STEMS & FORKS

Beautiful musings of flora and fare.

Miso Marinated Grilled Summer Vegetables Using Metro’s New Online Pick-up Delivery Service.

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This post was sponsored by Metro Ontario. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I feel like half my days are centred around food. Thinking about what to cook, shopping for the ingredients and then preparing the actual meals…and of course, washing dishes!  And I’m not speaking of cooking/planning recipes for my blog…rather the time spent cooking and shopping entailed with having a family with growing kids. So anything to cut the process of meal prep time and I’m all in.

This is why I was utterly thrilled when my fave grocer Metro Ontario introduced an online delivery and pick-up the program. With special Tri-Zone delivery trucks, with temperature controlled areas, ambient, refrigerated and frozen zones, ice creams arrive frozen, and veggies arrive crisp and fresh.

And the selection and variety available in-store is equally amazing online.

…

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Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Eggs

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This post is Sponsored by Gwillimdale Farms. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Whenever I see potatoes, I think of Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Potato Eaters.” The first time I saw this dark, murky impressionistic painting, was in 2nd grade in an Encylopedia Brittania book. AKA the Wikipedia of the ’70s and ’80s. I was so taken by its hard reality; the wrinkled, stained hands, the sunburnt skin, and tired, hungry faces. 

Eventually, when I was old enough, I read the background behind the sombre painting, and I was even more moved. 

The Potato Eaters by Vincent Van Gogh

“You see, I really have wanted to make it so that people get the idea that these folk, who are eating their potatoes by the light of their little lamp, have tilled the earth themselves with these hands they are putting in the dish, and so it speaks of manual labor and—that they have thus honestly earned their food. I wanted it to give the idea of a wholly different way of life from ours—civilized people. So I certainly don’t want everyone just to admire it or approve of it without knowing why.”- Vincent Van Gogh.

 The concept of working the land with one’s hands to nourish oneself and others to survive, resonated with me for years. To live “honestly.”  

Not much has changed since 1885 when the Dutch post-impressionist painter created this masterpiece. Farmers are still toiling the land but on a much larger and faster scale to keep up with demand. 

This post is in partnership with Gwillimdale Farms. Operated since 1903, family owned and operated by the humble and hardworking John Hambly, wife Cristina and his children.  4th and 5th generation farmers, Gwillimdale currently farms on 1000 acres of fertile lands on the Greenbelt of Bradford, Ontario.  

Their specialty: root vegetables. Parsnips, onions, carrots, beets and potatoes. 

And in all sincerity, their produce is impressive. Always crisp carrots, fresh potatoes, and firm parsnips. Gwillimdale not only grows their produce, but they also harvest, clean, pack, and distribute directly from their farm to your local grocer. They are, without a doubt, one of the finest root vegetable producers in the province.  I’m so honoured to be sharing this simple brunch recipe with you to showcase their humble, versatile and beautiful vegetable; the humble Solanum tuberosum, aka the potato.  

Bon app!

Visit Gwillimdale Farms for more information and/or recipe ideas.

Instagram: @GwillimdaleFarms

Facebook: @GwillimdaleFarms

Twitter: @GwillimdaleFarm

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Eggs
Serves 4
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Ingredients
  1. 1.5 kg or 8-10 medium Gwillimdale Farms Potatoes washed and scrubbed (approx 150 g per potato)
  2. 6 tablespoons unsalted fresh butter
  3. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  4. a few sprigs of (purple) basil
  5. 2 cloves of fresh garlic
  6. 4 large fresh eggs
  7. Salt and pepper to taste
  8. Parsley to garnish (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 F
  2. In a large pot, add the potatoes, a tablespoon of salt and add water until it covers all the potatoes.
  3. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 minutes until potatoes have softened through (25 minutes if using smaller potatoes and 35 minutes if using large potatoes)
  4. Drain the potatoes in a colander and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes for the excess water to dry/drip away.
  5. Meanwhile take the two garlic cloves and give it a pound with a knife so that they split open.
  6. Place the garlic, the sage and the butter on a baking tray about 12 x16 inches or so on the stove top at medium heat and allow the butter to melt for about half a minute.
  7. Transfer the potatoes to the baking tray and smash them with a potato masher until about 1 inch thick.
  8. With a basting brush or spoon, make sure the tops of the smashed potatoes are all coated with the butter.
  9. Drizzle the 2 table spoons of olive oil over the smashed potatoes.
  10. Sprinkle salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
  11. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  12. Remove tray from oven and position your potatoes to create “walls” to contain your eggs.
  13. Add your 4 eggs in between the smashed potatoes and bake for another 2-5 minutes depending on how well done you’d like your eggs to be. Keep an eye on your eggs!
  14. Remove from oven, sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper and parsley to garnish.
Notes
  1. Feel free to spray your potatoes with vinegar or sprinkle with chili flakes or drizzle with siracha sauce. Be creative!
STEMS & FORKS https://www.stemsandforks.com/

