Elgin's Newest Addition: El Camino, Ottawa

Chef Matthew Carmichael's latest project and Elgin's newest addition, El Camino, is looking to be a new favorite for the Elgin hipsters. Packed on a Friday night, El Camino has all the right elements for a great neighborhood hang out. It has a very casual and unpretensious feel, unlike the former restaurants Carmichael worked at: Restaurant E18hteen, Social, and Sidedoor. If you don't feel like sitting in for dinner, take out is also available, but it's cash only. For those looking for late night munchies after a night out at the bars on Elgin, both the take out window and the restaurant are open late.

Dinner can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. The tacos are priced very reasonably at $4-5 each, but the drinks and other dishes are priced higher. If you end up ordering an appetizer, drinks and tacos, your bill can easily shoot from $20 to $50 per person. This is not hard to do as Carmichael has created a very chill space that makes you want to stay and hang out.

There were 5 different tacos to choose from, and we tried the crispy fish, lamb and beef tongue tacos. All were topped with avocado, radish, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro. The fish tacos also had red cabbage on top and the beef tongue tacos were topped with a basil leaf. The beef tongue tacos were by far the best. The tender, seasoned beef tongue just melts in your mouth. All the ingredients were fresh and definitely worth every dollar.

My favorite dish on the 16 item menu was the crispy prawn betal leaf. It doesn't look like much but the flavor combination was out of this world. The flavor of the chopped prawn went perfectly with the peppery betal leaves. I would eat it everyday if I could.

Crispy Fish, Lamb and Beef Tongue Tacos

\

Crispy Shrimp Betal Leaf

Salt and Pepper Squid with Fish Sauce

El Camino

380 Elgin Street

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Telphone: 613-422-2800

Read More

Recipe: Soy Ginger Buckwheat Noodle Salad

Buckwheat is a great food to incorporate into your diet. It is a good source of protein, anti-oxidants, iron and zinc. People with high cholesterol or high blood pressure can benefit from buckwheat as it has been linked to lowering the risk of both conditions.

Contrary to popular belief, buckwheat is not a grain, but is in fact a plant that is related to rhubarb and sorrel.

This soy ginger buckwheat noodle salad is a great way to enjoy buckwheat this summer...especially when served chilled!

This recipe yields 4 servings.

Soy Ginger Buckwheat Noodle Salad
- 8oz dried buckwheat noodles
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1/2 red pepper, seeded and julienned
- 2 scallions, sliced into thin strips
- 250 grams or 2 cups of frozen edamame in shell

For the Sauce
- 3 Tbsp sweet soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp of palm sugar
- 1/4 tsp of sesame oil
- 2 1/2 tsp of sherry vinegar
- 1 small nob of ginger (approx 1inch x 1inch), grated with juice
- 1 red birds eye chile, finely chopped  (optional)

Method
1. Cook buckwheat noodles according to package instructions and then rinse with cold water.  

2. Cook the edamame as per package instructions. Discard the shell and set aside.  

3. Combine all of the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and mix well. In another bowl, combine the buckwheat noodles, edamame, carrot, red pepper and scallions. Drizzle the sauce over top of the noodle salad and mix until sauce is evenly distributed. Serve immediately or serve chilled.

Read More

Recipe: Spiced Breakfast Berry Shake

As you can see, I've been into my shakes lately. I find that it is the easiest way to get all the good stuff your body needs, all in one go. Eating healthy meals takes planning, and sometimes, my brain just gets tired of doing it. With the right shakes, you can substitute your meals with shakes or have it on the side to complement your meal.

This is not your regular berry fruit drink. But then again, I don't think any recipe on this site is regular. This berry shake has added spices like turmeric, cinnamon and ginger that contain added health benefits. You may be skeptical about it tasting good, but trust me, it is! Another great thing about shakes is that it's a great way to sneak in ingredients that you may not necessarily have on a regular basis. This is a great tactic for your the little kids in the family...and big kids too! The ginger may be a bit too much for some so I have listed that as optional.

