me to thinking that I could combine the rhubarb with this beer to make a tasty barbeque sauce which is just what I did!
Rhubarb and Beer Barbeque Sauce
Now, this barbeque sauce takes a little time to make but the end result is so worth it. Just like making a traditional fine tomato sauce, the key is in letting the sauce simmer to allow the flavors to mix and mingle and get to know each other – very social just like Upstreet’s Rhuby Social beer! The sauce is a mix of savory, tart, and sweet, especially with the addition of crushed pineapple that goes well with rhubarb.
Porkchops with Rhubarb and Beer Barbeque Sauce
This barbeque sauce is particularly good on pork and chicken but also pairs well with burgers. This is my signature barbeque sauce for this summer. I use my immersion blender in the sauce but, if you like it more thick and chunky, leave it just as it is. I hope you enjoy it.
Porkchops with Rhubarb and Beer Barbeque Sauce
(Printable recipe follows at end of posting)
Rhubarb and Beer Barbeque Sauce
Ingredients:
½ lb rhubarb, sliced ½” thick 2 tbsp water 1½ tsp lemon juice 2-3 tbsp. oil ½ cup onion, finely chopped 3-4 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup ketchup 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp Dijon mustard ¼ cup maple syrup ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed ¼ tsp cinnamon 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar ½ tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp salt Pinch cayenne ¾ cup crushed pineapple with juice ½ cup Upstreet Craft Brewing’s “Rhuby Social” beer Method:
In medium-sized saucepan, combine rhubarb, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until rhubarb is soft and mushy.
In separate medium-sized saucepan, heat oil and, over medium heat, sauté onions until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for one additional minute, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn the onions or garlic. Add the cooked rhubarb, ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and cayenne. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low and cook for approximately 45 minutes or until thickened, stirring regularly.
Add the crushed pineapple and beer. Cook for apx. 30 minutes longer, stirring regularly to prevent scorching. Cool. Purée in blender, food processor, or with an immersion blender.
Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Use on chicken, pork, or burgers. Yield: Apx. 2½ cups
Savory and sweet barbeque sauce combines rhubarb, crushed pineapple, and beer to make a tasty sauce for pork, chicken, and burgers.
Ingredients
½ lb rhubarb, sliced ½” thick
2 tbsp water
1½ tsp lemon juice
2-3 tbsp. oil
½ cup onion, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup ketchup
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
¼ cup maple syrup
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
½ tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp salt
Pinch cayenne
¾ cup crushed pineapple with juice
½ cup Upstreet Craft Brewing’s “Rhuby Social” beer
Instructions
In medium-sized saucepan, combine rhubarb, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until rhubarb is soft and mushy.
In separate medium-sized saucepan, heat oil and, over medium heat, sauté onions until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for one additional minute, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn the onions or garlic. Add the cooked rhubarb, ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and cayenne. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low and cook for approximately 45 minutes or until thickened, stirring regularly. Add the crushed pineapple and beer. Cook for apx. 30 minutes longer, stirring regularly to prevent scorching. Cool. Purée in blender, food processor, or with an immersion blender. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Use on chicken, pork, or burgers.
PEI Mussels Steamed in Rhuby Social Beer from Upstreet Craft Brewing
My recipe for steamed mussels calls for some aromatics to build a flavor base in which to steam the tasty little morsels. Aromatic cooking involves some type of fat or oil – I’m using butter in this recipe – combined with some aromatic vegetables and herbs. In this case, I am using onion, celery, and garlic along with some fresh thyme. The combination of a fat product and heat help to release the wonderful aromas of ingredients and infuse dishes with fabulous flavors. Ever walk into the tantalizing scent of a kitchen where onions and garlic are cooking in oil or butter? That’s aromatics at work.
Preparing this flavor base at the beginning of the cooking process adds depth and complexity to the dish. Since mussels cook rapidly, chop the vegetables up somewhat fine as they need to release their flavors quickly in order to add flavor to the dish.
The fresh mussels should be rinsed under cold water before they are cooked. If any of the shells don’t close up after this rinsing, tap the shells lightly. If they still don’t close, discard them. Any “beard” on the mussels also needs to be removed.
Once the vegetables have been sautéed and released their flavors, it’s time to add a small amount of lemon juice and some beer to the mixture. The lemon juice adds fresh, crisp notes to the broth. This helps to balance the seafood qualities of the broth once the mussels are added. Beer adds both depth and complexity of flavor to the mussels which should be steamed in a very small amount of liquid. If too much liquid is used, it will dilute the flavor altogether. It’s the steam, not the amount of liquid, that cooks the mussels. In this recipe, I have chosen to use a craft beer that has been brewed right here on Prince Edward Island at Upstreet Craft Brewing in Charlottetown (click here for my story on this brewery). The strawberry and rhubarb flavored “Rhuby Social” witbier with its slight tartness pairs particularly well with seafood.
It’s important not to overcook the mussels as they will become tough. I find that 5-7 minutes is usually sufficient; however, the amount of steaming time depends on several factors including how many (and the size of the) mussels in the pot, the weight of the pot, and amount of heat over which they are steamed. The ultimate test of doneness is a peek inside the pot to see if the shells have opened. It’s very important that, at the end of the steaming process, any shells that have not opened be discarded. If a shell has to be pried open, it is not considered safe for consumption.