Blackberry Jam filled Donuts

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I recently did a survey on my Instagram feed to see how many of you actually read blog posts…less than 50% read…most of you scroll through pics and just get right down to business with the recipe. So I decided to take a different approach today. Today’s blog post will be short and very sweet. a paragraph to sum up what this donut is. And a paragraph with short notes for handy tips and tricks… Leave a comment if you have time (something everyone said they were short on) and let me know if you prefer this sort of blog post!

ABOUT: This donut is also known as Berliner Pfannkuchen or pączki. Whatever you want call them, these donuts are AMAZING! How could it possibly go wrong when one deep fries brioche dough, cover it with sugar then fill homemade blackberry jam!!!

TIPS/NOTES:

  • Make sure yeast hasn’t expired…I store mine in the freezer !
  • I often get comments/messages that their yeast didn’t poof or their dough didn’t rise…either the water was too hot or not hot enough or the yeast has expired
  • This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of yeast. I have tested this recipe with 2 teaspoons and 2.5 teaspoons and Ive decided that 1 tablespoon is best for the fluffiest donuts…If you’re curious to know more about this yeast testing…feel free to email me.
  • This is a sticky dough…Don’t be tempted to keep adding flour.
  • After kneading and the first rise, let it rest overnight in the fridge…makes dough easier to work with and has time for the flavours to work itself in the dough
  • As well overnight chilling makes for better texture.
  • Dough can be stored in fridge for up to 2 days
  • Donuts need to be eaten same day when fried…I’m confident there will be no leftovers.
  • The jam recipe yields about 1/2 cup of jam-i prefer my donuts with less jam…If you prefer loads of jelly, feel free to double the quantity for the jam!
Dough is almost ready for it’s first rise.
A look inside from one of the smaller donuts
An earlier test version…These didn’t get a second rise once they came out of fridge…You can see they are not as fluffy.

 