Turmeric and cinnamon are considered superfoods, which simply means that it has a high nutrient content and disease-fighting agents. Turmeric, cinnamon and ginger have all been identified as cancer-fighting ingredients, along with a long list of other health benefits like its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and immune-enhancing properties.

This recipe yields 1 1/4 cups.

Spiced Berry Breakfast Shake
- 1 cup of frozen mixed berries, slightly thawed
- 1 ripe banana, frozen and peeled
- 1/2 cup of almond milk
- 4-6 Tbsp of rolled oats or your favourite muesli (less will give a smoother consistency)
- 4 Brazil nuts
- 2 Tbsp of flax oil
- 1/8 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp of turmeric
- 1 small nob of peeled ginger, approx 1 inch x 1 inch (optional)

Method
1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour shake into a cup and enjoy.

Read More

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Orzo Salad with Feta

Tomato season is peeking right around the corner. Nothing beats eating tomatoes fresh, at its prime time.

Fresh summer tomatoes tossed in a cold, healthy, flavorful salad is my favorite way to eat them. I especially love salads that taste better the next day because it removes the hassle of meal planning. I'm always on the go, so salads that keep work well with a busy lifestyle.

This light orzo salad is great as a meal or as a side dish.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

Heirloom Tomato Orzo Salad with Feta
- 2 cups of heirloom tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup of orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1/2 cup of red onion, finely chopped
- 150g feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 Tbsp of sherry vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp of dried basil
- 1 tsp of dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp of flaky sea salt
- black pepper to taste
- extra virgin olive oil

Method
1. Cook the orzo pasta until al dente. Follow the package instructions to cook the pasta. Drain the pasta.

2. In a large bowl, drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over the pasta and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate for 2 hours and serve cold.

Read More

Wall Gets It Right with Supply and Demand, Ottawa

It's exciting when an awesome new place that you know will stay pops up in Ottawa. I last felt it when Back Lane Cafe opened and I'm feeling it again with Supply and Demand, a funky little food and raw bar on Wellington Street West in Westboro, Ottawa.

The couple behind Supply and Demand are Chef Steve Wall and his wife, Jennifer. Twenty-eight-year-old Steve Wall has been with some of Ottawa's most notable restaurants, including Town, Whalesbone and Luxe.

Decked out in black and white, this place is anything but plain. Maybe I've been watching too much Boardwalk Empire, but Supply and Demand reminds me of a 1920's speakeasy funked up in contemporary style. The sea horse wall paper and tiled floors are totally awesome! The brains behind the design is the talented Shannon Smithers-Gay of One80 Design.

And the food...I don't even know where to start with the food, except to say that it all pretty much rocks! There wasn't anything that we ordered that I didn't love.

You can't go wrong with anything on the raw menu as it was a big part of their original vision for the restaurant. While the menu changes often, the highlights on the night we were there were the short rib carpaccio, the sea scallop ceviche, kale salad and ricotta gnudi. The ricotta gnudi was melt in your mouth good and the raw dishes were fresh with nice clean flavors.

This is now one of my new favorite places to eat in Ottawa.

Kale Salad with Caper Vinaigrette, Manchego Cheese and Bacon

Ricotta Gnudi with Basil Pesto

Raw Sea Scallop with Grapefruit, Scallions and Birds Eye Chili

Short Rib Carpaccio with Pickled Pepper Mayo, Preserved Romano Cheese and Mache

New Crop Potatoes with Soft Boiled Egg, Dijon, Lemon and Herring Caviar

Brown Butter Poached Mackerel with Pickled Shrimp Panzanella and Marinated Vegetables

Pavlova Sandwich with Dulce de Leche, Roasted White Chocolate and Banana

Supply and Demand
1335 Wellington West
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Telephone: 613-680-2949

Read More

Recipe: The Ultimate Green Shake

When one hears green shake or green drink, a scrunched up face usually follows. It never sounds tasty and what usually comes to mind is a cup full of bitter vegetables blended together. I can assure you that it is NOT the case with this green shake. It is delicious and packed with a whole lot of goodness such as leafy greens, fresh fruit, omega-3 and anti-oxidants.