These mussels can be eaten with bread dipped in the steaming broth. Simply strain the broth to remove the vegetables and herbs. Alternatively, they can be eaten dipped in melted butter or even with a simple splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
(Printable recipe follows at end of posting)
PEI Mussels Steamed in Beer
Ingredients: 2 lbs. PEI mussels, rinsed and beards removed
1 tbsp butter 1/3 cup onion, chopped 2-3 cloves garlic, minced 4” piece of celery with leaves, chopped ½ tsp salt 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 tsp lemon juice 1 cup Upstreet Craft Brewing’s “Rhuby Social” Beer
Method: In medium-sized stock pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery and salt. Sauté, stirring briskly, just until onion has softened and has started to become transparent. Add the thyme, lemon juice, and beer. Increase the heat to high and bring liquid to a boil. Add the mussels. Cover and steam the mussels for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until the mussel shells have opened. Remove pot from heat and let mussels stand in broth for 1-2 minutes.
Remove mussels from broth with a slotted spoon and discard any shells that have not opened. If desired, strain the broth and use for dipping bread to enjoy with the mussels. Alternatively, melt butter in which to dip the mussels.
Yield: Apx. 2 servings
If you have made this recipe and enjoyed it and/or wish to share it with your friends and family, please do so on social media but be sure to share the direct link to this posting from my website.
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PEI Mussels steamed in an aromatic beer broth. Dip the mussels in melted butter for the ultimate treat.
Ingredients
2 lbs. PEI mussels, rinsed and beards removed
1 tbsp butter
1/3 cup onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4” piece of celery with leaves, chopped
½ tsp salt
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup Upstreet Craft Brewing’s “Rhuby Social” Beer
Instructions
In medium-sized stock pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery and salt. Sauté, stirring briskly, just until onion has softened and has started to become transparent. Add the thyme, lemon juice, and beer. Increase the heat to high and bring liquid to a boil. Add the mussels. Cover and steam the mussels for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until the mussel shells have opened. Remove pot from heat and let mussels stand in broth for 1-2 minutes.
Remove mussels from broth with a slotted spoon and discard any shells that have not opened. If desired, strain the broth and use for dipping bread to enjoy with the mussels. Alternatively, melt butter in which to dip the mussels.
Asparagus is one of the most versatile vegetables, both in the ways in which it can be prepared and the ingredients with which it can be paired. Locally, in Atlantic Canada, asparagus has a very short growing season in late May/early June and it is a harbinger of wonderful produce to come from the land.
I like to feature asparagus in springtime on my dinner table and, for this recipe, I have chosen to combine Boursin cheese, prosciutto, and chicken breasts with the asparagus for this delightful entrée – Asparagus-stuffed Chicken Breasts. This stuffed chicken breast can be served whole or it can be sliced into 3/4″ slices and served on either a bed of rice or on a green salad. The latter is quite colorful as it shows the green asparagus stuffing. Continue reading Asparagus-stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe→
Remember the days when a hamburger was simply ground beef flattened to about the depth of a pancake, a slice of processed cheese, and condiments were simply store-bought ketchup, mustard, and sweet pickle relish all sandwiched between a soggy bakery bun?
Today, burgers are becoming more gourmet and creative. Indeed, some border on works of art and can be towering structures! Specially created burger sauces, unique relishes, specialty meats, and gourmet cheeses are now common ingredients on burgers. And, of course, there are several different ways a burger can be cooked. Sometimes, as in the case of my recipe, more than one cooking method is used to cook the burgers. All this to say that the benchmark on burger creativity has now been raised to a new level.
“The Bistro Burger” on a Gluten-Free (GF) Hamburger Roll
When I am developing any recipe, the first thing I think about is what flavors will play well together and be pleasing to the palate. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not about how many ingredients are included in the burger or how big or tall the burger is but rather it’s about the quality of ingredients and their ability to blend well and compliment each other.
I don’t personally like a whole lot of ingredients on my burger or ones that are, well, just plain wonky and don’t blend well with the beef. If there are too many ingredients, I find it hard to detect any discernible flavour and, for my taste, they detract from the burger experience. I still need to taste the beef! Any additions should only enhance, not smother or mask, the beefy flavor.
“The Bistro Burger”
My burger creation aims to strike the middle ground through the chosen selection of ingredients and a carefully-tested cooking method. In my view, there are two challenges with burger creation. The first challenge is to cook the burger perfectly so it is moist and juicy. The second challenge is to maintain, not mask, the flavor of the meat itself and to choose toppings with flavors that play well with, and bring out the savoriness of, good quality beef.
Now, that is not to say that new flavours cannot be introduced into burgers or that the types of ingredients typically associated with burgers cannot be prepared in different ways to “up” the calibre of the burger – onions can be carmelized or be in the form of jam, sauces can blend complimentary flavors, and veggies can be marinated. Other ingredients, such as the traditional bacon, can be replaced with alternatives such as prosciutto which can be eaten raw or candied. Fresh fruit can be added to infuse some sweetness to the burger and counter the savory flavour of the meat.
