Hi Everybody!  Things are a little crazy in Toronto right now (new job, apartment hunting and re-adjusting), but I have the pleasure of introducing you to Missy, my West Coast correspondant for all things delicious.  I worked with Missy at my last job and loved her immediately when she let me use her chipotle hot sauce on the first day.  The rest is history.  When I left she promised to write about Vancouver’s infamous Chinese night market in Richmond, and she came through…dig in!   

                                                                    
Richmond Night Market

Where can you buy hologram wolf wall art, watch an eating contest, listen to overplayed top 40 dance hits at high volume, see a live reptile exhibit, and watch the red sun go down over the industrial wonder of the Fraser River? Richmond Night Market Y’all!                                                                                                     
If you’ve never been- GO! My first time visiting the RNM was last year after an all-you-can eat Chinese Hot Pot dinner. This was a rookie mistake. Never go with a full stomach because even if you love cheap electronics, plastic fans, imitation crocs, purses, fans, tea pots, leggings, and various aasian beauty products ….. this market is all about THE FOOD!

After killing about an hour looking at the random assortment of merchandise and booths and building up some serious hunger, we veered into the edible area of the market in the south west section.
                                   
I knew what I wanted to try right away, and sure enough the stars aligned and within steps of entering the market I ran smack dab into a lively vendor yelling out the seductive siren song…. “Octopus balls!” I had tried my first octopus ball or (tak…) a few weeks ago while visiting the Chinatown night market. They were good, but I sensed they were essentially just from the frozen section at T and T- heated up and doused with Japanese mayo and bonito flakes….I wanted to try them again and had a feeling in Richmond, they would be superior. And I was right. $3 for 4 balls and they were a whole ‘nother type of ball- not hard and rubbery, but soft and crumbly with bits of real tentacles and scallops. The flavour was rich and buttery and melt in your mouth.

Heather’s first foray into the RNM food was a $1 fish cake. The only fishy thing about these waffles is their shape. Essentially, they are just a light and fluffy waffles with various fillings- H went for custard and was not disappointed. Light and airy, with a custard that was not too sweet or thick. All in all- a perfect little sweet (but not-too-sweet) start to the evening.

I had read about Sumo rice burgers and had heard from some friends who had visited the market and raved that this was their favourite stand. Essentially, there are 3 different versions of the rice burgers- 3 types are of meat with a lettuce leaf between two formed rice patties creating a bun. I tried the teriyaki beef burger. The beef was cooked to a perfect juicy medium and the sauce was rich and flavourful. It was a creative and delicious experience. Would’ve loved to try a brown rice version (they don’t have it…yet) and all of the varieties they do offer. I love spicy- and I would’ve loved to add some spicy chilli sauce to kick up the rice bun which although fun, was kinda flavourless.

I was on still on a savoury kick and working on my rice burger but Heather and Jen couldn’t resist and opportunity to try wheel cakes. Essentially, the same deal as the fish cake- a batter cake with either nutella, peanut butter, or custard filling. 1 buck each, both got nutella and loved their wheel cakes. It seems like light fluffy cake/waffle batter and nutella…guaranteed delicious-ness.

Next up- Jen pork bun from Top Wok dim sum stand- 2.50. These are pretty standard fare, but I’ve had my share of dry, partially frozen tasting pork buns before so I’m always a little hesitant. This pork bun was really nice. Hot, but not too hot, and good meat to bun ratio- this bun was a winner.

At the night market, the longest line and biggest crowd was at the Xi Jian Man BBQ- and for good reason. The “skewer master” tending the grill was a real show man yelling and working the flames. We went for a combo to share- 3 skewers for 6 bucks. Spicy lamb (cumin), beef, and garlic prawns. All three were delicious, tender, and rich in flavour. My favourite was the spicy lamb.


I was tempted by the $5 BBQ squid stand but my frugal instincts pushed me towards the $3 version at the Halal stand. It was good, but not great. Pretty chewy, with tonnes of tentacles. Next time, I’ll spend drop the extra twoonie.

Back to sweets and the Summer Breeze shaved ice stand. For $4 each Heather and I both got special combos with ice cream and 3 toppings. I got the variety with Banana, Red Bean, Tapioca Bubbles and Green Tea Ice Cream. It was pretty good- but I wanted something with more flavour. The best part of the dessert was the green tea ice cream. This made me wish I had followed Jen’s lead and picked up a cone of the green tea soft serve.

