RIDGE MEADOWS DISH..INTERNATIONAL EDITION

EL RANCHITO REVIEW


In a small shopping plaza located on the 'Guide' in Lynden, Washington is the little Cantina known as El Ranchito.

You are greeted with smile and 'Hola mi amigos'. Once seated and menus handed out, a basket of warm crispy fresh tortilla chips are delivered along with salsa and fresh pico de gallo. The restaurant is brightly coloured with artwork, tapestries, sombreros and traditional Latin music plays in the background.

The portion sizes are fantastic. The Arroz Con Pollo was a steal at $13.99. Succulent chicken with rice, fresh avocado, tomatoes and sauteed onions and peppers. The mildly spiced dinner is great for first time Latino diners. If you love spice and beef, the Steak a la Chicana is for you. Strips of spicy beef along with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and green peppers. Served with rice, re-fried beans, and warm tortilla shells. This bad boy is solid winner at $13.99

Arroz Con Pollo

Try one of their Latin beers or a signature Margarita. (even virgin versions are available).

If you still have room, a deep fried tortilla is served warm with a healthy dash of ice cream with whipped cream and strawberry coulee finishes off the meal perfectly.

Steak a la Chicana

Cervesa por va for!

fresh tortilla chips for nibbling

El Ranchito is open 7 days a week and offers take out and catering.

DAILY TIP DEC 19 2011 HOLIDAY VERSION

DAILY TIP DEC 19 2011

HOLIDAY VERSION

Switching from shopping for gifts to setting up for Christmas!

Christmas dinner is the focal point of the family gathering surrounding this holiday.  Having a table that is fit for a King can be intimidating, here are the first few tips to get you started.

1. To make a bow out of linen napkins, roll them diagonally, then slip one end through a napkin ring, then take the other end and loop it through the ring and gently pull until you have your bow. 
2. Use recipe cards for place settings. Write a name on the card. Along with the menu and any special ingredients or activities for the day. 
3. Mix and match your dishes. Dollar stores are excellent for picking up different colors and festive patterns. Value Village, can be a great resource as well. 
4. Candles make everything special. Red, green, white, gold and silver candles are perfect choices. Keep the candles for the grown-up tables and use battery powered candles on the kids'. 
5. Centerpieces can be made easily by a couple small branches of Evergreen. Lay the branches to make a circle, place fresh cut pomegranates at each end. place a silver or gold metal tray in the center of the circle. Place candles on the tray (melt a little wax from the candle to keep the candle in place)

More to come so stay tuned!

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS part 9

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS

part 9

TASTES OF THE SEASON

Food has always been part of every one's cultures and traditions and this time of year it tends to take the forefront and shine like the Star of David on a dark cold December night.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Yule, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Saturnalia, there is something to tantalize the taste buds. 

Sweet breads, decadent puddings and trifles, chocolate and marzipan are just a few selections to be found on a dining table. The aromas of cardamon, prune, walnuts and date engulf the senses to create lost childhood memories of 'Grandma's cooking'. 

Pagans have used food in their rituals and celebrations for millenia. Used to ward off evil, offering to the gods, and in general celebrations. Wine, mead and ale were consumed alongside all the rich goodies.

My personal favorites for this time of year are:

Kurtos Kalacs (sweet dough dipped in caramel and rolled in walnuts) 

Dobosh Torte (layered angel food cake with walnut filling and chocolate ganache topping)

Tarte au Sucre (French Canadian sugar pie)

Tortiere (French Canadian meat pie)

Panatone (Italian sweet bread with or without raisins)

Stollen (German sweet bread)

Buche de Noel (Yule log) (usually chocolate with creme filling, frosted to resemble a log of wood)

Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks does it right!!!!)

It doesn't matter what you celebrate. What matters is family, love, honor, tradition and embracing different cultures. 

DAILY TIP DEC 5 2011 HOLIDAY VERSION

DAILY TIP DEC 5 2011

HOLIDAY VERSION

Today's tip is for the four legged members of the family. http://www.petsmart.com/ has everything you need to pamper and indulge your pet.

From beds, to sparkling collars, PetSmart delivers top notch quality and great savings. Of course, if you visit a store location, your pet can even have their photo with Santa. Gift cards, veterinary services, and grooming instore make it a one stop shop for the finicky furry family. 

PetSmart even has cute and adorable stuffed animals that when purchase a portion goes to save homeless animals. 

A pet is a long term commitment, so if you opt to buy a puppy or kitten at Christmas, remember it will be there longer than the left over turkey. 

