Tuesday, November 2, 2010

2011 Full Moon Feast dates are here!


Here they are ... the 2011 Full Moon Feast dates. A great Christmas gift idea!

2011 Full Moon Feast Dates

Tuesday, May 17 at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15 at 5 p.m.
Thursday, July 14 at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 14 at 4 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

For more information contact Kathy at kathy@triaculinarystudio.ca or phone (250) 218-5012.

Reservations are required; payment is required at the time of booking. We are happy to accommodate any food allergies or preferences, please advise us at the time of booking.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Christmas Parties at Tria

... And then there were ten.
Christmas is booking up fast at Tria, we've got ten dates left for your office Christmas party out of the 22 possible dates we had available.
We can host a minimum of 12 people and a maximum of 20 people in our dining room. We have 2 fixed price menus (with options) to choose from ranging in price from $55 to $65 person plus tax and gratuity. Menus will be based on what is seasonally available.
Contact Kathy at kathy@triaculinarystudio.ca or phone (250) 218-5012 for more information.
Christmas is less than 2 months away!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Chocolate!

We've just added a new class to Tria's roster. We're so excited to have chocolate veteran Daniel Terry of Denman Island Chocolate fame with us on Oct. 24 to unravel some of the mysteries of chocolate.

In this class, you will have the opportunity to participate in all the stages of truffle production as well as taking some home. There will be an emphasis on vegan and organic ingredients, including the use of Blue Moon Winery's organic fruit wine.

Daniel will give a thumbnail sketch of tempering techniques and tricks, as well as showing people the basic tools that are helpful for making truffles. You'll go home with the confidence to not only work with chocolate but to become innovative and creative with it. Homemade truffles are a great Christmas gift!

Sunday, Oct. 24
1 p.m.
$78.40 (price includes HST)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Fall Class Schedule

Finally! Here is the fall cooking class schedule.
Classes are $70 + HST (78.40) for a single class and $135 + HST (151.20) for two. Please contact kathy@triaculinarystudio.ca for more information or to register. Please note, payment must be made at time of registration, spots will not be held without payment.

Thursday, Sept 16 – Lean and Light
6 p.m.

In this class, you’ll learn the techniques needed to create flavourful meals without
all the fat. From vinaigrettes to properly cooked vegetables, you’ll leave with the
know-how to create a variety of healthy meals.

Kathy was the Executive Chef at Coastal Trek Health and Fitness Resort for two
years and has tremendous experience in preparing light and healthy meals.
Prior to entering the culinary industry, Kathy worked in the health and fitness
industry for 7 years. Included in her training were numerous hours of nutritional
education.


Sunday, Sept. 19 – Gluten Free with Ease
1 p.m.

In this class we'll show you how to use a variety of grains and flours in both a savoury and sweet application. Gluten free foods don't have to be difficult, there's a world of choice. We'll look to other cultures and cuisines for inspiration.

Tuesday, Sept. 28 – Inspiration from the Sea Part I: Cooking with Fish
6 p.m.

In this class we'll work with tuna, halibut and salmon and show you a variety of ways to prepare and serve these delicious morsels. We'll also talk about purchasing, cutting and storing.

Wednesday, Sept. 29 – Inspiration from the Sea Part II- Cooking with Shellfish
6 p.m.

Don't fear shellfish! In this class we'll work with oysters, scallops and clams; you'll leave feeling confident to purchase and devour your bivalves with ease.

Tuesday, Oct. 5 – A Taste of India Part I - vegetarian
6 p.m.

In this class you’ll learn how to make paneer from scratch and use it in the delectable dish, palak paneer. In addition, you’ll learn some core Indian dishes, which will open up the world of Indian cuisine. We’ll sip some homemade chai and cook up a storm. Kathy worked in India for four months and this class is inspired by her time there.

Wednesday, Oct . 6 – A Taste of India Part II – non-vegetarian
6 p.m.

In this class we'll work with goat, fish and chicken to create some delectable time-honoured dishes. We'll sip some homemade chai too! Kathy worked in India for four months and this class is inspired by her time there.

Saturday, Oct. 9 – Taking Stock Part I: Stocks and Soup
1 p.m.