When I was creating this burger recipe, I had five (5) objectives in mind:
Recipe would be adaptable for those with a gluten intolerance/sensitivity;
Hamburger would include sauces and the relish made from my own recipes;
To the extent possible, locally-produced products, including the beef, would be used; (ingredient sources listed at end of posting)
Ingredients would be chosen for their ability to play well together and be pleasing to the palate; and
The resulting hamburger would be both eye appealing and appetizing.
The following is my recipe for a tasty beef burger that uses my own recipe creations for sauces and relish most of which were previously posted on this food blog. Also, to the extent possible, I have used locally-produced products. Following the recipe below, you will find some of my hints for burger making along with some explanations of my choices of ingredients in this burger. At the bottom of this posting, you will also find a printable version of the recipe.
The Bistro Burger
The Bistro’s Burger Sauce
Ingredients: 1/3 cup mayonnaise 2½ tbsp pure maple syrup 2 tbsp ketchup 2 tbsp rhubarb relish 1½ tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp garlic powder 1½ tbsp. sour cream ½ tsp onion salt Salt and pepper, to taste
Yield: Apx. 1 cup
Frozen Flavor Burst Logs
Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter, softened at room temperature 2½ tsp mustard (Dijon or sweet) 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan Cheese 1½ tsp dried parsley Yield: Apx. 6 Logs
Burger Patties:
Ingredients: 1 lb ground chuck (apx 80:20 ratio meat-to-fat content) ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp Blueberry Barbeque Sauce 1½ tbsp maple syrup ½ tsp onion salt ¼ tsp garlic salt 2 tsp dry onion soup mix Pinch cayenne pepper Salt and pepper, to taste 1 egg, lightly beaten ¼ cup+ medium-ground bread crumbs
Yield: Apx. 6 patties
Cooking oil Blueberry Barbeque Sauce 6 hamburger rolls of choice The Bistro’s Burger Sauce Rhubarb Relish Cheddar Cheese Slices Red Onion Tomato Bread and Butter Pickles 6 thin slices Proscuitto Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar (for candying the Proscuitto and pineapple) Fresh pineapple, sliced between 1/8” and ¼” thick
Method:
For the Bistro Burger Sauce, mix all ingredients together well. Store in tightly sealed jar. Refrigerate for up to one week.
For the Frozen Flavour Burst Logs, combine the butter, mustard, Parmesan Cheese, and parsley together. In teaspoon measures, portion out the mixture and shape into small logs or disk shapes. Place on plastic-lined tray and freeze for about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F and panini grill to medium-high setting.
For the Burger Patties: In large bowl, mix all burger ingredients just until combined, adding more bread crumbs if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
Measure the meat mixture into six (6) equal portions (apx. 4 oz each). With hands, gently and loosely clump together the meat and enclose one frozen flavour burst log into centre of each burger and surround it with meat mixture. Shape into patties that are apx. 1” thick (or to desired thickness to match size of hamburger roll). Refrigerate for one hour before cooking to allow patties to firm up and give flavours time to blend.
Heat 1½ – 2 tbsp cooking oil in frypan over medium high heat. Sear burgers, two minutes each side. Do not press down on the burgers. Remove from frypan and brush Blueberry Barbeque Sauce over both sides of burgers and transfer to greased wire rack suspended over baking pan (to catch any drips). Bake in pre-heated oven until desired doneness is reached, adding the cheese slices to the burgers for the last minute of baking.
To candy the prosciutto – mix together 2 tbsp maple syrup with 2 tbsp. brown sugar. Lightly brush each thin slice of prosciutto with the mixture, being careful not to tear the delicate meat. Place over greased wire rack suspended over baking pan. Bake in 375° oven for apx 7-10 minutes or until prosciutto is browned and starts to become crispy.
Fresh pineapple slices can be added to the burgers without glazing them. However, to glaze the pineapple slices, mix together 2 tbsp maple syrup with 2 tbsp brown sugar. Lightly brush mixture on both sides of each pineapple slice and place slices on panini grill (set at medium-high) and press grill top down on to pineapple slices and grill on medium-high for about 1-2 minutes, or until pineapple is heated and has grill marks.
To assemble burgers:
Select hamburger rolls of choice and split in half, horizontally. Butter each half and, if desired, toast on grill or in oven. Slather a generous helping of burger sauce on the bottom half of each roll. Add lettuce and then the burger. Add pickles, sliced tomato, onion, candied prosciutto, rhubarb relish, and maple glazed pineapple. Place the top halves of the rolls on each burger and garnish each with a chunk of fresh pineapple and a cherry tomato. Serve with your favorite side salad or home fries.
Yield: Apx. 6 – 4oz burgers.
Burger-Making Hints and Additional Information on The Bistro Burger Ingredients
Meat
To get the juicy burger, there needs to be some fat mixed in with the meat. While I normally choose extra lean ground beef for recipes, the one exception I make to that is for burgers. The general standard is a ratio of 80:20 meat-to-fat content. My preference is to use ground chuck that is freshly ground by my local butcher while I wait. Burgers are no different than any other food – fresh is always best!
