Tasty Tangents

Food, life and other morsels

January 21, 2010
by admin
Comments Off on Pizza debate

Pizza debate

I’m having a couple over for dinner on Saturday night and I can’t decide what kind of pizza to serve. I don’t mean what toppings to order, I mean whether to order at all.

I’m leaning towards either picking up a variety of frozen pizzas, or picking up store bought crusts and toppings and letting each person create their own pizza.

The last option seems like the most fun to me, but is obviously the most work. So I’m wondering if the improved taste and options is worth all the trouble, especially since frozen pizzas have really come a long way.

In my neck of the woods delivery isn’t an option, so if we went with restaurant pizza we’d have to pick it up, but to be honest I’ve been quite disappointed with my last few take-out experiences.

If you’re getting pizza at home do you have a preferred source? My mom and mother-in-law both make awesome homemade pizza, with dough made from scratch, but I’m not quite ready for that.

Do I sense a taste test coming on? Maybe frozen vs. fresh? Hmm, definitely something to think about.

January 20, 2010
by admin
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Fabulous food

I’m currently in love with foodgawker.com, a site that takes beautiful food photo submissions from food bloggers around the world. I’ve found some delicious recipes and the photos are all spectacular. Plus I get to discover fellow food blogs I might not otherwise have ever found.

I have to say it’s a little addictive, one minute I’m checking out the proper way to melt butter, then I’m reading about how to make Jacques’ Chocolate Mudslide Cookies. All I know is it’s both inspiring and intimidating.

I like to think my photography and digital editing skills are coming along, but my photos don’t even compare to the artistry of these images. They’re the kind of food photos you’d expect on a chef, cookbook or restaurant website, but they’re just from everyday people with a passion for food.

But who knows, with some time, practice and maybe tips from a professional, I might be ready to submit one of my own somewhere down the line.

January 19, 2010
by admin
Comments Off on Wine and Food Show

Wine and Food Show

Saturday night was a trip to London’s Wine and Food Show to sample some delicious treats with friends. We started with some Ontario pear cider from Twin Pines Orchard and Cider House, yum. Then we managed to taste a whole bunch of local delicacies, from sausage and ham on sweet potato scones by Farmgate Markets, to three kinds of cheese from the Thornloe Cheese Factory, to lemon squares from Killer Desserts. Finally we tried philly cheese steak pizza, mini burgers, nachos and brownies from local restaurants. Of course there was also wine, wine and more wine.

I have to admit my first visit was a little overwhelming. The room was packed, and some people were even dressed to the nines. Then there were more choices than you could shake a stick at. But I did make a very encouraging discovery.

I’m so impressed by the delicious, local products that are available within Ontario. I’m already looking forward to a spring visit to McSmith’s Organic Farm for some organic chicken and pasture-fed beef and ordering herbs and jellies from Heritage Line Herbs and Country Store.

We’ll definitely head back to the show next year, and I’m looking forward to summer road trips and new restaurant adventures. If you go, you should definitely go early, and try the cider.

January 6, 2010
by admin
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YouTube cooks

I have recently begun to realize just how much is out there (online, that is) in the way of food and cooking information (I’ve included one popular example above). Whether it’s on blogs or news, tv and corporate websites, the volume of content that is available is staggering.

I was reading an article from The Globe and Mail, “YouTube turns amateur chefs into food celebs” and I am in awe of the time people find to dedicate to their love of food.

I am also in awe of the fact that some people seem to be able to make money from it. As a relative newbie to this blogging thing, the thought never even crossed my mind that it is something that could be profitable, it’s just an outlet so I don’t drive my husband crazy.

Mind you, it had never occurred to me to post a video on a recipe or cooking techniques to YouTube either, but I never say never. Is that something that people would be interested in?

December 27, 2009
by admin
Comments Off on Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Gingerbread House Kit

Gingerbread House Kit

I hope everyone is having a very happy and joyous holiday season. I wish you all the best in the year to come and hope you’ll visit often. I promise many tantalizing, and healthy (as we recover from the season) posts to come.

And if you’ve never thought of buying one of those gingerbread house kits at the grocery store I strongly recommend it. Kids will have a ball putting it together and decorating it, but even more fun taking it apart and eating it!