There's a "hot" new eatery in #Ottawa - #MoralsVillageHotPot (#Ad) #Ottawafood #OttawaEateries

More than a meal ... a dining adventure.

Disclosure: I was not compensated, nor obligated to post or share about this experience. 

However as I was an invited guest or plus-one I did receive my meal free of charge. All opinions are my own.

When Julie (Try Small Things) invited me to be her plus one for dinner at the newly opened Morals Village Hot Pot Ottawa (located at Riverside and Hunt Club), she didn't have to ask me twice. My decision to accept her invitation was a good one, because our meal turned out to be an interactive dining experience. My first impression was the warm reds and golds of the beautiful decor, and the welcoming and friendly greeting we received from the staff. 

Things I learned as a Hot Pot newbie:

• The Morals Village name comes from their commitment to giving back and community. In keeping with that sense of community it's not surprising most of the seating is communal style with a flat top stock pot burner at each seat. 
• Hot pot is a traditional Chinese dish using soup stock to cook a variety of ingredients. 
• Morals Village is an all-you-can-eat restaurant with a flat fee that includes the hot pot ingredients. (Note: the stock and beverages are not included in the flat rate. Visit the website, or restaurant for pricing details). 
• The staff is friendly, and knowledgeable, which is important for a Hot Pot newbie like myself.
• Over the course of a meal the stock in your pot is topped up. Staff explained this was to keep the stock from getting too salty as liquid evaporates from the boiling stock.   
• The reason there are two sets of chop sticks (one white, one black) is to avoid cross-contamination. One set is for raw meat, and the other set is for cooked items. 
• My chop stick skills are virtually non-existent. 
• Elastic waist pants are an excellent fashion choice when hot-potting. 
• Sharing a hot pot meal with friends or family is a perfect choice on a cold day.
• I really really like my hot pot experience. 

The Stock:
The experience starts with choosing from one of a dozen stock options (priced from $3 to $8) that you will use to cook your chosen ingredients. Your pot-o-stock stays piping hot by way of table elements. I opted for the Mountain Cliff Wild Mushroom soup base which was very nice. 

The Ingredients:
There are dozens of ingredient options, with everything from fried pork skin, quail eggs, and squid rolls to seaweed, lotus roots, and tofu. Each visit is a new opportunity to be adventurous in your choices, and customize your eating experience. To my mushroom soup base I added: Rib Eye Beef Slices, Japanese Crab Meat, Broccoli, Sweet Corn, Napa Cabbage, and Japanese Udon Noodles. 
Into the hot pot they went, and not to start anything but ...  yes I stirred the pot. 

Service with a smile ...

The Toppings & Sauce Bar:
I bet you're thinking there is no way to top that ... but indeed there is. There are a dozen sauces, dips, and toppings to pair with your hot pot meal. This is where you'll also find spring rolls, sesame balls, and deep fried buns. I recommend all three! 

The Ice Cream Finish:
What better way to end a hot and spicy meal than with a sweet ice cream cone filled with Morals Village made-on-site vanilla soft serve ice cream. 

From start to finish it was a wonderful night, that included a great meal, shared with a fabulous friend. It doesn't get much better than that in my opinion. So next time you're in Ottawa, looking for a new dining adventure or find yourself asking "Where should we go to eat?" you might want to give Morals Village Hot Pot, or one of these Ottawa eateries a try. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Ottawa eateries, and adventures in dining. 

Spice up #MovieNight with #Bollywood movies & @TajOttawa Takeout (#Ad) #TajOttawa

Pairing your favourite Bollywood movie with the taste of India, 

is the perfect way to spice up Movie Night. 

Disclosure: Although I have worked with Taj Indian Cuisine in the past in exchange for a delicious meal, 

I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. 

In our house Friday night is Movie Night. For years it meant the whole family gathered to eat pizza and watch a movie. My kids are adults now, and more often than not it's just my Hubby and me, so I suppose now it could be called Date Night. I love our Friday Movie Night tradition, but after almost 2 decades of Friday night pizza I'm  ready to mix it up a bit, both in our cuisine and movie choices. So I'm spicing things up with Taj Indian Cuisine take-out (or delivery) and a couple Bollywood movies. 

