July 19th, 2010 by Dawn Becker

In my last post, I wrote about fulfilling my oyster cravings. And as the universe would have it, I suppose I will be eating more oysters soon. Specifically Malpeques from PEI. This past weekend, Patrick McMurray, owner of Starfish located at 100 Adelaide Street East by Jarvis Street, and also owner of one of my local hangouts, Ceili Cottage, is now selling Malpeque oysters at Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market. You can get them unshucked for $1 each and shucked with condiments for $1.25 each. Unbelievable. The Brick Works Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8AM to 1PM and features a great selection of local produce, cheese, fish and meat – everything you need to make a fantastic weekend meal. I’ll be going this Saturday to check it out myself and effortlessly toss back a few freshly shucked oysters on the spot. See you there.

July 15th, 2010 by Dawn Becker

Is it July? Yep. And I’m eating oysters. My dinner plans changed tonight so I decided to pick up a few oysters, among other things, at St. Jamestown Steak & Chops located on Parliament. I posted about St. Jamestown earlier this year, one of my favourite local butcher shops, that also sells fresh seafood, vegetables, dairy and deli items. I love this place because their products are fresh, reliable and delicious and the staff are also very helpful.

As an aside, I live very close to another butcher shop that gives me the mental equivalent of hives every time I walk in. There’s a strange vibe at Rowe Farms on Queen Street East and the staff always make me feel like it’s my privilege that they are serving me.

St. Jamestown doesn’t come with attitude so I will drive to the next neighbourhood a couple times a week instead of walking a block away because I don’t like to spend money in a place that gives me attitude. And every time I have to breakdown and buy something last minute at Rowe Farms that I’d forgotten on my grocery list I try to get the hell out of Dodge as fast as I can. I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman in the shopping scene every time I walk out of St. Jamestown with my bags and bags of fresh produce and slabs of meat and wonder if this is the day I will walk into Rowe Farms and say “See!!”. Oh but I digress.

It’s July and I’m eating oysters in a month spelled without an “R”. The idea behind this is that oysters spawn in warmer months and they aren’t as palatable. Pashaw I say. Oyster producers have developed oysters that are still worthy of sucking back in months spelled without an “R”. However oysters in colder months are definitely more plump and do have a somewhat cleaner taste. But I’m not one to deny myself of anything tasty even if it is July. When I’ve got a craving, a deep-seated hankering for something yummy, say if my eye is caught by the gleam of a fresh oyster in the shell, then I must not be denied. Denial makes for an unhappy me and why shouldn’t I be happy, happy, happy all the time.

By the way, these Malpeques from St. Jamestown were $1.50 each or $14 for a dozen. Really a steal for these briny bivalves that I shucked myself easily popping them open. I find Malpeques are one of the easiest oysters to open yourself at home as the hinge is easy to identify so inserting your oyster knife is fairly smooth and with a quick twist the shell muscles detach. St. Jamestown will also special order oysters if there’s a specific type you want, like my favourite Kumamotos. Ask away. I’m sure they would be happy to help you.

July 8th, 2010 by Dawn Becker

Every summer I look forward to seeing the little old Chinese ladies sitting along Gerrard Street in the east end Chinatown on my side of town with their spread of golden wealth. What I’m talking about are zucchini flowers. And when you see them, grab them. They are definitely the upside of a heat wave. Today I did a 180 degree turn in my car when I spotted them on the other side of the street, screeching to a halt right in front of the sellers, with change dancing right out of my hand. Zucchini flower season does not last long so you have to get them while the gettin’s good. I got these three gorgeous bundles of zucchini flowers, fragrant basil and the freshest looking cilantro I’ve seen in a while, all for only $5. My very good friend, Jennifer, is coming into town tonight from Kitchener for an overdue gab fest. Tomorrow, I see zucchini flower quesadilla’s in our future, maybe for breakfast. Tonight, we’re doing our version of a pub crawl except in exchange for too much booziness, we’ll be eating too many snacks at multiple venues in this smouldering city.

And while we’re out and about, we will talk about what to do with these beautiful flowers. Should we stuff them with fresh ricotta or mascarpone, sautee them, coat them in tempura batter and fry them. The possibilities are endless. So the next time you spot this golden bounty, make sure you let me know and I’ll race over and pick up a bunch or two or three.