ETHICAL GOURMET / Remind me to Tell You About the Time I Looked in the Heart of an Artichoke

Ontario wines will be for sale at farmers' markets starting this weekend as part of a pilot program the province hopes will lead to a rise in the demand for VQA wines. Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) sets a framework by which standards for quality wine production made from Ontario grapes and appellations for wine regions are established. From quality standards for grape growing and winemaking, to comprehensive testing and truth in labeling and consumer safety standards, all stages of the regulation are stringent and intensive. To qualify for the VQA, wineries must use only grapes grown in the three designated viticulture areas. Non-grape wines or wines that do not meet this geographical criterion don’t qualify and in addition to giving up the majority of the revenue they generate outside their own vineyards, those who are not in a VQA-designated area for grapes; or fail to qualify for VQA status cannot put “Made in Ontario” on their labels. On May 1, homegrown wines, cr

  Fire Roasted, Locomotive, Las Chicas and Hasbeans A Thirst for the Small-Batch Coffee Roasters and Other Independents Hits Town Locomotive Espresso   The emergence of London, Ontario’s small-batch coffee roasters emphasizes the passion that exists for fairly traded, environmentally responsible, and ethically sourced coffee beans. The astounding growth of the burgeoning coffeehouse/café niche in the intensely competitive coffee market dominated by Starbucks and Tim Horton’s is nothing short of remarkable. Lately there has been an unprecedented increase of upmarket cafés that are part grab-and-go café, part bakery, and part casual dine-in restaurant, some of which are licensed. The quest of coffee drinkers for artisanal, small hand-batched roasts with diverse flavour profiles is unmatched. It has been recently suggested that in addition to its other well-documented effects, a cup of coffee will improve your memory. Hasbeans is operated by the hospitable Smith fam

Roasted Eggplant and Garlic Soup Ingredients: 2 roasted garlic bulbs (recipe follows) 2 large eggplants, peeled and cubed 375 ml (1 ½  cups) chopped onion 25 L (5 cups) good quality vegetable stock 2 ml ( ½ ) salt 1 ml (¼) freshly ground pepper 175 ml (3/4 cup)   35% heavy cream 125 ml ( ½  cup) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese   Method:  In a large oven proof casserole, combine roasted garlic, eggplant, onion, stock, salt and pepper. Cover and bake in preheated 190 C (375 F) oven for 45 to 60 minutes until vegetables are soft. Uncover, stir and continue to bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes until liquid is slightly reduced and vegetables are roasted. In a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth and creamy. Return to saucepan and whisk in cream; bring to serving temperature and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into soup bowls and top with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. If desired, place bowls under boiler to melt the cheese. Roa

London Food Truck Pilot Reignites Debate   The   London Food Truck Pilot reignited debate and Community and Protective Services Committee   voted 5-0 to refer the food truck pilot proposal back to a special meeting before council next week. The issue has been debated across the city since last spring. Among the more disappointing proposals was a recommended cap of 12 trucks and a lottery for licences. Many councilors remained hesitant about the pilot program going forward as written. The entrepreneurial spirit of food trucks and the importance of diversifying our street food culture seems totally lost on most of the Council.   Last year London City Council agreed to get public feedback on a proposed program to allow food trucks. The proposal worked its way between city departments for months and has been refined and revised along the way to avoid the bureaucratic red tape that plagued Toronto’s food truck initiative. The City  agreed to  liberalize their initial food