Charelli's Newsletter

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JULY 2009 • ISSUE NO. THREE

Les Vacances

Charelli's House Mouse Here's where our Canadian side stands out: if we were thoroughly European we'd be closing up shop for the month of August and heading south for some R&R, like the little guy above. But just because we'll be here doesn't mean you won't be off on a summer break - and the journey should live up to the destination.

We'd probably all agree that the worst part about planes, ferries and even sometimes road trips is the food. (Greasy roadside diner, anyone?) So we'd like to share an idea that came from our customers - a Charelli's Travel Pack. Heading over to Vancouver? For less than the cost of a BC Burger and fries you could be picnicking on deck with a Fol Epi baguette, some fine cheese and a house-made paté. Want to incur the envy of everyone seated anywhere near you mid-flight? Spurn the over-priced, plastic-wrapped aberrations they call food, and pull out a big, gorgeous Charelli's sandwich and some tasty olives or cornichons. It's the true essence of traveling in style!

Speaking of taking a break, we're going to keep it pretty short this month. We are, of course, going to tempt you with a few treats, but we'd mostly like to let you know about the full range of services Charelli's can provide - making you a travel pack is just the beginning.

Happy Summer,
Charelli's

THIS MONTH

Meet our House Mouse! He's over there on the left. Isn't he adorable? We kinda think so. He'll be back in the upcoming months, and we'd love your help finding him a name. There may be free cheese involved - we've decided to make christening the mouse this month's contest. Good luck!

Also featured:
• The full range of Charelli's services
• More than Gourmet Demi-glaces
• Willy Wonka Worthy English Sweets
• Recipe: Velvet Carrot and Ginger Soup

NEXT MONTH

• Urban Accents Dry Glazes
• Bonnie Bea's Oat Cakes
• The Cream of the Soda Crop

WE CARRY:

• FOL EPI BREADS
• VIJ'S CURRIES
• SUN WING TOMATOES

Hospice Days
Every 8th and 26th of every month 20% of all cheese sales are donated to support Vancouver Island Hospice.

EXTRA SERVICES FROM CHARELLI'S

Gift Packaging: If you've bought it, we can make it look spectacular, so let us know if you're purchasing anything as a gift. We can also put together and deliver beautiful gift baskets - including wine - and we're more than happy to incorporate items you may have found elsewhere.

Rentals: We can make sure you're supplied with whatever you need for your fête, from table cloths to champagne flutes.

Servers: Need someone to make sure said champagne flutes are filled to the brim? We can do that too.

Cakes Etc.: We work directly with Cakes Etc. You can place your cake order with us at the same time as you place your cheese platter order, and then pick everything up in one stop.

Delivery: Or, we can deliver the cake, the cheese platter and whatever else you need to where ever you need it to be.

Office Catering: If you want a break from the ubiquitous grocery store tortilla wrap platter, let us make you fresh baguette sandwiches with an assortment of cheese, crackers and sweets on the side. We can do drinks, too. Your co-workers won't be able to resist supporting all the rest of your brilliant and forward-thinking ideas!

Travel Packs: As we mentioned above, you no longer have to submit to expensive, mass-produced people fodder on the way to your fabulous vacation. Let the fabulous start en route!

Gift Certificates: Really - the perfect gift. Who's not going to have fun with Charelli-bucks? Any amount goes. (Actually, it's just a certificate. There are no Charelli-bucks. Yet.)

Special Product Orders: You know that amazing 'thing' you used to eat, either on vacation or as a child growing up in a country far away from this one? Well, even if we don't, we can probably track it down for you. If you can't find what you're craving in the shop, please ask us. We're more than happy to bring in whatever you need.

Contact us for pricing and further details: cheese@charellis.com; 250-598-4794

MORE THAN GOURMET DEMI-GLACES

A good stock or sauce can be the key to a recipe's success. But how many of us have time to simmer chickens and balance spices over the hours required to create one? We'll be honest - we don't. This is one of Carmen's favourite products. The package looks pretty unassuming, but it's used in some of the top kitchens in the world. You could compare it to OXO. The same way you would compare our cult favourte brie, Le Dauphin, to Velveeta.

Here's one of More Than Gourmet's basic recipes for an amazing soup:

Velvet Carrot and Ginger Soup

4 T. (60 mL) unsalted butter
1 lb. (454 g) young carrots, scraped and diced
1/2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped shallots
3 T. (45 mL) raw white rice

3 T. (45 mL) minced candied ginger
1 oz. (30 g) More Than Gourmet's Glace de Poulet Gold + 3 c. (750 mL) water
Salt and white pepper to taste
3 T. (45 mL) finely chopped fresh chives

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Stir in carrots, shallots, and rice. Cover tightly and sweat over medium-low heat until very tender, about 20 minutes. Scrape mixture into an electric blender. Add ginger and diluted Fond de Poulet Gold. Process until completely smooth. Return to pan, season with salt and pepper, stir in chives, and heat until hot. Ladle into heated soup bowls and serve.

Hello Sugar.

This just in: Boxes full of British sweets that would tempt Mr. Wonka himself. Walnut Whips - gooey fondant mounds covered in chocolate and topped with a nut. Carousel Wafer Oyster Delights - marshmallow-filled, vanilla-dipped wafer shells, rumoured to be perfect for serving ice cream. Yorkies - girls, don't even think about it. Walkers Nonsuch Toffee - it's worth it, your teeth will forgive you. Fry's Turkish Delight - apparently they're 'full of eastern promise'. (Reminds us of C.S. Lewis, personally.) Flakes, Twirls, Picnics, we could go on... No, these aren't super gourmet confections, but they're fun and affordable, and they are super yummy.

Name the House Mouse

Our new friend needs a name! You know the drill - the winner receives 200 grams of his or her choice of cheese. Just reply to this email.

Charelli's
2851 Foul Bay Road, Victoria, BC V8R 5G5 (View map)
Phone: (250) 598-4794

Shop Hours
Tuesday - Saturday open 10am - 5:30pm | Sunday, Monday & Holidays closed