Wanderlust and Words

Local News The Saskatoon Farmers' Market Co-operative on Koyl Avenue had strawberries from Raina's Organics this week - yum! Ayden Kitchen & Bar is holding a 4-course dinner with cider pairings from Crossmount Cider on Sept. 15. Call 306-954-2590 for a reservation. I've posted a list of nature and environmental programs for Saskatchewan kids from pre-school to grade 12 on EcoFriendly Sask . In the Kitchen “Sourdough is this one space where we all agree, as a society, that microbes are helping us do wonderful things .” Here’s an article outlining the science behind sourdough bread: from how it works to tips on the caring and feeding of your starter (how much water, type of flour). A chef takes cooking lessons for kids online and teaches them to make dinner, which presents some unusual challenges : “Chef Pascal," she says, "can you please slow down? My cat got out and I need to go grab him." How many cookbooks do you own and how do you us...

Colourful "candy" from Grandora Gardens Local News There is such an abundance of locally grown and produced food at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market on Koyl Avenue at this time of year: chanterelle mushrooms, goat milk, padrón peppers, Mexican wedding cookies, green beans, peaches, tomatoes, kale. . . . Shop in person at the main market on Saturdays and Sundays , at the Stonebridge pop-up market on Wednesdays , or order online . Fill your fridge with local goodness while supporting the local economy! For the ultra-deluxe version of a fudgsicle, head straight to Beppi’s for a milk chocolate gelato – so good! From research, dentistry, software, and film to restaurant owner and food producer , the story behind Beppi’s Gelato, Botté Chai Bar, Aria, and High Key Brewing Co. I spent a very pleasant couple of hours on a patio by the lake at the  Glen at Crossmount Cider Company sampling a flight of their ciders. Shelley, my sister in law, was keen on the Cider & Bla...

Local News  You can enjoy cider and yoga on Wednesdays from 7-8 pm from now until the middle of September at the Crossmount Cider Company. Farmers’ Markets A first-year farmer says farmers' markets can be key for beginning farmers . “That farmers’ market already is doing a lot of the marketing for you, [and] already has a customer base that is coming regularly. So it’s a lot easier.” Podcasts Food Tank lists quotes from 15 recent podcasts/articles that highlight the challenges of building a sustainable, equitable food system . They range from How can we understand and prepare for the connections between COVID-19 and diet health? to What is the importance of middle-man food processors in supporting local farm-based food systems? In a recent episode of Telus Talks , the host sits down with two restaurant owners to talk through the challenges they’ve faced with nation-wide shutdowns and gradual re-openings. The Economics of Food In a recent interview with In Dige...

The Christmas tree has gone up by the war memorial in Clifford where I’m currently staying and I’m looking forward to going out for a walk every evening as different residents are taking to turns to decorate their windows as a living Advent calendar . This has put me in the Christmas spirit so here are some suggestions for supporting local when you purchase drinks this Christmas. Christmas Spirits  Black Fox Farm & Distillery’s liqueurs sound yummy – raspberry, honey ginger, and sour cherry. Lucky Bastard Distillers has everything from Christmas orange vodka to seabuckthorn & wildflower honey liqueur and bitters. You have three options for cider. Crossmount Cider Company has a winter variety pack that includes ginger apple, winter spice, and crisp and gold. Purchase your cider from Prairie Sentinel Bottleworks and you’ll be helping to support endangered species. Petrofka Orchard has soft apple cider. Living Sky Winery has fruit wines, liqueurs, and cider. Th...

Great lunch at Stokes Lawn Cafe with a pot of delicious oolong tea Local Happenings Saskatoon Spruce is offering holiday gift boxes with 3 flavours of their traditionally handcrafted raw milk cheese that has been aged on northern Saskatchewan spruce. The three flavours are Original Caerphilly style cheese, Applewood Smoked, and 9-Mile Angus Oatmeal Stout (new!). Watch the award-winning food waste documentary, Just Eat It , at the University of Saskatchewan, Dec. 6 at 10 am. Registration is required . The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Co-operative has voted in favour of moving to a new location on Koyl Avenue near the airport. It’s an opportunity to put down roots with a long-term lease after all the uncertainty of the last few years. The Co-operative's last day at its current location is Dec. 22. It may take a few months to prepare the new site during which time they'll be holding pop-up markets on Saturdays. Some good coverage this past week in local media for Saman...

