Shopping at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market!

Although eating out is a favorite pass time of mine, cooking at home is just as fun. When I do cook at home, I get my supplies at the Halifax Saeport Farmers market!

I'm not usually one for crowds but there's something special about the market. The smell of all the wonderful foods cooking. The vibrant colors from the many craft vendors. The array of meats, produce, dairy and breads, and all under one big roof! The people that fill the aisles is just another part that makes this weekend ritual such an enjoyable one.

I always take the time to browse every aisle. Many of the vendors stay the same while some are always changing,  you never know what new items you'll find here from week to week. There is always a couple of favorite spots that I visit every week.

A visit to the market is pointless without my yummy chocolaty goodness from Boulangerie La Vendéenne. These guys are pretty popular so you have to get there early before they start selling out. I try to make it by 8am, 9am at the latest. This amazing pastry is filled with custard and chocolate...how could anyone say no to that! And of course, I always pick up a loaf of bread while there. My usual favorites would be the apricot or raisin loaf. Picking just one is hard to do!

 

Boulangerie La Vendéenne

And what goes great with bread? Milk of course! 

Not any milk, Fox Hill Cheese milk. I first discovered these guys while visiting the Annapolis valley. We simply followed the little signs to this wonderful place. We fell in love with the cheese right away. Cumin Gouda was, and still is our favorite of all the cheeses. I shouldn't forget the gelato they make. One word, Pistachio, try it. And now our most popular reason for visiting Fox Hill Cheese, their milk. Definitely give it a try.  I like knowing that my milk comes from happy cows. 

Fox Hill Cheese

As well as milk, yesterdays purchase included some yoghurt, an ingredient I needed for making lamb Korma. Lamb which was also purchased at the market.

East Coast Family Market / Blois Family Farm is my number one spot for buying my lamb and goat. Great service and wonderfully kind people to do business with!

NO visit to the market is complete without a meal, snack or beverage. I always wait to grab a coffee at the market. There's a great selection of spots, my two favorites are Steve-o-Renos and Java Blend. I also try to save my appetite for the market so I can indulge in a homemade crepe, a nicely stuffed breakfast wrap or even a wonderful spicy samosa. There's something for everybody. My latest purchase was a Tamal from El Gallo Mexican foods, located on the second level. Another great dish served at the market.

For a good visit, give yourself a few hours. There is an ATM at the market but I would advise that maybe you take some cash out before you get there. Hope the Market puts a smile on your face like it does for me when I enter the doors.

The Halifax Seaport Farmers Market is a must see for anybody visiting or living in the Halifax area. 

Until next Saturday!

The sweet Doberman, anybody know her name?

Homemade Pizza, Success!

Last night we decided to make pizza, from scratch.

Having made homeamde pizza many times before and even after downsizing good dough recipes I've collected from many different restaurants over the years, I've never been able to really perfect that nice jumbo slice of pizza, like the ones on pizza corner. Same goes for the sauce. I was pretty much convinced most of these recipes only worked when made in large quantities. I assumed I had lost this battle, until last night.

First of all, you need a pizza stone. I 'm sure it was a large contributing factor in last night's events. I gives that nice pizza bottom you get from a pizza place. I received one for Christmas with the intentions of making Naan bread from one of Gordon Ramsay's cook books. Tonight it was going to be broken in with two pizzas, a peperoni & salami pizza and a donair pizza.


So Gary went off looking for a good dough recipe and I searched for a good pizza sauce  We hit up Brothers Deli on Agricola for some peperoni and salami, grabbed some mozzarella as well.

Friends of ours came over and it was time to make some pizza! 


Since I was the one with previous pizza making experience, I was designated the pizza maker. It came back to me pretty quick, I even got the guts to spin some dough...I'm such a show off...tee hee.


Although, we didn't completely think the first pizza through. We had to jimmy it on to a piece of cardboard in order to slide it onto the stone in the oven, it did however, come out looking amazing! Once the first pizza was sin the oven, I started on the second pizza right away. 


Finally, it was time to eat! The pizza was amazing! I had accomplished mastering the big slice at home!!! I only wish I had taken a picture. Not to worry, we will be making more soon enough, something that good has to be eaten monthly!


I have to give credit where credit is most definitely due. To the sauce recipe and to the dough recipe. Just remember, along with a pizza stone, this makes one mean ass pizza! Top it with whatever you like.


Pizza Dough - Gary made one modification. It calls for olive oil, it says it's optional and I would recommend using it. We actually used a flavored olive oil that had some Italian seasoning in it. Called Tuscan Herb. It came from Liquid Gold, an olive oil store at the Hydrastone market. I would recommend a visit to Liquid gold if you've never been before. Wonderful variety of flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, A nice to place to shop!


Pizza Sauce - I had only glanced at the ingredients and never really noticed the amount of time suggested in cooking this recipe. Despite letting it cook only a few minutes before spreading it over the dough, it turned out very nice. The fennel seed really makes the sauce. I would suggest if you don't have enough time to cook down the onion and celery, to mince it finely.

Now go get your hands dirty and make some pizza folks!


Happy Eating!

Checking in at the Chebucto Inn!

We had to run some errands in Halifax yesterday morning, so we decided to grab a bite to eat while out. I wasn't intending on doing a blog entry, but I have to give credit where credit is do, so I apologize for not having any pictures. :(

We headed up Lady Hammond road and visited the Chebucto Inn Restaurant, located in the Chebucto Inn, of course. 

Eggs Benedict is a favorite of both mine and Gary but it's sometimes hard to find, done right.  Same with a breakfast steak. I am not a fan of the little fast fry jobbies that go from raw to well done with no option for medium rare. Chebucto serves you a nice little thick cut steak that can be ordered to your likeness, a big plus for me!

So, Gary ordered the Eggs Benny,and  I was feeling a little carnivorous and chose the steak and eggs. 

The meal was ready within 5-7 minutes of us ordering and that was with a decently filled dining room. The Benny looked wonderful, with nice portion of creamy Hollandaise sauce over the eggs and some yummy looking hash browns. My steak was cooked medium rare....pure joy!

The service there is very good, the ladies are always happy to serve you and they keep a good eye on your coffee levels!

And the best part was the very affordable prices,

Benny $7 (approx)

Steak and eggs $12 (approx)

Next time you're looking for a new little breakfast spot to try, try this!

Happy Eating!

Chebucto Inn

6151 Lady Hammond Road,

Halifax, Nova Scotia, 

B3K 2R9 

Toll Free: 1-800-268-4330
Local: (902)453-4330
Fax: (902)454-7043
E-Mail: info@chebuctoinn.com

http://www.chebuctoinn.com/restaurant/index.html