Blackberry Jam Filled Donuts
Yields 12
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Prep Time
14 hr
Cook Time
12 min
Prep Time
14 hr
Cook Time
12 min
INGREDIENTS For the Dough
  1. 1 Tablespoon traditional yeast
  2. 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar (for the yeast)
  3. 1/2 cup milk
  4. 1 teaspoon salt
  5. 455 g or 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  6. 50 g or 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  7. 4 large room temperature eggs
  8. 85 g or 3/8 cup or 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature & cubed
INGREDIENTS For the Blackberry Jam
  1. 340 g or 12 ounces fresh blackberries
  2. 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  3. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  4. 1 tablespoon cornstarch
INGREDIENTS for Frying/Finishing touches
  1. 6-7 cups of vegetable or light oil
  2. 300 g or 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar for dusting the donuts
  3. 6 oz or 170 grams = about 24 blackberries to plug the holes
INSTRUCTIONS For the Jam
  1. Make the jam while you're waiting for the first proof or when the dough is chilling overnight
  2. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, stir the blackberries, and sugar together.
  3. Mash the berries with a masher
  4. In a small bowl mix 1 tablespoon corn starch and 1 table spoon water together, add to simmering blackberries and stir until it starts to thicken.
  5. Stir and heat for another 15 minutes or until it has thickened (will thicken more when cooled)
  6. Remove from heat and run through fine sieve to remove the seeds
  7. Set aside to cool - add the lemon juice then cover and store in fridge overnight
INSTRUCTIONS For the Dough
  1. In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon white sugar and 1 tablespoon yeast, set aside.
  2. In small saucepan, warm up 1/2 cup milk to a simmer until it reaches 110F (not too lukewarm but not to hot to touch- just use a thermometer !)
  3. Pour over the sugar/yeast and stir. Set aside and allow to poof about 8 minutes
  4. In bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar
  5. In stand mixer bowl with paddle attachment, beat the 4 eggs, then add the poofed yeast/milk mix
  6. On low, beat in the flour mix-will look shaggy
  7. Swap out the paddle to the kneading hook and knead on medium speed for 2 minutes until it forms into a large sticky ball like form-scrape down sides with spatula
  8. Add the butter, a cube at a time making sure each cube is well mixed in before adding the next cube of butter (still medium speed)
  9. Drop speed to low and knead for 5 minutes
  10. Dough is ready when it is glossy and somewhat translucent but doesn't tear
  11. Remember this dough is a sticky dough. Refrain from being tempted to add more flour...It will be less sticky after an overnight chill!
  12. Cover your bowl with a damp kitchen towel, leave in warm room for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size
  13. Punch dough down once, cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight
INSTRUCTIONS for prepping the donuts
  1. Cut out 16 or so 4 inch square parchment papers, dust with a bit of flour and place on a couple large trays and set aside
  2. Turn dough out onto lightly floured counter
  3. Roll out dough into a 9.5 inch by 13 inch rectangle, 1/2 inch thick and cut out about a dozen three inch discs with a biscuit/cookie cutter (and maybe a couple smaller donuts from the edge of dough)
  4. (You can take the cut out dough and re-roll 1 more time to get 3 more donuts-note these will not be as nice looking as the original discs)
  5. Transfer all the discs with a non stick food turner (flipper) to the parchment paper squares
  6. Cover completely with a damp thin cheese cloth or plastic making sure the plastic doesn't touch the dough...you can do this by placing small tumblers or shot glasses in between the discs
  7. Place in warm area of home and let rise another 1 hour
  8. If you feel like they are over rising/proofing, then start frying...overproofing will have them smelling like yeast
INSTRUCTIONS for Frying the donuts
  1. Fill a piping bag with the cooled blackberry jam and a small round tip, set aside
  2. Lay out a few paper towels on a baking tray
  3. Pour the 1.5 cups of granulated sugar on a plate ready for donuts to be dusted
  4. Add the vegetable oil to a large heavy bottomed pot or your deep fryer to 350°F - 365°F.
  5. Take the discs of donuts flipping it over with the parchment paper and drop in oil ...Fry 3 at a time...more will alter the temperature of the oil
  6. Fry each side about 2-2.5 minutes or until golden brown and transfer to paper towel with a slotted spoon
  7. Roll in the sugar after about a minute of cooling and set aside on a baking rack or wooden board
  8. Do this to all the donuts
  9. Take a chopstick or something to poke two holes on opposite sides of all the donuts
  10. Gently fill jam on both sides of donut with pastry bag
  11. plug the two sides of the donut holes with a fresh blackberry
  12. Bon app!
Notes
  1. Donuts must be eaten same day as when its been fried.
  2. I tend to like my donuts to have less jam than the typical donut...feel free to double amount of jam (ingredients would double)
Adapted from Brioche dough adapted from The Kitchn
Adapted from Brioche dough adapted from The Kitchn
STEMS & FORKS https://www.stemsandforks.com/

 

Sold Out Leamington Food Photography and Styling Workshops Thurs June 20th 2019 $100 per workshop

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WORKSHOP 1: Food Styling/Photography with your Camera (DSLR/Mirrorless)

Hosted by Taste Leamington, sponsored by DelFresco Pure , and in partnership with Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation Join food photographer and stylist, Betty Binon from Stems & Forks for a fun but intense afternoon to learn food photography and styling – whether you’re a hobby photographer or an established influencer, youll get some styling and photography advice and inspiration to thrust you to the next level. 

We’ll have step-by-step demos and a hands-on practice break out. Learn some amazing tips and tricks to elevate your food shots in restaurants and/or home & learn how to navigate editing apps. Betty will be sharing all her easy editing hacks to make that picture perfect.

There will also be a Q & A. So come armed with questions. We’ll also have a practical session on how to navigate social media. We’ll have available food props, boards, fresh botanicals and of course food to style and shoot.”

Date/Time: Thursday, June 20th, 2019 12PM -3:30PM

Price: This workshop was made possible through generous donations from sponsors. $100 each class

Location: Leamington Arts Centre 
72 Talbot St W 
Leamington, Ontario N8H 1M4
Canada 

TO PURCHASE A SEAT: Click on this Eventbrite link to book your CAMERA WORKSHOP Seat.

