Date change?

Hey all,

Souptacular is scheduled for January 8th but Jeremy will be back in Vancouver and will miss his second 'Tacular, and Mark and Allison will be away as well. Any thoughts on a possible date change?

'Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!

If only we'd had these buttons for Pie-tacular!

http://jezebel.com/5691230/meet-the-youngest-member-of-team-pie

Souptacular -- January 8th!

Take note -- the Fergormans will be hosting the next 'Tacular on Saturday, January 8th! Lots of time for you to simmer up an idea for your contribution. Post a comment once you've decided what to make. I think I'm going to go all Irish and make an Onion, Potato and Thyme soup, with Cheesy Soda Scones as a carb complement. Unless I change my mind sometime in the next, erm, 2 months...

Winetacular Round-up!

Our 7th spectacular 'Tacular was a resounding hit, leaving our bellies full of Winey Deliciousness. What did we enjoy you ask? Well...

Ian made a deliciously crunchy mushroom crostini. It was worth having to endure the shrieking of the smoke detector going off (twice!).

Sara, Dan and Henry baked up an oozingly gooey brie with caramelized onions, and brought an addictive cheese dip with sherry.

Jenn and Daniel sauteed up an appropriately garlicky shrimp scampi, made with a splash of Pinot Grigio.

Mei brought the Coq......as in a fall-off-the-bones Coq au Vin.

Ayako and James stewed up Julia Child's Beouf Bourguignon...less than 24 hours after Ayako's Big Move. Impressive!

Allison and Mark stirred up a mushroom risotto stuffed into yellow and red peppers. Mark also brought some Mill Street barley wine, which Porktronic thoroughly enjoyed (that pig has issues).

Kate baked a batch of sweet wine and *lard* cookies, a curiously yummy combination. Booze and fat, can't go wrong!

And, I assembled a plate of cheese -- one from Piedmonte with a rind covered in the must from Barolo wine; and to go with an ice wine jelly, a buttery Delice de Bourgogne triple creme and Grey Owl from Quebec. I also poached up some pears and served them with a vanilla ginger creme anglaise.

Plus there was wine trivia! James reigned supreme, Sara took the silver, and Mei went home with the bronze after a heated tie-breaker battle with Kate. Ian's attempt at cheating may have automatically disqualified him from participating in future 'Tacular challenges, the jury is still out. (So, if you want to know who played Miles in "Sideways", ask anyone but Mark. And if you're wondering how to spell Gewurztraminer, ask James, Allison or Sara.)

And even though Jeremy is busy on the West Coast, we managed to patch him in via Skype. Fully MIA this time around were Christian, Karina and Mark L. We missed you guys!

For pics, check out the new link (top right corner) to our 'Tacular photo memories.

Onto the next 'Tacular...Souptacular to be hosted by Jenn and Daniel. Date to be confirmed.

Soupalicious

In an strange twist of timing (as our next 'Tacular is Souptacular), there's an event called Soupalicious happening this Saturday:

If you like soups, Soupalicious Toronto is the destination!

Come and enjoy 35+ amazing soups created by leading Toronto restaurants and chefs on Saturday October 9th at The Exhibition Place’s Heritage Court from 11am-4pm.

It’s a time of celebration and giving thanks --- Soupalicious began ever so many months ago when the soil was prepared (with heaps of compost) and seeds were lovingly planted by local farmers and gardeners with visions of harvests to come. The harvest has now arrived and the table has been set, thanks to the commitment of our partners and the wonderful Toronto restaurants and chefs who are here, committed to great food and our community.

So, it’s now time to Sip, Slurp and Savour and give thanks to our neighbourhoods and our City, knowing that together all things are possible. Enjoy!

I'm going to be the 'winey' host!

So come on by my place at 6:30pm Saturday. Read up on your wine-related facts because there's going to be trivia...with prizes!

And, don't forget to post and tell us what you're making!

Winetacular - Saturday, October 2nd!

Get ready for some grapey fun! Any volunteers to host? Leave a comment to tell us what you're making -- anything'll do, as long as wine is one of the ingredients. And (while not a requirement) if you want to bring a wine pairing to go with your dish, even better! I'll assemble a cheese plate, and make wine-poached pears with ginger creme anglaise.

RIP, Mr. Cheez Doodles

Morrie Yohai, 90, the man behind cheez doodles, has died:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/03/business/03yohai.html?_r=1&ref=dining

Mini Maxwell!

I have a mini garden...we want mini food. It's a wee plan...

Minitacular at Maxwell, August 7th at 7pm.

I'm all over the teeny tiny fish and chips with the help of Ian's disturbingly large deep fryer....and mini chocolate chip cookies since I've been eyeing an adorably small spatula for a while.

Can't wait to see the other mini offerings...

Minitacular - Saturday, August 7th!

Everyone's in, right? We need a host, any volunteers?! Add a comment to tell us what you're making! I call dibs on mini Egg McMuffins. :)

Trashtacular!

Scheduled for May 31st, Trashtacular promises to be memorable, though it may not be nutritious or tasty. Please post comments to let the group know what you plan on bringing. Spam sandwiches? Jello salad? Mac 'n cheese?

Jewtacular!

The fourth 'tacular, held in February 2010 (in case two nights of Passover in March aren't enough) was Jewtacular! The plethora of Jewish foods included matzoh ball soup, latkes, tzimmes, knishes, several kugels, honey cake and blintzes. Oy gevalt!

Pietacular!

The third 'tacular featured all things wrapped in pastry. Yum.

Cocktacular!

Following the amazingly successful inaugural Porktacular, Katie hosted Cocktacular, a celebration of cocktails and food accompaniments, in the summer of 2009. This event featured a contest in which participants voted on their favourite cocktail. Jen won the contest with her white wine-peach sangria.

Porktacular!

On Saturday, September 13th, 2008, the first 'tacular! was held at Sandra Loo's home. Highlights included grilled ribs and bacon ice cream.