To get a really tasty burger, I like to enhance the meat with additional flavour, moisture, and some sort of binding agent(s). For mine, I enhanced the flavour with some grated Parmesan cheese, onion and garlic salts, dry onion soup mix, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. To give additional moisture (and flavor) to the burger, I used some of my blueberry barbeque sauce along with maple syrup (I used a chipotle and lemon grass infused syrup but plain maple syrup works well, too). Medium-grind bread crumbs add structure to the burger and help hold it together along with the addition of an egg. Don’t use fine bread crumbs that would typically be used to bread chicken, for example, as these are too fine and won’t add the needed structure and stability to the burger that coarser bread crumbs will provide. As well, if the bread crumbs are too fine, it will take too many which changes the texture of the burger. To make the recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
To give an extra burst of flavor in each burger, I mix butter, mustard, finely grated parmesan cheese, and parsley together and, using a teaspoon measure, portion out and form the mixture into small logs or disks which I freeze for about 30 minutes. As I am forming each patty, I enclose one of the flavor burst logs in the centre, surrounded by the meat. As the burger cooks, it melts the flavour log and releases and distributes the flavour burst inside each burger.
When forming the burger patties, it is very important not to over knead the meat or the result will be a tough burger. It’s the same principle as applies to pastry or biscuit dough – too much kneading and you won’t have a tender product. Basically, just loosely clump together the burger mixture with your hands and form it into a disk shape. Resist the urge to pack the meat tightly or press down/flatten the patties as this, too, will create a tough burger.
The standard pre-cooked weight of each of my hamburger patties is approximately 4 oz and each one is about 1” thick.
Onions
My preference, if using raw onion on the burger, is to use red onions for both their flavour and color. Other options include fried or carmelized onions or even onion jam. While carmelized onions and onion jam are tasty, they don’t necessarily go with all burgers. The other ingredients and, particularly, the relishes or sauces used (and how many) will dictate the best way to present onions in the burger.
Sauce
A good sauce enhances the flavour of the burger. I use my own recipe made with mayonnaise, maple syrup, ketchup, rhubarb relish, mustard, sour cream, and some garlic and onion seasoning. This sauce contains the traditional condiments of mustard and ketchup but blends them with other complimentary flavours. The result is a colorful and tasty orange sauce. Truffle ketchup adds an “earthy” flavor to this sauce but it is an acquired taste. Any variety of tomato ketchup will work just fine.
Relish
Traditionally, a sweet pickle relish has been used on burgers. However, to bring out the savory meat flavour, I am using my own recipe for rhubarb relish. You can access my recipe here. This relish works well with the other ingredients in this burger and ties in with the flavor of the sauce so I’m not introducing another flavor to confuse the taste buds. The sweetness of the rhubarb relish effectively counters, but blends in a positive way with, the savory flavour of the beef.
Rhubarb Relish
Cheese
Choose a cheese that melts well like a good quality cheddar, for example. I’m using COWS Creamery Extra-Old Cheddar produced here on PEI where it has been aged for at least two (2) years. This is a high quality cheese with rich, deep flavour that really compliments the beef well. The cheese has a firm texture and is a slower melting cheese. In fact, as it melts, it forms almost a second sauce on the burger and has a lovely tangy bite to it.
Prosciutto
While traditionally eaten raw, I have chosen to candy the prosciutto with a mixture of brown sugar and maple syrup. All I did for this process was very lightly brush both sides of the prosciutto with the mixture, lay it over a greased wire rack suspended over a baking pan, and bake it in a 375°F oven for apx 7-10 minutes, just until it is browned and crispy. This gives both flavor and a crunchy texture to the burger.
Barbeque Sauce
I used my own Blueberry Barbeque Sauce (recipe here) for my burgers. This dark barbeque sauce adds both flavor and a rich, deep color to the burger.
Blueberry Barbeque Sauce
Lettuce
Bright green lettuce adds great color to burgers. Choose a “sturdy” lettuce for burgers, such as that found on head lettuce (e.g. Boston lettuce). These are strong leaves that don’t tend to wilt so quickly as, for example, delicate lettuce leaves like the mesclun mix, when they come into contact with hot burgers.
Pickles
My preference for pickles in the burger are sweet homemade bread and butter pickles (get my recipe here).
Bread and Butter Pickles
These are a lovely, crisp pickle and their acidity plays off sweetness of any fruit added to the burger as well as the sauce. Pickles contribute a bit of sweet tang to the burger experience.
Pineapple
I like to add some sweetness to my burgers by adding a slice of fruit such as pineapple. The choice of fruit, however, has to be one that, structurally, is strong enough to hold together in the burger. I have chosen pineapple for this burger as it “holds its own” and pairs very well with the rhubarb relish and blueberry barbeque sauce. I cut the pineapple slice between 1/8” and ¼” thick, brush some of the brown sugar and maple syrup glaze on it, and grill it on my panini grill for a few minutes – just long enough for the pineapple to warm up and release its natural sweetness and get those wonderful grill marks that are very attractive.
“The Bistro Burger”
Hamburger Rolls
There are so many options for hamburger rolls – too many to list. I prefer ones that are not too soft as they quickly become soggy when the burger ingredients are added to the point that they sometimes break down before the burger even reaches the table. The hamburger rolls used in the photos in this posting are gluten-free homemade rolls. Whatever variety of rolls are chosen, they should be size-appropriate in relation to the burger – i.e., the patty should not extend beyond the sides of the roll but neither should it look like a little meatball in the center of the roll.
