Jammy Eggs, Anchovies and Bagel Toast
There isn’t a bad time for a soft, jammy egg. In a soup, on a salad, a bowl of steamy rice or on a bowl of cheesy noodles.
Food and Beverage
What came first, the egg or the nog?
The holidays are upon us, and what better way to welcome in another Christmas season than by enjoying a glass of eggnog?
Rice Paper Omelet
You may have seen this on TikTok, and while, in many cases, it is absolutely justified to roll your eyes at internet cooking.
Exploring a classic French champagne—Moët & Chandon
“Champagne is the only wine in the world that makes every woman beautiful,” a rather famous quote by a rather infamous mistress.
The Durable (Water)Melon
The origin of watermelons date back as far as 5,000 years ago, in the deserts of South Africa. This melon had the ability to grow in drought-ridden conditions and to store water within the fruit; hence the name watermelon. It was a great food source for some ancient African tribes to have as they ventured across deserts. However, the taste was much more on the bitter side. Around 2000 BCE, the watermelon also made appearances in the burial chambers of ancient Egyptian royalty. In some of the hieroglyphics written on the walls of the burial chambers, the watermelon is depicted.
Raspberry Fool With Wild Chamomile Shortbreads
Nothing is assured about wild food gathering. If you find butter & whipping cream try this dessert recipe.
Oxtails With Star Anise, Soy and Vinegar
Oxtails are so, so good. All of those tough, long simmer cuts of meat can become a meal you can have on a weeknight with a pressure cooker.
Yukon dining on the wild side
What do you wear to an outfitters ball? The two terms seem to be in contradiction to each other.
Mushroom Soup
Living in a place where so many people pick mushrooms, this recipe is a great way to let those freshly picked beauties shine.
Let the apple harvest begin
A couple of weeks ago, I was stayed in my tracks as I was strolling by one of our apple shelters. They’re coming, my nose told me as the fragrance of ripe fruit wafted out of the open door. I poked my head in. As luck would have it, beneath the laden branches lay a …
It’s a cultured Canada Day in Mayo
The Mayo Arts Festival and Canada Day celebrations are highlights during the summer. Everybody is looking forward to the celebrations, and preparations have already started.
The Yukon landscape
One thing that thrives up here is the humble spruce tree. Now before you shake your heads, let me clarify: I’m not talking about just any ol’ spruce tree.
Locally grown, raised, harvested, crafted …
The long-running Fireweed community farmers market has grown over the years into a destination event each week, as a multitude of local farmers, vendors and crafters gather to share their products.
Those Bloomin’ Apples
Yukon fruit growers have work to do in all seasons to ensure a successful harvest come fall. In the spring this involves two main strategies: avoid early bloom and watch that weather.
Kiddos! We’re leaving on a jet plane
Travelling with young children is not easy; it throws all sorts of challenges at you, and your days of travelling with just carry-on are gone. Yet, after 50+ flights with my tiny, travelling companions I’ve realized there are some things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable, and less epic.
A royally good time
The Rendezvous event called Her Majesty’s Royal Feast is an elegant evening with a 5-course meal on Feb. 13 at the KDCC In its second year, Her Majesty’s Royal Feast was created to give the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Queen candidates a high class venue to deliver one of the most important components of the competition: …
A wild and wonderful night
This weekend the Yukon Fish and Game Association (YFGA) is hosting their annual Wild Game Banquet at the High Country Inn. The event will include the usual camaraderie as well as the awards from the Big Bull Night, which took place in November, a silent auction, and a feast of Yukon harvested wild game. Cocktails …
Old time treats
Back in the 1930s and 40s mom baked her own goodies and desserts. They tasted far better than the modern off-the-shelf desserts.
Cheeseburger eggrolls
These egg rolls would make great party food, and if you have the time to make a double batch, freeze a few for a day when you don’t feel like cooking.
