Wanderlust and Words

“When the world turns upside down, the best thing to do is turn right along with it.” (Mary Poppins)  Local News  I enjoyed vegan spring rolls, tomato pad thai, and chocolate tart from the Odd Couple restaurant on Saturday. I’m so grateful that they offer a delivery service. They’ll be offering a vegan set dinner for two inspired by Hong Kong street food in December (omnivore version is already available).  In the Kitchen  “The ancient Greek author Herodotus told his readers that cinnamon was brought to Arabia by large birds who used it to build nests high in the mountains. To harvest it, he explained, people tricked the birds into flying large joints of oxen into their nests, which broke under the weight of the meat.” A silly story, but Europeans had no idea where cinnamon came from and put enormous effort into searching for it in South America.  In the Garden  Four Indigenous women explain why they think it’s important to save seeds: “We need to take t...

Seedy Saturday/ Sunday  Seedy Saturday/Sunday events are always a welcome reminder that spring is on the way. There are two events in Saskatoon this year on Mar. 10 and 18 , but be sure to check out the other events around the province . Pierogi Making with Chef Jenni, Mar. 6  Try your hand at pierogi making on Mar. 6 with Chef Jenni at The Local Kitchen. Middle Eastern Pizza  A visit to Rotterdam’s Markthal was one of my main reasons for visiting Rotterdam . The architecture is interesting, but the market itself is, unfortunately, disappointing. It’s all tourist fixings and quick lunch stands – not a vegetable in sight. I had lunch at a Lebanese restaurant (it had seating unlike most of the others!) and enjoyed the manakish , which the servers described as Middle Eastern pizza. Food Docs  “What the current glut of food documentaries and series proves, in its own backward way, is that the conversation has shifted from celebrity chefdom and heavy...

Mother’s Day Brunch, May 14  The Griffin Takeaway is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch on May 14 at Honey Bun Café. Open House Farm Event, June 14  Tour New Life Oranic Foods grain facility at the Witzaney Family Farm Open House on June 10. Simpkins Market Garden  I had a chat with Dixon Simpkins from Simpkins Market Garden last week and learned that they’re able to sell vegetables almost year round thanks to a large root cellar built into the side of a hill. He also told me they’re trying out a couple of new crops. They planted purple asparagus last year. He’s not sure how much will be ready for market this year – maybe next year. Apparently it’s popular in the United Kingdom. They’re also planning to grow husk cherries this year. He saw lots on sale last year at the Jean-Talon Market in Montreal. Wild Serendipity Foods  You’ll have two opportunities to purchase scones and macarons from Michelle at Wild Serendipity Foods this summer – indoors at the S...