My Taj Takeout Movie Night favourites:

Vegetable Samosas (a perfect way to start any taste of India dining and movie adventure)

North Indian Salad (a fresh salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions)

Butter Chicken (because you can never go wrong with Butter Chicken)

Chicken Korma (chicken with herbs and nuts in a delicious creamy sauce)

Alu Matar (Potatoes and peas in curry sauce)
Basmati Rice (Indu's personal recipe)
and of course lots of their #naantastic naan bread!

My top Bollywood Movie Night picks ...

As I laughed watching trailers for each of these movies I was reminded why I enjoyed them so much. (Just an FYI all of these are currently available to stream on Netflix Canada)

Finding Fanny: 2014 (NR) 
This comic and heartwarming movie tells the story of an aging man who learns the marriage proposal he sent to his girlfriend decades before was never received, and the road trip he takes to find her. 

Piku: 2015 (TV-PG)
The parent and child relationship is complicated, as seen in the interactions between an eccentric aging father, and his efficient, and opinionated daughter. Put them both in the same car for a long distance road trip and result is a comical clash of wills.    

Queen: 2014 (TV-MA)
After Queen is jilted at the alter, she decides to travel solo on what was to have been her European honeymoon. Her experiences push her out of her comfort zone, and challenge her to think about who she is, who she wants to be, and how that fits with her traditional family and life in Delhi. 

The Lunchbox: 2013 (PG) 
An error in the usually ultra-efficient and reliable, but complicated Mumbai lunchbox delivery service, unexpectedly leads to a housewife making the lunches, and the soon to be retired widower receiving them, to become become lunchbox penpals.   

Mumbai, Delhi, Mumbai: 2014 (TV-14)
This movie follows the typical Bollywood rom-com story-line of: boy and girl meet, boy and girl instantly dislike each, followed by a comedy of errors, misunderstandings, coincidences, and of course dancing, that eventually lead boy and girl to rethink how they feel about each other. The story begins with a young woman, who at her mom's insistence travels from Mumbai to Delhi to meet with a potential marriage candidate. Everything is going as planned until she loses her cell phone. 

Do you have a favourite Bollywood movie? If so what Indian dish would you pair with it to spice up movie night?  

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about spicing up movie night. 

For drool-worthy pictures of Taj's delicious dishes follow them on facebook, twitter, and instagram.  

Summer Thrillers & Chillers @PenguinCanada @RandomHouseCA #Ad #SummerThrillers #SummerReads

Pairing 3 Summer Thrillers with some tasty Summer Chillers. 

Disclosure: I received this collection of 3 Thriller themed summer reads from Penguin Random House Canada free of charge. I was under no obligation, but chose to post and share with my readers. All opinions are my own.  

Time to Chillax ...
It's Summer, which means it's time to kick back and enjoy the thrill of the chill. Books, refreshing treats, and drinks are always part of that. So when Penguin Random House Canada surprised me with a Summer Thriller Trio, I immediately thought of afternoons on the deck with a good book paired with a refreshing beverage (because we all know it's important to stay hydrated). Below you'll find my Thriller and Chiller pairing suggestions. Wishing you a summer filled with Eat, Read, Love. 
SPOILER ALERT: I've attempted to give a short synopsis of the story-line without including information that would spoil the reader experience. Having said that, you continue to read at your own risk.

The Child by Fiona Barton

The Child, told from the perspective of 4 women, begins with the discovery of a child's remains during a house demolition. Reporter Kate Waters, left with more questions than answers, begins the process of collecting information to help piece together how the bones got there, and the identity of the child. Her investigation leads to information that links the bones to a decades old crime, and the realization that bones are not the only thing that will be unearthed before this story is over.

Paired with a refreshing Grim and Tonic with a twist of lime.

Okay it's just a Gin & Tonic, but it's the perfect choice on a hot sunny day. (Tip: Add pieces of lime and, or lemon to tonic water to make "fancy" ice-cubes that won't dilute your drink when they melt.) Directions: Fill a tall, narrow (highball) glass to the top with ice. (Yes it tastes better in a tall, narrow glass because it allows for the correct gin-tonic ratio). To the glass add 3 oz. of Gin, 4 oz. of Tonic Water, a twist of lime, and garnish with a wedge of lime. 

Gone With a Trace by Mary Torjussen

Gone Without a Trace, is a complicated and twisting suspense that is told from Hannah's point of view, about the sudden disappearance of her boyfriend, Matt. After four years together, she comes home one ordinary day to find all traces of Matt and their life together are gone, literally without a trace. It's not just Matt that has disappeared, but all traces of their life together have disappeared; emails, texts, pictures, social media accounts ... all gone. In order to make some sense of this, Hannah becomes obsessed with finding answers to what happened Matt, and why he vanished without a word. 