Apple bourbon crumble
Apple crumble is as close to a perfect food as I’ve ever found. It can be breakfast just as easily as it can be dessert or even dinner. It’s fast to prepare, and when it comes right down to it, pretty healthy.
Paprika roasted carrots with parsley yogurt sauce
This is a simple way of preparing sweet local carrots where the root vegetable stays the star of the plate.
Roast pork with apples and rosemary
Pork loins cook fast, are inexpensive, and happen to be just as easy on the waistline as they are on the pocketbook.
Food is Medicine
Why is it that we can go on different diets, try different workouts, use a variety of supplements but still have a hard time shedding those pounds? I’ve asked myself this question a number of times, and I’m sure there are others out there who have too. Having been at a weight of 350 pounds, …
Roast grouse with root vegetables
Roast grouse with root vegetables INGREDIENTS 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, quartered 2 large (or 6 small) carrots, halved lengthwise 1 shallot, quartered 1 Tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1 whole grouse, cleaned 1 small bunch parsley 2 strips of bacon METHOD 1. Set oven at 400ºF. Add potato, carrots and shallot …
Cheddar Beer Bread
METHOD 1. Set oven at 375ºF and oil a loaf pan. Whisk together both flours, sugar, baking powder and salt, toss shredded cheddar into the dry ingredients then pour both cans of beer over top. Mix with a rubber spatula until the dough comes together with no dry spots, then place in the greased loaf …
Yukon’s version of Oktoberfest
The Yukon Beer Festival is returning for its fifth year on October 13 and 14, with proceeds benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Whitehorse. Local beer aficionados will be able to taste beer from more than a dozen brewers and distributors travelling to the festival from across Canada, as well as local Yukon brewers …
Wines With a Cause
Wine-lovers will descend on the High Country Convention Centre on Thursday, October 19, for the 26th edition of the Rendezvous Rotary Wine Festival. These grape connoisseurs will have over 200 wines available for sampling and tasting. Those lucky enough to hold one of the 100 priority tasting tickets secured one of the hottest tickets in …
Hasselback Potatoes
INGREDIENTS 1 Yukon gold potato 1 teaspoon canola oil Salt, to taste METHOD 1. Set oven at 425ºF. Using a sharp knife carefully cut neat slits along one side of the potato so that it resembles an accordion, but make sure the bottom of the potato stays intact. Using a brush apply one teaspoon of …
Good Ol’ Comfort Food
Baked Fish and Vegetables 4 large mushrooms, sliced 1 cup peas 2 chopped white onions 1 cup string beans 2 tomatoes chopped 1 cup shredded cabbage 2 cloves garlic,minced 2 medium potatoes, sliced 2 carrots, sliced 1 green green pepper, finely sliced 1 cup salad oil ⅛ tsp thyme 1 bay leaf 2 tsp salt …
It Is Not That I Hunt, But That I Go Hunting
Last week I met a husband and wife in a local grocery store. The kind lady said she liked my columns on kayaking and the outdoor ventures to some amazing places, but not about hunting and killing animals. “Why do you hunt animals?” she asked. I replied, “It’s not that I hunt animals, but rather …
Surimi (Fake Crab) Salad Rolls
Surimi Salad Rolls Makes 6 Rolls INGREDIENTS ½ cup shredded, flaked imitation crab ½ cup shredded iceberg lettuce ½ cup thinly sliced cucumber 6 rice paper rolls Dipping sauce (Thai-style peanut sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce, etc.) to garnish Sliced green onions, to garnish Toasted sesame seeds, to garnish METHOD 1. Bring a skillet of …
On Market Day, Everything Old is New Again
The way some people talk, you’d think farmers’ markets were a recent invention by eco-conscious millennials spurred to action by reading a book about the 100-mile diet. Nothing could be further from the truth. People have been hauling their goods to communal selling and trading places ever since humankind began the transition from hunting and …
Fermented, Stewed, Baked and Brewed!