  Local Happenings  Bottles of Sentinel Bottleworks ’ cider portray images of Saskatchewan’s endangered species and they’re donating $1/litre sold to Nature Saskatchewan, which works with landowners to protect critical habitat of endangered species. Sentinel Bottleworks raised over $1,000 between June 1 and July 15. You can find their cider on tap at various local restaurants. It’s on sale at Sobeys, Metro, SLGA, and soon at Co-op liquor stores. Faith Bohn has started a stuffed cookie business that she hopes will provide employment for people like her sons with Down syndrome . Alberta Flavour is helping large institutions increase their purchases of local food as well as filling some of the gaps between farmer and purchaser. Quebec is forging its own cheese identity. Here are just a few Quebec cheeses . Food for Thought  An apple a day keeps the doctor away by promoting healthy intestinal bacteria. And organic apples are best of all as they harbour a m...

Local Happenings  I’m really enjoying the fresh gooey baklava from Farideh’s Preserves & Pickles at the Saskatoon Farmers' Market. Not to worry - I’m balancing out the sugar with their pickled carrot sticks! They also sell all sorts of unusual pickles and jams. Our Farm hopes to be back in St. Joseph's parking lot on Broadway Avenue on Saturdays from 8 am to 12 pm , starting June 29 . The vegetables were a bit behind schedule, but Dennis hopes the rain will get them moving so he'll have produce to sell on Saturday. Update: Our Farm's first market is now scheduled for July 6. It’s wonderful to have an organic flower farm just outside of Saskatoon. Joanne and Pat Halter do such a good job of caring for the land and wildlife while also growing fabulous flowers. They’re hosting workshops on Aug. 9 and Aug. 24 to share what they’ve learned about flower farming and flowers . Both workshops will include a garden tour with advice on how to grow flowers on a l...

Venezuelan Christmas Dinner, Dec. 13  D&P Bakery is hosting a Venezuelan Christmas Dinner at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market from 5-9 pm , Dec. 13. The menu sounds very meaty, but you can always just eat dessert – their cakes are yummy! Posada Mexicana, Dec. 14 La Taqueria Mexicana, Saskatoon Farmers’ Market is hosting a Posada Mexicana for the whole family from 6-10 pm , Dec. 14. There will be music, a piñata, and “pediremos posada,” which I believe is a Christmas candlelight procession. Sentinel Bottleworks  If you’re looking for a local, refreshing, low-alcohol drink over the Christmas holidays, I recommend Sentinel Bottleworks ' Cyser (available at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market). It’s made with local apples, local honey, and yeast – and that’s it. I tried the Sour Cherry and it was nice and dry. They’re also offering an Apple Ale if you prefer beer to cider. Mince Pies Whether or not you’re a fan of mince pies, you’ll enjoy this tongue-in-cheek discussion...

G & T Night, Aug. 22  Black Fox Farm & Distillery is hosting G & T Nights . The next one is from 6:30-8:30 pm , Aug. 22, with music in the flower fields, gin & tonic, and a new drink they’ve concocted in collaboration with Living Sky Winery. Global Pop-Up Restaurant, Aug. 25 Global Pot Fusion Cuisine is hosting a pop-up restaurant at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market from 11 am-3 pm , Aug. 25. Vegetarian Fall Supper, Sept. 30  Slow Food Saskatoon is planning a 100% vegetarian and vegan-friendly harvest supper at Black Fox Distillery from 5:30-8:30 pm , Sept. 30. Come out and show your support for food that is good, clean, fair, AND vegetarian! Garden Patch Workshops  The Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre’s Garden Patch is offering several interesting workshops: Storing Veggies , Aug. 22, 6 pm Canning Pickles , Aug. 29, 5 pm Regrow from Scraps , Sept. 8, 3 pm Canning Salsa , Sept. 12, 5 pm September is a really busy month at the Garde...

