Taste of Little Italy

What I love most about summertime in Toronto is the variety of festivals that our vibrant city hosts. Whether you are a music, food or book lover, there are a number of interesting festivals that will cater to your interests. 

Summer is just around the corner and the Barilla Taste of Little Italy begins on June 19. This year, the festival will be combined with the CHIN Picnic. In addition to snacking on delicious Italian dishes, visitors can enjoy live bands featuring Italian, Portuguese, Brazilian and Spanish music. Artisans will delight visitors by showcasing their crafts and products.

Enjoy samples of Barilla pasta, celebrate Italian culture and live 'la dolce vita' at the Taste of Little Italy! 

The Barilla Taste of Little Italy runs from June 19 - 21 outdoors on College Street between Bathurst Street and Shaw Street. 

For further information, visit tasteoflittleitaly.com.   

Fettuccine with Creamy Mushroom Ragu

Father's Day is just around the corner and as I get older, I find it challenging to shop for a great gift for dad. He has received colourful ties, his favourite cologne, clothes, books and countless other gifts. I have gotten very creative to surprise him with a gift that I know he will love. 

This year, why not prepare a home-cooked meal that dad will be sure to enjoy? Often times, the best gifts are the gifts of time and those that are homemade with love. Try making a simple, yet delicious pasta dish, fettuccine with creamy mushroom ragu. This creamy and comforting classic will have dad singing your praises!

Ingredients
12 oz (375 g) fettuccini
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb (500 g) mixed mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup (250 mL) Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated lemon zest
1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions
1. Cook fettuccini according to package directions; drain, reserving 1/3 cup (75 mL) pasta water.

2. Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook shallots and garlic for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, rosemary, salt and pepper; cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Transfer half of the mushrooms to blender along with Almond Breeze, lemon juice and lemon zest; purée until smooth.

3. Stir mushroom purée into skillet with sliced mushrooms until combined; cook for 2 or 3 minutes or until heated through.

4. Add pasta and pasta water to skillet; cook for 2 minutes or until pasta is evenly coated and liquid has evaporated slightly. Divide evenly among 4 plates; garnish with parsley.

Serve and watch dad smile! 

Yields: 4 servings

Nutritional Analysis:
Per 1/4 recipe: Calories 470, Fat 9g , Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 210mg, Carbohydrate 78g, Fibre 5g, Sugars 8g, Protein 18g.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Almond Breeze. For more information and cooking inspiration, visit www.almondbreeze.ca.

The Stop's Night Market

Photo: The Stop's Night Market

On Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17, The Stop Community Food Centre will host its annual Night Market fundraising event to support its crucial anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs. With gourmet food and drink being served mixed with live musical entertainment, The Stop Night Market promises to be a great success. 

Over 48 food and beverage vendors will be available to serve eager ticketholders. I am most looking forward to sampling culinary creations and libations from Dailo, Momofuku Shoto, Whippoorwill and Mailvoire Wine. 

The Stop's Night Market will be held in the Junction at 181 Sterling Road. Tickets are available online for $100 plus tax, which include unlimited food and drink.

Celebrate the best of Toronto's food scene and street entertainment while supporting a noble cause. 

Vegan and vegetarian friendly event. 
Must be 19+. 
To purchase tickets and for more information, visit: nightmarket.thestop.org.

Learning the Art of Muay Thai

By: Zena Rebello

I moved back to Toronto four years ago after finishing graduate school in Waterloo and was looking for new and challenging activities to participate in. A friend of mine mentioned that he started practicing Muay Thai and that he absolutely loved it. Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing is one of the oldest martial arts in the world that originated in Thailand. It is called the ‘Science of Eight Limbs’ because fists, feet, knees and elbows are all used in the art.

As someone who never shies away from new challenges, I decided to try it out, unaware of how much it would change my life for the better. I decided to go for a trial class at a school called York Muay Thai. When I got there, I was greeted by the owner and head instructor Kru Jenypher Lanthier (Kru means instructor in Thai). Right away the traditional male dominated, testosterone filled stereotype of martial arts gyms was dispelled because the head honcho here was a female. 

