I always admired the stylish design of Ovopur, the eco-friendly water filtering system developed by a Quebec brand called Aquaovo. I think the egg shape glazed porcelain jar looks even better dressed in black.

CAVIAR is a limited series available in two patterns: Marcato and Legato. I love both. If I could find a spot in my home, I would like the have one. You fill the top reservoir with tap water. That water will be filtered as it falls on the main egg-shape reservoir. The egg shape reservation prevents water stagnation. Combined with the thermal property of porcelain, your water stays fresher longer. It is simple, elegant and eco-friendly. Except for the filtration cartridge that you need to change 3 times a year, there is no waste.

OVOBAR is a beverage dispenser. It is basically the OVOPUR system without the top reservoir and water filtering system. When you need it, you can use the main reservoir of the OVOPUR as a beverage dispenser. Since it is easy to clean, I do not foresee any problem to convert it for the need of a party. To be safe, I would ask Aquaovo.

SOURCING:
+ Aquaovo collection
+ Ovopur (white) $689 CAD

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I went to Toronto for two days last week to research stories for my blog, to attend a social media event and to meet people. One thing on my list was having a formal tea service. When I saw that Windsor Arms starts serving their tea service at 1 pm, I jumped at the occasion. Some people find it old-fashioned but I like the luxurious feeling of sitting in a classical tea room. For me, the more formal style is part of the pleasure.

I went with Ian Barr and Brenna Flynn of Rocket XL, the firm that planned the Pillsbury Baking Challenge for which I am a judge. Since we only communicated by email or on Twitter before that day, I wanted to actually meet them. The tea service experience was enhanced by our lively conversation.

What comes with the Full Tea Menu at Windsor Arms?

We each chose a tea blend. I opted for the Earl Grey tea with blue flowers. The lavender adds an exquisite touch to the classic Earl Grey blend. Brenna enjoyed her Earl Grey tea with roses. Since they had to go back to the office after, they ordered the Full Tea menu. I indulged by ordering the Complete Tea menu, which added a sparkling wine (or a sherry) to the full tea menu.

We started with elegant sandwich rolls. They look so much more elegant than basic triangles. They served us three delicious sandwiches:

• Smoked Salmon and Salmon Caviar with an Oven-Roasted Tomato Cream Cheese
• Baby Greens with Asparagus, Cucumber Salsa and Chive Cream Cheese
• Grilled Chicken with Citrus Essence

The smoked salmon sandwich and the asparagus one were my favorite. The scone with raisins pleased me. I did not try the plain scone. Besides the sandwiches, the scones and the sweet desserts that I captured on photos, they served us a goat cheese and caramelized shallot tart. The finale was a small bowl of strawberries with whipped cream. As you can see there was a lot of food. Overall, I am pleased with my tea service at the Windsor Arms.

For almost any tea service, you need to make a reservation 24 hours in advance. I knew it but I didn’t reserve! Still, they have accommodated us by sitting us at a nice table.

Business and Pleasures

A while ago, I read an interview where Martha Stewart mentioned that she booked her meetings around her daily activities. For me, it a pleasant way to talk business. When I asked Ian to join me for lunch at a place that I was researching for a blog post, I made him laughed by making this reference to Martha Stewart.

+ Tea Menu at Windsor Arms

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I wish I tried that cocktail when we went to The Girl & The Fig in Sonoma last January. Next time! In the meantime, I could ask my husband to fine tune our own Ginger Basiltini based on the recipe adapted by the LA Times. If we improve it, I will share it with you.

+ photo by Glenn Koenig for Los Angeles Times

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I bought these jars for my husband’s birthday party. I needed them for setting the dessert table. They were, and still are, on clearance at Pier 1 Imports. The chalkboard band is very practical. I really like them. They are a good size. I can fit 1 kg of nuts in the medium sizes (I have three of those). If you are looking for glass canisters, check out if they are some left at a store near you.

+ Chalkboard Canisters $10 & $14 USD

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Arthur Quentin is a must-shop place in Montreal for anyone who likes to cook or to entertain. You shop there when you are looking for quality and European imported tableware. No need to say that I like this shop a lot.

Their new collection for autumn includes this warmer dish to make chèvre chaud (warm goat cheese). It is a good idea to stock a couple for Christmas or as an hostess gift since you will impress with this $20 gift. They also carry a version for brie or camembert cheese.

Table linens at Arthur Quentin are awesome. They carry 100% linen tablecloths and napkins. Made in Belgium, I like the yellow and white Clément collection (starts at $280 CAD). A cheaper option for casual entertaining or for your everyday usage is the French Country Tête à tête and its matching napkins ($44.50 and $17.50).

+ Arthur Quentin – site only in French

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Last weekend, my husband bought a pouch of imported Burrata cheese. The real Burrata comes from Italy and naturally, they are the best. To tell you the truth, Burrata tastes even better in Italy since the fresher the Burrata, the best it tastes. You must know that it is a cheese that you must eat quickly. After two weeks, it will be too hard.

I read on CurdNerds that Burrata is essentially unspun mozzarella curds mixed with fresh cream (”burro” is Italian for butter) stuffed into sheets of pulled mozzarella. This little pouch is then wrapped in Asphodelus ramosus leaves, an herb with leaves similar to leeks.

