the (last two) weeks that were and are - september 23rd & 30th, 2009

With my departure from the city last week I wasn't able to publish my usual list of random food related items, so it's a bit of a combo week. Hopefully the last two weeks have treated you well. Is anyone excited for new TV shows? or new seasons?

• There was an Edmonton Journal article about Edmonton's own Planet Organic a couple weeks back. Seems a bit of financial trouble may be on the horizon.

• It looks like Mikado is expanding, with a new location set to open up in October on 170th street (9942-170 Street). A definite original in our city and though it's far from my choice, it's still good to see some expansion.
  

• The Edmonton Potato Growers and the Greater Edmonton Alliance teamed up for the Great Potato Giveaway. It looks like there was a huge turnout, with around 100,000 pounds of spuds dug up. Sharon (Only Here for the Food) wrote a fantastic post about the event.
  

• Chez Cora, the name behind Cora's restaurant, is adding an Edmonton location. I stopped by a few weeks back to find they were closed, but going back to get a picture this weekend, I realized they are now open. If the menu tastes as good as it looks, it will be a much welcomed addition to the breakfast scene here.

• I received an email this week from the Culina group. They are putting on the first annual Molto Local harvest wine dinner on Monday October 18th. 5 Italian dishes featuring food from local farmers and 5 wines from Italy. I wish I could partake in this without the wine, as I'm someone who would rarely order a wine pairing, the wine portion of $75 dollars is pretty much a waste.
  

• Ever wonder what the oldest man in the world eats? At 113, Walter Breuning, eats just twice a day, breakfast and lunch.

• And really, if you are only going to eat twice a day..better catch up on your Calories Per Dollar info-graphic.
  

• I can probably count the number of TV dinners I've had on one thumb, but I like the retro top 10 list of old school frozen dinners.

• With No Reservations finishing the season in Tony's wife's home (Sardinia), the waiting game is now back on. Good thing Man V Food is staying strong as I'm really starting to like Adam Richman's personality. For a show based around an eating challenge, he adds a quirky and friendly element to each city. If only Andrew Zimmern's new show, Bizarre World, was better.

• After discovering about Summer Side Asian Market in the mail, I stopped by for a look. A tidy little shop located just a hop and skip from South Edmonton Common (on 91st). Offering your standard fair - beans, flour, fruit, veg, music, dvd's etc. There is also a restaurant next door which seems to be part of the same ownership group.

• To my surprise it was very much a McMuffin style week at the homestead. I ended up making 12 in total, with a few variations of ingredients. Turkey, ham, or roast beef lightly grilled was topped with an egg and either provolone, cheddar, or Asiago. I think I have the process down to an art now, and can't profess the love my toaster's bagel feature enough.

• And finally, this beast. I've been experimenting with rye breads quite a bit lately for the Bread Baker's Apprentice challenge and pulled this evil looking, but great tasting loaf out of the oven yesterday!