Cooking the Burger
There are a multitude of ways in which burgers can be cooked – grilled, broiled, sautéed, barbequed, fried, baked or, sometimes, a combination thereof. I recommend cooking them to your personal preferred method. For the ones in the photos in this post, I seared the burgers over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed frypan for 2 minutes on each side, without touching them and never flattening them. Any time a burger is pressed down when it is being cooked, it squeezes out the juices in the burger, resulting in a dry, tough burger.
After the searing process is complete, I remove the burgers from the pan and brush both sides with the blueberry barbeque sauce. I then transfer the burgers to a greased wire rack suspended over a baking pan (to catch any drips) and finish cooking the burgers in a 375°F oven. Placing the burgers on a cooking rack allows the heat and air to circulate around the burgers resulting in more even cooking. I am a big fan of using meat thermometers and I do use one when cooking the burgers so they are cooked to my personal preference.
Side Dishes
The most common side dishes served with burgers are fries.
“The Bistro Burger” with Homemade Fries
However, salads with vinaigrettes also work well as side dishes to burgers.
“The Bistro Burger” with a Side Salad
Wine Pairing
While a robust red wine or a beer are often paired with a burger, I have chosen to pair this one with Villa Bianchi’s Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi (Italy 2014). Pairing a white wine with a beef burger works so long as the wine chosen has a high degree of acidity to counter the protein and fat of the burger (not that my burger is a “fatty” one!). With floral and citrus notes along with a hint of almond, this Verdicchio is fresh and crisp and I found it compliments this burger nicely.
A delectable burger that combines flavours complimentary to savory beef
Ingredients
The Bistro’s Burger Sauce
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2½ tbsp pure maple syrup
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp rhubarb relish (for recipe, visit My Island Bistro Kitchen's "Recipe" page)
1½ tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
1½ tbsp. sour cream
½ tsp onion salt
Salt and pepper, to taste
Yield: Apx. 1 cup
Frozen Flavor Burst Logs:
2 tbsp butter, softened at room temperature
2½ tsp mustard (Dijon or sweet)
2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan Cheese
1½ tsp dried parsley
Yield: Apx. 6 Logs
Burger Patties:
1 lb ground chuck (apx 80:20 ratio meat-to-fat content)
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp Blueberry Barbeque Sauce (for recipe, visit My Island Bistro Kitchen's "Recipe" page)
1½ tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp onion salt
¼ tsp garlic salt
2 tsp dry onion soup mix
Pinch cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup+ medium-ground bread crumbs
Yield: Apx. 6 patties
Cooking oil
Blueberry Barbeque Sauce
6 hamburger rolls of choice
The Bistro’s Burger Sauce
Rhubarb Relish
Cheddar Cheese Slices
Red Onion
Tomato
Bread and Butter Pickles (for recipe, visit My Island Bistro Kitchen's "Recipe" page)
6 thin slices Proscuitto
Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar (for candying the Proscuitto and pineapple)
Fresh pineapple, sliced between 1/8” and ¼” thick
Instructions
For the Burger Sauce, combine all ingredients in a jar and mix well. Store in refrigerator, for up to 7 days.
For the Frozen Flavour Burst logs, combine the butter, mustard, Parmesan Cheese, and parsley together. In teaspoon measures, portion out the mixture and shape into small logs or disk shapes. Place on plastic-lined tray and freeze for about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F and panini grill to medium-high setting.
For burger patties: In large bowl, mix all burger ingredients just until combined, adding more bread crumbs if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
Measure the meat mixture into six (6) equal portions (apx. 4 oz each). With hands, gently and loosely clump together the meat and enclose one frozen flavour burst log into centre of each burger and surround it with meat mixture. Shape into patties that are apx. 1” thick (or to desired thickness to match size of hamburger roll). Refrigerate for one hour before cooking to allow patties to firm up and give flavours time to blend.
Heat 1½ - 2 tbsp cooking oil in frypan over medium high heat. Sear burgers, two minutes each side. Do not press down on the burgers. Remove from frypan and brush Blueberry Barbeque Sauce over both sides of burgers and transfer to greased wire rack suspended over baking pan (to catch any drips). Bake in pre-heated oven until desired doneness is reached, adding the cheese slices to the burgers for the last minute of baking.
To candy the prosciutto – mix together 2 tbsp maple syrup with 2 tbsp. brown sugar. Lightly brush each thin slice of prosciutto with the mixture, being careful not to tear the delicate meat. Place over greased wire rack suspended over baking pan. Bake in 375° oven for apx 7-10 minutes or until prosciutto is browned and starts to become crispy.
Fresh pineapple slices can be added to the burgers without glazing them. However, to glaze the pineapple slices, mix together 2 tbsp maple syrup with 2 tbsp brown sugar. Lightly brush mixture on both sides of each pineapple slice and place slices on panini grill (set at medium-high) and press grill top down on to pineapple slices and grill on medium-high for about 1-2 minutes, or until pineapple is heated and has grill marks.
