18 December 2009 by pat.

Since yesterday afternoon, I’ve had a horrid, nasty, bitter taste in my mouth. I’ve been trying to figure out what caused it, and have gone websurfing.

Other than things that aren’t the case (jaundice, diabetes, heavy metal poisoning, tooth decay, pregnancy) I was running up against a number of dead-ends, until I stumbled on one article, which led to another, and another.

There is a problem with some pine nuts that are out there. They cause a documented problem that starts a day or more after consumption: everything tastes bitter. Nasty bitter. Like that nail polish they used to use on kids who bit their nails.

I’m going to talk to the restaurant I had lunch on Tuesday: they may want to stop putting the pignoles on the gnocci. For now, at least.

Some articles referencing the problem:

On Epicurious in MayOn Epicurious in September (the problem seems to be becoming more widespread)

Roger Hyam’s blog, from last fall.

What’s causing it? There seem to be several theories, several different places people have bought pine nuts from that have caused the problem. Maybe they’re from China. X bought his from Trader Vic’s. Y bought hers from Costco. The Z’s bought theirs at Sainburys. At this point, I haven’t seen a definitive answer, but I am taking some consolation in the news that it will go away and my taste will return to normal.

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12 December 2009 by pat.

OMG.

I was there, at the St. Lawrence Market, in Scheffler’s. Just to buy some cocktail pumpernickel bread. And then I saw it.

Something I’ve not seen before.

Something that combines some of my favorite flavours.

Blue Haze cheese. It starts life in Quebec, then is brought to Ontario for finishing. Google blue haze cheese. The first three items that come up are about this cheese. This Globe and Mail article has details.

What makes it special?

It’s smoked blue cheese.

It combines those wonderful smoky flavours with those wonderful blue cheese flavours.

Doesn’t that just make you salivate? Taste it. It will make your toes curl.

Betty & Sandy: yes, you’re going to taste it Saturday night.

Posted in Food - farmers' market, Food | 1 Comment »

8 December 2009 by pat.

Sandy pointed me there today. It’s Corey Mintz‘ food blog. Today he reveals that Black hoof has opened a Café. Oh my.

Read Corey’s blog. He’s just started it, and also has an article about Sanagan’s (butcher in Kensington). Joe Fiorito had an article about it within the last few weeks, too.

From now on, you’ll be able to find a link to Porkosity over on the right in the Blogroll.

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6 December 2009 by pat.

But today I read Michael Ruhlman’s blog item on aging eggnog, and how his 2-year-old eggnog tastes. He aged it in a basement fridge, stuck it in the back, and left it there. That would be pretty hard to do if it was in the fridge in my kitchen.The recipe? He got it from Chowhound.Here it is.It being the eggnog season, and all that.

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