Paired with a Cryptic Ice Coffee. 

This non-alcoholic option hits the spot on a hot day. (Tip: use leftover coffee to make coffee ice-cubes that won't dilute your drink when they melt.) Directions: Brew a pot of your favourite full-bodied coffee and let cool. Mix coffee with milk or cream and sweetener of your choice to taste. Pour mixture into a glass filled to the top with ice, add a straw and enjoy.  

So Much Love by Rebecca Rosenblum 

So Much Love is the story of Catherine's abduction from a small town. The story is told from multiple points of view, including Catherine's, helping the reader to link seemingly random information, places and people. What becomes clear is the ripple effect, and impact the abduction has on both those close to Catherine, and casual acquaintances, struggling to process feelings of loss, pain, anger and fear. The depictions of everyday Canadian life by way of references to Tim Hortons, Shopper's Drug Mart and Swiss Chalet which are normally quaint, are also what makes them scary. The thought that, in a small Canadian town amidst the Tim Hortons, Swiss Chalet and Shopper's Drug Marts, this could actually happen is terrifying. In order minimize spoilers I will leave it at that. 

Paired with a Spin-Chiller Wine-Chiller.

White Sangria:  (Tip: add fresh mint or pieces of citrus fruit to water to make "fancy" ice-cubes for your Spin-Chiller Wine-Chiller) Directions: In a large jug or decanter, add 1 bottle of white wine (white grape juice for non-alcoholic option), 1 lime and 1 lemon (sliced or wedged), 10 - 12 mint leaves, 2-3 tbsp simple syrup (1:1 ratio of water & sugar), and ice. Pour into your favourite glass and enjoy. For a sparkling wine chiller add 2 cups gingerale, or make using a sparkling wine or Prosecco.   

Food for thought and reading ... might I suggest a Who-Donut Ice-cream Sandwich. 

Don't be shy. Share. What's on your summer reading list? 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Summer Thrillers and Summer Chillers. Cheers and here's to summer reading. 

Find more summer reads on the Penguin Random House Canada website, and stay in-the-know by following Penguin Books Canada and Random House Canada on facebook, @PenguinCanada and @RandomHouseCA on twitter and @PenguinCanada and @RandomHouseCA on instagram.

Supper's Ready! With help from @SupperWorks #SupperWorksOttawa #Ad

Supper's Ready!

Disclaimer: I was invited to Supper Works and prepared two meals for the purpose of this post. All opinions are my own. 

Wouldn't you love to say that every night, about a nutritious meal your family actually wants to eat, that didn't take an hour to make? I think most of us have the best intentions, and want to be organized, plan and prep for busy weekday meals. But even with the best intentions it can be tough, and sometimes you need some help. With SupperWorks it's like having a personal prep team to pick up the slack when your busy schedule trumps your best intentions. They shop and chop, you get all the glory! 

As I was preparing my meals at SupperWorks Nepean I realized that my first impression or thoughts were this was perfect for a busy family with young kids. It is all about feeding lots of people fast and easy. Work, school, sports, lessons, and life often meant lots of juggling and meals on the run. But that isn't my life now. My kids are older and the days of carpooling to swim lessons, Beavers, hockey, snowboarding, skateboarding, etc. are long over, but we're just as busy.

With one child in college (aka Thing 1) and the other at university (aka Thing 2) our schedules are mixed and unpredictable. Having a meal that can be on the table quick and easy is wonderful. A meal that someone else did the shopping and prepping for even better. One my culinary-challenged son (that would be Thing 1) can put together is fabulous! The Nacho Chicken Stew couldn't be easier to prepare, and it pulls together many of my family's favourite flavours. I'm thinking a Mother-Son evening at Supper Works would be the first (baby) step towards his culinary independence. He gets to pick and put together several meals, and learns how to prepare a non-microwavable meal.

Thing 2 on the other hand is a bit of a foodie, and just moved into his first apartment. With his busy university schedule and course load, having the prep work done for him is a big time saver, and means the difference between having a healthy meal or grabbing a bag of chips or skipping meals. The half rather than full (family size) portions are perfect for dinner for one with leftovers for lunch the next day. Note to self ... It would also make a great apartment warming gift. Perfect for when he's really busy and doesn't have a lot of time to prep and cook for himself, and far more nutritious than the bag of chips or expensive takeout that's the normal go-to options when there's no time to cook. 

