Ontario Farm Fresh – Find a Farm near you — CLICK

Get 20% off your Earth Day tumblers for a limited time from Starbucks and celebrate being “green” by being environmentally friendly when your cup of Joe.

Visit Starbucks.com to order one today or just stop by one of the million Starbucks locations near you! — CLICK HERE

Create a masterpiece…and eat it too!

YummyLocal is very excited to announce Sweet Escapes II @ Paintlounge! This time, the Paintlounge will be hosting not one, but THREE nights of edible art fun!!!

Create a masterpiece that you can not only take home – but eat it too! You’re not limited to roses, sparkles and swirls so let your imagination free!

Spots are limited so book your spot in advance before it’s too late.

Event Dates for you to choose from (you can attend one session or as many as you like):

* May 4th – A perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day
* May 11th – Pop art cupcakes
* June 1st  -

Event Time: 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Event Cost: $25
includes all materials, including 6 unadorned cupcakes (flavours: double chocolate, red velvet, vanilla) and packaging to transport your masterpieces home safely

If you would like to attend, please book your spot in advance (just so we know how many cupcakes to prepare

RSVP by email the Paintlounge at info@paintlounge.ca or give them a call at 416.900.2633.

Visit the Paintlounge blog for more details:  CLICK HERE

M:Brgr is yet another player in the over saturated “gourmet” burger business here in Toronto.  These new high end trends are pushing the limits of burger fans all over the city who are mearly trying to find a tasty burger for a decent price.

M:Brgr really tries to be more than what they really are, serving up more flash than substance.

From their success and popularity in Montreal, M:Brgr now finds a new home in Toronto within the King Street West district alongside other trendy eateries.  This site, formally a Shoeless Joe’s Bar and Grill is now the new home of this Montreal born burger joint which seats about 200 with contemporary and warm decor.   Large murals of the city scape combined with wood-panelled walls gives M:Brgr a unique style on it’s own that really doesn’t resemble any other burger place that we’ve seen before which, at times seems like you’re in a bar or club.

M:Brgr is spacious and quite comfortable once you get inside and the somewhat dim lighting does create a warm atmosphere. The colour scheme reminds me of an A&W but more upscale with the orange and browns but do not be mistaken, you won’t find any Mamma or Pappa burgers here – or the anything that resembles the same price point either.

M:brgr made splashed all over food headlines with the $100 dollar burger spectacle with over priced toppings that really came together to cause a media frenzy than for taste – but I’m not going to drop $100 dollars for a burger to find out and I’m sure many (if not all of you) won’t do the same.

Check out what’s really in that car crash of a burger seen below – Eye Weekly

Honestly – this looks like something your kid would put together if you left them in charge of the kitchen.

M:Brgr with cheese – something on the safe side but the ratio of bread to meat is totally off.   The meat was hardly noticeable.

One important note to make is that when the server comes to offer you water you make sure you say “tap” because the bottled stuff comes your way and it’s not cheap.  We were hit with two jugs of water which were about $8 bucks a piece – equivalent to a “two can dine” at other burger places that will not be mentioned.

This was the AAA burger with cheese and lettuce but as you can tell again – Where’s the beef?  The one bright side of this combo were the fries which were really crispy and and well done.  I’d go back to try the poutine but what does that say about a burger place if we go back for the fries?

This was the more adventurous burger order of the day with the bacon, pickle, asparagus but one note is that this “thumbs up” gesture was made before actually tasting the burger.

The service was mediocre at best (with the charging of bottled water) and we hit a whole new issue when we tried to separate our bills, which was very long and drawn out.  It’s safe to say that we will not be going back to M:Brger anytime time soon.

M:Brgr:  401 KING STREET WEST • TORONTO • ON • M5V 1K1 • 647.729.1747
Website:  www.mbrgr.com

CLICK HERE to find the full M:Brgr Menu

This week’s Pizza Deal from Domino’s is 1 Medium 3 Topping Pizza and Cheesy Bread $15.99

Order online at - Domino’s.com

Happy New Years from your friends at YummyLocal.com.

Photograph by josephchan749

The Bacon Mushroom Melt is back this Fall with 100% pure beef, smothered with mushrooms in a creamy, melted, cheddar cheese sauce, and now even better than before with strips of thick-cut Applewood Smoked Bacon. It’s only around for a limited time so try one today!

