November 2016 - West Coast Food
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November 2016

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Cafés

Drink Up the Health Benefits of Matcha with Whisk from Richmond

by Catherine Dunwoody Health enthusiasts know the benefits of drinking green tea, especially matcha, due to the fact that the bright green stuff is rich in antioxidants, boosts memory and energy levels, plus detoxifies the body. New Whisk Premium Matcha is the brainchild of Richmond, BC entrepreneur Kimmy Xiao, and this mother of two is pretty stoked about finding, and sharing, the highest quality out matcha out there. Sourced in Kyoto, Japan, this organic tea is brought in for Xiao’s Whisk brand, then packaged right in Richmond before selling to us online or at select stores throughout the GVRD, including Pure Barre Studios. Three different grades of matcha are available (including the esteemed Pinnacle Gold), plus a selection of accessories and beautifully packaged gift sets just in time for the holidays. Xiao states that “we want to bring this authentic artisanal matcha experience to people’s everyday life while promoting a…

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Recipes

Recipe: Gluten Free Vegan Brownies

By Lisa Reichelt, Two Daughters Bakeshop INGREDIENTS All Purpose Flour Blend, Gluten Free (2.5 cups) Organic cane sugar (2 cups) Cocoa powder (8 tbsp) Baking powder (1.5 tsp) Xanthan gum (1 tsp) Salt (2 tsp) Organic rice milk (375 ml) Organic canola oil (350 ml) Organic vanilla (1.5 tbsp) Organic chocolate chips (1 cup) DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. With a stand mixer, blend canola oil, sugar and vanilla. Add the rice milk and blend again. 3. Add dry ingredients to wet mix and blend well, stopping to scrape bowl. 4. Spread mixture evenly in a 9×11 glass baking dish, lightly greased or lined with parchment paper 5. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40min. or until knife inserted in to brownie comes out clean Learn more about Two Daughters Bakeshop on Vancouver’s North Shore here.

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Sweets

Two Daughters Bakeshop of Vancouver’s North Shore Offers Gluten-Free Vegan Treats

By Kathy Mak These days, consumers wanting or needing gluten-free and vegan options do not have to miss out on delicious baked products, thanks to a growing number of specialty bakeries in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. But, the only decidedly all gluten-free and vegan bakery in the Vancouver area yet, is Two Daughters Bakeshop. They provide a large selection of oven-fresh, healthy products that are both gluten-free and vegan-friendly, without compromising on irresistible flavours. Tucked away in Lolo Lane, between 1st Street East and Esplanade Avenue, the cozy artisan bakery is located steps away from Lonsdale Quay on Vancouver`s North Shore. In 2012, Lisa Reichelt opened the bakery, dedicated to making gluten-free-vegan pastries, snacks, breads and desserts. It was inspired by her passion for baking and by her youngest daughter’s need for a celiac diet without eggs, dairy and gluten. Two Daughters Bakershop’s mission is to use the…

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Where to Eat

Top Comfort Foods in Richmond

By VisitRichmondBC.com As the colder months approach, most of us start to seek out more comfort foods to warm our bellies. We had the chance to talk to several Vancouver foodies to ask them what their favourite dishes were in Richmond, BC – check out what they had to say and get your fill today. Nora Hamade, NomnomYVR Nora Hamade, better known as NomnomYVR on Instagram, is known for her beautiful food photography. With a love for travel and a passion for her hobby – food photography – this Richmondite knows her Chinese comfort foods well. Here’s what her favourite food is: “The beef noodle soup from Pearl Castle is one of my favourite spots to hit in Richmond! Tender bits of beef and chewy noodles… who doesn’t love that?!” Get your fill at one of two Pearl Castle locations in Richmond: Pearl Castle Café Richmond Centre CF Richmond Centre…

