last day to get taste tix at a discount!
Save some money on Taste of Edmonton tix, July 18-28 at Capitol Plaza (99 Avenue and 108 Street). Visit tasteofedm.ca for deets and to buy tix.
community gardens are all right
With all the farmer’s market chat this year, it’s easy to forget about the Green & Gold Community Garden at the University Farm. Staffed entirely by volunteers, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Tubahumarize Society of Rwanda, as well as the freshest vegetables, it’s the place to be Tuesday evenings (7pm-8pm) and Saturday mornings (11am-1pm). What’s ready? Leafy greens—arugula, lettuces, mustard greens, kale and swiss chard; chives, garlic scapes, cilantro and lots and lots of flowers and rhubarb. Check it out! Directions at: www.greengoldgarden.com
bagels galore at culina to go
Culina to Go (12019A 102 Avenue in the Oliver Exchange Building, 780-250-7044) is hosting a Bagel Bar pop up Sunday, July 21 from 9am-1pm. Toothsome bagels and cream cheese from this local company, along with bagel brunch specials from Culina to Go.
keep up on what’s up with tomato radio
The latest Tomato Radio talks about the YEG ice cream explosion, great patios and all the other good summer food and drink things to do. https://soundcloud.com/tomatoradio/. Amanda and I take a break in the summer, we’ll be back in the fall with lots more episodes. Catch up on episodes you may have missed and send us your suggestions for future podcasts anytime!
secret patio #2: madison’s in the union bank inn
Well, maybe not a secret but, love how this bijou space is tucked into the historic building off Jasper. Visit for breakfast, lunch, cocktails or dinner, 10053 Jasper Avenue, 780-401-2222, unionbankinn.com.
sunday afternoon in the park with firefly circus
Dreaming of running away with the circus? Join Firefly Circus in Kinsmen Park, (9100 Walterdale Hill), Sunday, July 21, from noon-2:30pm for a free experience —circus workshops (juggling, wire walking, aerial hoops), face painting and a Cirque in the Park performance. This Edmonton based troupe is a delight. Drop by Culina to Go first to pick up a picnic basket and make an afternoon of it.
first horse-farmed rye since the turn of the century
Eau Claire Distillery’s new release, the Ploughman’s Rye Whisky: “This unique rye is the only one in the world that uses horse-farmed rye. It was grown in a field at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site near Longview,” says David Farran, president of Eau Claire. “You don’t get more Alberta than that.”
“The Ploughman’s Rye was first aged in new American oak barrels and finished in casks from our single malt whisky batch 002,” says master distiller, Caitlin Quinn. The Eau Claire blend marries the quintessential sweet, spicy notes of rye whisky with the robust, deep flavour of Eau Claire’s signature whisky. Find at Keg & Cork, Chateau Louis and other fine shops.
six easy things to do with new potatoes
’Tis the season of the new potato—those small, waxy, thin-skinned harbingers of summer. We are starting to see all sorts of varieties in the markets—little red and white norlands, bintjes, yukons, and a little later on, the delicious banana and fingerlings. You don’t have to get too fancy to enjoy them in all their glory.
- Steam, then lavish with dill and butter
- Make a salad with a classic vinaigrette and house-made mayo a la Kaelin Whittaker at the Ruby Apron
- Roast on the barbecue (in foil), smash (or not) and serve with fresh thyme and lots of salt and pepper
- Make salade Niçoise https://thetomato.ca/tomatoquarantwo
- Make a prairie potato salad with hardboiled egg and pickles. Leanne’s potato salad
- Steam and serve with smoked salmon and capers and a drizzle of sour cream.
