Homemade sugar cookies for your sweetie or...

My friend Suzie asked if I wanted to make some sugar cookies with her so she could take photos for her blog. I agreed and ended making the dough myself from a recipe I found on allrecipes.com for "Best Rolled Sugar Coookies". The recipe that follows is for 5 dozen cookies but you can change the serving amount on the website.

Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

Directions: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight). Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely. We baked each tray for at least 8 minutes. After they had cooled a few minutes we moved them to a cooling rack. They taste yummy while still warm from the oven! I polished off four small ones without thinking, they kind of melt in your mouth. Read Suzie's take and view her pretty photos at www.cleanwelllitstyleblog.blogspot.ca

Credit goes to her on the below photo.

Forza Pasta Bar

I needed a place to dine in Sherwood Park so I checked Urbanspoon out.. stumbling upon Forza I noted mostly positive reviews and decided to try it out. I booked a table using the Urbanspoon reservation system - and that was that, a table for 3 at 6:30 on a Saturday night. We arrived to an almost empty dining room and were seated quickly. There was a small but satisfactory selection of wines to choose from. Espresso beverages are also available as well as sparkling San Pellegrino juices and bottled flat and mineral waters. We ordered drinks and were given a brief explanation of how the menu was set up. Like other trattorias I have visited the menu is as follows: a listing of all the pastas available and a listing of all the sauces available. For example you can order pappardelle in a rose sauce or ricotta ravioli in alfredo sauce. There are also a few salads and an egg drop, zucchini and spinach soup available as starters. I opted for fettuccine alfredo and added chicken. One of my friends ordered ricotta ravioli with alfredo sauce and the other ordered gnocchi with gorgonzola and spinach sauce (pictured). We were all very happy with our choices - the gnocchi being the all-round favourite. I highly recommend Forza for a casual, no- stress dining situation. Great for a meal with friends, family or even a date. I am sure to visit Forza! again soon.

Tzin Wine & Tapas

After wanting to try Tzin for ages I finally got there on a Thursday evening in late November. It was wonderful - excellent food and ambience. Though my first visit was long overdue I made my second visit there last week. It was a last minute plan but I was able to book a reservation on their website as two parties that arrived after us were told there were no tables available. The ambience is warm and inviting and our server made us feel right at home (if I could cook this beautifully). I recommended the mushroom and spinach tart (which I had enjoyed on my first visit) to my companion which she ordered and thoroughly enjoyed. I opted for the pork loin with warm potato salad which I also enjoyed. When we were asked if we'd like dessert my friend went with the flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sorbet and I - well I decided to get the mushroom tart as my dessert! Though the pork was lovely I remembered just how good the tart was and had to partake of it as well.

Tzin offers fine food and focuses on using local ingredients when possible. Tapas style (non- foodie translation: small plates) allows you to try a few things if you're up for it. It's a great spot to meet a friend for intimate conversation. I do recommend booking ahead as it is a small space (probably less than 20 seats). I hope to return often!

already autumn

Summer has come and gone with nary a word from myself. I suppose I was a bit busy .. alas no excuse - maybe this season will include more writing. With the arrival of fall comes the end to some things- most of the outdoor farmers markets will be wrapping up in the next couple of weeks. Be sure to get out and grab fresh, local produce, meats, cheeses, goodies, etc. We have seen many more markets pop up, as well as many more food trucks. And this fall we are going to see several new restaurants opening, more than one along 124th street. So as we say goodbye to summer, lets welcome fall with open arms. I love this season - the crisp air, the multicoloured leaves..the satisfaction of having had a great summer and expecting an even better fall!

Cally's Teas

Cally's Teas new shop has been open since the beginning of April and it is a delightful addition to the list of options of where to go for a tea or coffee break in the city. A moment talking with Cally and you understand why the room is full of bright colours.

The new space boasts not only many loose teas to choose from (my best guess would be that there are close to 100 choices) but also merchandise such as mugs, tea pots, stationary and chocolate!

I have decided to call this the Great Wall of Teas:

The two side walls are covered in beautiful wallpaper (shades of turquoise) while the back wall of the cafe space is bright fuschia.

The cafe area is small, but in a cosy, not cramped, kind of way. You can choose any type of tea you'd like and they steep it for you and serve it in a tea pot ready to be poured. There is a lovely selection of fresh baking including delicious scones and brioche that are served with jam and heavy cream. They have expanded the menu to include cucumber sandwiches, dippy eggs with bread soldiers, beans on toast, welsh rarebit, salad, and savory quiches and bread puddings. Cally grew up in England and is inspired by the feel of a village rather than the big city. I have enjoyed many high teas and I have to say that it is nice to sit back and feel comfortable, rather than all prim and proper.

The spread they set before us on Mother's Day was splendid. My favourite treat had to be the simple scones with strawberry jam and heavy cream as well as the cucumber sandwiches. I recommend the Windsor Castle tea for a perfect cup of tea (if you enjoy black teas that is). I recommend paying a visit to Cally's Teas soon, whether for a light snack (you can order just scones or brioche and tea) or something more. They update their facebook account regularly with special event info and menu changes: https://www.facebook.com/callys.tea

Zinc

On a sunny winter evening I enjoyed my first meal at Zinc. A beautifully set table with a great view were a great start to the evening.

My friend and I both ordered a "bite size" starter and main. We were happy to be treated to lovely fresh mini scones with creamy whipped butter before our orders arrived.

Our bites then arrived, beautifully plated together on two small plates. As an appetizer I ordered the Warm Onion Tarte Tatin:
Upside-down puff pastry tart with caramelized onions, "Paddy‟s‟ cheese, port reduction, and dressed organic leaves. It was good, but not what I was expecting. The beef entree I had was delicious. Served with creamy potatoes as well as some squash I was left wanting more.. next time I will go with the full sized main.

After each having two bite sized dishes we were both satisfied but decided we needed to try dessert as well and ordered the Callebeaut Chocolate Mascarpone Tarte with
Champagne Sorbet and Honey Marinated Berries to share.

It was lovely. Great ambience, service and of course the food was amazing. I am planning to return for a special occasion in the near future.

too much time on my hands

For the last two months I have been far less busy than the three months prior.. one job instead of two will do that. However I have neglected this! I even went to Calgary in January for a weekend and enjoyed a lot of great of food and coffee too - visiting Kawa Espresso Bar and Boxwood for the first time and returning to Farm and Jelly Modern Doughnuts both for the second time.
I've enjoyed meals here in Edmonton at my usual haunts - Corso32, Culina Muttart and Millcreek, MRKT, Battista's Calzones.. I also visited Highlands Kitchen on Sunday for brunch. The new owners have reintroduced weekend brunch and while I wasn't quite happy with my menu selection (baked eggs), I am pleased that they are offering brunch again.
With a dinner at Corso32 scheduled for next week as well as the hope of finally visiting Zinc, I hope to write again soon. Until then, eat and drink blissfully!