All in all- an amazing night of eating and there is so much more to try. Next time- I’m definitely getting a giant cob of corn, the $5 BBQ squid, spicy fish balls, pumpkin curry balls, the green tea soft serve and dragon beard candy.

We came, we saw,

we swam, we hiked,

we cooked fresh fish and ate pancakes in the sun

and I never wanted to leave.

Sometimes life is challenging,

and sometimes it offers itself to you with a coastline that stretches itself into the sun,

a hike that climbs over lakes and the ocean and reveals the world to you

and the quiet moments you want to put in a jam jar and seal up forever.

I celebrated Canada Day this morning with a giant fruit salad drizzled in some patriotic maple syrup.

As I munched through my salad I thought about how it represented Canada.

It was filled with local strawberries, raspberries, exotic pineapple, papaya and coconut, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, and of course a generous drizzle of maple syrup.

Canada is a young, open-minded country that embraces different cultures but is also very proud of its own roots.

After years of traveling I’ve grown to appreciate this country more and more.

I feel strong, safe and powerful being a woman in this country.

I grew up with friends who all came from different backgrounds and race or religion never set up walls for us.  Instead we felt fortunate to share our cultures, our food and traditions.

I have just accepted another job with the production company I’ve been working for so it looks like my feet will be firmly planted on beautiful British Columbia ground for some time.

I’m embracing it whole heartedly, getting into the West Coast vibe by getting outside to jog along the water, buying local produce and eating lots of healthy, energizing food.

I am happy to be here, to have my love by my side, to have my career blossoming so early and to be celebrating Canada Day in the city I was born in.

The weekend came at just the right time.

After a week of loss, stress and heavy emotions, I was ready to draw open the blinds and let the light in.

John and I celebrated the weekend by exploring the city, enjoying each other’s company and some great meals.

On Saturday morning the sun was shining and I set out to make a batch of raw cherry crumble with a big batch of beautiful cherries I’d just bought on sale.

I sliced up the cherries, crumbled my raw granola bars on top, drizzled some maple syrup and added some lemon zest.

The first few bites were heaven.  And then…I felt a strong heat running through my body.  My arms were burning and the heat was crawling up them.  They were turning red.  My knees turned red and my legs started to turn red.  I ran to the mirror to see my face start to turn red.

John immediately put on his shoes and ran to the pharmacy to get some antihistamines.  It turns out I’m severely allergic to cherries.  Wish I hadn’t bought a pound of them.  Fear not, John ate my portion and his of the delicious crumble so it wouldn’t go to waste.  I’ll be re-creating this with another berry soon.

While it was a stressful realization, I also realized that John will be there for me in a heart beat, and he realized how much it scared him to have anything happen to me.

I also figured it was better to find out on a Saturday morning at home then at someone’s house for dinner!  “This cherry pie is…oh my god…oh my god…my skin…” It would not be pleasant.

The rest of the day went by without crisis.  In fact, just the opposite.

We checked out one of the summer markets just down the street from us, treated ourselves to massages and a UV sauna session for the price of nothing using a coupon I’d found, watched some of the US Open in a restaurant and satisfied my urge to try Gorilla Food, an organic, raw, vegan restaurant.

We shared the raw falafel wrap (a romaine lettuce wrap filled with spicy seed and veggie falafel balls on a bed of zucchini hummus and topped with a seasoned tahini sauce and grainless tabouli) as well as a Southern fire veggie burger (two veggie burger patties thickly topped with guacamole, fresh tomato slices, cucumber slices, shredded seasonal veggies and a ginger-tomato ketchup with a hot salsa).

The verdict?  I loved the freshness, the textures of the falafel and the warm flavors of the veggie burger.  It was light, energizing and I left fantastic afterwards.  On the downside the food could use a little more spice, the space was a little cramped and the service a little lack luster.  I bought some crackers to take home and I was sold another kind than the one I asked for.

I would still come back for the freshness and the thrill of trying some different foods (I heard their carrot cake is to die for), but I may have to work on coaxing John back there.  I made him a tuna melt when we got home because he was still starving.  We both agreed that I should take the food as inspiration to make a more flavorful variation of my own.

After some shopping and strolling we settled up at the apartment with a barbeque dinner and a movie on TV.  We both kept smiling at each other and saying what a perfect weekend it was.

I can’t think of any better therapy than spending the day with someone I love, enjoying good food and making the most of the day.

Today I’m taking it easy, getting ready for the week, and feeling grateful for everything I have.