It started with a cornbread that a friend brought over to Shiela Alexandrovich’s house one evening for a potluck at her Wheaton River Valley home. The savoury bread was adorned with sage leaves and she remembers commenting, “This is so beautiful, it belongs in an exhibit.” While that cornbread didn’t end up in a gallery, …
So Good, So Try It
The Yukon Culinary Festival sounds like a good way to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. “The definition of Canadian cuisine that we use is local, seasonal, sustainable ingredients in the hands of many cultures,” says Eric Pateman, the festival’s main organizer. “This being Canada’s 150th, we have an opportunity to tell this story through the food.” …
Do the Berry
Cranberries are just one of many berries that you can add to regular recipes for some extra health benefits. But since we are in the midst of cranberry season, why not take advantage of these home grown berries to boost your overall health. At the shops in town and at the Fireweed Community Market at …
Roasted Cauliflower with Mint and Pecan Pesto
Mint and Pecan Pesto INGREDIENTS: ½ cup pecans 1 cup mint leaves, coarsely chopped 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped ⅓ cup olive oil ⅓ cup lemon juice ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese Salt and pepper to taste METHOD: 1. Place pecans in a skillet and heat to medium high, toss nuts constantly until they begin …
New Ideas on What to do with Old Stuff
The recent closures of the Salvation Army and free stores at Raven Recycling and the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility have made it difficult to source affordable used goods and to donate unwanted items. Without a local outlet for reuse, many of these items will end up being thrown out. Zero Waste Yukon is working to …
Marinated Watermelon Salad with Mint and Jalapeño
METHOD: 1. Whisk together lime juice and olive oil, add jalapeño, mint and scallions and mix until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 2. Cut the watermelon in half and place the cut side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife carefully remove the rind, then cut the watermelon into …
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Wild Edibles: From Curiosities to Staples
If you grew up with the convenience of grocery stores, basing your diet on foraged foods is a romantic but daunting idea to consider. Luckily, whatever your reason for considering a change is, you don’t have to turn your whole life around to include local and wild foods in your diet. There’s a great resurgence …
Hot Dog Bánh Mì
Bánh mì hot dogs INGREDIENTS: 4 hot dogs 2 hotdog buns ½ cup diced cucumber ¼ cup mint leaves ¼ cup cilantro leaves Mayonnaise, to garnish Sriracha sauce, to garnish Lime wedges, to garnish Sliced Thai chilies, to garnish (these are wicked hot, so proceed with a bit of caution) METHOD: 1. With a sharp …
Heart Healthy Hot Dogs
Fried, boiled, barbecued or campfire roasted, there’s nothing more quintessentially “summer” than a classic hotdog, especially paired with white bun, French’s mustard, ketchup and relish. While I loved this old standby as a child (who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned weiner roast?), as an adult, I’ve become far too informed about the preparation and …
The Week That Was…
The week began with my English friend finally making it with her CanaDream Camper – a one-month, one-woman journey from Calgary to Whitehorse. For the special occasion , to celebrate her arrival, we decided to head to Takhini Hot Springs; my first time. The boiling hot water is pleasant and it’s a pretty quiet Wednesday …
Why You Should Be Carving your Hot Dogs
Hot dog carving is my latest passion project. This past weekend I became the general of my own army comprised of perfectly seared men and women armed for battle in a soft and squishy white bun. You too can become a leader among men, all you need is a paring knife, a packet of hot …
Watson Lake Farmer’s Market Moves to the Sign Post Forest
Looking for something interesting to do on a Saturday afternoon? Look no further than the Watson Lake Farmer’s Market held at Historic Mile 635 in the famous Watson Lake Sign Post Forest.
Grilled Corn Salad with Chili Lime Dressing
Method: 1. Whisk together mayo, sriracha and lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the pepper and onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and allow to cool. 2. Heat your grill to a high heat …
Moose, Spinach and Sunflower Seed Strudel
Moose, Spinach and Sunflower Seed Strudel Serves 6 Ingredients ½ cup plus 1 Tbsp olive oil, divided 1 onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped ¼ tsp ground cinnamon Pinch red pepper flakes One 300 g block of frozen spinach, thawed 1½ pounds ground moose ¼ cup sunflower seeds Salt and pepper, to taste …
What Do You Have to Do to Eat Local?
