January 2017 - West Coast Food
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January 2017

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By Jaclyn Jularbal When you talk about west coast cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is usually salmon – baked, smoked, candied, and cured. So many species of salmon have flourished around BC and for centuries Indigenous communities across the province have been dishing them up deliciously. Chef Paul Natrall of Squamish Nation has been specializing in Indigenous cuisines for over 5 years. After his graduation from the Aboriginal Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Community College, he takes a special interest in creating the most unique flavours of salmon candy. His catering business, the PR Bannock Factory, serves up delicious bags by the pound at local farmers markets and on order all-year round. Salmon candy gets its flavouring from the salt and brown sugar used to flavour it. Left overnight the wet fish texture changes and becomes ready for its next steps towards becoming the almost syrup-like candied…

by Catherine Dunwoody Here’s fun Dine Out Vancouver idea: Book brunch or lunch at one of the participating restaurants and stay the night before at a nearby Vancouver hotel. Remember the festival ends February 5th so make your reservations now! Brunch Crawl – East Village January 28, by Vancouver Foodster, this event starts at 10am and during the course of four hours, you’ll visit several restaurants in Vancouver’s East Village neighbourhood (Hastings/Sunrise to Grandview/Woodland) sampling everything from smoothies to brunch pizza. Book online. Hotel pairing: Waldorf Hotel at 1489 E Hastings Street is also your meeting place for the crawl. Roll out of bed, into the lobby and boom – brunch tour begins. Explore BC Wine Brunch at Boulevard On Saturday, February 4 at 11 a.m., brunch-lovers can taste some of BC’s best wines paired with Executive Chef and 2015 BC Gold Medal Plates Champion Alex Chen’s delicious fare. The…

By Kathy Mak Finding time to cook healthy and hearty meals can be a challenge for people with a hectic lifestyle, and that is why Paulette Hawkings created a line of flavourful, nutrient-rich meal options that are fuss-free to make.  Her Simply Delish Soup and Salad products are wholesome and tasty meals made easy with blends of dry ingredients for whipping up a delicious soup, chilli, Jambalaya, salad or dessert.  All dishes require minimal effort but are maxed on comforting, home-cooked flavours! Based in Langley, Paulette launched the family-run business in 2010 after diligently sourcing the right balance of quality ingredients, and trialing a variety of unique recipes to shorten the time of meal preparation at home.   Nowadays, Brad (Paulette`s son) and his wife, Chelsey are running the company. Their 24+ deliciously handcrafted products use all natural and non-processed ingredients (local and organic when possible). These nourishing and simple-to-cook meals…

By Anna Black If you’re planning on taking in the sights of the seaside peninsula of White Rock over the next few weeks, make sure you come on an empty stomach, especially if you’re in the mood for eclectic and affordable dining options. January 18th marks the start of the annual 18 day Taste White Rock festival. A wide variety of restaurants and cafes will be offering foodies unique 3-course, prix-fix menus, many complemented by the wines of British Columbia, craft beer, and special cocktails. Menus start at $10 a person. Among the many mouth-watering options being offered up to diners are grilled beef, asparagus crepes, chicken cordon bleu, oven baked herb snapper, seafood chowder, and more.  In addition to amazing local cuisine there will also be French, Greek, and Vietnamese options available to those wanting a true ethnic experience. And then there are the absolutely amazing desserts… Bittersweet chocolate…

By Catherine Dunwoody Canada Place hosted the largest gluten-free food trade show in the country recently, the Gluten Free Expo. An opportunity for the consumer to stop and sample the wares and gain information at the many booths, plus check out some cooking demos and presentations – all geared to folks with gluten-allergies or sensitivities. Newly diagnosed with celiac disease myself, this show intrigued me both professionally and personally as a food writer with a rather refined palette trying to navigate this New Year eating gluten-free. Here’s my ‘best of the fest’ – products I tried and thought worth sharing, and mostly made right here on Canada’s west coast. Naked Coconuts from Vancouver makes soy-free teriyaki sauces.  Not only gf, but also soy-free, this organic, non-GMO, sauce has that salty, umami flavour we crave when it’s stir-fry time, and this one has 65% less sodium too. Free Yumm cookies and…