Food and refreshments generously supplied by @bradtsbutcherblock

Beautiful Pastries/cakes generously supplied by @thewoodenspoonbakeryaziz

Flowers are kindly provided by @houseofflowercm

SOLD OUT-WORKSHOP 2: Food Styling/Photography with your Smartphone

Hosted by Taste Leamington, sponsored by DelFresco Pure, and in partnership with Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation–Join food photographer and stylist, Betty Binon from Stems & Forks for a fun but intense evening to learn food photography and styling – whether you’re a hobby photographer or an established influencer, you’ll get some styling and photography advice and inspiration to thrust you to the next level. We’ll have step-by-step demos and a hands-on practice break out. Learn some amazing tips and tricks to elevate your food shots in restaurants and/or home. Learn how to navigate editing apps on your phone. Betty will be sharing all her easy editing hacks to make that picture perfect. There will also be a Q & A. So come armed with questions. We’ll also have a practical session on how to navigate social media. We’ll have available food props, boards, fresh botanicals and of course food to style and shoot.”

Date/Time: Thursday, June 20th, 2019 5PM – 8PM

Price: This workshop was made possible through generous donations from sponsors. $100 each class

Location: Leamington Arts Centre 
72 Talbot St W 
Leamington, Ontario N8H 1M4
Canada 

TO BOOK TICKETS: Click this link to go to EVENTBRITE to order tickets- SMART PHONE WORKSHOP

Food and refreshments generously supplied by @bradtsbutcherblock

Beautiful Pastries/cakes generously supplied by @thewoodenspoonbakeryaziz

Flowers are kindly provided by @houseofflowercm

 
 

SEE YOU IN LEAMINGTON!

Presenting Sponsors

@ExperienceLeamington

@ontsouthwest

Main Sponsor

@delfrescopure

Supporting Sponsor

@hippiesnacksorganic

@bradtsbutcherblock

@curedcraftbrewing

@azizfruitstand.thewoodenspoon

@houseofflowercm

WORKSHOP: Rembrandt with a Camera: Styling and Shooting Fauna & Fare in London Saturday June 29th & Sunday June 30th 2019 -SOLD OUT-

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Rembrandt with a Camera: Styling Fauna & Fare In London 

SOLD OUT — Two Day Intense Master Class 

Saturday June 29th and Sunday June 30th 2019 

In the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age still life paintings, we will be creating beauty “Vanitas” style. The idea that life is transient. As fragile as a plucked apple with her skin peeled exposing her vulnerable flesh. As futile as a tulip, blooming to a magnificent bloom only to drop its petals and bear seeds showing a new phase of life that is equally beguiling. The certainty of death, the reality of life for fruit, flower or man is ephemeral. When observing these Dutch masters still life paintings, they’re saturated with opulence yet dotted with frailty and decay to remind us of our futility. An exotic insect, a willful jasmine strand or an imperfectly perfect cluster of decaying grapes. 

Of course there is much intention and order when arranging asymmetrical still life’s. Every flower, every fruit and goblet has its place. We will examine how to translate and capture untamed poignant beauty through still life photography and styling. 

Join us Aimee Twigger @TwiggStudios Twigg Studios, Elise Dumas @ThePineappleChef  The Pineapple Chef and Betty Binon @StemsAndForks Stems & Forks for 2 full intense but fun days of learning. Whether you’re a hobby photographer and need camera knowledge or an established influencer looking for motivation and inspiration. You’ll get tons of styling, photography advice and inspiration that will thrust you to the next level. We’ll have step-by-step demos, hands-on practice breakouts with the instructors guiding each participant individually. 

There will even be a session where participants make their own floral crown. This will segue us to discover the art of portrait photography and the Rembrandt triangle. And of course there will be cake and macarons, food props, boards, fresh botanicals and fruits to style and shoot.

All this followed up by an intense hands on lesson on how to edit your images on Adobe Lightroom Classic CC.

We’ll also have a session on how to navigate social media and treat your blog/social media like a business. So come armed with your questions. 

When: June 29 and June 30, 2019

Saturday June 29th 2019

9:30 AM to 5:00 PM 

Sunday June 30th 2019

9:30 AM to 5:00 PM followed by a toast to close the workshop

Where: Central London, England. Exact location TBA

What is this workshop about?