The benefits of eating local are well known and documented; it’s better for the environment, it’s better for your health, and it’s better for the local economy. But when you live north of 60 it seems daunting – even in the height of the summer produce harvest. Fresh local ingredients are more expensive or more …
Fish Chowder
When out on a day’s fishing and you don’t catch one of those big clunkers, don’t be dismayed. You can make a great chowder with little fish too! Gary Hill, one of the very best fishing guides out of Atlin gave me his secret fish chowder recipe. Gary Hill’s Atlin Chowder Ingredients: 2 pounds of …
Deep Fried Pickles
Bar snacks are the best. Any sort of deep fried appy always gets my attention. And deep fried pickles catch my gaze more so than the rest. Being a pickle lover I generally have all the ingredients on hand to be able to make up a batch without much notice. There are a couple drawbacks …
Cool to be kind
Meg Rodgers is a self-proclaimed “whole food junkie” who exudes kindness in everything she does. It’s not only in the name of her baking company, Kind Whole Foods, but in the kindness she extends to the planet, via the mouth-watering, cruelty-free delicacies she so passionately creates as part of her self-started business. “I think we …
M – Making New Memories in a Spot with History
We went for dinner at Miner’s Daughter, which is in the historic Capital Hotel building and I imagine, if the walls could talk, we’d all be totally enthralled. As it was, we were impressed with the brick wall that still had the original signage painted in old fashioned lettering. Nice character. Juxtaposing the history in …
Muffinize Your Snack Time
Muffins are not only a treat, but a very healthy treat – especially when you bake them with fresh fruit. Here are some tasty muffin treats to try out. Wild Berry Muffins Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour ½ cup sugar 1 Tbsp baking powder ½ tsp salt ½ tsp cinnamon …
Coctel de Camarones
Having recently spent some time in Latin America to attend a friend’s wedding (congrats again Mr. and Mrs. Spinks!) my head is full of vibrant fruit, spicy seasoning and lovely fresh seafood. While the food in that part of the world is a trove of fantastic recipes the one I kept ordering again and again …
A Swiss Tradition in the North
Of course, you have noticed that many people from Switzerland visit the Yukon in summer. Did you ever ask yourself what they do in wintertime? Here is the answer: They enjoy a relatively mild winter in Switzerland and every now and then they eat a Swiss cheese fondue. Fondue has a long tradition in Switzerland …
Sausage Stuffed Squid with Creamy Polenta
The rule of thumb when cooking squid is either really fast, or really slow. Most people lean towards fast – fried calamari is on thousands of menus all over the country because you can get a great product really quickly. But the depth of flavour and tender texture you can achieve when you slowly simmer …
Great Food from the College Kitchen
This past fall they also did the Government of Yukon Agricultural Branch’s North of 60 Conference banquet and sourced almost 90 per cent of the ingredients for the dinner from local farmers. In the north this is especially a challenge as the conference is in November, so a lot of fresh produce isn’t available and …
Cooking Up a Career
Teresa Kozakewick grew up in Alberta. Raised by a father who had a passion for food, she had always been drawn to cooking. She enjoyed watching her dad cook on special occasions. Now her passion has become a career path. After moving to the Yukon, she enrolled in the Yukon College Culinary Arts program for …
Wonder What to do with a Pike?
Pike Chowder Supreme This will take some time, but it is time well spent. Ingredients: 1 pound of freshly caught pike fillets, cut into stew-size pieces 2 ¼ cups boiling water 2 cups milk ¾ cup diced celery 1 ½ cups raw diced potatoes ½ cup thinly sliced carrots 3 Tbsp butter 1 white onion, …
Eggs Baked in Peppers
2. Divide bacon mixture between the roasted pepper cups then place back on the sheet pan. Break an egg into each pepper and place in the oven for 15 minutes, or until egg whites are set and the yolk is still runny. Serve with lots of toast.
