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| AUGUST 2009 • ISSUE NO. FOUR | ||
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THIS MONTH
• Moonstruck Organic Cheeses NEXT MONTH
We'd like to take this opportunity to clarify that this section is more a list of general intentions rather than a binding set of promises. So, next month, we will, in all likelihood, cover some or none of the following:
WE CARRY: • FOL EPI BREADS | |
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 Hospice DaysEvery 8th and 26th of every month 20% of all cheese sales are donated to support Victoria Hospice Palliative Care Programs. | ||
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MOONSTRUCK ORGANIC CHEESE  Look at that face - she's obviously moonstruck. Anyway, the thing about small towns - and small islands - is that everything is more personal; communities are more tightly intertwined. Moonstruck's community includes a small herd of purebred Jersey cows who are treated like the family members they are. Lavished with organic feed, local kelp, minerals and freedom to roam, these lucky bovines repay the love with some truly beautiful organic cheese. Blossom's Blue and White Grace are two of our most popular Moonstruck cheeses. Blossom's Blue (named, naturally, after Blossom the cow) is firm without being too crumbly. It has a creamy, salty flavour shot through with a mild, savoury vein of blue. White Grace is just what it's name implies - a light, delicate, milky cheese that's just fresh and simple. Organic, local and made from the heart (or well-loved udders), it's cheese you can feel all warm and fuzzy about. Just like that cute face. | ||
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BONNIE BEAS OATCAKES  As we say on our website, we have deep European roots. We have many roots, in fact, that extend to many different countries, via many members of our own little community. Victoria locals Bonnie and Bea provide some good, hearty Scottish roots by bringing us traditional oatcakes. Merely using a Scottish recipe wasn't enough for these two - they felt it necessary to send all the way to Scotland for a traditional oatcake press. They sent, specifically, to the Duncan's of Deeside shortbread and oatcake factory at Forest of Birse. (Bea herself hails from Deeside's Bucharn Farm at Strachan. Really - it doesn't get much more authentic than this.) The press was so 'traditional' it hadn't been used for years and didn't actually work anymore. But to the the delight of the folks at Duncan's of Deeside, the Canadian ladies were able to get it up and running, and it now churns out lovely, light organic oatcakes. They're delicious with cheddars and other firm, farmhouse style cheeses, but their subtle yet tasty flavour compliments almost any cheese without overpowering it. And we know they're extra good oatcakes because Nicole helps make them! | ||
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SEBSTIAN & CO. FINE ORGANIC MEATS  Sebastian Cortes was born in Chile and moved to Toronto ten years ago, where he attended culinary school and worked with top chef Jamie Kennedy before going on to study ethical butchering and animal husbandry on an organic farm. He and his wife, Jessica, brought all this amazing experience to Vancouver in 2006 and used it to establish their own butcher shop. As would be expected, Sebastian & Co. adheres to the strictest ethical and organic principles, and adds to these an obsessive passion for flavours, presentation and quality. While you'll currently have to go to Vancouver to sample his famous Vacio steak (a unique cut discovered on a trip back to Chile), you can now come to us for his house smoked salami and bresaola. More custom-made treats are on the way, so check our blog for updates. | ||
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COMIC INTERLUDE  | ||
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SOPRANO RECIPE OF THE MONTH  It's a different kind of family. Capeesh?
Bruschetta Salad Serves 4-6 as an appetizer A.
C.
E. 2 Garlic Cloves, peeled, 1/2’d F. Sea Salt, Black Pepper freshly ground G. Optional: prosciutto slices torn, baby Bocconcini, grated Romano, and arugula etc. Method: 1. Combine A in bowl 2. Cut B into assorted shapes and sizes depending on the types of tomatoes selected. They must be very ripe. Add to A and toss. 3. Add in C, toss, allow to sit for 10minutes. Meanwhile: 4. Split D lengthwise, grill on bbq, both sides until toasted nicely, a few charred pieces are fine. 5. Rub bread generously with E to push the garlic and juices into the toast. 6. Tear D into pieces and add to bowl, add F toss gently. This salad should not be refrigerated.. Taste for seasoning. 7. Optional, toss salad with G or decorate top ** cherry, plum, grape and any other variety may be used especially large, juicy, multi-colored varieties. Most of these items are available at your favorite cheese shop . | ||
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Walker's Treacle Toffees We kind of mentioned these last month, so sorry to be repetitive, but here's what happened. We received large bags of bulk, bite-sized treacle toffees. They're soft enough to chomp into but sticky enough to cling to your teeth for dear life while filling your mouth with rich, sweet, treacle-y goodness. And because they're bulk and just teeny-tiny, it's easy to dip our paws in and eat just one... in our dreams. So if you come in and can't understand a word we're saying to you, you know why. | ||
 
Introducing... [drum roll please]... Wensleydale the House Mouse. A cute, true-to-his-cheese-roots name. But this is not the end of the matter. We received so many great names we can't just see them go to waste, so Wensleydale's getting some siblings. And cousins. And aunts and uncles. When the mouse you've (unknowingly) christened is introduced in one of our subsequent newsletters, you're invited to come in for 150 grams of cheese. Thanks so much to everyone who participated - this was a really fun one! We'll have a new contest next month. | ||
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Charelli's Shop Hours | ||
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The East may be stereotyped as somewhat snobbish, but here on the West Coast we have a weakness for smug. This charming quality really kicks in about February when we're gleefully counting blossoms as the rest of the country huddles in shivering resentment. But the truth is we're pretty lucky year round. In light of this, we're going to stay close to home this month. As far as cheese goes, we'll tell you a bit more about an island favourite, Moonstruck Organic Cheese from Saltspring. Another (practically) local delicacy: we're excited to be the first and only foodshop on the island to carry charcuterie from Vancouver's Sebastian & Co. Fine Organic Meat. We're also directing our little spotlight onto Victoria-based Bonnie Bea's Oatcakes. Two madcap Scottish women plus one harebrained scheme equals delicious concoctions for all. August's recipe helps you makes use of local tomatoes, basil and cucumbers, and, fittingly, the results of our Name the House Mouse contest are posted below. Exciting!