Going into class, I was very excited. However, as the class progressed, I wanted to cry. I was surprised by the physical demands and level of conditioning required to properly practice Muay Thai. Additionally, it also took a large amount of mental strength to not give up in the middle of a ‘warm up’, which is really a euphemism for a super challenging workout. After 40 push-ups in a row followed by squats, sit-ups and anything else the instructor throws at you, one’s body tends to scream 'UNCLE!'. The class was almost unbearable, but when it was finished I felt an amazing sense of accomplishment and I was hooked!

Whether one is advanced or a newbie, Muay Thai is a tough martial art to practice. At every class, I look around and see people of all genders, shapes, sizes and athletic abilities pushing themselves to new limits and finding their inner strength. Every month, we focus on a new skill to develop, be it crosses, jabs, hooks or swing kicks. We learn how to use the body as a weapon in both offensive and defensive situations. This month is ‘teep’ month. A teep, also called a push-kick, is when you strike your opponent (usually in the solar plexus) with the ball of your foot. Some other useful techniques I have learned are: 

Crosses: A commanding weapon that involves hitting your opponent with your rear fist while rotating your entire body to extend your reach and increase power.  
Elbows: This is one of the most powerful close-range weapons in Muay Thai. If done correctly, it can knock out your opponent. There are many types of elbow moves: upper-cut, rear, lead and downward elbow.
Swing Kicks: The most well-known weapons in Muay Thai are swing kicks, which involve kicking your opponent with your shins. Swing kicks are tough to learn because they involve the integration of core strength, balance and technique in order to execute correctly. For me, they are a work in progress.
Learning these skills have helped me to increase both my endurance and stamina.

There is also an innate sense of community that has developed among the participants at school. Whether we are encouraging each other in class, sharing tips online or socializing over a traditional Thai dinner at our annual Christmas party, all participants, new and seasoned, are a part of a centuries old cultural tradition. 

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After having practiced for the last four years, I look back and compare my current self to my old self and I am amazed at how resilient I have become physically and more so, mentally. I know that at 5’1’’ and 110 pounds if I can spar against men twice my height and weight, I have the moxie to handle any challenge that life presents. I always prided myself on my overall toughness, but with Muay Thai I have found a new dimension in myself that can be translated to everyday life. I am more disciplined, agile and stronger than ever.

York Muay Thai offers a free trial for one week. Visit yorkmuaythai.com for more information. 
Twitter: @YorkMuayThai 
Facebook: facebook.com/yorkmuaythai
Photos courtesy of York Muay Thai.

Zena Rebello is an environmental and atmospheric chemist by day and an ardent Muay Thai practitioner by night.

The Ultimate Hershey's Chipits Cookie

I love going out and exploring our vibrant city of Toronto, but it had been a long time since I had invited a friend over to watch movies and have dinner. It's the little things in life like spending time with my dear friend and just catching up on the details of our lives that make our bond special.

For dinner, we shared a pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut and had the chance to try their Ultimate Hershey's Chipits Cookie. Both pizza and cookie were piping hot and fresh. We were looking forward to trying the cookie, which is shaped like a pie, made with Hershey's Chipits chocolate chips and cut into eight sweet slices.

We opted for one slice each with a tablespoon of vanilla bean ice cream. The warm and gooey texture mixed with creamy, cold ice cream was an excellent combination. Although we were craving more, our bellies were saying no, as we were quite stuffed! The Ultimate Hershey's Chipits Cookie is a treat that is best enjoyed by small groups, but we definitely appreciated having leftovers for the next day! 

There is nothing quite like the taste of soft, warm and chewy chocolate chip cookies. The Ultimate Hershey's Chipits Cookie is available exclusively at Pizza Hut, but if you would like to nibble on homemade goodies, I have the perfect recipe for Chipits Chewy Milk Chocolate Cookies. As the quintessential classic snack, the treat is easy to make and easier to enjoy!

Ingredients:

•         2/3 cup melted butter
•         2 cups lightly packed brown sugar
•         2 eggs
•         2 tbsp hot water
•         2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
•         1 tsp baking powder
•         1tsp baking soda
•         ¼ tsp salt
•         12/3 cups Chipits Milk Chocolate Chips

 Directions:

 1.       Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2.       In large bowl, beat melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and hot water until smooth.

3.       In medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir into butter mixture until blended. 

4.       Stir in milk chocolate chips. Drop from small tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

5.       Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool 1 minute; remove to wire rack. 

Makes 5 dozen cookies.

The Ultimate Hershey's Chipits Cookie was complimentary. The opinions expressed in my post are genuinely my own.