Website:  Wendys.ca
Nutrition Chart: Click Here

Taking art to a whole new level

Introducing a new form of entertainment – social painting!  Paintlounge (creativi*tea café) opens on October 24^th, and will be the GTA’s first interactive entertainment art space.

At Paintlounge, customers are provided with an all-inclusive, walk-in painting experience. Each painting session includes a selection of stretched canvases, a buffet of paints, access to all art supplies at the store, and an array of music to help customers relax and inspire their senses. To top off the experience, Paintlounge also serves loose-leaf teas, french-pressed coffees, and fresh baked treats to help customers unwind and relax in an artistic environment.

Visit www.paintlounge.ca to learn more.

Website:  www.paintlounge.ca
Address:   3603 hwy 7 east #106 markham, ON, L3R 8W3
Email:  Info@paintlounge.ca
Phone:  416.900.2633

Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association

A Source for Local Food

The Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association (OFFMA) was founded in 1973 as a not-for-profit, educational, and promotional organization for Ontario farm marketers. Its general membership is made up of dedicated Ontario farmers with a keen interest in promoting the direct farm sales industry (which includes on-farm markets and pick-your-own operations) and encouraging improvements and maintaining integrity in the industry.

The Mission

OFFMA’s mission is to provide knowledge and leadership to grow the farm fresh experience.

The Members

Ontario Farm Fresh members are the face of agriculture. They are farmers who have decided to open their farm gates to the public to sell their products and educate people about Ontario agriculture. These entrepreneurs, growers and business people are dedicated to increasing consumer confidence by producing fresh, top quality, healthy food and sharing it in a fun, friendly and family-oriented environment. The OFFMA Board of Directors is represented by farmers elected by the members.

The Purpose of this Association

The purpose of OFFMA is to help its members keep family farms sustainable by:

• Helping farmers connect to consumers,
• Providing members with publicity and other merchandising materials that will assist in promoting the sales of Ontario farm products,
• Encouraging networking among membership,
• Representing members in matters concerning marketing legislation, and marketing issues, for the betterment of the industry as a whole,
• Motivating and educating members for the advancement of the entire direct farm sales industry through newsletters, educational programs (e.g. conferences, workshops, tours, etc.) and networking opportunities, and
• Monitoring the industry through surveys, consultations and international contacts.

Find a Farm near you!

Click here or on the image to link the Farm Locator

Stay Tuned!

Keep up with your local food news with more Ontario Farm Fresh updates including the “What’s in Season?” feature letting all of you know which fruits and vegetables are FRESH!

If you have any questions that you want to direct to Ontario Farm Fresh Association please send an email to: info@ontariofarmfresh.com

A great recipe from a really amazing food blog – La Tartine Gourmande

Ingredients:

1/3 cup walnuts

2 tablespoons butter + to butter mold

3 to 4 medium-sized apples

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

2/3 cup blond cane sugar + 2 tablespoons

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 vanilla bean, cut in halves, seeds scraped out

3 eggs

1/2 cup minus 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

*1/2 cup quinoa flour

1/3 cup cornstarch

*1/2 cup brown rice flour

4 tablespoons almond flour

*Or replace these two flours with 1 cup all-purpose flour total.

What to do:

1. Preheat the oven at 350 F. Butter a round 9 inch mold — preferably non stick.
   
2. Place the nuts on a baking sheet and roast them until fragrant (about 5 to 7 minutes). Remove and cool them; chop coarsely and set aside.
   
3. Wash the apples and slice them finely (do not core them but remove the seeds).
   
4. In a non-stick frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons butter on medium heat, and add the apple slices with the cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar. Toss well and cook for about 4 minutes, or until slightly tender.
   
5. Arrange the apple slices at the bottom of the mold.
   
6. In a large bowl, pour the yogurt with the sugar. Add the vanilla seeds, and mix well. Add the eggs, and then the olive oil.
   
7. Finish with the flours, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, baking soda and nuts.
   
8. Pour this batter over the apples and bake the cake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the blade of a knife inserted in the cake comes out dry. Let the cake cool and then unmold on a rack.

When you’re all done it should look like this