Market Mayhem – Stephfood CLONE

Kitchener and St. Jacob’s Markets – Part 2: To market, to market

St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market

With a long weekend coming up, we decided to plan a low-key trip someplace close. Our trip ended up being an odd blend of childhood memories and grown up relaxation.

We decided to check out the Kitchener Market, which I haven’t been to in about 20 years. To be totally honest, I thought that it and the St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market were the same thing for a long time. St. Jacob’s seems to be the market that more tourists flock to, and it came highly recommended, so I thought it was time I went.

We managed to fit both markets in a single Saturday.

Pickle on a stick!

St. Jacob’s is a very large and very busy market, with much more than just food stalls. To be honest, we ignored most of the other wares. That part kinda felt like going to The Ex; not really what we were looking for. Here, you can get large quantities of things like peppers or tomatoes for a ridiculously cheap price – unlike some of the Toronto markets. Clearly, they expect more canners at the St. Jacob’s market than at St. Lawrence. I was happy to see a variety of summer sausages, apple butter and baked goods.

Then we moved on to Kitchener.

Kitchener Market: Saturday Stalls (Yeah, I reused this photo – honeybadger don’t care!)

It was strange being at the Kitchener Market again, after so much time had passed. From what I understand, it’s actually in a different building than the one I went to as a kid, and it looks and feels very different. In fact, I thought that the St. Jacob’s market building brought back more childhood memories – even though I had never been there before! This is why I chose a photo of me at the St. Jacob’s market in my last post about going to Kitchener as a child. It felt right.

That said, I can’t say I was disappointed. We found nearly everything we wanted between the two markets. I’m always amazed at how different each market feels. They may have much of the same produce, and even some of the same vendors, but there is a different vibe in each market you go to; my attention is drawn to different things.

Time for me to go on a bit of a summer hiatus! I’ll be back in the Fall when I run out of recipe ideas

Kitchener and St. Jacob’s Markets – Part 1: A blast from my past

I remember waking up while it was still dark out, and being bundled up in the back of a van to go to “the market”.

My Opi (a colloquialism based on the German word for Grandpa, Opa) and Mr. Little would be in the front, sometimes talking but most often quiet. I would have a goodie bag in my clutches, full of treats (ahem – SUGAR) to keep me alive for the trip.

We were on our way to the Kitchener Farmers’ Market.

Thinking back on it now, I have no idea why a market like that would have appealed to me. Moreso, I have no idea why Opi would have wanted to bring a hyperactive little girl to a farmers’ market in a city a couple of hours away. It turned out to be one of my favourite things, and is still one of my fondest childhood memories.

If there is one thing that I have inherited from my Opi, it is a love of cured meats and strong cheeses. For years, I ate vegetarian, and when I first chose to eat cured meats again (on a trip to Germany, no less), I was reminded of him. That’s another story entirely.

Kitchener Market Salami: before and after

The market seemed like a different world to me, when compared to the shiny grocery stores we usually got our food from. I hated going to grocery stores. I loved going to the market. There were so many bizarre things to hold my attention – pigs’ heads, doll clothes, cheese, pickles, preserves and hand-crafted knickknacks. I’m sure there were also vegetables, but that wasn’t on my radar at the time. At one point, we walked through a door and found ourselves on a walkway above the livestock auction. This was not at all like anything I had seen at home.

I would usually sleep on the way home, exhausted from the day’s adventure.

Once home, we would dig in to some of the day’s haul. There would be delicately sliced cured meats, hearty sausages, pickled fish and stinky cheeses. It didn’t matter to me that I would come home smelling like dirty socks (see Limburger), but my Mom certainly wasn’t impressed.

It was something special that I shared with my Opi, a food ritual that brought us together.

Kitchener Market: Saturday Stalls

Now, visiting markets is something I love to do with J. We get overwhelmed by the crowds, the strange organization of stalls, the vast quantities of produce, but there is always something to catch our attention. Each market is different, with different products and a different culture. This is my first time back to the Kitchener market, and my first time there without Opi.

To be continued…

(Note: the first photo is actually taken at St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market… my choice of photo will make sense in the next post.)

Ryerson Farmers’ Market – Day 1

Today was the first day of the Ryerson Farmers’ Market, right out in the middle of the pedestrian zone on Gould St.

Ever since they first closed the street off to traffic, I have been hoping there would be a farmers’ market. Only a little bit hampered by the construction happening on Gould right now, the market got off to a great start with a handful of local farmers and producers. I can only imagine how great it will be once the construction is over, and the market is able to flower. So great!

As it is, we were treated to a nice selection of vendors selling some fresh veggies, strawberries, meats, bread and other baked goods, cheese, maple syrup and more! The Ryerson Market is part of the MyMarket group, certifying vendors who only sell what they produce.

Svetec Farms - green garlic, collard greens, meat and more!

