Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Great Balls Potluck Dinner Party

What's your take on potluck dinners? Personally, I think that they can be alot of fun if you have great participation on everyone's part....read as: if everyone puts at least some thought and effort into the dish that they are bringing. They are even more fun if there's a theme to it. Such as the BACON party that we did last year. We asked everyone to bring a dish that had bacon in it.

We had bacon corn bread, corn & bacon chowder soup, pasta with bacon and lots more...but the most inventive one was popcorn drenched in bacon fat and white cheese. It was absolutely lip-smacking! It was even better 'cause it was made by our friend who's day job is as a dentist...but his after hours hobby is to devour anything and everything in sight.

(SORRY NO PHOTOS from this event since we were all busy pigging out on the Bacon dishes)

Recently on Eat St. (a TV program) I was excited to learn about Bacon Jam or Spread from Skillet in Seattle. I've emailed my BFF who lives in Seattle to score me a jar...I'm going to be salivating for the next week, anxiously awaiting her arrival.

I've already given my friends the "heads-up" about the next party in October this year. It's going to be The Great Balls Party! Yep, you heard me...GREAT BALLS...so you can interpret that as spaghetti and meatballs, Jewish matzo balls, Chinese curry fish balls, Japanese Takoyaki balls, Vietnamese beef balls, watermelon balls, donut holes, cake balls or anything else you can think of.

I'd love to hear your suggestions of what you'd bring to this party.
Or if you have your own Great Balls party, be sure to share with us your great ideas!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Baker's Market Contest Giveaway

How would you like to win a shiny red, hot KitchenAid bagel toaster? It’s so shiny that it will look like a sleek sports car parked on your kitchen counter.




It's a special toaster since it is made for bagels with extra wide slots. You could even toast thick waffles and extra thick texas toast in it too.

Mmmmmm....I can smell the toasted bagels now!



We’re feeling especially generous so we’re giving away an Ol’Fashioned Milk Shake Maker too!




Each time you do one of the following actions, you’ll be entered into the Baker’s Market contest.

1. Post a comment in the comment section at the bottom of this post telling us why you should be the winner of this toaster & milkshake maker.

2. Follow @bakersmarket on twitter. Here’s the link for doing that.

http://twitter.com/#!/bakersmarket

3. Retweet this post:

Wanna win a sleek red KitchenAid Bagel Toaster and an Old Fashioned MilkShake Maker too? http://tinyurl.com/3lz4b5l #BakersMarketContest

4. Click on the “Like” bakersmarket on facebook http://www.facebook.com/bakersmarket

5. Remember to share good news with your friends and family. You can do this by clicking on any of the share buttons at the end of this post. If your friend mentions that they heard about this contest from you in their post, then your friend will win an ol’fashioned milk shake maker and you’ll win the Red Hot KitchenAid Toaster!

(if there is no mention of a friend on the winning entry, then that ONE person will win both prizes)


Contest closes October 7, 2011. Winner will be contacted to pick up the prize in person on October 8, 2011 at the Baker’s Market in Vancouver. There is no cash value for this prize.
This prize is generously sponsored by the organizers of the Baker’s Market.



Thursday, August 25, 2011

Learn the secrets of baking French Macarons

J’adore les Macarons is very excited to share secrets of the French Macarons with exclusive Macaron baking courses in Vancouver, BC.

Madamoiselle Macaron has trained specifically for the Art of French Macarons at 2 schools in Paris, France and one school in NYC.



This class entitled is French Macarons 101 – how to make ‘em, bake ‘em and eat’em. You will learn a fool-proof recipe and secret techniques on how to make authentic and delicious tasting French Macarons. You'll learn how to colour and flavour the macarons to your heart's desire! Different types of fillings will be discussed and you'll even learn the best way to serve them. Etiquette on how to eat French Macarons will also be included.

Skill level required: Simple baking skills are needed. If you've never baked before...try some basic baking classes before attempting this one.

This is a hands-on class with a limit of 4 students.

$150 per person, includes take-home of

15-20 completed macarons in boxes tied up with ribbon

Macaron basic recipe

One macaron heavy-duty baking sheet, made in France

One pastry scrapper, made in France

One Macaron template

One pastry tip

2 pastry bags

Tips on where to buy “hard to find” ingredients locally and in Paris.

Kindly note: Recording devices like video cameras or phones or voice recorders MAY NOT be used at any time during the class.

Cameras, paper and pen are welcome.

The class dates for September are:

Friday, Sept. 16. 6 -10 pm

Weds, Sept. 21. 5 - 9 pm

(note: classes will be cancelled or post-poned if 4 people have not signed up for that date).

My time is flexible, please email me with your preferred date and time for your Macaron 101 class.

You can even specify the flavour & colours of macarons that you would like to make.

Kindly book at least 3 weeks in advance so that I can buy all the necessary supplies.

info@jadorelesmacarons.com

I am happy to teach classes from 11 am – 10 pm at the latest.

LIMITED TIME OFFER until Sept. 30, 2011: If you book a private party for 4 people, you can bring 1 extra person for free (and he/she will also get all the take-home supplies and macarons too).