Spend 2 intense but fun days in a studio in the heart of London, with Aimee Twigger, Elise Dumas and Betty Binon to learn all their handy tips and expertise on capturing that picture-perfect shot.

Topics to be covered:

Camera Basics: 

-Shooting in manual with your DSLR camera

-The importance of ISO, aperture, shutter and shooting in RAW

Using Natural Lighting: 

-Using natural light to create light and airy or dark and moody shots

-how to manipulate a dark and moody scene

-how to remove shadows, add shadows etc.

Food Styling: 

-Exploring various types of props and how to use them to their fullest to elevate your story

-Telling a visual story…how to style your product/subject to reflect it’s fullest potential…composition, angles, lighting, tone, colour etc. in a photograph 

-Styling and Capturing the essence of a Dutch Still life 

Flower Crown Tutorial:

-Fresh floral crown demo and DIY floral crown with your own fresh flowers

Portrait photography: 

-how to use lighting effectively, capturing the character/personality of your subject, tips on maintaining flattering positions of your subject, the Rembrandt triangle etc…

Adobe Lightroom Classic CC

-Adobe Lightroom editing skills – transform your image with Lightroom Classic CC including some tips and tricks

-Learn all the modules and sliders in Lightroom and what they do

Social Media and Making your Blog a Business:

-Navigating social media – and how to grow your followers and engagement

-Making your blog into a business

-how to make a media kit – price list

Who should attend?

This program is ideal for food bloggers, floral designers, social media influencers, food stylist and photographers and those interested in photography and/or styling your food, flowers or subject to tell a visual story. The workshop welcomes the beginner photographer and the refined photographer looking for inspiration and a different edge on styling. We recommend a DSLR camera, however, phone cameras/point and shoot cameras are welcome too.

Languages:

The entire workshop will be taught in English (French available on request) 

Cost: £750 for both days

Single day: £440  (however we strongly recommend that both days be attended to fully appreciate and absorb the material/information)

(Not included: Travel and accommodations)

This cost will cover snacks, drinks (alcohol not included) and a light lunch, materials and flowers for the floral crown and styling for both days of the workshop.

Instructors: Betty Binon, Elise Dumas and Aimee Twigger

FOR ALL BOOKINGS please email: aimeetwigger@aol.com

For general inquiries, please email 

Betty Binon: contact@stemsandforks.com  

Elise Dumas: thepineapplechef@gmail.com

We will be limiting the number of participants to a small group of 15 to ensure maximal one-on-one time. Spaces are limited so booking early is highly recommended.

Bookings are non-refundable unless you are able to find someone to take your place. 

See you there!

Photo by Elise Dumas @thepineapplechef

Photo by Aimee Twigger @twiggstudios

SOLD OUT Toronto FOOD STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Saturday April 6th 2019

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One Day Intensive Workshop

Saturday April 6th 2019

This workshop will demonstrate how to style food to tell the best and most appropriate visual story for your food or subject.  Through elements such as props, natural light, angles, botanicals and editing, the simplest food or subject can be transformed into an opulent visual story. Learn how to achieve a bright and vibrant scene or a dark and moody painterly capture.  

There will be a hands on style sessions where you can create a still life scene with cake, food and props. As well as an opportunity to work with a model to learn the art of Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro/lighting and triangle technique in portraits. All this will be followed up with a tutorial on editing your work in Adobe Lightroom.

Spaces are very LIMITED so book soon.

Saturday, April 6th 2019 From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Time: 9:30 AM- 5:30 PM 

Instructors:

Betty Binon @stemsandforks 

Where:

Spend the day in my studio North of TORONTO to learn: 

My studio in Thornhill, Ontario 1 km north of Toronto (Bayview/Steeles area). With ample space, windows and props.

Topics Covered:

-the art and theory behind styling your food or subject to tell a visual story

-chiaroscuro effect in photography: how to manipulate natural light to its fullest to create strong light and dark shadows

-alternatively, how to brighten your subject to eliminate shadows with limited tools and/or instruments

-how to create a strong effective mood and story with minimal props in your home or business

-Shooting in manual with your DSLR camera

-the importance of ISO, aperture, shutter and shooting in raw

-we will style a food scene, shoot it and edit on Adobe Lightroom with Betty’s help

-Adobe Lightroom editing skills-best practices to transform your image with Lightroom including some very handy hacks- I will share ALL my Lightroom skills

-Navigating social media — and how to grow your followers and engagement

-How to make your blog a business/brand

There will be a large selection of props and food boards you can choose from to use for our break out sessions as well some fresh flowers, vines from the garden and produce available for your still life shots.

