I satisfied my craving this week for a traditional meal of Prime Rib Roast with Gravy and Yorkshire Pudding!

Instead of a traditional muffin tin, I used my mini loaf pan and they collapsed just enough to create these wonderful little valleys in the top so the gravy could pool there perfectly!  Heaven on earth!

And the hot roast beef sandwiches for dinner the next night were a dream!

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Need to find a "WOW" wine to bring to dinner tonight?  Be one of the first to try this great new wine!

2008 BLIND RIVER SAUVIGNON BLANC (LCBO #141499) from New Zealand is being released in the Vintages section of the LCBO today.


As well as being called one of the '60 Best New Zealand Wines 2009', the 2008 BLIND RIVER SAUVIGNON BLANC has had stellar reviews in the press overseas where they have described it as "awesome", "intense", "finely textured"and "elegant" with "a mass of passionfruit and elderflower scents" and "zesty acidity and a lively zip".. Here in Canada , local wine writer Natalie MacLean rated it 91/100 and called it "Stunningly delicious Sauvignon Blanc with vibrant notes of fresh grass, lime, chives and green apple. Not too herbal. Refreshing and mercifully free of oak. A zesty aperitif or a companion to a wide range of dishes. Superb effort!" Toronto Star writer, Gordon Stimmell also rated it highly at 89/100.

Step out of the box and try something new today!
And once you try it - let me know what you think of it!

Below is the connection to the LCBO website which can tell you what locations in your area are carrying the wine. I know for sure that it is in stock at (1) Queens ' Quay, (2)Queen and Coxwell as well as (3) Yonge and Empress (Yonge north of Shepperd)

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=141499

Cheddar Dill Puffs

Without a doubt, one of the most popular hors d'oeurves I have ever served people. 

Trying to get ahead on a few holiday catering jobs I have so took the time to make 200 of these light, fluffy and savoury bites.  They're perfect with a glass of wine, beer or champagne.  And the best part....I bake them, freeze them and then pop them in the oven frozen whenever I need them!  Hardest part...keeping my families hands away from them when they're cooling.

I"m having fun on FoodBuzz lately so visit me there to get the recipe!

http://www.foodbuzz.com/recipes/1566181-cheddar-dill-puffs

A visually stunning and equally delicious salad for the holidays!

Beet Carpaccio Salad with Goat's Cheese is simple to make, requires no cooking (who doesn't love that!) and is a great way to get your taste buds jumping at the beginning of a meal.

For everyone who tells me they don't like beets - this is the one that always wins them over!





BEET CARPACCIO WITH GOAT CHEESE & ARUGULA


Makes 4 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

Notes: This raw dish is all about the best ingredients you can find. A great goat cheese and a fruity, high-quality olive oil will result in flavour that is as stunning as the presentation. An elegant but simple starter to any meal.

Ingredients:
• 2 medium beets, peeled and stems trimmed to 2 inches

• 1 ½ tablespoons red-wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup goat cheese, crumbled

• 4 cups (packed) baby arugula (or other delicate green such as watercress)

• 1 large Belgian endive, thickly sliced crosswise

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil



1. Using stems as a handle, slice beets paper-thin with a sharp knife or slicer (wear protective gloves to avoid staining hands). Toss with vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl, then let stand 5-10 minutes or until the beets just start to wilt.



2. Divide beets among 4 large plates, overlapping slices slightly. Top with goat cheese.



3. Toss arugula and endive with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste, then mound over goat cheese. Drizzle beets with remaining 2 tablespoons oil.

et voila!  Linquine with Pork Belly.  Dinner is served in 10 minutes (not counting the 24 hours it took to prepare the pork belly!)

All weekend my home smelled of decadent pork belly roasting in the oven!  Experimenting for an upcoming catering event has my family "pigging" out on bacon!  Tonight's last little bits will find their way into a simple linguine with pork belly.  A few shallots sauteed in a pan, pork belly added, a splash of white wine and fresh linguine with lots of freshly ground black pepper will come together nicely.  Might have to add a side salad of arugula to cut the richness but what the heck...it's better than eating all the left over Hallowe'en candy!