I realize I'm always more motivated to prepare a meal when it's for the whole family then I am when cooking just for myself. On my own I tend to grab whatever is fast and easy but not necessarily healthy, skip meals, or grab takeout. It hardly seems worth the effort if it's just for one or two people. The trouble is my life and family's schedule means it's almost always about feeding one or two people at a time. The option to prep meals in half portion sizes rather than the full family size means it fits my life as it is now. And let's face it a healthy diet is important and I'm worth it!

Carte Couture: (a fancy new term I made up for custom-fit menus that work for you)

I guess that's one of the things I found most interesting about the idea of Supper Works ... that it fits your individual lifestyle. Whether feeding a large family or just yourself, whether you want vegetarian, or gluten free, whether culinary-challenged or a foodie there are options that fit. 

Currently there are three Ottawa area locations. I'm sure you'll find both Susanna at the Kanata location, and Alison at the Nepean and Orleans locations have all sorts of ideas and ways to customize your meal planning to fit your specific lifestyle, and make "supper work" for you. Be sure to check out what fellow Ottawa Blogger Kamerine from The Life of K had to say about her SupperWorksOttawa experience.

Bon Appetite!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about meals made easy. 

.@TajOttawa is Celebrating 30 Years in July! #Ottawa #MyOttawa #OttawaFood #Ad

Taj Indian Cuisine: A delicious taste of local flavour. 

Disclosure: I received a meal free of charge for the purpose of this post. All opinions are my own. 

This July Taj Indian Cuisine is celebrating 30 years of serving Ottawa delicious Indian cuisine! Thirty years of being part of a community, and adding to it their unique local "flavour". Thirty years of owner Indu Bakshi creating the delicious North Indian flavours, recipes and dishes served at Taj. To celebrate this milestone and as a gesture of thanks to Ottawa and their community for 30 wonderful years, they've planned some exciting events, and promos. Be sure you're Taj on Facebook, twitter and instagram to stay in-the-know as they reveal details about their upcoming 30th Birthday Celebrations. 

The Taj staff is friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable about the dishes they serve. When asked their opinion or for assistance deciding menu items, I found them to be open, honest, and clearly eager to make my experience an exceptional one. Don't be afraid to ask about customizing your dishes to suit your taste palette. They really do aim to please and deliver the best dinning experience possible.

Taj Indian Cuisine is Open for:
Weekday Brunch Mon - Fri 11:30 - 2:00 pm  ($13.95) and 
Dinner-A-La-Cart Mon - Fri 4:00 - 10:00 pm, Sat 12:00 - 10:00 pm, Sun 4:00 - 10:00 pm. 

What can you expect from Taj Indian Cuisine in terms of Yum Factor? 
I'll let the following pictures do the talking ... 
Buffet: 

NAAN-TASTIC! 

Dinner:

And with the couple of thousand words those pictures just spoke, I'll leave you with one final thought. In my opinion you can't go wrong supporting small, local businesses. When they serve up dishes like these and the owner greets you and remembers your name by your second visit, it feels more like sharing a meal with friends. Friends that cook really really well!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about Naan-fastic food!

Disclosure: I received lunch free of charge for the purpose of this post, but I've dined at Taj Indian Cuisine on my own dime and enthusiastically recommend it to friends and family. There's no doubt I'll be dining at Taj in the future. All opinions are my own. 

I tried #YoplaitWholeMilk Yogurt? #Ad

Yoplait Whole Milk Yogurt

Disclosure: I received Yoplait Whole Milk Yogurt in exchange for sharing my opinion of this product. All opinions are my own. 

Just because my kids are older, doesn't mean their demands for snacks has decreased.
If anything it has increased with our busy individual schedules. When I'm not around to make their snacks and they grab the closest and the easiest items available. I refer to Yoplait Whole Milk Yogurt as Snackages in Individual Packages. They're fast, easy and healthy snack options, that are sold in 3 flavour mixes, with 9 flavours in total. 

It's a fast and easy snack perfect for any time of the day. 
I enjoy it with a sprinkling of granola for breakfast. My Hubby on the other hand likes it as an afternoon or evening snack. My growing boys eat every few hours so they find it perfect as a quick snack to enjoy throughout the day. Not only does it have a delicious creamy taste, Yoplait Whole Milk yogurt is a good source of calcium and has no gelatin, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about snack time.

