Now That's Tasty!

Wednesday 30 November 2011

Eritrean done right, on the Danforth

With a plethora of Ethiopian options encompassing the East Danforth area in Toronto it's hard to say which spot is supreme...until you try Rendez-Vous. Splendid staff, superb taste quality and a dining experience that transports the eater to another world of flavour.

Read my BlogTO review of Rendez-Vous HERE


Our unbelievable, colorful, completely covered platter of goodness

Handmade hot sauce

Owner, Banchi Kinde serving up Ethiopian traditional coffee 
Mug shot

Photos by Abigail Ainsworth www.butternutproductions.com

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Eye-Gasms

With the purchase of a new camera comes the necessity for a photo shoot, and in order to host a proper photo shoot one needs to have a subject.

While the cyber world is riddled with websites that feature the unclad flesh of the human form and populated by the perverts that seek out such 'jerk-worthy' material, here at NTT we dress up our meat for the camera. 

If you've never seen your "O-face" before, just take a look in the mirror as you feast your eyes on these beauties. 



My more than capable kitchen comrade, Evan and I marinated these lovely New Zealand lamb chops in olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh minced garlic, cracked black pepper, minced red onion, Kozliks curry mustard, and fresh chopped mint, rosemary and sage. Sealed up nice and tight and housed in the fridge for a solid couple of hours before we patted them dry and seared them in a pan of fine EVOO and butter. 


Out of the pan and onto a roasting tray with some of the extra marinade and placed on top of a thinly sliced round of lemon. Into the oven at a temperate 220-degrees for about twenty minutes until medium rare. 



Once our game was under the flame we made a duo of sauces for our lamb and veggies. First, a refreshing mint yoghurt (not pictured) with greek yoghurt, fresh mint, olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, a dash of curry powder and garlic, mixed and then pureed to bring out the beautiful bright green colour and flavour of the mint. 

Our second sauce was a mustard, red wine and black pepper sauce with roasted garlic and jalapenos. We began by sauteing minced fresh jalapenos in olive oil with orange zest and the juice of half an orange, added whole black peppercorns, dijon mustard, red wine, roasted garlic, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, paprika, and savory spice. We brought that concoction to a simmer let reduce, and then deglazed later with more red wine. 


Our veggie component came in the simple form of sauteed asparagus and green beans in butter and olive oil with fresh ginger, salt, pepper and a dash of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar.

All that was left was some precise plating, and we had a meal that was as tasty as it looked.

Get out the tissues...now:
The Full Monty
Everyone loves a close-up

La Table

Evan's plating

My playing

My plate from above. 
Recipe page and restaurant coming soon...

Szechuan in Scar-Town

Happy to report that my most recent BlogTO restaurant review made its way to the homepage of their website. This same review also features my first photo shoot with my brand new camera.

Bask in the glory that is, Dim-Sunday

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/szechuanlegend

Shu Maii


Hot and Sour Soup

BBQ Pork Cheong Fun

Haar Gow

Ham Sui Gok

Steamed Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf

Saturday 19 November 2011

Xtremely Affordable, Xtremely Average

My latest restaurant review for BlogTO. Xtreme Taste (6 Cumberland St. Toronto 416-515.7668)

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/extreme-taste-toronto

Chicken Kebab Plate

Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich

Pasta Salad
Veal Sandwich

The hungry masses

Everyday value

Photo's by Abigail Ainsworth

Saturday 12 November 2011

I guess I'm officially a writer?

So, I know there's been a serious drought in taste-centric bloggings from the likes of me. It's been busy, and I know that's no excuse, but maybe it wasn't all for not. I just got welcomed into the BlogTO family as their newest Restaurant Reviewer!

Check out my first review, of King Falafel.

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/king-falafel-toronto 




Photo cred to my fantastic friend Abigail Ainsworth