Cuisine & Passion is pleased to be taking part in the 2013 Fall Festival, celebrating businesses all along St. Joseph Blvd. in the Heart of Orléans.

 

Look for the big white tent in our parking lot at 2297 St. Joseph on Saturday, September 14. You just know it will involve great food, right? 

 

Because we will also be celebrating the arrival 400 years ago of Ottawa's very first tourist, Samuel de Champlain, we will be featuring demonstrations of the kinds of food they might have prepared in the early 1600s. Other merchants in the mall, including Domenic's Music and Therien Jiu-Jitsu & Kickboxing, will also be involved.

 

A number of other merchants along the street are taking part, as well. It should be a fun day in Orléans for the whole family.

 

We'll see you then!

Salads are the perfect side or even main dish during the summer. Why not try something new on your next salad before the season ends?

 

We have some wonderful flavoured oils and vinegars including a beautiful line from A l'Olivier, including

  

Vinaigre de vin de Reims

Vinaigre de Xeres

Vinaigre de vin de Bordeaux

Vinaigre de vin rouge a l'echalote

Herbes de Provence huile d'olive

Ailrose de lautrec huile d'olive

Basilic de la drome huile d'olive

 

We also have a nice line-up of Quebec vinegars from Gingras, including Extra Old Apple Cider Vinegar and Extra Old Apple Cider Vinegar with Raspberry.

 

(P.S. We would have liked to have told you about our vinegar pearls, little beads of heavenly deliciousness that dress a salad and then explode in your mouth with a burst of flavour, but... We no sooner put them on the shelf and they disappeared. At this writing, there may be two packages left.)

We are particularly excited about the specially priced cooking classes on French cuisine that we are presenting in September in honour of French explorer, Samuel de Chaplain. Save $20 if you book now!

 

Here's the September schedule:

 

Explorer's Fare (Sept. 13th and 20th)

Hands-on cooking class, 6-9 p.m., $70/person ($20 off!) + HST

Habitant Split-Pea Soup, Coq Au Vin, Roasted New Potatoes with Herb Butter, Braised Green Cabbage and Tomatoes, Small Fruit Frangipane

 

Peasant's Delight (Sept. 18th and 25th)

Demonstration cooking class, 6-9 p.m., $50/person ($20 off!) + HST

Salt Fish Brandade, Boeuf Bourguignon, Rice Pilaf and Green Beans, Small Fruit Frangipane

 

Food and French Wine Pairing Extravaganza! (Sept. 27th)

6-9 p.m., $70/person ($20 off!) + HST

Join us for one of our most popular classes. Book now as spots are limited!

 

A full schedule of cooking classes is being held right through November. Download the complete list and book your spot now by calling 613-845-1090 or sending us an email at chefmarc@cuisinepassion.ca.

 

The City of Ottawa has also produced a brochure that highlights the classes but also provides more information on Champlain. You can get that here.

While we certainly wouldn't make claims like that, we will make one claim: it's delicious! Why not stop by and check out our selection?

Garlic oil and roasted potatoes couldn't be easier.

As mentioned earlier, we offer a range of flavoured oils at Cuisine & Passion, and we are often asked how they can be used. Well, here are some good ideas:  

 

Lemon aioli 

Mix one cup of mayonnaise with two ounces of lemon oil, one teaspoon of lemon zest and one teaspoon of parsley until well blended. Use as you would any mayonnaise (particularly good on fish).

 

Basil oil and sun-dried tomato dressing

Combine one chopped shallot, one tablespoon of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar and one cup of basil oil. Put in a blender until smooth.

 

Garlic oil and roasted potatoes

In a bowl, combine two cups of chopped baby red-skinned potatoes and half a small sliced onion. Season with salt and pepper and then drizzle with up to two tablespoons of garlic oil. Toss gently, then spread out on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender.

 

Enjoy!