Great for bridal party showers, birthday parties, ladies get-together, bonding events, corporate events and Xmas or birthday gifts too. A perfect gift for the macaron lover on your list.

The following dates are not available:

Sept. 3, 4, 9, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26.

Oct, Nov. Dec. Saturdays…not available.

Location: Private home kitchen. ½ block from the King Edward Station on the Canada Line, in Vancouver, BC.


I'm so excited to be able to share the wonderful techniques and skills with you!





Monday, August 22, 2011

New Featured Vendor: City Baked

I'm so excited to be welcoming a New Featured Vendor to the Baker's Market in the Fall. Hannah from City Baked will be joining us with home style pies, breads and scones, cookies and bars, and cakes all with a seasonal and modern twist.

Here are few of her delectable creations to tempt you:

Lemon Raspberry Sandwich Cookies



Peach and Lime Cream Crumb Bars




Are you looking for some cool business cards?



Since many of the bakers coming to the Baker's Market are brand new businesses, here's a great company called JukeBoxPrint that will print some very cool looking business cards in very unique shapes.

I love the BITE MARK shaped business card...perfect for the bakery biz or even pet related companies too.



I'm smitten with this custom Cupcake shaped business card too.



I ordered a FREE sample pack from them and was pleased with the different types of thicknesses of the paper stock and the variety of shaped.
Get your very own FREE SAMPLE PACK here!



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Baker's Market at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre

A few days ago, I decided to head over to Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre to do some measurements of the space and take some photos for the website. This is where the Baker's Market in Vancouver will be taking place on Saturdays, from Oct. 1 - Dec. 10, 2011 (no market on Oct. 22).

I call it the "little house on the prairie" since it really is a lovely "house" that is located on a very large grassy field. There is plenty of free parking around the perimeter of the field.




I first scouted out this place in the dead of winter last year...so it was really kind of glum looking....but today, what a big difference a few months and some sunshine makes! Flowers growing along the front path, grassy green fields and I even notice a lovely jungle gym playground at the back for kids. Even the caretaker had a glowing tan. Everything was in technicolor like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat!







Don't follow the yellow brick road, but rather Follow the Baker's Market Girl on our Lime Green road signs and you'll end up at a very sweet place, indeed!




For the customers and vendors, I'm pleased to report that this facility has separate facilities for Ladies and Gentlemen, as well as baby changing stations in both.




For the vendors, there are 2 sets of double doors for easy loading-in and out and a parking lot that can fit 10 cars at the back of the building.




There are a few electrical plugs along the wall...if you need access to an outlet, please bring your own extension cord and tape for the floor. Tables are on a first come first serve basis (except FEATURED VENDORS will have reserved tables).








Since Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre is part of Sunset Community Centre, I'm so excited to be a part of their Fall 2011 Recreation Guide on page 20.








Monday, August 15, 2011

Can you wait 'til October to taste these chocolates?

Have you tried chocolate ganache in unique flavours like Green tea, Lemon Basil, Tomato? Feast your eyes on these little beauties and I'm sure you'll be smitten with them. They are made with lots of love from La Chocolaterie.




Not sure if I can wait 'til October 1 to try them...they'll be selling at the Baker's Market in Vancouver for 10 Saturdays 'til Dec. 10, 2011.


Our colorful chocolates have been attracting attention since we opened “La Chocolaterie” in Richmond, BC, CANADA, in Dec. 2010. Our combination of high-quality ingredients, colorful presentation and smooth texture will surprise and delight you, and you can only find them here…we call it “Coconama” style chocolate...

Witchery of Coconama 1: Ingredient CombinationWe believe that chocolate has unlimited potential to be combined with ingredients from all over the world to create exciting new flavor options. We can never say which, the chocolate or the ingredients, dominate the product’s taste; together, they work in a complex and flavorful harmony. In our shop, you will find a wide selection of chocolates in surprising innovative flavors such as Green tea, Lemon Basil, Tomato and so on. We keep challenging “the world of infinity” in search of the next taste to be discovered. Our regular selection includes 27 kinds of chocolates and the flavors will vary with the seasons. Enjoy the harmony of chocolate and our selected globally-sourced ingredients.




Witchery of Coconama 2 : Colorful PresentationIt has been said that over 80% of visual information entering the eye is "color information". Color has a significant impact on the human brain both psychologically and physiologically. Many types of colorful chocolate are produced all over the world, but most of them use artificial coloring. Our products get their brilliant colors from natural sources only, never artificial, so that natural ingredients are showcased in their true form. Each ingredient lends its own color to the chocolate: black (cocoa), white (milk), green (green tea), yellow (mango), and so on, giving our chocolates a naturally beautiful appearance. Discover a new way of enjoying chocolate by using color, not just taste, to make your selection, and delight all of your senses.

Witchery of Coconama 3 : Smooth TextureWhen you place a Coco Nama chocolate in your mouth, it immediately melts in a harmonious creaminess due to its uniquely smooth texture. Just as juice and butter produce different flavor and texture sensations in the mouth, our special process of combining and emulsifying the fats in the cocoa butter and the water content in the flavoring ingredients produces a texture that is exceedingly smooth and releases a burst of delicious flavor. The result: decadent chocolate that’s irresistibly creamy.