Wild Serendipity Foods, May 12 Wild Serendipity Foods will be at the Saskatoon Farmers' Market on May 12 with scones, macarons, and gift boxes for Mother's Day. Mother’s Day Brunch & Plant Sale, May 13 Head to the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market on Mother’s Day for brunch hosted by Riverbend Plantation Market Café, a plant sale, and various other activities. Jazz & Cider, May 30 Join Maurice Drouin, jazz pianist, at The Glen at Crossmount on May 30 for an evening of Jazz & Cider . Saskatoon Farmers’ Market The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market is back outdoors. Be sure to get there early to pick up a bouquet of locally grown tulips from Kaleidoscope Vegetable Gardens . Don’t miss the sprouts from Green Cycle City Farm , and tomatoes from Grandora Gardens . If you’re planting a garden, take a look aat  Blazing Star Wildflower Seed Company ’s native plants and heirloom tomatoes. Around Britain by Cake If you’re an avid anglophile or a curious baker, this boo...

Plant Hustle, Apr. 8  Nosh Eatery & Tap is hosting a pop-up market selling Nosh original products such as their vegan cheese on Sunday, April 8, at 10:30 am . World Malbec Day Celebrations, Apr. 13 & 14 Celebrate World Malbec Day on Apr. 13 and 14 with Saskatoon Co-op Wine Spirits Beer. Rum, Apr. 21  Catch up on rum’s dark and stormy past while sipping some great rums on Apr. 21 at Saskatoon Co-op Wine Spirits Beer. Saskatoon Brewery Tours  Visit three of Saskatoon’s microbreweries on a microbrewery tour that includes beer, cider, American whiskey, and gin. Living Sky Winery  Living Sky wines are now available online . You can also purchase gift cards. Childhood Obesity  A recent study by Saskatoon researchers notes that children living in walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods have a smaller waist measurement and a lower body mass index. Pea Protein  Civil Eats has put together a primer on pea protein , with an o...

City Centre Food Co-operative, Nov. 2 – Dec. 17  City Centre Food Co-operative will be open every Thursday from 10:30 am – 6 pm from Nov. 2 to Dec. 17. Stop by the Saskatoon Community Service Village lobby to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at a very reasonable price. Brew Your Own Coffee – Manually, Nov. 12  Venn Coffee Roasters is hosting a workshop from 2-3 pm , Nov. 12, to explain how to brew coffee manually at home using Hario V60 and Aeropress extraction. Email bear@drinkvenn.com to register. High Key Brewing Co. High Key Brewing Co. , one of Saskatoon’s newest craft breweries, worked with a local artist to create beautifully wrapped growlers that are for sale in their shop. For every purchase, $5 will be donated to the Saskatoon Nature Society to support conservation and education. Crossmount Cider Crossmount cider is now available at Saskatoon Co-op Liquor. Women Cheesemakers  “ Historically in the United Kingdom women were the cheesemaker...

World Gin Day, June 10  Celebrate World Gin Day from 12-6 pm , June 10, at Black Fox Farm & Distillery with some of Saskatoon’s best mixologists. Asparagus & Rhubarb: A Celebration, June 11  Prairie folk welcome spring with open arms after an overly long winter. We can finally shed our winter coats and abandon root vegetables for fresh spring produce. The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market is celebrating our spring bounty with an Asparagus & Rhubarb Celebration on Sunday, June 11. There will be free samples, face painting, in-house demos, and more. Slow Food National Summit, Apr. 19-22  Slow Food Saskatoon will be hosting Slow Food delegates from across Canada for the annual meeting from April 19-22, 2018. Noelle Chorney, convivium leader, says, “Over the next few months, we will be gathering ideas and resources for dinners, tours, discussion panels and special foodie experiences for the delegates. Many of these will also be open to the public. We welco...

  Croissants and Stroopwafels You can now buy croissants and several kinds of focaccia at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market from Cathy Langdon, Proof . . . fresh baked creations . I tried Cathy’s spinach and cheese croissant and it was great – buttery layers filled with a generous, tasty serving of spinach and asiago cheese. Next week I plan to try her caramel and apple focaccia. Another new vendor was selling stroopwafel – Dutch waffle cookies. Karma at Night  Karma Conscious Café and Eatery is launching its evening menu (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 6-10 pm ) from Apr. 20-22 . The menu includes such unexpected items as a Roasted Cabbage Steak with Hemp Chimichurri and Samosa Flautas. Pop Up Cider  You can now purchase Crossmount Cider at their pop-up location in College Park Mall off 8th Street and McKercher Drive. They’re closed Mondays and open 11-7 on Tuesdays, 11-8 Wednesday through Saturday, and 12-5 on Sundays. Grow Your Own Microgreens, Apr....