Who should attend?

This program is ideal for food bloggers, beginner photographers, floral designers, social media influencers, food stylist, food industry specialists such as restaurant owners, and portrait photographers and those interested in photography and/or styling your food, flowers or subject with an edge. I recommend a DSLR camera, however, phone cameras/point and shoot cameras are welcome too.

Cost:

Total price: $490.00 (Canadian) includes all materials, lunch and refreshments. 

For ALL BOOKINGS and inquiries please email Betty Binon contact@stemsandforks.com 

I will be limiting the number of participants to a very small group to ensure lots of 1:1 time. Spaces are limited so booking early is highly recommended.

BRING: Laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic CC installed, Camera with memory card and fully charged battery, tripod (if avail) and any special props you’d like to use. However loads of props here you can use to style and shoot with. 

Bookings are non-refundable unless you are able to find someone to take your place. 

Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the facilitators.

Not included: Travel and accommodations. Please email contact@stemsandforks.comfor accommodation recommendations.

Please email contact@stemsandforks.com for inquiries or bookings.

See you there!

When Foodies Get Together

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Carrots, parsnips, onions and potatoes generously supplied by Gwillimdale Farms

What makes me happy? My kids. But a close runner up is teaching what I love. Photography, styling and editing. Last fall I had the immense pleasure to share my knowledge of photography, styling and Adobe Lightroom editing with the following 10 incredible ladies last year October/November 2018. Some were bloggers, professional photographers, bakers and we even had a published author! 

The Creatives:

Gorgeous Cake made by Libby from Sift Baking

Libby, (supplied cake above) Cake Baker/Artist and owner of Sift Baking Co. 

@libbyluewho

Rockie, (above) photographer and make up guru and reviewer  

@lipstickaddictanonymous

@the.wunderkammer

Marie Lou, (above) photographer, food blogger and artist marielou.photography.com

@marielouphotography

Ira, (pictured above) Photographer, writer and social media influencer anhonestblog.com

@ira_yakobson

Irene,(photo unavailable)  photographer, writer, artist

@reenobeano

Nicole, (pictured above) food nerd and blogger nicoleburnsfood.com

@nicoleburnsfood

Nat, (Pictured above) photographer and owner of her photography studio NatCaronPhotography.com

@natcaronphoto

Chloe, (pictured above) photographer, scientific illustrator, food enthusiast 

@misschloegolightly

Jennifer, @thelemonapron

Jennifer, (pictured above) photographer and food blogger of thelemonapron.com

@thelemonapron

Amela,(pictured above) published author, photographer, food enthusiast

@theatrumvitae

A wonderful, talented group of ladies. Please do visit their digital channels.

Salad garnishing with Hippie Snacks

We were all present at the workshops for the same reason. Our love for beauty and our appreciation and respect for food. I realize this blog is 2 months overdue, but life and work got in the way. Better late than never!

A special BIG thank you to all our sponsors who made our workshops extra special with props, ingredients and gifts.

Mushrooms generously donated to us from Produce Made Simple

Sponsors:

Hippie Snacks

“Delicious non-GMO, vegan, GF snacks made from whole food ingredients.”

www.hippiesnacks.com

@hippiesnacksorganic

Hello Flavour 

“Introducing HelloFlavour.ca from McCormick Canada. Follow HelloFlavour.ca for flavour inspiration, recipes and meal ideas”

www.helloflavour.ca

@helloflavour

SweeTango Apples

“SweeTango apples are unmistakably crunch and sweet with a lively touch of citrus, honey and spice”

www.sweeTango.com

@SweeTango_apple

Produce Made Simple

“The Ontario Produce Marketing Association is a non-profit association responsible for facilitating trade and promoting the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. The OPMA is funded by its members, comprised of companies working within the produce industry such as growers, wholesalers, shippers, and retailers.”