I improvised how to serve it based on a list of ingredients provided by my friend Nathalie Rivard. It is really simple but so so delicious. Remember this if you have friends over that you wish to spoil. The good Burrata is expensive; it costs about $30 a ball in Montreal. It is so good that 4 people, 6 at the maximum, will eat this as an appetizer. Naturally, you could add a big antipasto plate to feed a group of 8 or 10 persons.

Recipe of Burrato with vine tomatoes, olive oil, old balsamic vinegar and basil

In my Sophie Conran’s roasting dish (I like her dinnerware so much), I throw

• 6-7 small vine tomatoes, cut in 4
• 2 Kumato tomatoes, cut in 8

It is time to use your good stuff. I drizzled old balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I spread my basil cut in chiffonade (7-8 leaves).

Then, we put half the Burrata on this mixture. We spread a thick layer on country bread slices. Pair it with a red wine for a divine appetizer.

My recipe has a rustic look. If you need an elegant presentation, have a look at how Stuart Spivack plated his home made mozzarella burrata salad.

MORE:
+ photo: pouch of Burrata by CurdNerds
+ photo: half Burrata on wood tray by John Kenney for Montreal Gazette seen on the blog of Macchi Inc.
+ photo: stu_spivack on Flickr

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My husband could tell you how much I love soups. I think that a hearty vegetable soup makes the perfect lunch. Plus, it is a dish that is simple to bring at the office. I love the sight of this early autumn minestrone from Jamie’s Italy. You can get the recipe online.

+ photo: Jamie Oliver

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Tyler Florence shared a light dessert recipe that will Wow your guests. The best of all is that his Mango Strawberry Snow Cones is ready in 10 minutes. So it is perfect for impromptu dinner party or to serve for dessert to your family tonight.

+ photo via Food Network

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Bea from La Tartine Gourmande went to visit a cranberry bog in Carver. She took fabulous pictures of the field. It is a must see. What I crave the most is her cranberry upside down cake with a cranberry sauce. You will find on La Tartine the recipes of her cranberry sauce plus a appetizing cranberry and apple crumble.

+ photo by La Tartine Gourmande

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You know how I like kitchen gadgets that simplify my life and are easy to clean. I pick my big mandolin slicer when I need julienne strips but I would prefer a hand held option for when I only need to slice one carrot. I found this julienne slicer that seems to do a good job on Elena Pantry.

Another option is the Kuhn Rikon Julienne Peeler with Blade Protector, which costs less ($15 USD vs. $22.99).

+ Via Elena Pantry

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This everyday tabletop is refreshing. It shows that you can be playful and look refined at the same time. The look is ideal for serving lunch or breakfast to your family.

They are more reasons why I am showing you this product. I associate multiple purposes with sustainability and space saving. With smaller city homes, more people are looking for double-duty objects. The Isak Breadboard can  become a placemat, a trivet to protect your table for the heat, a cheese board or a cutting board. And did I mention that they look great. Plus, the laminated compressed wood of the Isak Breadboard are harvested in sustainable Scandinavian forests.

The two patterns, Landsby and Leaf, work well together. Each breadboard comes packed in a reusable 100% cotton tote bag. It is practical for picnic or if you are really fancy when you bring your lunch.

SOURCING:
+ Isak Bread Board, Landsby or Leaf $40 USD
+ Isak Landsby Bread board £22
+ Iittala Kartio Small, Stained Glass £11 for a set of 2 glasses
+ Iittala Kartio Tumbler $17 USD for 2

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I bought for the first time a package of Kumato yesterday. Called the brown tomatoes, the fruits exhibit darker green, brown up to a darker red. It is sweeter than the red tomatoes that we are accustomed. The producer of Kumato, Sunset says it has an intense aroma and surprisingly sweet, juicy flavor.

The Kumato grabbed my attention because the color is perfect for a fall table. Serving a Caprese salad is a time saver but a Caprese salad feels like summer. Plus, the classic row presentation is too simple for a chic sit-down dinner. Not anymore. Look at how Sunset dished up their Kumato Caprese salad. I would slightly modify their recipe by adding some basil in the middle of the stack.

You could mix two or three kinds of tomatoes in a stack to add even more dimensions to your salad. If you do, make sure to select tomatoes with the same diameter.

Three Mozzarella Slicers and an Egg Slicer

We all experienced it. Making consistent slices of mozzarella with a knife is hard. This is where a mozzarella slicer comes to your rescue. I listed three slicers that people seem to appreciate. Except for the Tomato and Mozzarella Slicer by Rösle who catches juice in the base, the other mozzarella slicers on the market look like high-end egg slicers. I am curious to know if we can do both with one slicer. Does anyone know the difference, if any, between a good egg slicer and a mozzarella slicer?

1. Mozzarella Slicer at Williams-Sonoma $25 USD
2. Rosle 12755 Tomato and Mozzarella Slicer $29.95  USD
3. Mario Batali The Italian Kitchen Collection Mozzarella Slicer $24.99 USD
4. Leifheit Pro Line Stainless Steel Egg Slicer $13.99 USD

MORE:
+ Sunset Kumato Caprese Salad recipe

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