To assemble burgers:
Select hamburger rolls of choice and split in half, horizontally. Butter each half and, if desired, toast on grill or in oven. Slather a generous helping of burger sauce on the bottom half of each roll. Add lettuce and then the burger. Add pickles, sliced tomato, onion, candied prosciutto, rhubarb relish, and maple glazed pineapple. Place the top halves of the rolls on each burger and garnish each with a chunk of fresh pineapple and a cherry tomato. Serve with your favorite side salad or home fries.
Burger Sauce – my own homemade recipe Blueberry Barbeque Sauce – my own sauce recipe made with blueberries from Murray’s U-pick in North Tryon, PEI Ground Beef Patty – ground chuck, sourced from KJL Meats in Charlottetown, PEI. I had the butcher grind the beef especially to my personal specification using a ratio of approximately 20% fat to 80% meat to give that juicy burger result. Cheese – COWS Extra-old Cheddar from COWS Creamery, North River, PEI Bread and Butter Pickles – my own homemade recipe made with cucumbers from Balderston’s Farm Stand, Stratford, PEI Tomatoes – organic, from the greenhouses of the Schurman Family Farm in Spring Valley, PEI Rhubarb Relish – my own homemade recipe made with rhubarb from my garden
By now, if you are a regular follower of my food blog, you have probably detected that I like vintage foods and those that could be called comfort foods.
I grew up with tomato soup cake as standard fare in the household. It’s such a simple cake and, while it may seem bizarre to add a can of tomato soup to cake batter, it’s really tasty when some spices are added. The tomato soup cake my mother used to make was always a single layer (and always made in the pyrex glass 8″ square baking pan). It was never frosted and was generally considered to be an “every day cake” as opposed to a cake for a special occasion. My mother’s cake was rather dense in texture and contained no eggs. Spices consisted of cinnamon and cloves. Continue reading Vintage Tomato Soup Layer Cake Recipe→
For many years, I have been making this hearty soup known as Goulash. It’s a well-filled soup and is a very filling one! Good any time of the year, this soup is especially tummy-warming on cold days. Continue reading Rich and Hearty Goulash Soup Recipe→
I make a lot of muffins and freeze them to take to work for coffeebreak snacks. I am always testing out flavour combinations for muffins. This recipe for Zucchini Granola Muffins combines grated zucchini, applesauce, granola, orange rind, and spices to make tasty muffins. Adding some granola to the muffin tops makes them colorful and interesting. Continue reading Best Zucchini Granola Muffins Recipe→
This springtime tablesetting has a yellow theme going on – after dreary winter months, it’s always good to see some bright and cheery colors and yellow is definitely in that category.
The three yellow floral arrangements, a tall flanked by two shorter complementary ones, add a burst of color in the center of the table. For a longer table, simply add more down the length of the table, alternating between tall and short arrangements.
The yellow tapers in glass candlesticks lend both an air of height and elegance. By keeping everything in the same color, the eye is not kept busy trying to focus on the focal point of the table. I find using all one color lends a more elegant look and feel to a tablesetting.
The yellow round placemats are an inexpensive way to pull the color down from the centerpiece into each placesetting. Good quality basic white napkins are a must! Using napkin rings is an easy and quick way to present napkins at placesettings. There are several ways napkins can be folded into the rings but this is one of the more classic. Made of pewter, these napkin rings have a daffodil design so are perfect for springtime tables.
I am a big fan of white dishes. First, food looks fabulous against a white background. And, second, white goes with anything which means a set of basic white dinnerware is a good all-round investment. With white dishes, you can go with any color scheme on the table so, although the dinnerware remains the same, the look can change dramatically simply by using different tablecloths, placemats, chargers, napkins, and/or centerpieces.
Adding lots of glassware to the table gives it a light look and feel – just what’s needed for a springtime tablesetting!
Don’t worry about mixing and matching glass candlesticks – in fact, having several different styles on the table makes it more interesting and takes away from the “matchy-matchy” look. To keep the look casual, just weave the candlesticks in at random among the flowers – they don’t have to be symmetrically placed.
No need for charger plates to frame the plates when round placemats are used.
For more tablesetting inspiration, click on the “Tablescape” tab at the top of my home page.
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There is nothing like the scent of a turkey roasting in the oven! I love a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings and I especially love the bread stuffing or, you may know it as “dressing”. The theory is that, if it goes inside the turkey cavity, it’s called “stuffing” but, if it is cooked separately (as in a casserole or loaf pan), then it’s called “dressing”. Regardless what it’s called, it just would not be a roast turkey dinner without this wonderful savory side dish. Continue reading Bread Stuffing/Dressing Recipe for Roast Turkey/Chicken→
Deviled Eggs are so tasty and easy to make. They are perfect for potlucks, picnics, snacks, and even appetizers or hors d’oeuvres. And, of course, they are often found at many Easter gatherings. To top it off, Deviled Eggs are showy, too. I have never taken a plate of these to any function and had any left over! Continue reading The Bistro’s Best Deviled Eggs Recipe→
I am not sure which country can, in fact, lay claim to being the originator of Potato Leek Soup. Some say it is of Welsh origin while others give Ireland credit for this tasty soup. If you have ever eaten Vichyssoise, a cold version of Potato Leek Soup, you may attribute its origins to France due to its association with Vichy. Then, of course, there is Tattie and Leekie soup from Scotland. Continue reading PEI Potato Leek Soup Recipe→
This granola recipe features a tasty mixture of toasted rolled oats, coconut, and dried fruits and berries. Notably missing in this recipe are any nuts or whole seeds which are often found in granola. This is intentional. For anyone who, for any reason, cannot consume nuts or whole seeds, this Nut-free Granola is especially for you! Continue reading The Bistro’s Great Nut-free Granola Recipe→
One of my very favorite ways to present potatoes is in the form of Scalloped Potatoes. A mixture of potatoes, onions, and milk along with a bit of seasoning and grated cheese make this a great comfort food dish any time of the year. My mother often made scalloped potatoes sometime on the weekend and made enough that we’d have leftovers for dinner a day or two later. To this day, I still believe that this is one dish that is better a day or two after it is made as the flavours really settle in. Continue reading Best Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe→
This Creamy Winter Root Vegetable Soup is perfect for those cold winter days when the body and mind crave comfort food.
