On Thursdays, somerville kitchen goes wacky (Click on Wacky Thursdays). This is an example of what wacky looks like.
Isn't it gorgeous? (Thank you Replacement Chef). What is it? That's Replacement Chef's secret, but that orange glop is...
... an Indian mango jam. Wackilisious.
This is the beautiful view from a Saskatoon Hotel Room - why go out for dinner when I can lounge in my pj and eat in bed looking at this view.
Room service had the most interestingly named dishes - why eat Adam's rib when you can bite into a padded bra.
Well, the padded bra looked more like a non-padded below the bra; and I am not even going to talk about what it tasted like.
And we arrive to our destination.
Chamberlain has a population of less than what you find in a small condominium building in Vancouver.
You can also walk the whole town faster than you walk Main street in Vancouver.
Yet, it has two churches (or is it one large church with two roofs?)
It is also the land of Twisted SisterS, one of the most popular road stops restaurants in the province.
And rightly so.
With
cows roaming few meters away, you can be assured of eating the freshest
burgers and drinking the freshest milk (or milk shakes or twisters).
I am not sure I will ever have more delicious ice cream. And my favourite topping, sprinkles, just made this an amazing tasting experience.
Thank you Saskatchewan - you never cease to amaze me.
Three from Saskatchewan and one from the West Coast hit the road.
While people from Saskatchewan may think this is the dullest drive in the world, I was beyond thrilled; enjoying being in the open land and sky.
While the scenery fascinates the eyes, the roaming cows and vast wheat fields fascinate the mind as to how rich our country is with land and what this land gives us.
Destination? You'd have to wait till tomorrow's article to find out, but I assure you it is worth the wait.
Meanwhile enjoy more of the Saskatchewan scenary.
The leftovers from Friday's Authentically Lebanese dinner were re-cycled into a mini feast.
My charming guest brought us my favourite white and creamy dessert - coconut cream pie; the first of the season.
But Catsess was too exhausted from the day of running around to even lift her head up at the smell of the cream.
Look what I found at London Drugs and for a price cheaper than a hotel room in Mission.
The production opportunities are endless but I opted to start big - steaks.
Marinated all day with BBQ sauce and a drizzle of olive oil, the steaks grilled beautifully and quickly.
Not as impressive as my fire place grilling, but delicious nonetheless.
And no, I did not eat all three steaks. Company was coming.
Soon you'd hear about my other new London Drugs toy, so stay tuned.
Everything was authentic about this perfect party at somerville kitchen starting with the authentic group of lovely people who bid generously for United Way to win this dinner.
Lebanese Arak and Lebanese wine kicked off the partying. By the end of the evening, we consumed, on average, one bottle of wine and one glass of Arak per person.
But that was not the only consumption we had. Along side the beverages was a major authentic Lebanese mezza spread.
One of the more authentic offering was a platter of humus topped with lamb and pine nuts sizzling in olive oil.
The kabobs were next, grilled to perfection on a home fire.
The authenticity of the evening did not stop at the kabobs and the food.
To complete an authentic Lebanese feast, the Arghileh came out with real tobacco and coals from the fire.
Granted it took time to have it get it to work authentically, but once all got the hang of it, the smoke puffs filled up the room bringing the feasting ambiance from Lebanese restaurant level to Lebanese night club one.
And then there was dessert.
A very pleasant evening on all levels with an amazing company.
It is no secret I adore sweet e's productions, but this mini coconut cake took my adoration level up to the power 10.
It is a white cake with a touch of coconut, covered with cream sprinkled with coconut.
But most adorable is the size of this cake.
It is mini in a wacky way that makes it a perfect catsess cake - beautifully put together, a pleasure to eat and a cake to dream about buying again (and again).
Sweet e's
2032 West 41st
Vancouver, BC
Dream Sushi is one of the most low key, calm sushi places in the city - no Japanese screaming welcomes when you enter, no TV blasting with a game or music videos and calming cartoons on all the wall.
They make these delicious potato croquettes as 'special of the day' but they seem to always be on special. Not sure what they are stuffed with, it is something that resembles cheese but is not - tasty nonetheless.
Endless variety of interesting rolls. I don't remember which one I ordered, but I am calling it Donald Duck roll.
As for service, the customer feedback says it all.
Dream Sushi
4401 Main Street
Vancouver, BC
All visitors are welcomed, but some more than others.
Like those who come over with one suitcase out of which half the content are goodies for somerville kitchen.
So what do we have here?
Kuwaiti Darabeel. What are Darabeel I don't know, nor would I know until I open this box.
But instant Arabic coffee mix with cardamom is one I have not tried, but know exactly how it will come out (and cannot wait to try it).
Very fancy cookies looking like truffles. These are going to go with a very special tea one special afternoon.
But the highlight are the Easter Cookies that I missed terribly this Easter.
Date bites are small cookies filled with dates and orange bites. I am melting one in my mouth as I write.
And finally, this colourful snack is a mood uplifter - coloured sweetened dried chickpeas!
Thank you ya helweh! Diet on hold...
