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Six months ago I went on a solo quest to find better butter. I had no actual evidence, but I was convinced there was something better out there than the same three brands I saw at every grocery store. Then one day at Fiesta Farms I stumbled on this brick by Stirling Creamery. Little did I know I had uncovered a whole new world of butter.
Gimme The Loot is a new recurring feature showcasing products and items I love. It is never sponsored or a paid advertisement, it’s simply created on the insistence of my belly.
I am a hater of jarred salsa. Sorry, I know it’s convenient and easy to buy, but the flavour and spice level cannot be compared to when it’s fresh. I’ve given the Garden Fresh Gourmet Salsas found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores a try, but I find them overly sweet and way too mild. Making it at home requires a lot of tiny dicing and I can never get the right balance of acidity and spice. So I’m happy to report the one place in Toronto that serves my favourite fresh salsa also sells it to-go.
Head straight to Kensington Market’s Jumbo Empanada (245 Augusta Ave., near Nassau) for a container of their Fresh Salsa and I promise you’ll never go back to jarred. The mixture of tomato, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, and whatever other secret ingredients they use results in a garlic-heavy tang with a significant kick. If you can’t handle your spice, just use a tiny bit, but if you can take the heat, pile it on. Best of all, it’s good with everything: tortilla chips, eggs for breakfast, pan-fried fish and of course, the Chilean cheese empanada I also can’t leave the restaurant without.
Jumbo Empanadas’ Fresh Salsa is $3.40 for a small container, $5.65 for medium and $8 for large (pictured at top).
Dear Pirates,
We here at Plato Putas are committed to serving regular folk, in addition to those who rule the high seas, even if your profession may seem dubious at times. Please pass on the following information to your comrades, including Blackbeard, Captain Hook and the infamous Jack Sparrow. Heck even Shawn Fawning of Napster may enjoy this. Your health is of the utmost importance — how can you pillage and plunder when you’re sick with scurvy? So here’s our favourite citrus juicer for that much-needed dose of Vitamin C.
Arrrghh! What kinda juicer is that? Read on to find out why it’s a worthy purchase for any pirate.
When I saw a Tim Horton’s commercial announcing their new Breakfast Wrap ($1.99), I knew I had to try one. I was a fan of their breakfast sandwich until I found out the bacon version contains only slightly less fat (24 grams) than a Big Mac (29 grams). Damn you, delicious biscuits. Now I occasionally order one on an English Muffin, but I hoped the new wrap might take its place.
Read on to find out what the wrap contains and how a mysterious sauce plays a role.
Remember back in the day, when you’d spend the summer sucking on homemade juice popsicles made in those plastic popsicle trays? Well, like most things nowadays, homemade popsicles have become fancier, faster and easier. Long gone are the hours spent waiting for the juice to freeze. Now you’ll be licking a pop in about seven minutes, thanks to the Zoku Quick Pop Maker. Meet Elia, the adorably cute 13-month-old who will share her thoughts on this gadget. As you can see from her above expression, she’s trying to convey the yumminess of her apple-grape juice pop.