By VisitRichmondBC.com It’s baaaack! Dine Out Vancouver returns next week on January 20 for 17 days full of culinary delights. This year, fourteen Richmond restaurants are participating in this yearly event, offering both lunch and dinner menus ranging anywhere from $15 to $40 for three-course meals. For simplicity’s sake, we’ve sorted the restaurants by neighbourhood. Steveston Catch Kitchen and Bar Catch Kitchen and Bar offers the best view of Steveston’s historic harbour as well as a fun, fresh and upscale menu. Choose from in-house prepared crab cakes to a Peppercorn New York steak to satiate your west coast fare craving. Dinner menu pricing: $30 for three courses. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill Reach out and touch the Fraser River from Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill right in front of Fisherman’s Wharf. The must-eat items here are their seafood chowder, the ultra-filling Fisherman’s Pot…

Last year, the Dine Out Vancouver Festival played host to chefs from Puerto Vallarta, New York, and Los Angeles. Our visiting gastronomes were paired up with local chefs, and together they crated amazing one-night-only collaboration feasts. This year they are at it again! Don’t miss chefs in Vancouver visiting from London, England; Mexico City, Galway, Ireland, New York city, and  San Francisco. Check out the video form the 2016 Dine Out Vancouver Festival here: January 21: Mexico City January 22: Galway, Ireland January 25: London, England (sold out) January 29: New York February 1: San Francisco Find out more at www.dineoutvancouver.com

By Anna Black Hop-centric IPAs, crisp pilsners, traditional lagers, golden pale ales, brilliant porters, a rich coffee stout – there’s all this and more just waiting for you to enjoy at White Rock Brewing, White Rock and South Surrey’s popular tasting room. Located at #13 – 3033 King George Blvd in South Surrey, White Rock Brewing is the perfect place to truly experience the art of small batch, chemical and preservative free, unpasteurized hand-crafted beer. You’ll find White Rock Ocean Lager and White Rock Mountain Ale always on tap and seasonal beers while supplies last. Not quite sure what you’re in the mood for? Free samples are available on a daily basis, and then you can buy a bottle or fill your growler with your pick. Originally opened as a brewery in 1994, White Rock Brewing added a tasting room in the spring of 2014 after repeat requests from customers…

By Anna Black Award winning wine with hand-selected grapes from the Okanagan Valley can be found in a tasting room as refreshing and modern as their extensive selection just a ten-minute drive from the USA-Canada border in Surrey, BC. 1st R.O.W. Estate Winery’s delicious and unique dessert wines are a Canadian specialty. Combining a perfect blend of Chardonnay, Muscat, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier, the Winery’s 2013 Late Harvest White “displays [an] excellent balance between sweetness and acidity with fresh and lively flavours” of citrus, honey apricots, and a candy apple finish” (1row.ca). For those craving a warm, tropical touch to contrast the frozen grapes, the 2013 White Gewürztraminer Ice Wine has aromas of ripe pear and lychee paired with tropical fruits. For intense strawberry richness, try 2014 Red Merlot Ice Wine to complement chocolate dessert or fresh fruit. The winery offers wine aficionados a diverse selection of white and…

By Ashley Lockyer Wander through old growth forest, over streams and brooks, and you’ll find the perfect picnic place on Vancouver’s North Shore. The moderate Quarry Rock hike in Deep Cove leads to a rocky bluff with clear views of the water, mountains, and cityscapes, and is accessible year-round. All hikes require energy but don’t worry. This dockside town has plenty of portable portions to fuel your adventure. Stock your snack pack at these charming, locally owned businesses: Honey’s Donuts & Goodies Even the name of this place makes hikers hungry. This North Shore Vancouver breakfast cafe is famous for their doughnuts, baking, and all day, everyday brunch. Covert Cafe Apparently, the neighbours are complaining about the addictive scents wafting out of this spot’s door. They bake and make grandma-approved food in a modern and airy atmosphere. Bluhouse Cafe Local, organic, gluten free, and vegan. Experience the goodness in good…