All You Foodies: Ontario's Lake Country Is For You! #OLC #LetsGoMaple

Savour the Flavours of Orillia, Ontario's and Ontario's Lake Country.

Disclosure: I was invited to join a group of bloggers and influencers for a 2 day/3 night getaway to the Ontario's Lakes Country to sample some of the many and wonderful activities, attractions, and eateries this area has to offer. Special thanks to Julie and Stacey of SJ Consulting for organizing and hosting this fabulous experience, and the sponsors for providing an exceptional experience to share with my readers. 

Supreme Cuisine was the Order of the Day(s):
You'll find no shortage of cuisine options at every price point in Ontario's Lake Country. I had the pleasure of sampling seven different eateries, participate in a local craft beer demonstration, a pizza making demonstration, a cooking with chocolate demonstration, Apres Ski with hot chocolates and DIY S'mores, AND nightly sweet treats delivered to my room. Each taste experience was different and delightful in its own way. Our visit coincided with the beginning of Tap into Maple that celebrates and showcases the area's tradition of producing maple syrup. Some producers like the Shaws have been tapping maples for more than a 100 years. 

St Germain's (at CasinoRama) served our group a mouth watering meal, that from appetizer to dessert was both delicious and beautifully presented. Keeping with the maple theme many of the dishes were infused with the flavour of maple, including the Maple Braised Ribs. The chefs and kitchen staff at St Germain's create visually beautiful dishes that are a feast for your eyes and your taste buds, including selections of AAA Alberta beef, lobster, sea bass, and salmon. It also boasts an award winning wine list, an awarding winning pastry chef, and top notch service and wait staff.  

Shaw's Maple Syrup Bush treated our group to a breakfast of maple tea, pancakes, maple beans, and sausages served with maple syrup produced from the 4000 trees they own and tap each year. (Pancakes are served from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm daily during the season.) Five generations of Shaws have been producing maple syrup and tapping maples since 1904. During Maple Tapping season walking trails are open, as well as horse drawn wagon rides on weekends. I think you'll find the experience to be both delicious, educational and a perfect family activity. 

Crazy Horse Sports Bar & Grill at Horseshoe Resort served us a delicious lunch that was much appreciated after the appetite we built up from Fat Biking, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, and Tubing. After lunch we enjoyed some Apres Ski time making S'mores, and sipping hot chocolate. Not only was the lunch scrumptious the service was great. 

Rustica Pizza Vino (in Orillia) created an exceptional dinner adventure which included a Pizza Making Demonstration about the pizza oven, dough, and pizza making, and a demonstration from Horseshoe Valley Brewing Company. I personally sampled at least 4 kinds of pizza and would recommend all of them. The salad with pears and Gorgonzola was to die for. And it seems I do drink beer after all. Much thanks HSV Brew Co for helping me see the light. 

Photo courtesy of Julie (Try Small Things)

Room Service (at CasinoRama) was such a treat. I had a wonderful bacon and eggs breakfast with fancy Rye bread delivered right to my door. Good thing since I basically refused to get out of bed. 

The Weirs Restaurant (at CasinoRama) serves a Greek Salad that's a salad lover's dream, but Shannon better keep an eye on her Beet Salad because it definitely look worthy of risking the consequences of a grab and dash. Our server was both engaging and efficient, just the way I like it. 

The Grape and Olive Wine & Martini Bistro (in Orillia) delighted our group with a selection of dining options created by award winning Chef Derek Mayes. I chose the pasta, but it was a tough choice between that and the chicken. The salad was a work of art, and the apple crisp dessert tasted like home. To complete our dining experience the group was treated to a sweet cooking with chocolate demonstration by the pastry chef.

Sweet Treats courtesy of CasinoRama:
Each night we were treated to a delivery of delectable sweet treats. Talk about being spoiled!  

More sweetness courtesy of Julie from Try Small Things baked us #LetsGoMaple cookies, and they were delicious! Be sure to check out Julie's #LetsGoMaple post about her experience.

Salad Summary: Being a salad lover it seems only right to share my #LetGoMaple salad experience.

Once again I would like to thank our #LetsGoMaple hosts and sponsors for making this such a memorable experience. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of activities, attractions, things to do, and places to eat in Orillia and Ontario's Lake Country. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about good eats and sweet treats.