It has been insanely hot here in the city. On Monday, my eyelids were actually sweating.
One of my favourite ways to keep cool in the summer heat is to make and consume a ton of gazpacho. This cold Spanish soup is not cooked and is often a melange of tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables and spices.
Here is a roundup of 5 (or more) pretty spectacular gazpachos to help you beat the heat this weekend:
1. Andalusian Garden Gazpacho from The Los Angeles Times (LA would know something about eating in the heat)
2. Watch and learn the step-by-step process of making Creamy Gazpacho (with beautiful scenery in the background)
3. A lot of restaurants put a Fruit Gazpacho on their menus at this time of year. They are incredibly quick and easy to make and very refreshing. Here’s a fruit & veg version and Pineapple Cucumber to swoon over.
4. Green Gazpacho is a nice change from the red, tomato-based version that we’ve come to know and love. To keep the green love going, give Spinach Gazpacho with Shrimp & Cream Cheese a try.
5. One of the many great finds at farmer’s markets right now are beets. Surprise and delight your dinner guests tonight with Beet & Ginger Gazpacho or Ginger Lemongrass Beet. They’ll be so thankful not to have to politely eat yet another beet, goat’s cheese and walnut salad!
p.s. My secret for making a spectacular gazpacho? Yellow tomatoes (see picture above)!
By Chris Garbutt
1. Uh-oh. The world is going to have to increase its food production by 70 per cent if it’s going to keep up with population growth over the next 10 years.
2. The backlash against foodies (or foodiots!) continues, as the Toronto Star discovers. And check out this article – made more yummy by its profane (but censored) Rage Against the Machine reference!
3. James Chatto, the recently fired food writer for Toronto Life magazine, reminds us that he’s not quite dead yet, in fact he might just pull through.
4. The case for taking pictures of your food. Meh, I’m not convinced.
5. Need a drink after all that? Here are the five things to remember about making a good martini. Sorry, Mr. Bond: gin, not vodka, and stirred, not shaken.
(photo by Stephanie Dickison)
Doing restaurant reviews undercover, I take photos of the dish before me. It quite often doesn’t resemble the plate on the restaurant’s website.
So today I thought I’d highlight some really amazing food photographers that make food look so appetizing that we drool on our keyboards and race home to recreate what we’ve just seen.
1. Robin Sharpe – If Looks Could Fill
By Chris Garbutt
Back to start your weekend off right. Check these out:
1. Grill brownies? Yes you can!
2. In China, what do they call Chinese food? Well, they call it food. If I ever get to go to Beijing, I definitely have to visit Roast Fish Legend.
3. The case – from a vegetarian no less – for a carnivorous environmentalism. Key quote: “Eat less meat. Eat better meat.”
4. While they’re still in season, try making a shaved asparagus pizza.
5. Strawberry Risotto? Are you kidding me?
By Stephanie Dickison
According to the Weather Network, it feels like -24 degrees today. Ugh.
So, I give you 5 dishes to help keep warm on this blustery day.
Enjoy!
1. Stick to your ribs Spicy Mac ‘n Cheese
2. Nothing says hearty like Braised Short Ribs!
3. Hearty Sausage & Corn Chowder keeps ’em coming back for more
4. Tuscan Pot Roast – just the name makes me drool!
5. Keep it simple, but heartywith this Farmer’s Dinner
By Chris Garbutt
Anyone who believes that nothing’s perfect hasn’t read enough food blogs. The word “perfect” appears millions of times. Herewith, a perfect storm of perfection from the foodiesphere:
1. You know you’ve been looking for it: The Perfect Mac n Cheese. I ask you, have you found a better version?
2. No one knows perfection better than Martha. In honour of the coming American holiday, here is Her Stewartness’s perfect Thanksgiving turkey.
3. Always screwing up boiled rice? Apparently you can get it right, and it will be perfect! Still, do people really have that much trouble with boiling rice?
4. The word “perfect” appears in this post. It’s my excuse to put in a link to Butter and Radish sandwiches. A little out of season, but man, I gotta try me one of those!
5. This whole blog thinks it’s perfect. I won’t argue. Check out the post on cooking pumpkin flowers.
By Chris Garbutt
As we’ve mentioned in the past, October is national chili month in the U.S. Let’s have a look at some chili options:
1. Because we just can’t get enough of Newfoundland, from Rock Recipes, a Grilled Corn, Roasted Red Pepper and Sausage Chili.
2. I wondered if this American classic had a Canadian version. So I Googled “Canadian Chili” and got this.
3. A nice variation: White Bean and Chicken Chili.
4. It’s not chili, but it’s loaded with chillis – Tofu with Beans and Bok Choy.
5. Can chili kill you? Apparently so.
By Chris Garbutt
1. Can slow roasted tomatoes take you to heaven? Try it yourself.
3. Who has the best beer in the Canada? Check out the results of the Canadian Beer Awards.
4. Have you had edamame at home? You must. Here are some tips.
5. James Chatto of Toronto Life fame considers the future of cuisine in Toronto.
Pan Magazine 
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