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Farms

Good Natured Growing at A Rocha Organic Farm in Surrey

By Ashley Lockyer Classic red tractors, fields bound by forests, and bright red beets that radiate nutrition with their sweetness: That’s what you’ll experience at A Rocha farm in Surrey, BC. Their dedication to good taste doesn’t only apply to flavour. It’s their farming philosophy to use organic, sustainable farming methods that support the environment and build community. Group tours get a chance to wander through fields with the farmers, who point out organic growing techniques and show the benefits of eco-conscious gardens. “Often conservation and farming seem to be at odds with one another… we want to, in a really small way, demonstrate that a garden can be a really thriving ecosystem that’s diverse and healthy and has a place for animals and insects within it,” says farm manager, Paul Neufield. Farmers here encourage you to expand your palate and taste test new varieties of your favourite produce, beyond…

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Craft Beer

Craft Beer Tapped from Tradition & Passion in the Fraser Valley at Trading Post

By Ashley Lockyer Explorers and pioneers built Fort Langley, and their adventurous nature lives on at Trading Post Taphouse & Eatery. This Fraser Valley microbrewery honours the local land, tradition, and community. They craft small batch beers with names and flavours that raise a glass to brewmasters past and people present. What’s the best way to learn history? Perhaps, it’s over a pint. Sip one of their beers and you’ll get your fill of stories from the Fraser Valley’s past. And, their beers aren’t just available in pints or growlers. You can eat them, too. “Authentic, honest, and super tasty.” Like their pours, dishes here aren’t typical pub fare. You can taste the genuine care put into the ingredients and preparation. The Taphouse’s menu is “Chef inspired, farm driven.” It features seasonal produce sourced from local A Rocha farm. Like Trading Post, A Rocha farm combines their industry’s roots with…

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Cafés

Coffee Mastery, a Stock Broker, and a Giant Teddy in Coquitlam

By Ashley Lockyer How fresh do you like your coffee? Each morning the scent of roasting beans spills out from Creekside Coffee Factory in Coquitlam. Here, you can sip a handcrafted beverage beside the bright red roaster where your drink started its journey, from beans to a piece of latte art. Owner and roaster Jay Lee had his own unique journey. It all began while he was a stockbroker in South Korea. He found himself daydreaming of owning a business while the numbers poured down the screens. When he moved with his family to Canada, Jay set off to master another market, something that interested him: coffee. Jay was mentored by a master roaster in South Korea. He then worked in a cafe to learn the hands-on craft of drink making. Finally, he heard famous coffee roasters spill the beans on their techniques while working at a coffee company and…

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Farms

Organic and Sustainable Farming at Zaklan Heritage Farm in Surrey

By Lenée Son Across the street from a busy road and tucked away behind a tall hedge fence is one of Surrey’s best hidden gems, Zaklan Heritage Farm. The 8-acre urban farm was founded in the 1920’s by Dragan and Marta Zaklan who immigrated to Canada from Europe. Continuing his great grandparent’s legacy, Doug Zaklan is leading the farm through a revitalization project along with his partner, Gemma McNeill. The pair met at UBC Farm in Vancouver and share a passion for sustainable and organic farming. At the farm you’ll find a variety of fruits of vegetables but you won’t find any pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. “We fertilize with compost,” said Zaklan. “For pests we cover with a Reemay cloth and mostly just make sure things are healthy.” Pick up fresh seasonal produce from Zaklan Heritage Farm on Saturdays from June to October. They also offer a community supported…

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Craft Beer

Five Places to Get Your Craft Beer Drink On in Richmond

By VisitRichmondBC.com The thirst for locally made, small-batch brews has just been getting thirstier and Richmond is meeting the demand by serving up unique beers in various communities across the island city. Take a look at our top five places to get your craft beer drink on in Richmond, BC. Fuggles and Warlock Fuggles and Warlock is known for keeping beer weird and is the only craft brewery in Richmond’s with an onsite tasting lounge. Pushing the traditional styles of beer to the limit by adding West Coast flair to their ales, Fuggles and Warlock has some adventurous brews aimed toward adventurous palettes. This full production brewery is tucked away in an industrial office park just off Highway 99, making it the perfect place to stop for a pint on your way to Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Be sure to check out their full tasting room and hot-food menu.…

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