I make a lot of soups and freeze many of them in single servings so that they are quick and easy to pull out for lunchtime or, for those who are in the workforce, to place in the lunch bag on weekday mornings. The soups arehealthy and nutritious, not to mention tasty. I like to have a variety of different soups on hand that includes those that are broth-based and hearty vegetable along with those that are cream-based or puréed.
The recipe I am sharing today is a new recipe creation that is a cream-based vegetable soup. It’s the perfect soup for winter because it uses what we often refer to as winter, or root, vegetables. These are ones that are traditionally harvested late in the fall and they store and keep well over several months – think of potatoes, rutabaga, carrots, and parsnip, for example.
This is an easy soup to make and it blends a number of wonderful flavours that include both celery and leek. It’s very lightly spiced and is a silky smooth soup that I would put in the comfort food category. The great thing about this soup is that none of the nutrients from any of the vegetables is lost. The vegetables are all cooked in the chicken broth and then the whole mixture is puréed so all of the goodness of the vegetables is maintained.
I find recipes that simply call for ingredients in quantities like a small parsnip or 2 medium-sized potatoes or 1 large carrot are not very helpful, particularly for less experienced cooks. I have, therefore, tested out this recipe and carefully measured the weights of vegetables to be used for best success. One of the most used (and most useful) tools in my kitchen is my digital scale and I use it all the time. I highly recommend that every cook invest in a good quality digital scale.
I miss my herb garden in winter. However, dried herbs work really well in this winter soup. Because, for presentation purposes, I don’t want any specks of herbs to appear in this soup, I make a small herb packet out of cheesecloth to contain the herbs while the soup cooks. The cheesecloth has a sufficiently open weave that the soup mixture is infused with the flavour of the herbs as it cooks. It’s very easy to remove and discard the herb packet before the soup is puréed.
Different vegetables take different cooking times so this soup starts with those that take the longest – rutabaga, carrots, parsnip, and celery. Give them about 15 minutes headstart before adding the leek and let it cook for 10 minutes then add the potatoes which take the least amount of time to cook.
I make good use of my immersion blender for cream and purée soup making. However, you can certainly use either a blender or a food processor to purée the vegetables. I generally allow the soup to cool for 30-40 minutes before using my immersion blender and, sometimes, if I am in a hurry, I put the soup pot in a sink full of cold water for a few minutes to speed up the cooling process. I know some people do use their immersion blenders in really hot soup. I recommend you check your instruction manual for your immersion blender to see what it says about using the blender in hot liquids.
I recommend that whole milk be used in this recipe (or, alternatively, you could use a milk-cream blend for a richer soup). I have tested freezing this soup and find it freezes well for me; however, it is very important that at least whole (not skim, or partly skimmed) milk be used if you intend to freeze any of the soup. Using a fat free or low fat milk will result in the soup breaking down when frozen and it just does not hold its structure when it is reheated. I know that some people frown on freezing puréed and cream soups but I have been freezing them with great success for many, many years.
When making the roux (the butter and flour) for the cream base, make sure you stir the roux while it is blending to prevent it from scorching. Add the milk slowly to the roux, whisking it constantly to prevent lumps from forming. It’s quite unappealing to have lumps in what is supposed to be a silky smooth cream soup.
Adding some shredded cheese to this soup makes a richer soup and certainly enhances the flavour. While a basic cheddar cheese could certainly be used, my preference is to use a shredded cheese blend such as mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan.
Cream of Winter Root Vegetable Soup
Cream of Winter Root Vegetable Soup
Ingredients: 3 cups chicken stock 1 bay leaf ½ tsp dried basil ¼ tsp. dried fennel 1/8 tsp dried marjoram ½ tsp dried parsley 1 clove garlic, minced 5 oz rutabaga, diced 5 oz carrots, sliced 2 oz parsnip, thinly sliced 2 oz celery, sliced 7½ oz leek, white and light green parts only, sliced into ¼“ slices 7 oz potato, diced 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp flour 1½ cups whole milk Salt and pepper to taste ¾ cup shredded cheese blend (e.g., mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan)
Method: Bring chicken stock to a boil in medium-sized soup pot.