Tonight's dinner was a mish mash of what was in the fridge and it was fantastic.  Sometimes the best tasting dishes are those with the least thought!

Smokey Bacon & Potato Chowder
Serves 6
Preparation Time:  20 minutes
Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped smokey bacon (or regular bacon)
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 6 cups (1.5L) chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 pototaoes, peeled and diced
• Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

1. In a medium stockpot, cook bacon over medium high heat until crispy.  Remove bacon from pot and place on absorbant towel.
2. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from pot.  Reduce heat to medium.  Add onion, carrot and celery.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir contanstanly for 1 minute.  Add chicken stock, potaotes and thyme sprigs.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. 
4. Remove thyme stalks and season with salt and pepper to taste.

To get more recipes like this visit my main site at http://www.thecookscompanion.ca/

Save the Date!

Join me on Thursday November 26th at Housewarmings in Oakville at their Customer Appreciation Night. Between the hours of 6pm & 9pm see the latest in Holiday Decor and savour easy but elegant holiday hors d'oeurves from yours truly! Plus everything in the store will be on sale! It's a great chance to get a jump start on your holiday shopping, decorating and gain inspiration for the upcoming party season!

Read the latest review for The Groove Mamma Goes Gourmet at Stovetop Readings.

http://www.stovetopreadings.com/

My free Recipe of the Week is now available at www.thecookscompanion.ca

Have you signed up yet to receive these easy, no fuss but delicious recipes?

This week's recipe is for Spicy Couscous with Salmon & Yoghurt - a quick and healthy meal that is equally at home during the week or for a special luncheon.

Gorgeous Bloody Mary Soup Shots. Just one of the recipes in my eBook, "The Groove Mamma Goes Gourmet - Easy Ways To Put The Fun Back Into Entertaining".

It's chock full of tips on how to plan a stress free party as well as a complete menu plan that will work perfectly for the upcoming holiday season.

Available for $7.98 at www.groovemamma.com

Keep on grooving!

Talking Turkey!

What wine should you pair with your Canadian Thanksgiving Turkey? My choice for Roast Turkey with Gravy...Zinfandel or Chardonnay.

Can't see the back of your pantry for old spice? Don't know what that green slime is lurking in the jar at the back of your fridge? Then check out this article I wrote for Changing Gears (http://www.changinggears.ca) and get your kitchen fighting fit!

http://www.changinggears.ca/articles/cooking/index.html

Was just chatting with Sharman Yarnell on CJAD 800 Montreal on her show Showtime. Love talking about food and entertaining. Great plug for my eBook The Groove Mamma Goes Gourmet. Get it today for $7.99 at www.groovemamma.com

I am excited to be part of this great event. Who says shopping isn't good for your health?!

Please join me at the first ever Affair of the Heart shopping night at Sherway Gardens, to be held on Sunday, November 1, 2009.

Affair of the Heart is a fashionable evening in support of women’s heart health. From 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., more than 1,200 guests will have the unique opportunity to gain after-hours access to Sherway Gardens – just in time for the busy holiday season. While getting a jump start on your gift buying, you can sip on a glass of wine, snack on some heart-healthy appetizers and take advantage of exclusive retailer discounts, ranging from 15-40% off!

You will also have the opportunity to win a Grand Prize Draw for a $2,500 shopping spree with a personal shopper at Sherway Gardens. To qualify for a free ticket in the draw, you must make a purchase from at least three Sherway Gardens retailers (additional tickets may be purchased as desired).

Proceeds from the evening will be used to purchase life-saving equipment for the Cardiology Department at the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Tickets are only $75 each, but quantity is limited. More event details can be found at http://www.affairoftheheart.ca/.

I encourage you to buy a ticket for yourself, for your spouse or for both of you. And please send the link to your family and friends so you can turn the evening into a fun group activity!

You’ve got to shop anyway…so why not have a little fun while you’re doing it. Hope to see you there!