I was looking for some asparagus, and was a little disappointed when I couldn’t find any. That dissolved pretty quickly, when I found some green garlic and collard greens from Svetec Farms. YUM!

Ryerson University Farmers' Market Day1 - Vendors — Monforte Cheese Guy and Danbrie Farms Maple Syrup Guy

Of course, I was drawn to the cheese at Monforte Dairy. They weren’t allowed to give any samples (boo!), but I figured I would try some anyway. I got some garlic scape cheese and some kind of goat cheese with the texture of a Manchego. Soooo good! I sampled them as soon as I got home.

I also picked up some maple syrup from Danbrie Farms, and will likely use it in a glaze for some fish soon.

Here is what I made for dinner tonight, using many of the ingredients I bought at the market. Go green garlic!

Ryerson Market Pasta - strozzapreti with green garlic, peppers, collard greens and fun!

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m really psyched about this new farmers’ market and hope it continues every year. For that to happen, I’m pretty sure we need to have the pedestrian zone on Gould Street made permanent. If you are a community member (resident, Ryerson student or staff, etc.) please voice your opinion by filling out this survey.

The Ryerson Farmers’ market will continue every Tuesday from 3:30 – 7:30pm, until October 25th. The Grand Opening will be in two weeks, on June 28th, featuring a Strawberry festival!!

Catch them on Twitter @rufarmersmarket.

Bienvenue aux Épices de cru (je mange Montréal pt. 1)

There was only one thing I absolutely HAD to do on my trip to Montréal. I had to go to Marché Jean-Talon and find me some Épices de Cru.

Continue reading Bienvenue aux Épices de cru (je mange Montréal pt. 1)

Toronto Food – Peameal Sandwiches

How hard is it to identify a city’s cuisine?

This is a story about how I found some Toronto food, and ate it.

Continue reading Toronto Food – Peameal Sandwiches

Ghosts of Christmas Markets Past

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Dortmund — The massive tree and drinking Glühwein with friends in Dortmund

My obsession with the German Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) began in late Fall 2006, on my first trip to Europe.

Being in Germany was a big deal for me – having been told my whole life that, being of German heritage, I had to go to Germany when I was older. Some of my early memories are of exploring the Christmas bazaar at the German hall. There were always handmade crafts, lots of food, singing and dancing. I didn’t know that it was the quiet offspring of a greater and older cultural event that happens every year in cities, towns and villages all over Germany.

I think I first understood the spirit of the German Weihnachtsmarkt in Dortmund. We were brought there by friends, who let it be known that you could not experience the market without having some Glühwein. The hot, mulled wine is served in keepsake mugs at the various markets. It keeps you warm, gives a wee buzz and leaves you with a memento of your time there. This would not be our only taste of Glühwein – I made a point of having some at both of the other markets we visited.

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Frankfurt — A winding market on cobblestone streets, and fairytale structures of Römerberg.

We spent most of our time at the market in Frankfurt am Main, once when it was first opening up and then again three weeks later, when it was in full swing. It’s a winding road of sights, sounds and smells, culminating in the square at Römerberg. This was the highlight for me – the Römer buildings look like something out of a fairytale, like they’re made of gingerbread or something.

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Frankfurt - Food — Some chocolate covered fruit kebabs, and some sausages and sauerkraut!

Being a food girl, of course we had to try a bit of everything! We enjoyed some chocolate covered (real) marshmallows, giant cookies claiming “Ich Liebe Dich!” (aww, cookie, I love you too!), skewers of chocolate-covered fruit, sauerkraut and brats, and more!

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Frankfurt - Thüringer — Can't go without a Thüringer, mit senf!

One of the best things I ate had to be the Thüringer sausage, served from the weird swingy fire contraption from the photo above. Topped off with some fantastic strong mustard, it was heaven in a bun. Mind you, eating meat was a very strange thing for me in 2006, so indulging in a sausage was a bit novel.

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Kölner Dom — Kölner Dom - up the impressive Cathedral we go!

Later in the trip, we had a free day in Köln, and headed right for Kölner Dom. Of course, there was a Weihnachtsmarkt right out front! First, we explored the cathedral, climbing higher and higher. The photo above, on the right, is the view of the market from one of the windows in the cathedral. Amazing views.

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Köln - Train — Take the train to the various Christmas Markets in Köln

Köln had a number of markets, and you could get to them all on the train. The biggest was definitely Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, but there was also a neat Medieval market near the chocolate museum, and a few others. This was a great way to take a load off and see the markets and parts of Köln. Of course, I bought a pile of chocolate at the museum shop. It couldn’t be avoided.

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Köln 01 — The Köln Weihnachtsmarkt, with the backdrop of Kölner Dom

Once it gets dark outside, the market becomes more magical. If anything, it’s busier, and the dark is broken by the lights coming from the various stalls, and Christmas decorations. A nice mug of Glühwein keeps you warm as you worm your way through the crowds, picking up some roasted almonds, baked goods, teas and crafts.