DAILY TIP NOV 28 2011 HOLIDAY VERSION

DAILY TIP NOV 28 2011 HOLIDAY VERSION

Today's tip is for the health conscience. For those who suffer Chronic Illnesses, have specialized dietary needs or are just wanting to eat more Organic food; then today's tip is for you.

Abe's Market is a website for the Natural and Organically product minded. With gift baskets, free shipping and some amazing speciality items, Abe's will be a hit with everyone on your list. 

Be sure to check out their wonderful line of Natural products for your 4 legged family member too. 

Food, bath, beauty, home and fashion all on one site!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I wanted to write you a letter to tell you I still believe in you. Everyone has tried to tell me that you don't exist but I think they have just forgotten what it is like to have the imagination of a child. 

At 44, you would think that I wouldn't still believe in you. The truth is, if I didn't believe in you then I also wouldn't believe in love, compassion, tenderness, empathy, faith and most of all humanity. You have given me so much throughout my life that you have to be real. Right? 

I mean, who could make so many people smile and feel warm and tingly inside even in the harshest of winters' nights. People are so nice this time of year. They open doors, say 'hello' and 'Happy Holidays' while bustling around with shopping bags and screaming kids in tow. That is a miracle right there in itself. Santa, if you aren't real then I have to look at the world with different eyes and I'm just not prepared to do that. 

I don't want to look at the world with hatred, disgust and contempt. I don't want to look at people and see the worst in them. I want to smell the roses not just see them for the flowers they are. I want to think that people are inherently nice and that it takes an act of anger to make them mean and hateful.

Santa, I know I have rambled on and on, and usually, you get a few choppy sentences with a giant list of toys from a wee child instead. I'm hoping you will read my letter with an open mind and open heart like I believe you possess. 


If you are able, for Christmas this year, all I want is: To have the heart of a child and the ability to look at the world with compassion, tenderness and hope.


If you can't bring me this for Christmas, I'll understand. I won't stop believing in you. I'll just keep hoping until next year.


Sincerely,


me


ps.... I really really want a Food Processor :) Come on, you are Santa after all!!

BROWNIE OBSESSION DESSERT at JOLLY COACHMAN PUB

BROWNIE OBSESSION DESSERT

JOLLY COACHMAN  PUB PITT MEADOWS

by

Sher Boudreau

@ravenbran20 (twitter)

October 8, 2011

Visiting the neighbourhood pub is a tradition for many BC residents. Pitt Meadow's neighbourhood pub The Jolly Coachman, offers up the normal pub wares and some amazing home-style food that makes the mouth water just from the aromas.  After enjoying $.25 wings on a Saturday afternoon or a leisurely meal during the week, be sure to try their Brownie Obsession Dessert.

Arriving in a margarita glass, right off the top is whipped cream and slivered almonds. When the spoon digs in it will discover the fabulous vanilla ice cream that is smothered in nicely warmed caramel sauce. Then the brownie itself is decadent, smooth, chocolaty and melts in the mouth.  Served with two spoons, most will not want to share this dessert with anyone.

PRICE RANGE $-$$$

http://www.jollycoachman.com/

---

19167 Ford Rd Pitt Meadows BC 604-465-9911

Sher's Severed Finger Cookies..just in time for Halloween

Severed Fingers Halloween Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons red food coloring (optional green, blue, purple)
• almond halves
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (also optional extracts to use: almond, rum, peppermint)
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

·       Heat oven to 350°. Use either silicone mats, parchment paper or non stick pans (I use 'Wilton's Baking flour/shortening spray')

·       Place food coloring in a shallow bowl. toss food color and almond halves. The longer they are in the food color the darker they will get.

·       Separate 1 egg. Set aside the white. In a small bowl, whisk together yolk, remaining egg, and vanilla. Set aside.

·       In the bowl of an electric mixer combine butter, sugars, and salt. Beat on medium speed until well combined. Add egg mixture, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the flour, and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic, and chill until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.

·       Divide the dough in half. Work with one piece at a time, keeping remaining dough covered with plastic wrap and chilled. Divide the first half into fifteen pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece back and forth with palms into finger shapes, 3 to 4 inches long. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. Score each knuckle lightly with the back of a small knife. Transfer fingers to prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.

·       When all fingers are formed, brush lightly with egg white. Position almond nails; push into dough to attach.

·       Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Cool completely.

The fatter the fingers the less spooky they will look. I've also tinted the dough in red and green to give them a really disgusting look. Using different color food colors for fingernails will give it a more modern look.

These are great for any halloween party and go fast so make lots. Freeze very well.