Monthly Archives: June 2011

4 06, 2011

INDEED A MEMORABLE FEAST, By Lisette Jolicoeur

By |2022-03-15T23:56:34-07:00June 4th, 2011|Categories: Food Program|0 Comments

Little did I know what I was in for when I responded to the email invitation from the Food Program : “Come out for a walk with Dan Persyko and friends to marvel at the abundance of food at its source. The traditional First Nations site at Montague Harbour is the ideal place to learn about living close to the land and sea. Bring shovel, a bucket, a bowl, and fork. 4:30 Thursday, June 9th, 2011”.

What a memorable eveninng, not only because it was a feast, but also because it was such a strong example of how the best, more often than not, comes with simplicity and just getting together for a moment with no agenda. I call that “let’s have a little adventure and see what happens!” I experienced, once again, the natural world as a child would as well as learning many new things.

Having young kids and a dog around is always a treat to watch. To see how they all naturally interact with each other and with the animal, if we trust them enough to admire how they naturally interact and solve simply their differences.

Sea asparagus and bladderack when sautéed with an onion and carrot make a very yummy and healthy serving of veggies (thank God not yet served in those fancy restaurants at a $$$ price, one we gladly pay for with our ignorance).

When you put together pretty big oysters stacked together in a way to allow the juices and sand to flow out with the smaller mussels on top it makes for a 2 part feast. It only took half an hour to gather the food and although at first glance the mussels seemed small they are so tasty. In a big pot with just a little bit of water, steaming on a wood fire right by the beach, the result is absolutely divine.Those big oysters are not that chewy afterall. Both accompanied by our serving of sea veggies, naturally.

When we are still in awe of that fine dinner, Dan and Janice experimented with two different breading for the oysters, so we could have a taste of fried oysters. Dan’s were with flour with garam marsala added. Janice’s were with dipped in beated egg and then rolled in corn flour. Both were delicious and so smooth to enjoy. The little chewiness was even wonderful to get those jaws going.

During the meal, someone mentioned the word ‘wine’ and instantly all said “Naw! Not necessary!” This is as fine as it is! Similarly, at the end, Janice said: “I have a little treat here if you want” (chocolate), and again, all said “it does not belong here”. We simply cleared our plates, and sent the shells back to the beach while watching a couple of grey herons fly over our heads.

Well done, time to go home and stay with that infinite moment of bliss, that is possible to everyone on this island and on top IT IS FREE! NO HST, NO TIPS, NO WAITER, just nature as our generous host!

My conclusion: We live in paradise. Why not work together to enjoy this now and to make it last for all those who come after us.

4 06, 2011

Jam Making by Alison Colwell

By |2018-05-04T15:34:34-07:00June 4th, 2011|Categories: Food Program, Workshops|0 Comments

When the opportunity to go to a Canning workshop with one of Bernadin’s top chefs arose, I jumped at the chance. I know a lot about canning, my Grandma taught me to make Jam almost 30 years ago, but there’s always something new to learn. As it turned out – I learned a lot. The biggest realization was that I’m a bit of a jam snob! I make jam the old fashioned way. Long boil, with thermometers, copper pots, and an understanding of the various pectin levels of different fruits at different times of the year. I consider myself an expert at the obscure wrinkle test. And for the last few years I’ve taught “old-school” jam classes through the Galino community Food Program, making hundreds of jars of jam with participants. My Grandmother taught me never to waste food, and I have tried to pass some of those food preserving skills on.

But at the workshop I learned that there are other, perhaps easier ways than those I learned from my grandma! The Bernadin Chef used Bernadin Pectin. (As a traditionalist I have always opposed pectin on principle!) But if you are using commercial pectin the only skills needed are the ability to measure a few cups of fruit, and the ability to time a boil. Skills everyone has. That’s it. No thermometers, no wrinkle tests. The result: a half a dozen jars of jam on the counter, which the nutritionists in the workshop maintained was healthier because it was cooked for a much shorter amount of time. Using some commercial pectins also gives you the freedom to use honey or skip the sugar all together – things not possible with traditional long boil jams. Or you can make combinations of fruits not easily done in long boil, such as Strawberry Rhubarb Jam. Regardless of which technique you use for making the jam, there are simple, but strict procedures that must be followed to ensure that the jam you’ve made will be kept safe. My grandmother used paraffin wax to seal her jars, or dipped wax paper circles in brandy. Processing your jam in a hot water bath for ten minutes is now the acceptable practice.

I’ll be teaching a “Jam for Beginners” as well as the traditional jam classes on July 4th at 4:30pm at the Galiano Community Hall, sharing both techniques. Come learn how to put up your own harvest. And in the meantime, try an experiment with a quick jam.

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam recipe

Makes 6 x 250ml jars

Mash approx. 2 cups of strawberries by hand (not a food processor). Measure out exactly 2 cups of crushed berries. Place in pot. Dice Rhubarb very fine. Measure out 2 cups of rhubarb into pot. Stir in 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Sprinkle 1 package of “Original Pectin” over the fruit. Stir well. Bring to a rolling boil, one that will not stir down. Add 5 1/2 cups of sugar to the fruit, stir well. Bring to a rolling boil, one that will not stir down. Boil hard for 1 minute. Fill jam into hot jars. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

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