They are finally here -- the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and I can hardly wait.

As an avid sports enthusiast (and any kind of sport will do), I can tell you that I will be glued to the TV between now and the end of February, watching in awe at the amazing feats of athleticism, and cheering on Team Canada!

As we all sit glued to the TV during the course of the Olympics, we’ll be looking for some delicious and easy food to prepare, and we’re pleased to showcase some of Canada’s favourite traditional dishes in honour of our Canadian athletes (who says there’s no such thing as a traditional Canadian food?).

Our Kitchen Toys this month are all made in Canada. Be sure to drop in the store to peruse our selection of Gourmet du Village items -- perfect for a casual evening in front of the TV. Or give Brickstone Gourmet fruits, jams or spreads a try, and try and choose which merits the gold, silver or bronze medals. And of course, nothing says Canadian more than maple syrup, and we’re pleased to carry Uncle Richard’s 100% maple syrup from nearby Priceville, Ontario.

If you’re having company over to watch the Games, serve up some casual elegance on Denby’s newest patterns -- Amethyst and Amethyst Stone.

Go Canada Go!
Warmest regards,

Culinary Events & News

Riedel Wine Tasting Event

Tuesday, March 2nd - 7:00 pm
One of our most popular annual events. Great discussion, great wine and great fun! Limited space. Book early to avoid disappointment. Discover how your wine vessel impacts your wine drinking experience with the world’s finest wine glasses from Riedel! Tickets $25 each (refunded with your purchase of Riedel product).
519-942-5908 for details.

WinterFeast

February 16th to March 5th
A celebration of culinary excellence.
Great restaurants, great menus, great prices!
Mark your calendars.
www.winterfeast.ca

CONGRATULATIONS TO Dick O., winner of the digital camera last month!
Thank you to all our newsletter subscribers!

Enter your email address for culinary tips & recipes via our monthly newsletter. All subscribers to our electronic newsletter will be entered to win a Wüsthof Ikon Chef’s Knife (value $189). Draw takes place Feb 28/10.

Did You Know?

• Beaver tails, fried pastries, shaped like a beaver’s tail, and often topped with cinnamon, sugar, and fruit, are closely associated with Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival (though you can find them across the country, year round).
• Canada is the largest producer of maple syrup, with almost 90% of Canadian production originating in the province of Quebec.
• Americans refer to back bacon as Canadian bacon. In Canada, it is usually unsmoked back bacon that has been cured in sweet pickle and coated in cornmeal. It is also called peameal bacon.
• Oxford, Nova Scotia is the blueberry capital of Canada.
• Poutine is said to have originated in 1957 when a customer asked restauranteur Fernand La Chance for french fries and cheese in a bag. La Chance responded, “ça va faire un maudite poutine”, or in English, “that’s going to make a damn mess”! And so a tradition was born!
• Arctic Char is the most northern freshwater fish in North America.
• Nanaimo bars, named after the city of Nanaimo, BC, are a chocolate, no-bake square, with a wafer crumb base, layered with a vanilla or custard cream, and other delicious additions, like coconut, peanut butter or mint

Denby Amethyst

Introducing Denby’s newest pattern of tableware -- Amethyst. Like the quartz stone it is named after, Denby’s Amethyst tableware is imbued with rich violet tones that provide a casual sophistication and elegance on any table. This newest pattern from Denby offers a full open stock of items, including 4- piece place settings, as well as tea pots, cream & sugar sets, cups and saucers, casseroles, salad bowls and jugs.

Quality tableware for over 200 years!
Since 1809, in the heart of the English countryside, Denby has been creating original designs to inspire every generation and capture the very essence of the times. Denby is world famous for its stoneware which is practical, durable and attractive.

Why choose Denby?
Denby is a versatile and stylish tableware for entertaining and everyday use. Every piece has been designed for cooking, serving and eating food — from the gravy rim on the plates, to the space on the saucers to place a cookie or biscuit. With a wide choice of colours, shapes and rich textures, Denby allows you to create a unique and distinctive look for your dining table.

Practicality & Durability!
Denby stoneware clay is very strong. It is fully vitrified (the surface is made glassy and non-porous) which gives it strength, durability and chip resistance. It can be safely used in the dishwasher, in the oven and microwave (for cooking and reheating food), or in the freezer for food storage. Denby tableware is made for real food — not just for show!

Our Own Team Canada Recipes

• 1 clove garlic
• 2 cups dry white wine
• 350 g grated Swiss cheese
• 225 g grated Canadian cheddar
• 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
• 3 tbsp. applejack brandy
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 baguettes or French loaf, cut into cubes
• Apples -- peeled & cut into wedges

Rub fondue pot with clove of garlic.
Add the white wine and heat the pot to moderate heat.
Mix the grated cheeses and the flour together.
When wine has started to simmer reduce heat to low and add in cheese, one handful at a time, stirring until melted.
Just before all the cheese has been added, stir in the applejack brandy, and then finish stirring in the remainder of the cheese.
Stir in seasonings.
Keep fondue gently heated and serve with chunks of bread and wedges of apples.

Makes 6 servings.

How to Make Maple Taffy in the Snow

Our Own Team Canada Recipes

Take your real maple syrup (not the fake kind), and heat over a fire or on the stove until it reaches the “soft ball” stage (235F).

Take the hot syrup (be very careful) and pour on clean, untouched snow, in straight lines.

Take a popsicle stick and roll along the line of maple syrup, gathering up the syrup as it hardens!