Greetings from Spain!
It has been a busy week here at the Salon De Gourmets food show in Madrid. I have had the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with many of our Spanish suppliers and meet an interesting group of international buyers. I was delighted to learn that Rosalie Hassan from Bottega Rotolo was part of the group. While it was my first time meeting Rosalie, I know her shop in Adelaide, Australia as it is just a few minutes from where my husband Tony grew up. Rosalie and I run similar businesses on opposite sides of the world and are both importers of the wonderful O-MED oils and vinegars from Spain. A small world indeed!
This month I would like to send birthday wishes to my grandmother, the Pasquale Matriarch, Georgina Madott as her 91st birthday is fast approaching on May 17th. Last week my Aunt Bertha took this photo of my grandmother texting on her iPhone using a stylus.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!
There was an article in the Toronto Star this past week about the diverse population of the former St. John's Ward neighbourhood in Toronto. A brief write up about my great-grandparents, Edward and Donna Pasquale, is included. You can read it here:
In preparation for my trip, I made myself a fast and easy Spain-inspired snack with asparagus and Serrano Ham. Was this snack ever appropriate as there were "Jamon" hoofs to be found in every aisle at the fair. In this photo you can see Jamon being carved in the traditional way.
Asparagus with Serrano Ham
Ingredients:
bunch of asparagus
12 slices of Serrano Ham
extra virgin olive oil
salt flakes
Warm barbeque to medium heat. Steam the asparagus for about 2 minutes until they turn bright green.
Wrap the ham slices around the steamed asparagus and gently place them on the barbeque. They only need a few minutes, even put them on top rack so you don't need to worry about them burning.
Stack the wrapped asparagus on your serving plate, drizzle with a small amount of extra virgin olive oil. Opt for a spicier oil, like a Picual. Sprinkle with a few sea salt flakes. Enjoy!
UPCOMING EVENTS
PASQUALE BROS. OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 13th 10am-3pm
Please join us as we continue to celebrate 100 years with retail shopping and food sampling in our warehouse. Paul Van Dorp from Blyth Farm will be with us to sample his hand-crafted and award winning cheese.
THE WARD: Our Living History
Saturday, May 20th 1-3pm, City Hall
The Toronto Ward Museum and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam are organizing an event honouring Toronto's immigration stories. Check the Ward Museum website for more information: www.wardmuseum.ca
CUISINE & CUVÉE
Friday, May 26th 6:30pm-12am, Rebel
We will be a food station donor at this fundraiser in support of Providence Healthcare. For more information: www.providence.on.ca/foundation/events/cuisine-cuvee