Product: Olivado Avocado Oil

One of my absolute favourite products to review has been Olivado's Avocado Oil, a Olivado Natural Nutrition product made in New Zealand.

I've been loving them so much that it's taken me almost a month to review the oils because I've not only tasted the four different varieties sent to me, we've also been cooking with the oils and concocting recipes that can now only be made using these oils.

Here are the four varieties (L-R)

Olivado Omega Plus Blended Oil, Olivado Avocado Zest Oil, Olivado Macadamia Nut Oil, Olivado Kenya Avocado Oil:





The Omega Oil is advertised as an "absolutely delicious, perfectly balanced blend of Extra Virgin Avocado, Olive and Flaxseed oils, carefully selected and blended to produce an optimal combination of Omega 9, 6, & 3 fatty acids". I've yet to have 2 teaspoons of this daily, but in a salad dressing or drizzled over fresh pasta, veggies, it's a welcome change from what used to be our usual: olive oil.



I love the Avocado Zest; it's certainly zesty, with the lemony flavour not overpowering at all. The  subtle avacado taste is evident surprisingly, and goes really well with all kinds of breads, but especially a jalapeno loaf.





It's recommend use is as "a salad dressing, a marinade, a high-heat cooking oil, a bread dipping oil, a finishing oil, or for drizzling over vegetables or seafood", which is exactly what I used it for in my latest tilapia recipe (to be shared soon!)


Foodhogger just got back from Hawaii, so macadamia nuts were had aplenty! How they translated that flavour into this oil, I don't know, but this oil is divine! Buttery in colour and taste and with a very high 450 degree F. smoke point, it's great for dipping breads, adding to salad dressings and we even used it to make crepes! YUM!


The Kenyan Organic Avocado Oil (which contains the oil of 20 Avocados!) is from Olivado's newest production facility in Nairobi, Kenya where they have 570 small farmers in an organic and fair trade program. Having cooked various dishes with this oil (great for high heat cooking!) and as a marinade and dressing, this oil has become a staple even surpassing our olive oil use!





A huge thanks to Katelyn from SP for sending us these Olivado Oils; who knew avacado had such powers? Turns out Jamie Oliver is also a fan.

Stay tuned for my newest tilapia recipe using Olivado's Avocado Zest Oil!



(© Foodhogger 2006-2011. All of the photographs herein are the sole copyright of Foodhogger.)



Happy New Year!

Foodhogger's been away in Hawaii for the last couple of weeks, but I'm back and have lots of new restaurant reviews, recipes and product reviews to share!

Cheers to more gluttony in 2011!

 

 

 

TRAVEL: Paris, France: Amorino

Location:

16 Rue Huchette
75005 Paris, France

As we were walking around the Latin Quarter, we noticed many touristy restaurants, none of which looked appealing.


THEN, we saw Amorino!
The famous gelato joint which was one of the must-dos on my list!

The line-up was huge, but the wait wasn't long until we had our very own giant cone with as many flavours as we wanted (that's right, as.many.flavours.as.you.want) arranged beautifully into a flower.

Ah.maz.ing.

Mitzi's Sister

Location:

1554 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON

www.mitzis.ca

Best place to go with your best friend after getting your hair did?

Mitzi's Sister.

Absolutely, hands down, the best brunch place I've eaten at, yet.



Challah French Toast
Served with home fries, fresh fruit, pure maple syrup & fresh whipped cream. $13.50

This week's topping was pomegranate!! Amazeballs.



And the Huevos Rancheros (Scrambled eggs in a grilled tortilla with refried beans, guacamole, tomato salsa, sour cream, home fries and fresh fruit. $10.95) was incredible!



Oh yes, I had a Side of English Bangers. $3.50

No photo of them because our server forgot my order and they arrived a bit late;  after I was almost done with my French Toast.  But fat and juicy, the bangers were really good.

As is our hair.

Mitzi's is highly recommended.

KFC's Double Down

Location:

466 Queen Street West, Toronto

Having received varied reactions to me trying KFC's DOUBLE DOWN burger, ranging from "Eeewwww" to the actually curious, "How WAS it?", I have to tell you, I LOVED it!
Yes, it's bacon and cheese sandwiched between  two juicy (and incredibly salty) chicken burgers, and at 540 calories, 30 g of fat, and 1,740 mg of sodium (!!!) it's not good for you, BUT it was deeeeeeeelicious and well worth it.  








Split between three of us, and no longer available in Canada, I now wish I'd had more of it!

ZAGAT

Foodhogger is now one of the first featured blogs to be a part of ZAGAT'S Featured Blog program!

Check Foodhogger out here!

Similar to the recognition the Zagat Rated decal brings to restaurants, they've extended this decal to certain blogs and Foodhogger is honoured to be a part of it!



Beerfest VI

It was the annual Beerfest at our house this weekend. Beerhogger has blogged about the two breweries we toured this year:  Cameron’s Brewing Co., and Trafalgar Brewing Co. in Oakville. 

Check it out on BEERHOGGER!

