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March 2013
On saving time, and eating well
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Chefs Marc and Chantal of Cuisine & Passion.
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When we first opened this business, we had a simple idea: help our customers eat well and save time by serving great food made from fresh, preservative-free ingredients.
Now, almost five years later, nothing has changed. In fact, if anything, our commitment is even stronger.
Whether you stop by for a quick lunch, pick up dinner to go or order catering for your next business meeting or party, you can rest assured that every dish is made with love--and the freshest ingredients.
We've also become pretty good at adapting. Do you have a special request? Fire away! We'd be glad to help. Amitiée gourmande, Chefs Chantal Gagné and Marc Miron
Follow your passion for food--
 
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| Food and wine pairings a real hit!
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Classes are filling up fast!
 It was a full house last Friday as we featured the wines of South Africa and dishes to match. By all accounts, the night was a great success.
Don't be disappointed
The March wine-and-food class "A Night on the Town" is already sold out, but there are still a few seats left for the April class, which will feature a full, four-course dinner with a wonderful selection of wines.
A trip Down Under
On April 26 we will be featuring the wines of New Zealand. With its special combination of soil, climate and water, every glass of New Zealand wine is a world of pure discovery. The class runs from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and costs just $70 per person.
Below is a list of the classes in March.
March 6: Vegetarian for Meat Lovers
March 8: A Trip to Milan
March 13; Paris at Night
March 15: A trip to Milan
March 20: Paris at Night
March 22: A Night on the Town (SOLD OUT)
March 27: Mexican Fiesta
Download the full schedule here.
Call 613-845-1090 or email us today for more information or to reserve your spot.
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| Want happier employees? Feed them!
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Survey says well-fed employees
are happier on the job
Employers have long struggled to find ways to attract and retain the best employees. A new survey of more than 1,100 people by American company Seamless says a good start is to make sure they are fed.
Here are some of the interesting findings as reported by Inc. magazine:
- 60 percent said that having food at the office would make them feel more "valued and appreciated."
- 45 percent said that a free lunch would strongly influence their decision to accept a job offer.
- 60 percent felt that company offered meals would encourage them to eat with their colleagues (which could mean you'll actually get more work out of them)
- 41 percent felt that the best corporate gift was food.
- 40 percent said that having food in the office would reduce stress.
We're just saying...
See the story below for information on our catering services can help!
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| Yes, we can take of your catering needs
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It's the same delicious food
you've come to know and love
Having guests over and want to serve them food they'll be raving about--even after the event? Would you rather spend time with them than spend time cooking? We can help!
Here are just some of the recent catering bookings we've had:
- breakfasts for a series of meetings by a local business group that included up to 80 people
- a working lunch for the staff and volunteers of a national wildlife magazine
- receptions for weddings, funerals and reunions
- dinners for corporate board meetings
- cocktail events, both casual and formal
While we specialize in "home" catering where we prepare the food and you pick it up and serve it yourself, we can also arrange staff to set up and serve your guests. (Chef Marc will even come to your home and cook for you, if you'd like, but that's an article for another day.)
Have a look at the menu here. We think you'll be amazed at the quantity and variety of choices.
From hors d'oeuvres and party food to sandwiches, soups, salads and full-course hot dinners, if you need catering that will leave your guests talking about your stunning abilities as a host--and raving about the food!--long after the event it over, give us a call at 613-845-1090 or drop us a line today!
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| Time to start a new tradition
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How about brunch at home this weekend?
 If you are tired of the Sunday brunch line-ups at the local eateries, perhaps you should start a new family tradition--brunch at home!
Hot or cold, main dishes or side dishes, we can stock a buffet table with everything you'll need to feed your masses.
On the cold side, we have items such as smoked salmon (sold by weight in the quantity you want), Bircher muesli, fruit salad, a variety of other salads and much more. As for hot choices, we have chicken, pork, fish and beef dishes; quiche (four different kinds!); home-baked beans and even omelettes (yes, omelettes!). Just heat and serve--without the fuss.