Honey Panna Cotta with Pineapple
Panna Cotta is a great dessert for a dinner party because it’s best when made a day in advance. Think of it as an adult pudding cup.
Potato Chip Tortilla Española with Lemon Garlic Aioli
Tortilla española, tortilla de patatas, Spanish omelette – it has many names but this simple dish made of eggs and potatoes is considered one of the corners of Spanish cuisine. And while traditionally it’s made with thinly sliced potatoes, an all American potato chip makes a great stand in. The first time I came across …
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Vietnamese Style Leftover-Chicken Lettuce Cups
1. Arrange the chicken, cucumber, carrots, scallions and bean sprouts on a platter. Place the mint and cilantro on a separate plate, and the peanuts in a small bowl alongside. Arrange the lettuce on a separate platter. 2. To make the nuoc cham, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and water together until …
Sausage rolls are bundles of love, and the perfect food for any occasion
1. Set oven at 425 degrees, and have on hand a lined baking sheet. Unroll the puff pastry and spoon half the mustard along one side, then place half the sausage on the mustard. Brush the rest of the pastry with the beaten egg then roll the pastry arounds the sausage. Cut the roll into …
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Caribou, Water Chestnut and Sweet Corn Egg Rolls
Caribou is one of my favorite Yukon treats, and if you happened to get one during hunting season (or have generous friends) then you’re going to find yourself with a bit of ground. These egg rolls make use of a bunch of tinned goods while still letting the main ingredient shine. If you’re not a …
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Baked Rigatoni with Moose and Mozzarella
As we settle into the first few snows of the year let this recipe take you somewhere warm and comforting. This simple baked pasta sends me right back to playing in the yard while mum makes dinner.
Potato and Green Onion Kugel
3. Remove pie plate from the oven and add the last remaining tablespoon of oil swirling the pan to coat. Add the potato mixture and smooth the top. Place the kugel in the oven and bake until it is evenly browned, about 90 minutes. Serve with sour cream. Serves 6
Roasted Carrot Galette
‘Tis the season for hearty stews, roasts and root vegetables. I bought vegetables from the From the Ground Up fundraiser (www.YukonFromthGroundUp.ca) a few weeks ago and now I have an abundance of carrots, beets and potatoes to use up. This simple galette is a great way to posh-up the humble carrot. Try it as a …
Bison Bao
Steamed buns filled with a variety of meat and vegetables are a dim sum classic. This version is bison filled and spiced with ginger, garlic and chili paste but season the filling to your liking if you’re in the mood for something a bit more spicy. These buns also freeze beautifully, and reheat well popped …
For the love of beer
Kaori Torigai loves beer in much the same way others love baseball. Or World of Warcraft. Like baseball, there are a mind-boggling array of statistics to consider. And, like World of Warcraft, there is a huge cast of characters. And, as in both baseball and World of Warcraft, beer is social, it can be shared …
Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Sage and Blue Cheese
These little potato dumplings seem labour intensive, but they’re worth the effort and can be a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. But if you’re looking to make this dish ahead you can absolutely make and assemble everything a day before and just bake it before you serve. Ingredients: 1 butternut squash (about 2 …
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Two Chefs, a Dinner and a Whole Lot of Beer
If you love beer and food, you’ll love this spin on the traditional Winemaker’s Dinner: Hops ‘n’ Grub. Seated at a long table with a hundred of your Whitehorse neighbours, you will dive taste buds-first into dishes created to pair with select brews. Four chefs are working together to create the meal: Troy King …
A Market for the Whole Community
Whitehorse chef and cookbook author (and What’s Up Yukon columnist) Miche Genest has a wonderful description of the Fireweed Community Market: she calls it “community glue.” Providing access to fresh local food is just one role the market plays. According to Genest, it is where people go to connect with friends and the greater community …