When life gets hectic, I usually forget to eat my fruits and veggies regularly. This is a great shake to get all the essential nutrients and fats you need. The fresh fruit, sweet dates, and cacao nibs make this shake great tasting, and I don't even notice the broccoli in this drink! I have to warn you, it is pretty filling. One or two servings of this shake is usually enough for one complete meal.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

The Ultimate Green Shake
(Adapted from Sue Riedl)
- 1 green apple, cored and chopped with skin
- 1 ripe frozen banana, peeled
- 1 cup of frozen broccoli
- 3/4 cups of leafy greens (I use watercress, kale, or spinach)
- 3 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups of almond milk
- 1 Tbsp of flax oil
- 2 Tbsp of cacao nibs
- 5 Brazil nuts

Method
1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour shake into a cup and enjoy.

Read More

Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pineapple Shrimp

This dish is so mind blowingly simple, you may just laugh. At least I did when I ate this dish and asked for the recipe. I asked at least 3 times, "That's it!? You don't put anything else in the sauce? Are you sure!?"

What makes the sauce sweet and sour is the ketchup. Yes, just plain 'ol ketchup. The tomato concentrate combined with the corn syrup and vinegar makes this a ready to use sauce for Asian dishes. Of all the ketchups on the market, Heinz ketchup has the sweet and sour proportions just right. Other ketchups seem to be either too sweet or not enough.

Sweet and Sour Pineapple Shrimp
- 20 large shrimp, de-shelled but with the shell still on the tip of the tail
- 1 cup of pineapple, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 green pepper, cut into 1.5 inch pieces
- 1 large onion, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 6 Tablespoons of Heinz ketchup
- 2 tsp of corn starch
- Extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste

Method
1. If you are using frozen shrimp, simply place the shrimp in a bowl of water for 15 minutes and then de-shell. Mix the shrimp and corn starch until evenly coated. Set aside.

2. Once the onion is sliced, separate each layer by hand so that they become curved strips. In an oiled pan, on high heat, cook the onions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the shrimp, and stir fry until 3/4 of the way cooked (approximately 3 minutes).

3. Turn the heat down to medium heat. Add the ketchup, green pepper and pineapple, and stir fry until the shrimp is completely cooked (approximately 2 minutes). Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

If you dont mind the work when eating, you can keep the shell on the shrimp to hold in more flavor. For a saucier dish, simply add more ketchup.

Read More

Recipe: Garlic Edamame

A great healthy snack and tad more exciting than the traditional edamame sprinkled with sea salt, this garlic edamame will get you licking every pod you place in your mouth. It's quick to make and a really flavorful way to get your protein and fiber.

Garlic Edamame
- 2 cups of frozen edamame
- 4 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- salt and pepper
- extra virgin olive oil

Method
1. On high heat, in an oiled pan, sautee the garlic for 1 minute. Add the frozen edamame red pepper flakes and a few dashes of salt and pepper. Cook on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, until the garlic is golden brown. Use a wooden spatula to stir the edamame around frequently.

2. Add the oyster sauce and toss until evenly coated, no more than 1 minute. Serve hot. Eat the beans only and discard the shell.

Read More

Thai Airways Airline Food - Paris to Bangkok

Thai Airways airline meals from Paris to Bangkok in economy class.

Dinner
Starter: Savoy ham and creole salad
Main: Stir-fried beef with oyster sauce, steamed Thai Hom Mali rice and bok choy
Dessert: Pecan Tartlet
Sides: Rivoli bread roll, crackers, cheese, butter, tea, coffee

Breakfast
Starter: Fruit salad and yoghurt
Main: Emmenthal crepe, Spanish omelet, roasted tomato and green asparagus
Sides: Croissant, baby bread, jam, butter, tea, coffee

Read More

Thai Airways Airline Food - Sydney to Bangkok

Because airline meals are so hard to come by these days, it is more the reason to post airline meals...JUUUUST in case they ever go obsolete. What's neat is how airline food differs so much between country to country, and airline to airline, depending on where you are going and who is operating the flight.