And don't forget our coffee cakes and small pies. We've also got house-made fruit sauce for your pancakes, waffles or French toast.
(Tell them you made everything yourself; you can count on us to not say a word!)
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| Quotables
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And now a word from our customers...
"Our Valentine Dinner was absolutely scrumptious, wonderful, decadent--and on and on and on! I even got to enjoy a few leftovers for lunch today--a bonus!
"Glad you're in our neighbourhood."
Carolyn Scollick, Orléans
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| Here comes Peter Cottontail
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Easter is just around the corner
You hide the eggs, we'll prepare dinner.
Look for our annual Easter menu to be published in the next two weeks. As a subscriber, you'll be among the first to know!
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| The weather outside is frightful...
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...but the stew is so delightful
Fresh biscuits and homemade stew. Is there a better, more comfortable way to spend dinner hour in the winter?
Here are a few tips to make your stew the very best it can be.
- Sear the meat before adding it to the stock.
- After searing the meat, deglaze the pan with a splash of wine instead of water and add the liquid to the stock.
- Use fresh ingredients, including vegetables and homemade stock.
- Plan ahead: For improved taste, cook the stew today and reheat it tomorrow.
- Add herbs after the meat is cooked to increase the flavour.
Now, enjoy!
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| Are you a glutton for gluten-free?
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If you are, we have you covered!
Type "gluten-free" into the search box on the Chapters/Indigo website and you will get to choose from more than 500 books. Yes, it appears there is some interest in the subject. North American diets are changing as we become more and more health-conscious--and what we offer at Cuisine & Passion is changing, too. To help meet the demand, we are now stocking several new products in the dry-goods department.  In the mood for a chocolate chunk cookie? How about gluten-free brownies? Or vanilla cupcakes? We have mixes for them all! 
The Herbed Pizza Crust Mix has been a real hit for those who want takeout-style pizza but with their own ingredients.
 Here's something a little different: gluten-free sweet potato crackers. A little cheese, a little vino...  And we certainly haven't forgotten about pasta lovers. We have gluten-free penne pasta as well as spaghetti.
Stop by today to check them out! |
| Featured recipe: Cumin, pumpkin and couscous salad with mint
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by Chef
Marc Miron
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Add a little "exotic" to your dinner table
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Couscous adds both flavour and texture to your meals
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Exotic, familiar, fresh and tasty. This delicious salad is all of that and more. Don't worry about making too much. It will store nicely for up to a week in the refrigerator. Just add a dash of extra virgin olive oil to add a little moisture and freshen it up.
Ingredients
(Serves 4-6 people) 2 cups couscous 2 cups water 2 tbsp olive oil 2 cups butternut squash, diced into ¼-inch cubes 1 small onion, diced into small pieces 1 tbsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste 2 fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped 2 tbsp lemon juice ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil Method - Bring the water to a boil in a pot or kettle.
- Mix the oil into the couscous, then add it to the boiling water. Cover and let sit for a few minutes.
- Remove the cover and fluff the couscous to separate the grains. Set aside.
- In a non-stick frying pan, gently pan-roast the squash with the onion. When almost cooked, add the cumin, salt and pepper. Continue to cook until tender.
- Add the squash to the couscous and then add rest of ingredients.
- Adjust seasoning and enjoy!
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Give the
gift of fine cuisine
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 Looking for a great housewarming or birthday gift or a unique way to say thanks for helping out? A gift basket from Cuisine & Passion is just the answer! You can design it yourself or let us put together the perfect combination of tasty treats fresh from our kitchen.
Bring a smile to someone's face today! Drop in, call us at 613.845.1090 or email us now for more information. | | Visit us today at 2297 St. Joseph Blvd. in Orléans (beside Pizza Hut) and we will help you make that certain someone feel extra special! |
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