Www.producemadesimple.ca

@producemadesimple

Gwillimdale Farms 

“Gwillimdale Farms is family owned and operated by The Hambly’s. Our President, John and his children are 4th and 5th generation farmers. Today, we are one of Ontario’s largest growers, packers & shippers of fresh root vegetables.”

www.gwillimdalefarms.com

@gwillimdalefarms

Sift Baking 

“Signature and custom cakes for life’s celebrations – birthdays, fancy dinners, anniversaries, weddings, or a simple get-together with friends. Let me help you be the hero of your next party. Bring on the cake!”

www.siftbaking.com

@libbyluewho

A a special thank you for documenting the event goes to Alexa of @ajfernando. XOXO

Couldn’t have done it without these incredible products and partners. Merci Beaucoup!

When foodies get together,  we eat, we laugh and we create friendships and bonds that last forever. Thank you ladies. xo

Chocolate Swiss Meringue cookies supplied by Libby of Sift Baking.

Still Life Styled by Ira Yakobson

Beets and Onions provided as props and gifts to the participants by Gwillimdale Farms

Mini cakes made with Hello Flavour’s Club House spices and extracts and topped with Hippie Snacks

Fresh SweeTango apples. Participants had a blast crunching away at the Guinness World Record for “Loudest Crunch of an Apple” (March 2016) “

Chocolate/orange and coffee cake with macaron tower made with Hello Flavour spices and garnished with Hippie Snacks

Beautiful 12 grain soda bread brought by one of the participants Amela @theatrumvitae

 Jennifer of @thelemonapron brought this beautiful pie!

Mochi Balls with Fermented Organic Blueberries from Chile

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This post was sponsored by Fruits From Chile. All thoughts and opinions are my own

If you didn’t get it right with your new year’s resolutions this month, don’t worry. There’s another new year coming up on February 5th 2019 and you can start anew! With the Lunar new year just around the corner, I thought these Mochi Balls filled with lacto fermented organic Chilean Blueberries would be perfect to ring in the new year and provide a second opportunity to become healthier and kinder to one’s body and mind. 

Lacto-Fermented Foods:

So we all know how naturally fermented foods provide healthy probiotic bacteria. Stuff that’s good for our gut. Studies have shown that the natural probiotics created from fermentation also increases vitamin content thereby boosting our immunity naturally which helps fend off the flu and cold. (source) Consuming fermented foods are also safer to consume than raw as the lactic acids essentially kill off the bad bacteria such as E-Coli. (Source) And it has been proven time and again that improving gut health aids digestion thereby helping promote healthy body weight. It doesn’t stop here. There are a plethora of reasons lacto fermented foods are good for us. 

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Kumquot Orange Cake with a Grand Marnier Pomegranate Icing

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This post was sponsored by Paderno. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My long term memory is strong, vivid and somewhat creepy. A couple years ago I ran into a classmate from grade 5 on the bus. Her face was exactly the same. Dimpled chin, large freckles and green eyes. I had fond memories of her. The first time I ever had a pomegranate was in fact when Kelly offered me half the fruit. I still remember sitting in the classroom portable and Kelly telling me that we had to count how many little “ruby” seeds there were in one pomegranate. It was something she would do with her brother at home. Count every single red juicy gem and report back home on a pomegranate chart. Apparently the average was 500. 

I remember that first seed I popped into my mouth. The sweet, sharp yet sour juice bursting in my mouth was unique. And simply a lot of fun plucking the little gems and counting them. 

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Grapefruit Rosemary Vodka Fizz with Montellier Sparkling Water

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This post was sponsored by Montellier Sparkling Water. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Grapefruit, lime, rosemary, ginger and vodka with a splash of sparkling water. With those ingredients, I think this drink should be renamed to Winter’s Healing Cocktail!  

I have a confession. I was a late bloomer with cocktail consumption. In my twenties when Sex and the City was at its peak, every Generation X’er was drinking Cosmopolitans pre dinner. I however would always order a simple unadulterated glass of red wine. I was a purist when it came to alcohol. Anything mixed with syrups and fruits then shaken with ice and priced over $15 did not rock my boat. I felt I was too “mature” (and perhaps frugal!) to have spiked fruit punch before dinner. 

Well the pendulum has definitely swung the other way. Now cocktails are my new obsession. The flavour combos are infinite. The whole shaken or stirred, ice or no ice, to garnish or not, to make it fizz or flat, warm or cold and to find the appropriate glass to reflect the cocktail’s personality are not immature at all. It’s really and truly ART. Or as I like to call it now. Its like cake in a glass!

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