Stock is the foundation for soups, stews and many sauces. In this class you'll learn how to make a vegetable stock, fish stock and chicken stock. From there, we'll show you how to turn that stock into a delicious soup.

Sunday, Oct. 10 – Taking Stock Part II: Braising
1 p.m.

Once you've learned how to make stock, the wonderful world of braising is yours for the taking. We'll show you which cuts of meat are the best for this method of cooking and we'll show you how to make the classic Boeuf Bourguignon with some modern twists. The techniques we'll show you in this class will apply to braising chicken, pork, goat - you name it. Get ready for the cold weather with these warming dishes.

Friday, Oct. 15 – Sushi 101
6 p.m.

In this class you’ll learn some basic methods of handling and choosing fish for sushi. You’ll learn how to prepare not only rolls but we'll also show you how to prepare tuna for tuna tataki and grilled spicy tuna.

Saturday, Oct. 16 – Vive la crepe
1 p.m.

Learn a variety of crepe recipes and methods - from sweet to savoury and everything in between. Try your hand at 'raking' crepes on the professional crepe griddle and of course sampling all of the delectable crepe combinations!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

We won!


Well will you look at that - Tria Culinary Studio, Blue Moon Winery and Nature's Way Farm won The 2010 Comox Valley 30-Day Local Food Challenge 'Yummy Award' for Favourite Local Food Producer!
Congratulations to Locals Restaurant for winning the Yummy Award for the Favourite Local Restaurant. A big congratulations to all the farms, food producers and restaurants who participated - you make the Comox Valley shine! Another quality event from Our Big Earth - Comox Valley - thanks so much Robin Rivers and Ken Henderson! Thanks to all the people who voted. Once again, the people of the Comox Valley rock!

www.eatlocalcomoxvalley.com

www.localscomoxvalley.com
www.ourbigearth.com

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Crepes at the Grand Opening for The Core Fitness Studio

My lovely sister Mia Sutherland is proud to announce the opening of her new studio in Comox, The Core Fitness Studio, 821 Shamrock Place. The grand opening will take place on Sunday, Aug. 22 from 1:30-4 p.m.
Tria will be there with the crepe stand and we'll be serving up some beer-batter crepes featuring Surgenor Brewing Company's beer. Maybe a little smoky Tannadice Farms pork, some Natural Pasture's cheese. I feed you excess calories and Mia helps you burn them off - we were thinking when we chose our career paths!

Mia website is www.happyback.ca
Check it out for information on upcoming classes and workshops.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Heavenly Toum - tis the season!

I'm so excited - we've got toum back on our Comox Valley Farmers' Market crepe menu.
Toum is a traditional Lebanese dipping sauce/condiment that contains uncooked garlic, lemon, salt and oil. It packs a punch and is probably not something you'd want to eat on a first date, but it is a delicious addition to everything from bread to roasted chicken - and of course, savoury crepes!
My favourite garlic for toum is green garlic (fresh, uncured garlic) and my favourite variety is Northern Quebec, which we sell at Nature's Way Farm. Northern Quebec has very large cloves and is surprisingly mild when raw, which is why I like using it for toum.
I usually only have toum on the menu when garlic is in season or when we've got our own garlic on hand (that we've stored). The garlic from China and California is WAY too strong and ends up producing a very hot, bitter and unpleasant toum.
Traditionally, toum is made in a mortar and pestle and produces a delicious, textured sauce. I make it in the blender for a smoother more cream-like texture. Either way, it's delicious.
Here's the recipe, give it a try. Just remember, it's strong, no speed dating after eating. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 whole head of garlic, peeled (if the garlic is very small, use two heads)
1 tsp salt
juice of one lemon
30 ml (2 tbsp)water
140 ml (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp) grapeseed oil

Directions
1. Place the garlic cloves in a blender with the salt, lemon juice and water. Turn the blender on and combine for 1 minute. Turn the blender off and scrape down the sides. Continue blending until the mixture is smooth.
2. With the blender running, slowly add the oil to the mixture. Don’t pour the oil too quickly or the sauce will separate. Let the blender run for another 3 minutes. You should end up with a sauce that resembles a fluffy, light cream.
3. If you don’t have a blender, the sauce can be made in a mortar and pestle.