Cut small 4”-5” square of finely woven cheese cloth. Make the herb packet by placing the bay leaf, basil, fennel, marjoram, and parsley in the center of the cheese cloth. Gather up ends of cheesecloth, tie tightly with kitchen string, and add the herb packet to the chicken stock along with the garlic, rutabaga, carrots, parsnip, and celery. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low and cook vegetables for 15 minutes.
Add leek and cook 10 minutes then add potatoes and cook vegetables 15 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
Remove from heat and discard the herb packet. Purée mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or food processor.
Melt the butter in separate medium-sized soup pot over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux, stirring constantly to blend the two ingredients and to prevent scorching. Gradually whisk in the milk until mixture is smooth. Increase heat to medium and continue to whisk milk mixture until it is thickened to desired consistency then add the puréed vegetable mixture. Stir mixture until heated then add the cheese, stirring until cheese is melted and blended into soup. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with croutons, a sprinkle of parsley, and a drizzle of a good quality finishing olive oil, if desired. Enjoy!
Yield:Apx. 5-6 servings
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7½ oz leek, white and light green parts only, sliced into ¼“ slices
7 oz potato, diced
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1½ cups whole milk
Salt and pepper to taste
¾ cup shredded cheese blend (e.g., mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan)
Instructions
Bring chicken stock to a boil in medium-sized soup pot.
Cut small 4”-5” square of finely woven cheese cloth. Make the herb packet by placing the bay leaf, basil, fennel, marjoram, and parsley in the center of the cheese cloth. Gather up ends of cheesecloth, tie tightly with kitchen string, and add to the chicken stock along with the garlic, rutabaga, carrots, parsnip, and celery. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low and cook vegetables for 15 minutes.
Add leek and cook 10 minutes then add potatoes and cook vegetables 15 minutes or until vegetables are soft.Remove from heat and discard the herb packet.
Purée mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or food processor.
Melt the butter in separate medium-sized soup pot over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux, stirring constantly to blend the two ingredients and to prevent scorching. Gradually whisk in the milk until mixture is smooth. Increase heat to medium and continue to whisk milk mixture until it is thickened to desired consistency then add the puréed vegetable mixture. Stir mixture until heated then add the cheese, stirring until cheese is melted and blended into soup.
Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with croutons, a sprinkle of parsley, and a drizzle of a good quality finishing olive oil, if desired. Enjoy!
Afternoon teas are a splendid and relaxing way to spend an afternoon and catch up with friends. Teas are perfect for special events such as birthdays, Easter, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. For me, though,there doesn’t have to be an occasion or an event to have afternoon tea – I love the experience at any time of the year. That said, Valentine’s Day is a great time to host an afternoon tea for friends. It’s a gorgeous girly treat! So, come along and have a peek at my afternoon tea before my guests arrive.
My color theme for this year’s Valentine’s Tea is pink and yellow, both cheery colors in the mid-winter. These beautiful tulips were grown here in PEI in the Vanco greenhouses in Mount Albion, not far from Charlottetown.
I am centering the afternoon tea around the coffee table in front of the fireplace. Cozy sofa and chairs invite a relaxing afternoon of conversation while sampling some of my home-baked treats.
I have chosen to use my Royal Albert “Lavender Rose” china for the tea and I love, love, love three-tier servers!
For an afternoon tea, it is not necessary to have several kinds of sandwiches, though that is quite lovely. Two to three varieties are just fine. Traditional tea sandwiches for my event today include tomato and shaved turkey, and ham and Havarti cheese. I like to use different breads for the sandwiches because it adds variety to the tea plate. Sometimes I cut the sandwiches into different shapes but, today, I have simply used the traditional fingertip sandwich.
Fresh scones straight from the oven are always divine, especially with a light dusting of sugar.
I picked up the jams on a recent trip to England – I am always on the lookout for items suitable for one of my afternoon teas!
Clotted cream and lemon curd, two staples on the tea table! I could eat a jar of lemon curd just on its own!
Tender and flaky scones make a great base for the lemon curd and red berry jam.
The fresher the scones, the better!
The tartness of the lemon curd plays off well against sweet jam.
And, on the sweet plate: Simple custard with a dob of lemon curd served in small stemmed liqueur glasses, lemon spritz shortbread cookies, and pink macarons.
I love the delicate shades of pale yellow and pink together!
The macarons are flavorful, light and airy in texture.
A selection of specialty teas from the teabox allows each guest to choose her favorite!
I find tea always seem to taste so much better out of a china cup and saucer!
And, for the finale, my Dreamy Hawaiian Cupcakes frosted with buttercream twirled into a rose formation.
These festively decorated chocolate-dipped strawberries will be a real hit!
And, a glass of sparkling wine to accompany the cupcakes and strawberries.
All set for a relaxing afternoon.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Funny how certain foods will evoke great memories. When I was a small child, our family often went to a tiny local restaurant in North Tryon, PEI, on Sunday evenings for dinner. Simmons’ Restaurant was built and run by Jean and Harold Simmons and they served up really good traditional home-cooked meals. One of the desserts I most fondly remember from their restaurant was coconut cream pie with mile-high meringue. Every time I have coconut cream pie, I remember Sunday dinners at the Simmons’ restaurant. Continue reading Coconut Cream Pie→
(Mostly) PEI and Maritime Food – Good Food for a Good Life!