2006 Weihnachtsmarkt: Koln - Steph — Me, at Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom

Ghosts of Christmas Markets Present

This past weekend, we checked out the Christmas Market at the Distillery District… twice!

I’ve been craving a German Weihnachtsmarkt since we were in Germany in 2006. For a brief time, I was incredibly jealous of Vancouver for getting one this year. A couple of days later, I found out about the one here in Toronto, in the Distillery District.

Distillery Xmas Market - lights — Lots of lights and huts

Initially, I was hung up on the things I remembered of the German markets – things that were missing from ours (like real Glühwein, served in keepsake mugs). Once I got over that, I was able to relax and enjoy the environment and the spirit. The thing about this kind of Christmas market is that it seems to be missing much of the tackiness of the season that we normally can’t seem to escape. Something about the little wooden huts, the smell of the food and the sound of caroling is kind of relaxing and enjoyable – even when you’re standing out in the cold.

We went on Friday night, and then again on Saturday afternoon.

Distillery Xmas Market - Goodies — A very large gingerbread house, and some Xmas cupcakes.

There was fun to be had by all ages. Friday night, we definitely saw more adults milling about the beer garden, sampling some yummy Glenfiddich, Amarula and Weihenstephaner beer. Saturday afternoon was definitely for the kids, with some live reindeer, pretty ladies dressed as angels, and other family fun (in addition to the beer garden).

There was a variety of food available – mostly decadent treats, of course! The Sweet Escape even made a child-sized (real) gingerbread house. There was a sign to not touch, but I’m pretty sure there was a bite out of the side! I swear it wasn’t from me! The lineup for Soma was out the door and down the street (ridiculous!) on Saturday.

There were stollen, fruit cake, pfeffernüsse, marzipan pigs and all sorts of holiday baked goods. But that wasn’t what I was there for…

Distillery Xmas Market - Sausages and Beer — Sausages and Beer! (No, the sausages aren't both mine)

Yup, I went in search of sausages. Initially, I was hoping to find some Thuringer sausages like we had in Frankfurt. Instead, we found some tasty Oktoberfest sausages. They hit the spot. Too bad they ran out of Sauerkraut on the Saturday!

One of the stalls was serving freshly melted Raclette cheese on top of French fries. You could smell it before you could see it – the cheese had a wee bit of stink to it, in a good way. It was gooey and tasty, just as expected.

Distillery Xmas Market - Raclette Making — Raclette Making

The guy making them had a pretty neat rig, too. There was a heating contraption that fit two blocks of cheese. They would melt the top layer of cheese, and he would scrape the melty goodness onto the fries. Pretty sweet! He was also serving up some choucroute (French for Sauerkraut, but no doubt prepared in its own way). I kinda wanted some cheese and coucroute on my fries, but I think that would have been an expensive box of fries!

In all, I think this was a valiant attempt at having a not-so-tacky Christmas event. If this can happen every year, I’m sure it can only get better.

Next week, a peek at the Ghosts of (my) Christmas Markets Past…

Until then, take a look at some other cities’ markets!

Gimme Soma Chocolate!

In this installment of ‘Market Mayhem’, I visit the home of chocolate lovers to enjoy the ‘elixir of the Gods’.

Yes, my friends, I went to Soma Chocolatemaker, my very favourite chocolate shop in Toronto. While there, I enjoyed some some Mayan hot chocolate, some truffles (Douglas Fir, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar) and went home with a parting gift, to be enjoyed later.

Perusing chocolate, watching the machines in the Chocolate Lab (tee-hee).

Beware of the spooky faces I make in the video. Not sure what’s going on here, but I get all squinty and weird when in front of a camera. I need to practise in front of a mirror or something.

Can’t see the embedded video? Click here!

No, I didn’t buy the $75 chocolate bar… but I didn’t buy the smallest one, either. Yes, we did end up buying a Douglas Fir truffle, and yes it does kinda taste like trees… but in a good way. I know that trees, olive oil, hot chilis and balsamic vinegar all sound like bizarre ingredients for chocolate, but they are amazing and should be tried at least once. These are the ones I reach for the most – when I’m spending that much on a truffle, I don’t want to play it safe.

Go! Find your local chocolate maker! Indulge!

Market Mayhem: A Trip To St. Lawrence Market (Part 1)

This past weekend, we took a trip to one of our favourite markets – St. Lawrence Market, in Toronto. We had a chance to pick up some of our “usual fare”, and took some pics while we were at it. Future posts will detail some of the specific finds there, such as Kozlik’s mustard and the fantastic selection of seafood. For now, we’d like to bring you a quick zip through the market, on a cold, cold Saturday.

We came home with armloads of greatness…

Enjoy!