For anyone who isn't familiar, Edgar Farms (Innisfail) last week started retailing this year's crop of locally grown asparagus at the Garrison Farmer's Market. As far as I'm concerned, there is no better asparagus available in Calgary. In addition to being local, the cold-weather growing conditions make for a sweet and complex flavor. The asparagus is harvested by hand and immediately bathed in ice water to nullify the field growing conditions. I heartily enjoy eating this asparagus raw. I can't say the same for the Safeway variety.
Try it. It's not cheap, but make sure to factor the quality as well as the fact that it's pre-split at the tough point. There is no need to trim the asparagus further.
I talked to the gals at the booth this weekend and they say this is the second weekend their asparagus has been available. It will only be available until the end of June.
If you haven't tried it, I encourage you to. It is awesome.
Location.......If you are facing the main entrance of the market, enter the far left door and it's the first stall on your left.
While you're at it, try the Gull Farms tomato and pepper stall.....they rarely disappoint.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The sauce is the boss.
Eurika Montana is a quaint, kitschy little town. Located in the heart of the Tobacco Valley, Eurika's scenery is beautiful but subdued, a combination of Badlands style ruggedness and river valley pine Forrest. This sleepy hamlet comes to life each year at the onset of summer when thousands of Canadian campers make the quick boarder dash (3.75hours southwest of Calgary) to there respective campsites and vacation properties, in search of a little R&R. The Tobacco valley is the remnants of 10,000 years of retreating glaciers, as such the scarred landscape is littered with crystal clear cold bodies of water, perfect for a multitude of water activities and fishing.
Shopping for food in small town U.S.A can be daunting, but a little perseverance revealed a couple of shops that catered to a more food conscious crowd. The prices on most items were congruent with thoughs in Canada due to our proximity with the boarder. However, a frugal shopper could have made out like a bandit. Eating healthy (or gourmet)during a camping trip can be a challenge at the best of times (e.g. making all your food at home and bringing it with), but we found a local organic food store with a fantastic selection of fruit and veg. A very capable butcher counter was sourced out at a plain looking food mart, and of course the dry good selection was on par with the selection at home.
None of this availability led us to far astray from our camping roots however. Grilled corn, steaks, chili dogs and burgers were a mainstay. Biscuits and scrambled eggs made appearances. Chips and beer filled the voids between red meat and red wine. A salad made a brief appearance, but was quickly eaten as to not offend the chips. The alcohol selection was excellent. The Pacific Northwest is home to countless micro breweries, all of whoms wears were available in any grocery store. The beers were, for the most part good and cheap. $7.00 for a six pack that I would pay $14.00 for in Calgary. Lots of reputable California wine was available, and again very affordable. If sweets are your thing, America's reputation proceeds itself, and does not disappoint. The selection of doughnuty, greasy chocolaty thing was stunning. Never before have I seen a kids breakfast cereal section like this. There is a place in my heart for this type of foodstuff, it made me feel good just to look at it. Condiments rein supreme on the market shelves of America. The convenience of spray butter was to much to pass up, and so a new discovery was made. Spray butter rules. You can spray it on anything! Grilled corn, french fries even ice cream! The spray salad dressing however, did not stand up to its spritzing cousin.
At home I would scoff, at camp I embrace, the feeling of gastronomic liberation was intoxicating, or was that the ice cold "Trout Slayer Ale" in my hand..? Blast! Distraction. Aah yes, the sauce. America loves BBQ. As such BBQ related selection is enormous. Dry rub is everywhere. Gourmet sauces only found in specialty shops in Calgary are in gas stations in Eurika. Wood chips for smoking, charcoal for grilling, brine's for injecting, liquids for basting and all found in what is the equivalent of Mac's in Calgary. Why you ask? Because BBQ is soul food. It is an adventure to buy, prepare and cook. Success is measured in requests of second helpings. You are a hero or a zero when manning the grill. Embrace the grill, it is your camping soul mate. Penutbutter and crackers have there place at my campsite, but remember, the sauce is the boss.
Shopping for food in small town U.S.A can be daunting, but a little perseverance revealed a couple of shops that catered to a more food conscious crowd. The prices on most items were congruent with thoughs in Canada due to our proximity with the boarder. However, a frugal shopper could have made out like a bandit. Eating healthy (or gourmet)during a camping trip can be a challenge at the best of times (e.g. making all your food at home and bringing it with), but we found a local organic food store with a fantastic selection of fruit and veg. A very capable butcher counter was sourced out at a plain looking food mart, and of course the dry good selection was on par with the selection at home.
None of this availability led us to far astray from our camping roots however. Grilled corn, steaks, chili dogs and burgers were a mainstay. Biscuits and scrambled eggs made appearances. Chips and beer filled the voids between red meat and red wine. A salad made a brief appearance, but was quickly eaten as to not offend the chips. The alcohol selection was excellent. The Pacific Northwest is home to countless micro breweries, all of whoms wears were available in any grocery store. The beers were, for the most part good and cheap. $7.00 for a six pack that I would pay $14.00 for in Calgary. Lots of reputable California wine was available, and again very affordable. If sweets are your thing, America's reputation proceeds itself, and does not disappoint. The selection of doughnuty, greasy chocolaty thing was stunning. Never before have I seen a kids breakfast cereal section like this. There is a place in my heart for this type of foodstuff, it made me feel good just to look at it. Condiments rein supreme on the market shelves of America. The convenience of spray butter was to much to pass up, and so a new discovery was made. Spray butter rules. You can spray it on anything! Grilled corn, french fries even ice cream! The spray salad dressing however, did not stand up to its spritzing cousin.
At home I would scoff, at camp I embrace, the feeling of gastronomic liberation was intoxicating, or was that the ice cold "Trout Slayer Ale" in my hand..? Blast! Distraction. Aah yes, the sauce. America loves BBQ. As such BBQ related selection is enormous. Dry rub is everywhere. Gourmet sauces only found in specialty shops in Calgary are in gas stations in Eurika. Wood chips for smoking, charcoal for grilling, brine's for injecting, liquids for basting and all found in what is the equivalent of Mac's in Calgary. Why you ask? Because BBQ is soul food. It is an adventure to buy, prepare and cook. Success is measured in requests of second helpings. You are a hero or a zero when manning the grill. Embrace the grill, it is your camping soul mate. Penutbutter and crackers have there place at my campsite, but remember, the sauce is the boss.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The little black pig in my backyard.
The other night Alison and I had a major BBQ breakthrough. Stefan, Noah and Julia were all there to sample some of the finest slow smoked pork this side of Fourth Street. I am begining to learn real charcoal cooking is a comination of art, science and patience. I am also begining to learn that wine from Burgandy and BBQ are a perfect pair on a warm spring eve.
Mike.
Mike.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Welcome!
Finally! The blog is good to go. And so, fellow Hollow Leggers, we enter into a new era of food communication (along with the other thousands of food blogs). Now we can share all of our amazing experiences via social media.
Enjoy...
Enjoy...
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