Local Feature: Harlem Underground

Location:

745 Queen St W, Toronto

www.harlemrestaurant.com/underground

With a wall-mural/graffitied glass hallway and red interior walls, Harlem looks like how you'd expect a restaurant in Harlem to look: cultured-chic, friendly and somewhere you'd want to spend a few good hours with friends and wholesome Southern cooking.










Cajun Tempura Fried Okra
$4.95

Of all the fascinating side dishes on the menu ( fried plantains, candied yams, bacon mac n' cheese, collard greens,) we had to try the deep fried okra.  Arriving piping hot, and with plenty enough to go around, it did not disappoint.  Granted, okra is not for everyone...the slimy texture and odd taste is certainly something to acquire.  I, for one, love okra and have had it in many forms, so this was just another lovely treat for me.


Harlem Benny Poached eggs, chili-garlic greens, atop a sausage and grits flap jack along with cheesy hollandaise
$10.95

R who had this dish, was worried that the portion size and the density of a grit flap jack would be too heavy since she'd already eaten breakfast, but the flap jack was light and the eggs perfectly poached.



Mile High Jawny Toast Three egg-dipped thick slices of egg loaf drizzled with maple syrup, crushed pecans and fresh fruit
$10.95

OMG you guys.  Undoubtedly the best FT I've had to date!  THICK, yet fluffy slices of bread and an absolutely mouth-watering, nutty, berry sauce on top.  While splitting this dish with A who ordered the fried chicken and waffles, I ended up with a smorgasbord of salty (fried chicken) and sweet (waffles and french toast) goodness on my plate (usually how I like to eat things - all on one plate) which was wiped clean with the last bite of toast. 


Southern Fried Chicken & Waffle With a Chipolte-corriander-lime maple syrup
$11.95

Speaking of the Fried Chicken and waffles, does four pieces of chicken sound enough to you?! Thank goodness we were sharing!  What portions are these, my friends?  Amazing!  The chipotle-corriander-lime maple syrup was an excellent accompaniment to the waffles (which unfortunately lacked that fresh-out-of-the-waffle-iron heat).



Yam & Yukon Potato Hash Topped with a sunny side up egg cooked with spicy sausage, served with biscuits and greens
$9.95

We all agreed, the potato hash was incredible!  Especially with the spicy sausage.



Veggie Omelette Sweet peppers, onions, mushroom and spinach
$8.95

N who got this dish said even with the cheese it was a tad bland for her taste.

And none of us cared much for the sweet potato biscuits accompanying the omelettes.  They weren't warm or soft enough and had the texture of a scone; fairly dry.  I think with everything else going on in the dish, the side biscuit came cross as rather plain in comparison.  Regardless, I wish it had been better 'cause there's nothing like a hot biscuit!

Still, with any personal requests (ie. cheese in the omlette, collard greens instead of spinach) there were no hesitations to comply, in fact suggestions were made to accommodate dietary concerns, if possible.  Our server, Jen, imparted just the right measure of attentiveness without being intrusive.

Oh, and a shout-out the to the low-ceilinged washrooms, which we figured is the "underground" part of Harlem Underground. We all emerged from it as if we were the (recently rescued) miners. (Yay, miners!) :)

But in all seriousness, HU is such a wonderfully warm and friendly place, I would not hesitate to return. And with a group of seven, the verdict was unanimous: come hungry, and leave content!

Czehoski Restaurant

Location:

678 Queen St W., Toronto

www.czehoski.com

With its unpronounceable (and untypeable) name and rusty, industrial name plate hanging over its door, Czchzhecioski is all things cool and nonchalant.  Exactly what Queen West is about.

The downstairs already filled, we were seated upstairs, where it was cose (new word) with a roaring fireplace and a canoe hanging up on the lofty wall.  And who knows what's on the third floor - dance club? Lounge?  This place is happening!



Our service was so friendly we didn't even think our server was our server..he just looked like a person dining at the restaurant.

He embodied Queen West-ness in every manner and made us feel very welcome and at home.  Did I mention it was laid-back?

So much so that when my dining partner, who shalt not be named, returned her lamb dish (it was too gamey for her).  I'm surprised that they complied!  Bringing her a 2nd dish: this time, duck (she who shalt not be named LOVED it!).



Jordan, at Czehzgadofski, you are a God.

I heartily enjoyed my burger and fries, the bun was quite interesting...almost like a chinese bun, without the filling. Well, the filling I suppose was my beef patty.





We also tried the mac n cheese, which was amazing...very light and creamy (my stomach wasn't happy with me later, but such is life).



Altogether a 'hip' place to wine and dine, and the nonchalant atmosphere lends itself well to the fact that the tables are situated almost touching with barely enough ass-room to get by.

Oh sorry was that my ass in your soup?  Pardon me.

GIVEAWAY!

My Little Sweat Shop is doing a fantastic "Last Days of Summer" giveaway this month, so be sure to comment on their blog, here to win all these adorable items!

Wang's Kitchen

Location:

4559 Hurontario Street, Mississauga

Apart from the date pancake I had...the food is just okay at this Kitchen.  But maybe that's only 'cause I do like Maraschino cherries.