30 - Wednesday, May 7, #997 - North Shore News May/June, 1997 Victorian Day Picnic Menu Fresh Radishes and Coarse Sale SPRING GAZPACHO SOUP PASTA SALAD PRIMAVERA MEDITERRANEAN FOCACCIO SANDWICHES WHITE WINE SANGRIA Assorted Chilled Fruit Juices Take-Away Cookies, Tarts, Bars or Pies - The Idea: A Victoria Day Picnic Since 1845, Canada has celebrated Queen Victoria's birthday. Mark your * calendars...it falls on Monday, May 19th this year. Weather permitting, the oecasion calls for the first outdoor family picnic of 1997. Pull out your prettiest », wicker hamper and fill it to the brim with our Spring picnic delights. ’ The Tip: Picnicware The first ching you'll need to assemble is all your picnicware. A - stop at the Lonsdale Galley (waterfront side, west corner) a . has everything you'll need t» outfit your picnic Gh hamper. You'll find colourful cotton napkins, thermos bottles for soup, baskets, and of course, plastic a stemware, dinnerware, cutlery, and covered salad bowls. The Shopping List The Quay ‘is the place for fresh, spring veggies. Stop in at your \; choicé of Ken's, Waterfront or Quay Produce for a “_ superb selection of vegetables for our Pasta Salad (Primavera (see the Good Eats box for recipe). ‘ Then pop over.to The Stock Pot for a borde of their great dressing and: vegetable steck for che Gazpacho Soup. Tino's J Bakery and LaBaquette & L'Echalotte have a myriad of great J breads and baquettes to fill with Marketplace Deli’s fine B “© selection of meats and cheeses. Don’t forget dessert. Why heat # “up your own kitchen when bakers at the Quay do such a great § ‘job! ‘The Muffin Delight has oversized cookies. The New | Soeur Pie i pompany © carries lush Nanaimo Bars and tiny 3 : “ Gazpacho Soup . et English-style cucumber _ - 4 ripe tomatoes . - Leach red, yellow, orange bell pepper ‘Lsmall red onion - 2 cups vegetable stock ox V-8 juice 1 large clove garlic, peeled and pressed «: 1/4-cup each olive oil and red wine vinegur 2 cups croutons "Cut the cucumber, tomatoes, peppers and onion into 1" -* chunks. Place all vegetables in a food-processor, and process using quick “on-off” turns so that vegetables will be slightly grainy and chunky “in texture (do not puree smooth). Transfer mixture to a bowl. Whisk in the stock (or juice), garlic, oil and vinegar, sugar, sale and pepper to taste. Chill soup overnight before serving. Serve with croutons. Serves 4. Mediterranean Focaccio Sandwiches “Take garlic-herb Focaccio bread or your choice of baquertes and fill with any combo of: soft ricotta cheese, fresh basil pesto sauce, sundried tomatoes, grilled ‘eggplant slices, Genoa-with Prosciutto salami, and fresh basil leaves. Secure with wooden toothpicks and wrap sandwich in cello wrap. | White Wine Sangria Combine equal amounts of chilled wine and: club soda. Add sliced limes, oranges and fresh strawberries. Serve over cracked ice. Pick up all your picnic needs at these fine Market shops: The Stock Pot; Dusos Pasta; Ken's, Waterfront or Quay Produce; Tinos Bakery; LaBaquette & L‘Echaloste; Marketplace Deli; The Muffin Delight; Sweet Carrie’s Dessere Shop; and Okanagan Estate Wines. ys JB Essence of Canada Essence of Canada bursts onto the market with local handmade bath balms called “Bursts”. In a bath these beautiful wonders of nature release delicate aromatic blends of pure essence oils, while deodorizing and softening your bath water. They-can also be used as an air fresheneé, Simply place them in your car until they loose cheir scent, then use them in your bath, In addition to this new bath rage, you'll find Essence of Canada stocked full of handmade silk flower arrangements and an awesome ff ceramic collection featuring angels, — knights, dragons, wildlife and many more flights of fantasy. Crystal Gallery The finest European crystal glitters in Vaclav Jirasek’s second floor B@ Crystal Gallery. Come on up — to the second floor and discover all the colours of the rainbow in a wide variety of glassware. The store specializes in contemporary art glass, but Vaclav assures us there is - something for every taste in his shop. The Crystal Gallery: represents over 20 factories from central”: Eurcpe including the Bohemian Y Crystal glass factories of the Czech Republic, where glassware has a well-known and respected history that dates back over 500 years! Many of the pieces are individually designed, hand blown, hand cut, and then hand painted - some with 22 karat gold paint. These unique crystal pieces are perfect to decorate your home or give as a precious gift for any special occasion. Be : Spear a Spring Favourite Asparagus heralds the arrival of spring. These delicate stalks have been a culinary favourite since Greek and Roman days. Their name comes from # the Greek work aspharagos meaning “as long as one’s throat”. A label chat was. conferred because overeager diners often swallowed them whole. There are many... |} varieties of asparagus available from late January through to early July. In France: . - people prefer the “white” variety, but here in the Northwest the green variety is’ the stalk of choice. Look for firm straight stalks, uniform i in colour with tight compact tips. Besides being delicious, asparagus are a dieter’s dream at just 35 calories per cup, cooked. So, go on and indulge! : Strawberry Fields Forever The first berry off the vine is the ever- popular strawberry. Available at Lonsdale Quay Market all year round, but in season from May through July, there is no question now is the time to buy! Fresh grown local strawberries can be the epitome of sweetness and lush, ripe goodness. Try your fresh strawberries dipped in dark lush chocolate. Slice chem up and make a strawberry tart or flan. And at least once a year, make your family the traditional Strawberry shortcake. Ir’s never short on popularity! J