Friday night dinner: Scallops with a ginger, citrus guacamole, crispy tortilla chips and a fresh arugula salad

Saturday morning breakfast: Raw cherry crumble

Discovering the market near our apartment






Stopping to watch some of the US Open golf

Lunch at Gorilla Food

Raw veggie falafel and fire veggie burger with a side of dehydrated crackers

Cleaned that plate..


Spicy tuna melt for a hungry man

Question of the day: Are you interested in recipes of some of these meals? I’m working on a cookbook and would love to start sharing some of my creations and recipes with you! Let me know which recipes you’d like to see and I’ll put them in a follow-up post!

It’s no secret that I love food events.

But an event that revolves around French food, music and wine and that all the proceeds go to charity?  Add me to the guest list.

Growing up in France has had a huge influence on my love of food and the culture that surrounds it.  So when I heard about Springtime in France being held at GardenWorks, I was excited tot take part.

John and I arrived early and picked up our complimentary glasses of wine, a nice red from the Cotes de Rhone, and checked out the garden centre.

We filled small plates with a mix of crackers, cheese, cured meats, chutneys and jams and perched ourselves happily on a patio set before the cooking demonstration began.

Later, when we joined the big crowd huddled around the cooking demonstration, small chocolate crocodiles were passed around.  This was a nice touch, since Michel Jacob from Vancouver’s Le Crocodile was the one on stage showing off his skills.

We took off early, but it was a tasteful evening and the perfect way to welcome in spring with a little French flair.

Sampling some hors d’oeuvres

Trying some great basil grapeseed oil with garlic balsamic

The moment we walked in we were greeted by a big display of fruits and vegetables.

I looked at my boyfriend and smiled, “This place is made for me!”

Last night I had the pleasure of celebrating St.Patrick’s Day at a Healthy Chef Competition.  My boyfriend lovingly surprised me with tickets last minute and it sounded too good to be true.

We strolled into the dining room arm in arm and were handed some green rum punch, because even rum is healthy on St.Patrick’s Day, before checking out some of the different chef’s tables.

One end of the room was lined with tables from different culinary schools, hotels and restaurants who were challenged to put as much fresh produce into their entrées and desserts for the night as possible.

I am working on starting up a catering business in Vancouver and loved checking out all the creative presentations for inspiration.

I was especially struck by the Pacific Culinary Institute whose stand was like stepping into nature.  It was crawling with fresh flowers and branches, with fake snow made out of melted sugar.  Even more impressive were their dishes, beautifully plated with clean and fresh presentation.

When I looked up from the dishes, I saw a close friend of mine, and soon to be pastry chef of my catering business, standing in his chef whites in front of me.

“Gilly!” He yelped.  “I was just saying that that girl looked like my friend Gillian!”

I knew he had been working on a new dessert over the weekend but I didn’t know what for.  But there it was in front of me: a  delicate Lemon-Basil and Blueberry Mousse cake layered in Spring colours.

Once I got over my excitement of seeing him, and knowing he was taking part in the competition, we took our seats.

Each place setting had two envelopes letting us know where we could get our entrée and dessert from.  It was done in such a way that everyone would have a different dish than the person sitting next to them.

My boyfriend and I ended up switching entrées, since his was a vegetable trio involving all of my favorites and mine was roasted lamb.  The flavors were simple but the vegetables were immaculately carved out and stuffed with healthy ingredients.  I loved the beet stuffed with bulgur and onion stuffed with wild meat.

For dessert I managed to get my hands on the dessert card which would grant me my friend’s mousse and I eagerly went and grabbed one.

The verdict? Clean layers of fresh flavors.  It got better with every bite.  I was hit with each taste separately: the lemon, basil and blueberry.  A toasted nut covered in icing sugar on top added the perfect crunch.

The other desserts we sampled didn’t compare.  They all tried too hard, were too sweet or too bland, the flavors simple and expected.

After licking my plate clean I went over to congratulate my friend and hear the winners of the evening.

I wanted him to win.  His dessert was good.  Really good.  And after years of debating what he wanted to do with his life he bit the bullet and went to pastry school.  He listened to his heart.

And because passion speaks for itself, he won.  In his third month of pastry school, he won for the best dessert of the night amongst chefs who have been working in the industry for years.

I hooted, howled and cheered like a proud mother.  I’ve always believed in my friend and it was nice to see his hard work honored.

The icing on the cake: the pastry chef for my soon-to-be catering company is now an award winning pastry chef!

As if things couldn’t get any better, we left with a loot bag full of fruit and vegetables and another box of fresh produce.  It was like getting an adult goodie bag filled with my favorite things.

