A few Reflections

This month’s program dinner falls on Remembrance Day. Although we are slowly losing our Canadian veterans who fought in the wars of the 20th century we must continue to uphold the values that they fought for, and we share as nation. We must fight for the pursuit of justice both abroad and here at home. As we welcome newcomers to our communities who are fleeing violence and loss we also want to remember the indigenous peoples who have and do suffer so many injustices. Our flag, the red poppy and our nation stand for so many things, the hopeful, the horrific, and the hard work of reconciling diverse voices and differing points of view.

This dinner reflects that work. Our new team of food entrepreneurs call themselves Global Flavours. They come from different nations and are investing in making Canada their new home. The dishes are full of fond memories of family gatherings, the passing of recipes down the generations and also the new adaptations inherent in challenge and change. Part of this program is encouraging creative play as women come together to make a dinner that is a plate of the world. The delight, and often humour,  in finessing together different flavours into one seamless dinner is at the heart of what we do. Global Flavours hope you enjoy the results!

(As an exciting note we welcomed a group of Afghan families into our kitchen this week. This gesture of hospitality harkens back to the roots of our organization when the Syrian families arrived and needed assistance. We provided groceries and the women (and one man)  cooked up a storm of wonderful nourishing familiar dishes. The Willing to Work women got up from their planning class to pitch in and finish things off and did the dishes to let the families get home to their kids. The food was taken back to the hotel and share among the over 50 families there. It was the first time they had eaten familiar food since their arrival…)

The W2W Entrepreneurship Training Program is funded by the federal government department IRCC. 100% of the proceeds of the sale of the dinners go directly to the women participants.

Each meal is a Dinner for Two so there is not so much packaging.You can order a half & half to try both main dishes!

Global Flavours: A Time to Remember Dinner

Mezze

Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Salad Roll)

Yen’s version of this very popular Vietnamese street food, omits the classic shrimp, but packs a lot of flavour and crunch. Carrot, cucumber, lettuce, sprouts and mango mix with noodles and are wrapped with fresh basil and cilantro in a rice paper wrap.
Each is served with a tangy, sweet and sour dip with a hint of heat ( does not contain peanuts)

Ispanokli Borek (Spinach & Feta pastries)

One of the most popular treats at gatherings and a wonderful handheld treat for children,  Rayyan has fond memories of enjoying them with her sister in Syria, so she still prepares them with love for her children. Sautéed spinach, onion and feta are drizzled with pomegranate syrup, wrapped in pastry and dotted with nigella, poppy and sesame seeds.
A yogurt cucumber sauce called cacik is alongside for extra dipping pleasure.

Main

Meat Option

Vietnamese Grilled Chicken Kabobs 

Nhung has recently arrived in Toronto from Vietnam. She grew up in her family’s restaurant and dreams of opening up her own restaurant here with her family recipes. Her chicken kabob’s are marinated in a tangy, sweet and fragrant lemongrass and herb mixture than grilled and topped with fresh green onions. A lemony garlic honey sauce is served on the side.

Vegetarian Option

The same flavour profile permeates nuggets of firm tofu that soak up the marinade and yummy side sauce. Grilled to crispy golden goodness.

Both options are served with:

Sides

Cevizli Eriste (Walnut Noodles)

Seyma has worked lovingly on this dish for many years, since she first learned it from her mother back home in Turkey. She is now adding a little more spice, and adapting using brown rice noodles, roasting the walnuts and sprinkling with extra fresh parsley.  She prepares this dish often for her family, it’s her favourite go to recipe and wonderful in its simplicity.

 Saksuka

Sula is making Saksuka, an authentic Turkish dish that uses seasonal bounty to compliment an autumn meal.. Smokey eggplant with zucchini, fresh tomatoes, onions and garlic are slowly simmered and seasoned with a little kick.  It pairs with the walnut noodles and the surprise is the fresh flavour profile of the lemon chicken skewers.

Dessert

Turkish Chocolate Baklava

Seyma is a wonderful baker and she makes this baklava for special occasions. Crisp phyllo pastry is layered with ground pistachios and chocolate, sweetened with honey and cinnamon and topped with a drizzling of dark chocolate.  It’s baklava which is always delicious, but it’s chocolate! Need we say more?

OUR PICK UP LOCATIONS:

For our West End Customers our Pick-Up Location is at:

The Common Cafe, 1071 College Street, Toronto, M6H 1B2, Pick-Up Time: 5pm-7pm 

For our East End Customers our Pick-Up Location is at:

Boutique Meals Event Center (our home kitchen), 1100 Millwood Road, East York, M4H1A3, Pick-Up Time: 5pm-7pm

FREE DELIVERY in a 10 kilometer radius for orders of 3 meals or more (maybe get together your neighbors for an order!) Order from your closest location, put your address in the notes area and/or and call us for delivery details at 416 477-0536.