In preparation of Thanksgiving we are visiting a farm in the
GTA, and have mixed up a sweet and salty cocktail to kick off your fall
festivities.
apple caramel cocktail 1 ½ oz apple infused proof whisky* •
½ tsp lemon juice • 3 oz apple cider • 1 oz caramel syrup** • salted
caramel rimmer*** • apple slices for garnish
Rub lemon slice around rim of glass. Rub wet rim in a
plateful of caramel rimmer until well coated. Set aside. Pour first four
ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake and pour into a rimmed glass.
Garnish with an apple slice.
*apple-infused proof whisky mason jar • dried apples •
cinnamon sticks • 500 mL proof whisky (2 cups) •
**homemade caramel syrup 1 cup sugar • 3/4 cup water,
divided • 1 teaspoon corn syrup • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Pinch of salt
In a small, sturdy pot, combine the sugar, 1/4 cup of the
water, and the corn syrup. Stir over low heat until dissolved. Once the sugar
has dissolved completely, turn the heat up to medium high, cover the pot, and
let boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the cover and stir vigorously as the
caramel continues to cook. Stir over heat until mixture is a light amber color.
Remove the caramel from heat. Carefully pour in the remaining 1/2 cup of water.
Be very careful when stirring the water into the caramel as it can splatter.
Stir in the vanilla and a small pinch of salt. The syrup will keep in the
fridge for a few months.
***salted caramel rimmer Pour sugar into a nonstick frying
pan, place over medium-high heat. Shake pan often until most of the sugar
liquefies, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; tilt pan to mix hot caramel
with sugar until all is melted and the color is deep amber, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately
pour hot caramel into foil-lined pan. Tilt pan to spread caramel in thin layer. Sprinkle 1/2 tps flour de del over hot caramel. Set aside until hard and completely cool, about 30 minutes. When cool, lift
foil from pan; peel foil from caramel. Break caramel into chunks. To make
powder, whirl chunks in a blender or food processor fitted with metal blade
(container must be completely dry). If you use a blender, you may need to make
powder in several batches. Use, or store airtight at room temperature for up to
1 month.
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to visit Murray’s Farm in the
rolling countryside of Cambridge, Ontario. The rain did not stop us from
visiting with some prized piglets. Murray is the only farmer in Canada with
registered herds of Gloucestershire Old Spot, Herefords, and British
Saddlebacks. His pigs run freely around a hilly green pasture, foraging for
goodies in the yard. He raises only about 400 head per year – with care,
compassion, and respect for their natures, wants, and comfort.
You might recognize him from one of the many farmer’s markets in the GTA. He is at Withrow Park, Cabbagetown, Brickworks and many others. His eggs and pork are also on the menus of some of Toronto’s best restaurants and butchers. For more information on where to purchase his great products, visit murraysfarm.ca
You might recognize him from one of the many farmer’s markets in the GTA. He is at Withrow Park, Cabbagetown, Brickworks and many others. His eggs and pork are also on the menus of some of Toronto’s best restaurants and butchers. For more information on where to purchase his great products, visit murraysfarm.ca
Speaking of Farmer’s Markets Although some of the city’s
best Farmers’ Markets closed for the season this week, many great ones remain
open until the end of the month. This Thanksgiving shop for autumn’s bounty at one
of the many farmers markets across the city. Along with offering farm-fresh
food, markets are a great way to support local agriculture, meet your
neighbours and spend quality time outdoors at the park.
MONDAY Sorauren’s Farmers’ Market (50 Wabash Ave., 3 p.m.
until 7 p.m.- Oct. 30th) TUESDAY Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market (Trinity
Bellwoods Park, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. - Oct. 31st) • East York Farmers’ Market (East York Civic Centre, 8 a.m
until 2 p.m. - Oct. 31st) WEDNESDAY Nathan Phillip’s Square Farmers’ Market (Nathan
Phillips Square, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. - Oct. 18th) • Greenwood Farmers’ Market (Greenwood Park, 3 p.m. until 7
p.m. – Oct. 25) • Bloor/Borden Farmers’ Market (Parking lot at Bloor and
Lippincott, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.) • UTSC Farmers’ Market (University of Toronto Scarborough,
2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. end of October) • Yorkville Farmers’ Market (136 Yorkville Ave., 9
a.m. until 2 p.m. – Oct 7th) THURSDAY Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market (Dufferin Grove
Park, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. – Dec. 28th) • Toronto Botanical Gardens Farmers’ Market (Toronto Botanical
Gardens, 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. year round) • Metro Hall Farmers’ Market (Metro Hall, 8 a.m. until
2 p.m. – Oct. 13th) • East Lynn Farmers’ Market (East Lynn Park, 3 p.m.
until 7 p.m.-Oct 19th) • North York Farmers’ Market (Mel Lastman Square, 8 a.m.
until 2 p.m.-Oct. 26th) FRIDAY Sherway Farmers’ Market (1536 The Queensway, 8 a.m.
until 2 p.m.-Oct 27th) SATURDAY Stop Farmers’ Market at Wychwood Barns (Artscape
Wychwood Barns, 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. – Dec.) • Junction Farmers’ Market (2960 Dundas St. W.,
9 a.m. until 1 p.m. – Nov. 4th)
Evergreen Brickworks Farmers’ Market (550 Bayview Ave.,
8 a.m. until 1 p.m. – year round)
St. Lawrence Market Farmers’ Market (St. Lawrence Market.,
5 a.m. until 3 p.m. –year round) • Weston Farmers’ Market (GO Parking Lot at 1865 Weston Rd.,
7 a.m. until 2 p.m. end of Oct.) • Withrow Park Farmers’ Market (Withrow Park, 9 a.m.
until 1 p.m.-Oct 14th)
SUNDAY The Leslieville Farmers’ Market (Jonathan Ashbridge Park, 9 a.m.
until 2 p.m, -Oct. 29th) • Liberty Village Farmers’ Market (Green P Hanna Street, 9
a.m. until 2 p.m. – Nov. 26th)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