Cider Day Saturday, Apr. 1  Crossmount Cider Company is hosting Cider Day Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm , Apr. 1. There will be cidery tours, guided cider tastings, and a spring craft market. Be sure to check out the newly opened Apple Crate Café while you’re there. Sweetsugarbean’s Book Launch, Apr. 24  The countdown is on. Renée Kohlman will be launching her cookbook, All the Sweet Things , at 7 pm , Apr. 24, at McNally Robinson Booksellers . There will be treats from the cookbook, drinks from Living Sky Winery, and a reading. Additional events are listed on the sweetsugarbean website . Imprint Plant-Based Foods Imprint Plant-Based Foods is a new Saskatoon start-up. Their goal is to offer alternatives to animal-based foods. They’re currently offering four vegan cheeses and plant-based protein burgers. April at The Local Kitchen  The Local Kitchen has started to list its April cooking classes . Lindsay Janzen ( Prairie Bella Gourmet Pasta ) will be demo...

Good Food Box Cook-Off, Dec. 10 Join CHEP and Slow Food Saskatoon in celebrating Terra Madre Day on Dec. 10 with a Good Food Box Cook-Off . Three teams of local chefs will have a cook-off using the local Sunshine Box and a Good Food Box from CHEP's Good Food Box program to make lunch for a crowd. You can vote for your favourite dish, check out the displays, purchase some pottery from CHEP's fundraiser, and hear this year's Saskatoon delegate to Terra Madre, Glenda Abbott, speak about her experience in Turin, Italy. Terra Madre Day is Slow Food’s annual day to promote the diversity of food traditions and production. Stolen Goods The Saskatoon Police Service has compiled a cookbook entitled Stolen Goods, the SPS’ favorite “borrowed goods.” Chief Weighill shares his chili recipe. The breakfast section is called The Early Shift and gluten-free recipes are in the Fraud section. Funds raised will go to support the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre. Packaging in ...

Food Waste Film Night, Nov. 8 A screening of Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story will be followed by a panel discussion about making sure that healthy food doesn’t go to waste in our community at 6:30 pm, Nov. 8. (Funding for the rights to show the film was provided through an EcoFriendly Action Grant .) Cider & Spanish, Nov. 15 Enjoy a glass of cider and learn some basic Spanish preparatory to your winter holiday during a two-week course at the Glen at Crossmount beginning Nov. 15. Gourmet Blood Drive Here’s an idea that might be fun to try in Saskatoon, maybe at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. The City of Tours, France, is holding a Collecte de Sang Gastronomique . Donate blood and 4 local chefs will provide a gourmet snack. Pralines, Racism and Emancipation New Orleans is famous for its pralines, which have an interesting history . “The praline itself is a French confection, named after César, duc de Choiseul, comte du Plessis-Praslin, who some believe had his cook ...

Urban Agriculture  Interested in urban agriculture? Attend one of Action on Saskatoon’s Urban Agriculture Plan’s community meetings from now until Sept. 1. Bokashi Composting, Aug.24 The Saskatoon Compost Coaches will be giving a free workshop on bokashi composting at the Garden Patch on Aug. 24. Bokashi uses inoculated bran to ferment food waste in buckets before adding it to the soil. You can add everything from the usual fruit and vegetable waste to cooked food, meat, and dairy. Ciderday Sunday, Aug. 28  Crossmount Cider Company is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. They’re currently selling three kinds of local cider. Their first Ciderday Sunday is from 12-3 pm , Aug. 28, with a barbecue, dessert, tastings, and tours. Sustainable Gourmet Dinner, Sept. 17  The Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Sustainable Gourmet Dinner is Sept. 17. If you’ve never attended, you’re missing a treat – great food from great chefs and excellent vegetarian options. A Taste...