Here are the meals served on a Thai Airways Sydney to Bangkok flight in Economy class. Here, you can see a blend of Asian elements with Australian ones.

Lunch

Lunch
Starter: Potato salad with mayonnaise, lettuce, shaved turkey and cherry tomato
Main: Chicken in red curry with bamboo shoot, steamed Thai Hom Mali rice, and stir fried vegetables
Dessert: Orange almond cake
Sides: bread roll, Arnott's crackers, Cracker Barrel cheese, butter, tea, coffee

The curry didn't look like much in the photo, but it was really flavorful! The Arnott's crackers were a nice touch.

Dinner

Dinner
Starter: Fresh fruit salad
Main: Stir fried prawn with black bean sauce, rice noodles, choy sum
Dessert: Wattle seed cookies

The noodles were not soggy and the prawns were huge. This dish was really good and the sliced chile peppers on top gave the dish an extra kick.

Read More

Fried Chicken is Good, But Spicy Fried Chicken is Better! Hattie B's, Nashville

Damn Hot White Chicken with Fries

This might not look like alot, but this piece of hot fried chicken is ONE MILLION Scolville units!! Made with ghost pepper extracts, the Damn Hot Chicken at Hattie B's is not for the faint-hearted.

In the South, fried chicken is a staple. However, in Nashville, hot fried chicken is the thing. Hattie B's, owned by the Bishops and named after Nick Jr's great-grand mother, is one of the newer kids on the block.

Their most popular chicken order is hot, followed by medium, and then damn hot. The medium and hot are fairly similar in heat, with the difference being that the hot has a dry spice on top of the wet.

If spicy is not your thing, they also offer traditional Southern fried chicken.

As for sides, the pimento mac n cheese is a must order!

Are you thinking that even the Damn Hot might not be enough heat? Well...I've got a secret. They have an off-the-menu item called "Shut The Cluck Up" that is 3 Million Scolville Units! Come on, I dare you.

Hot Dark Chicken with Pimento Mac n Cheese and Southern Greens

Hattie B's
112 19th Avenue S
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Telephone: 615-678-4794

Read More

An American Chocolate Road Trip with Wild Ophelia, Beef Jerky Chocolate

Just when you think you've seen it all, they come out with Beef Jerky Chocolate! Now, this is one chocolate combination you don't come across often.

Wild Ophelia, sister company to the very popular Vosges Chocolates, is an all natural American brand that combines chocolate with ingredients sourced from small American farmers and food artisans.

With a very Southern flair, Wild Ophelia offers flavors such as Beef Jerky, Southern Hibiscus Peach, New Orleans Chili, Sweet Cherry Pecan, Smokehouse BBQ Potato Chips and Peanut Butter and Banana.

In true Katrina Markoff style, everything has a story. And here is the one of "Wild Ophelia". On a small ranch house in Leipers Fork, tennessee, Wild Ophelia was nicknamed such because of the smart plans she hatched while a kid. Instead of making pocket money serving lemonade, she would serve her experimental creations such as chocolate dipped beef jerky and fresh peaches with hibiscus, hence the inspirations for the Wild Ophelia chocolate line up.

Also similar to Vosges Chocolate, the Wild Ophelia bars have tasting tips. Here is the one for the beef jerky bar: "Close your eyes, breathe. Let the plains of Wyoming roll on your tongue as you snap the chocolate in your mouth. Beef jerky, smoked paprika and deep milk chocolate deliver the power of the magical cacao bean".

The beef jerky chocolate was really good. The beef jerky bits were small enough to blend with the chocolate creating a very nice uniform flavor that wasn't overpowering.

The artwork inside the chocolate box is adds a nice design touch too.

Read More