Saturday, January 31, 2009

Kerala Mist


At least that's what I've named my newest favourite beverage from Starbucks :) They have finally started calling their tea lattes, London Fogs, like everyone else. I never could remember what they called them - I just asked for 'whatever you call your London Fog' when I ordered.
London Fogs on their own are lovely - Earl Grey tea & vanilla syrup latte. If you know me, you'll know I love using spices in, well, everything. So, to take the London Fog up a notch, I ask for (& I recommend you do the same, if you love the seductive flavours of Chai) the Tazo Chai Tea bags instead of the Earl Grey. It gets spicier the longer you take to drink it......so take your time! This is much better than the usual Chai Tea Latte offered by Starbucks, in my opinion - I find the premade mix a bit icky - too sweet, not enough spice. Try ordering it as a 'Kerala Mist' - maybe we'll start something :)
Today was a bustling day at the Market - the busiest since before Christmas. The Spring-like weather factored into it, I am sure. If you didn't make it to Market this weekend, try to make it next Saturday for our Snowflake Festival - there will be snowflake-making & face painting for the little ones, assisted by the Saskatoon Blades, busking..........all part of the Winter Shines festivities. Hope to see you there!
michelle

Friday, January 23, 2009

Starstruck in Saskatoon


We went to the Fiddle & the Drum ballet tonight, performed by the Alberta Ballet Company. I have been a huge (HUGE) Joni Mitchell fan since around the age of 7, so I was really looking forward to this performance.
Just before the ballet began, an elderly gentleman was seated next to me. A younger man who accompanied him was talking about 'when joni arrives, she can sit here........' It didn't occur to me that he could be referring to 'The' Joni.........and he was. It turns out that was Joni Mitchell's father sitting next to me, & Joni sat on his other side throughout the performance! What a thrill................
I helped her father up from his seat for the 2 standing ovations at the end of the show, as she left briefly to go backstage (ie. to stand with the dancers for the standing ovation).
The performance itself, never mind my brush with greatness, was absolutely visually stunning - I have never seen a dance performance this captivating, and I'm not normally attracted to modern ballet. If you get a chance to see this ballet, please do!
michelle

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Winter Fest, coming our way!




This Saturday, January 24th marks the beginning of the 16th day Winter Festival in Saskatoon, with its headquarters at the Farmer's Market for the 1st time.


Reported By Gerald BaumanPosted January 20, 2009 - 11:41am
It's easy to let winter get you down, but a new event announced Tuesday promises to add some fun to the cold. The Winter Shines festival begins January 24. The event will feature 16 days of winter activities, artwork and wine tasting, headquartered at the farmer's market.. 16 days may seem like a long time, but organizers say it's an insurance policy for potentially bitter winter weather.
There will be several market vendors & tenants present Saturday evening, showcasing their wares (including me, & my warm Rosemary Spiced Nuts).
Hope you'll come & check it out! :)
michelle
Owner
Wild Serendipity Foods

Friday, January 16, 2009

New Look for my Website

I recently & quite suddenly felt compelled to update the look of my website - Shannon, from Whole Wheat Web Design was patient with me, as I kept changing my mind on the background colour (which you will notice looks rather similar to the background on this page) :)

Hope you like it!

I will be absent from the Market this weekend, however, several of my products are available at the Little Market Store, located between Park Cafe & Petal Pushers, in the southeast corner of the Market. This will be my last planned Saturday off for quite some time - I'm taking in the Symphony, something I don't normally get to do after my usual scone-baking frenzied Saturday mornings. I shall savour every moment - & it's even warmed up outside as an added bonus.

Next Saturday marks the day before the Chinese New Year, & the day of Robert Burn's birthday - look for festive items celebrating both events!

Michelle

Owner,
Wild Serendipity Foods

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Try "Spicy Bite" to Warm You Up Through This Cold Spell

Last night we finally tried the dinner buffet at Spicy Bite, located at #4-340 8th Street East (in the little strip mall at the northeast corner of 8th & Acadia). We had ordered takeout several times in the past, & were really happy with the quality of the food - it is more like home cooking than mass-produced restaurant fare.

This was definitely the best Indian buffet we've had since living in Vancouver - we'll be back again, for sure. Afzai Rana, the owner, was sweet enough to give us a dish of heavily-sauced butter chicken for our two young boys, who have, regretfully, not yet acquired a taste/tolerance for spicy food. My favourite item in the buffet was the Channa Masala - although I both cook & teach Indian cuisine, I have yet to figure out how to get such tender Channa (chickpeas). They make Naan to order once you've settled on the buffet, so it's lovely & soft. The price for the dinner buffet (which is Halal, incidentally) was $14.99, I believe. They also have a lunch buffet, which was a couple of dollars less.

They are open 6 days a week (closed Mondays) - I hope you'll try them out!!

Saturday, January 03, 2009

The Little Market Store











Happy New Year!!




Just thought I'd pass on information about "The Little Market Store", at the Saskatoon Farmer's Market. It is located across from the office (between the Park Cafe & the Flower Shop), & is open Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 am until 7pm, and then during regular market Saturday hours (8 am until 2 pm).

The purpose of the Little Market Store is to provide a sampling of Market products during non-Market days. Also, it provides selling space for newer vendors who do not yet have a permanent stall.

I now have a variety of my products available at the store, including:


  • Frozen Scone Dough Trays - trays of 6, with mixed varieties - enjoy them fresh, from your oven!! :)



  • Granola, made with Saskatchewan-produced honey



  • my European-style pizzas



  • Soups



  • Hummus



  • my Gourmet mustards (currently Honey Lime Chipotle, Maple Brown Sugar Plum & the newest variety (a hot one), Spiced German)



  • Flavoured Salts, made with Saskatchewan-mined ancient sea salt (currently Lemon Rosemary, Chili Lime, Cranberry Orange, & Szechwan Peppercorn)




So I hope you will check out my products, as well as the many other fabulous products that are now always available at The Little Market Store!!




Michelle


Owner


Wild Serendipity Foods