The culinary world is booming in Vancouver and freshness and health are always a generous component.

Tonight all the healthy food was balanced with great wine, good fun and a very sweet ending.

Girls from the casino handing out beads

Veggies galore!

Some of the entrees on display

Gourmet bacon and eggs: pork belly and quail eggs!

And desserts…

My beautiful dinner of stuffed vegetables

And boyfriend’s dinner of lamb with Israeli couscous

The judges

My friend Mitchell with his award for best dessert


His work of art that won first prize: Lemon-Basil and Blueberry Mousse cake

And some of the loot I got to take home!

My dad said that if he won he would’ve said “Get to bed Gilly, it’s way past your bed time,” while holding his Oscar with pride.

I’ll never forget the year my dad was nominated for an Oscar.

He was up for best sound mixer for the movie Unforgiven.

It was the most glamourous I’d ever see my parents, and I still love to pull out the photo of my dad in an expensive tuxedo, my mom in a floor length gown with her hair in big loose curls.  I always thought they looked like movie stars.

My mom says I remember the pure unadulterated luxury of all, feeling as if Rob and I were in some extravagant Hollywood movie.

I saw him for a split second on the red carpet.  No one else saw it, but when we rewinded it to see it I was right.

Apparently their limousine didn’t arrive so Morgan Freeman invited them to share his.  My mom couldn’t stop smiling.  Freeman left the limo first and the crowd went wild.  They followed him up the red carpet with Jan Fonda just ahead, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins following behind.

My dad didn’t win that night, but he brought home a chocolate Oscar and was still a winner to us.  I remember bringing a piece of that chocolate Oscar to school wrapped up in saran wrap.

My mom says my dad was relieved he didn’t have to go on stage, and that he knew that simply being nominated by his peers at the Academy was honour enough.  She said he was happy to leave the glitz and the glamour and slip into his Berkinstocks.

My dad doing a radio interview in LA

That’s why I love my dad.  I grew up knowing he was good at what he did.  Every morning he would be up at the crack of dawn, his big work van filled with sound equipment warming up in the driveway while it was still dark outside.

He’d usually come back when I was already in bed.  But he would leave sweet treats under my pillow so that I knew he cared.  When he got off early one day he showed up to my gymnastics recital to surprise me.

I loved visiting him on film sets.  Cast and crew would always come up to me and tell me how much they loved my dad.  Even with the long hours he always had a good sense of humor and did his job well.

That year was his big break.  He didn’t need a gold Oscar to know how important it was, he’d already won.  He put in the time, effort and skill.

Tonight we got together at a friend’s house.  A feast was made and I made big bowls of gourmet popcorn, one salty, one sweet, and we took in the show.

My dad sat quietly, still humble, knowing how close he came but just as happy to be sitting comfortably with a home cooked meal surrounded by those who love him.

First, graze the menu and let the pictures give you an idea of what will excite your palate most while enjoying Korean pop music playing in the background.

Next, order a no-fail dish like Bibimbap, a mixed rice bowl with vegetables, fried egg and meat.  Slather generously in Korean spicy red pepper sauce before mixing together.

A spicy chicken dish will also do.  The Koreans understand a perfect level of sweet and spicy in all of their dishes.

Enjoy the complimentary little side dishes that come with your meal.

Dig in.

And enjoy that big bottle of spicy red pepper sauce.  It’s so good it puts ketchup to shame.

Just don’t forget to wipe away the evidence afterwards.

Every day I pull on my black shirt, fleece vest and staff pass (with a growing pin collection on the sash)

Then run to work, sometimes lucky enough to pass the burning cauldron

I sneak in as much of the games as I can during breaks in the staff room

As well as as some of the great catered snacks

Our staff caterer puts out some of my favourite foods every day!

Then it’s back to work, sometimes watching over our real gold bar (it’s worth half a million dollars and weights 28 pounds)

And the million dollar coin (worth 3.5 million)

Sometimes I manage the photo and video booths and try to help people get their best shot

Otherwise I’m doing coin exchange, organizing the crowds, or walking around with a megaphone to warn people of the 7 hour wait to see the Olympic medals.  You may even spot me on CTV news as I manage the crazy lines!

By the time I get home, I’m exhausted from dealing with thousands of people and usually try and bake something delicious that I can share with friends and work and my boyfriend.

(Banana nut muffins)

It’s crazy times in this city, but every day is an adventure!

Please feel free to keep asking me questions here