There are so many fabulous events happening this summer in the Okanagan that my head is spinning.
We enjoyed the first official Diner en Blanc earlier this summer and are looking forward to the upcoming Feast of Fields happening Aug. 18 at Kelowna’s Little Church Organics.
Tickets are $95 and available at Choices Markets or online at www.farmfolkcityfolk.ca
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The inaugural Food Wine Film event is also just around the corner, taking place Sept. 13,14 and 15.
I will be offering a special tour featuring stars from my cookbook, The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine & Cheese Maker on Sept. 14—check the website www.okanaganfoodwinefilmfestival.com for details.
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The team at Hester Creek Winery is excited to announce the first annual Garlic Festival coming up Sept. 29 at the Oliver winery—go to www.hestercreek.com for details. Sounds like a stinking good time!
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When celebrating at home this summer, be sure to support local and shop at our local farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. When that is not possible in your busy schedule, the Urban Fare store in Mission Shopping Centre is the next best thing.
Urban Fare is a huge supporters of our local farmers and artisans, as the store carries a huge array of local produce and products.
Did you know Urban Fare sells Monika’s bread and baguettes (Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads) and a delectable array of Sandrine’s chocolates, cakes and desserts (Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate).
Also look for local cheese, crackers, preserves, pizza shells on the Urban Fare store aisles.
My favourite chicken farmer Sterling Chicken’s productscan also be found at the meat counter.
Stay tuned for a mini farmers market style event Sept. 7 and 8 at Urban Fare, giving shoppers the opportunity to meet many of their local suppliers and try out their products.
And don’t forget Urban Fare has a licensed restaurant in the store and serves local wines.
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A dear friend wowed me at my birthday lunch a couple of weeks ago with a stunning fruit salad served in an ice bowl that had flowers frozen inside of it.
I highly recommend trying this at your next dinner party.
If you don’t want to use flowers, you can be creative and use whatever leaves or other herbs you would like. Cranberries would be beautiful during the Christmas season.
You can vary the shape of the container to your like as well.
To make your own fruit salad served in an ice bowl, follow the directions below:
Use freezer proof glass or plastic bowls, any size you with one bigger than the other, depending what you serve and for how many guests.
Fill the bigger bowl part way with water; drop in a cup or so of fresh flowers, blossoms, herbs, berries or leaves.
Put a smaller bowl in the big bowl and fill the little bowl with ice cubes to weigh it down.
The smaller bowl needs to be positioned in the middle of the large bowl and has to touch the bottom of the big bowl.
Put it into the freezer overnight or even longer.
Place the serving flower ice bowl onto a matching size of a plate (it needs to be frozen solid).
Carefully run hot water from a tap over the outside of the bowl to release it.
Leave it on the plate and put it back into the freezer ready to be used at any time to fill with fresh fruit salads, vegetables—use you imagination!
Jennifer Schell is editor of B.C. Wine Trails Magazine.
jennschell@shaw.ca
twitter.com/JenniferSchell8