Eat Your Art Out
‘Tis the season where giant vegetables are being harvested from gardens and potentially prize-winning jams are being churned out for display in the hopes of gaining a ribbon. This was the case at Dawson City’s horticultural exhibition as part of Discovery Days last week, but you won’t find large or entertaining vegetables adorning the tables …
The Yukon Culinary Festival Tells a Story of the Yukon, Through Food
The Yukon is filled with culinary hidden gems, according to Eric Pateman. A culinary expert, Pateman had no idea how rich the Yukon food scene was until Debra Ryan, manager of strategic planning for Air North, finally persuaded him to visit. Now he is a main organizer of the Yukon Culinary Festival, running from August …
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A Cultural Affair
One of the fun things about fermented foods is passing on bits to others, knowing they will grow and spread like a great idea. It required a bit of a mental leap to go from creating my first ferments to seeing this possibility, kind of like going from growing your own lettuce each year to …
A Feast for the Senses
The Atlin Arts and Music Festival is preparing for a weekend of music, visual arts, film and food, taking place in Atlin, BC from July 8th to the 10th. Kim Winnicky is from Whitehorse. She has been the festival coordinator for six years. “The Atlin Arts and Music Festival is about building community through music …
It’s Not All Greek
When you think of the Greek philosopher, Plato – if you think of him at all – the expression “party animal” might not come to mind. But Zuppa Theatre Co. would like to change that. The Halifax-based troupe has taken one of Plato’s best-known works, The Symposium, and re-cast it as a modern party – …
Desserts
Apple Crisp Cake: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1 ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 2 eggs 1 ½ cups sour milk* ⅓ cup vegetable oil Icing: 14 oz. pk. cream cheese, soften ¼ cup butter 1 cup icing sugar ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ tsp …
The Art of Eating
Suppose you are a French entrepreneur, and you are looking for a new business idea to develop in Whitehorse. What do you do ? For a safe bet, you stick to the old saying “Do what you know.” Entrepreneur and epicurean Sylvain Belmondo did just that. After many months in the making, the Gourmet …
Pizza, Ribs and Lasagna
Mini Biscuit Pizzas 1 lb ground beef ½ lb lasagna noodles two 6 oz. cans of tomato paste 1½ cups hot water 1 medium white onion chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced ¼ tsp pepper ½ tsp rosemary 1 Tbsp Minced parsley 2½ Tbsp salt 2 tsp oil 2 eggs 1 …
Perogy Blessings
Perogies have always been a part of my life. Every meal that includes homemade perogies is a special occasion. Learning the best way to make them has been a lifelong process. I am the child of first generation Canadians. My mother’s family emigrated from Finland; my father’s from the Ukraine and Poland. My father, who …
PIZZA!
I really like pizza. A lot. What I really dislike is paying for pizza. In fact, I have no idea why any (sober) person pays for pizza. It’s much cheaper and healthier to make yourself, and really doesn’t take much time to make. The most time consuming part is letting the dough rise, which is done all by itself thanks to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known …
Tastes of Home
Conquering exotic culinary worlds is exhilarating, but the dispiriting lack of some foods can make home feel very far away, indeed. For some people, a curious thing may happen once they relocate. They may develop a taste for things they wouldn’t have considered before. The local food will open myriad sensations. But for others, it’s …
Farmer Robert’s: The business of nature
From the outside, Farmer Robert’s Store looks like a market in the middle of farm country. And that is exactly what it is… and much more. It is the final piece of the logistical puzzle that brings locally produced and organic produce to a demanding consumer in the most efficient way. Step through the doors …
Concierge at Large
Most youngsters try on adult roles from time to time, but few go from role-play to reality as seamlessly as Eric Pateman moved into a career in hospitality. The founder and president of Edible Canada has photos of his 5-year-old self with a waiter’s towel draped over his arm, serving lunch to his grandparents, complete …
Festival Fare
Festival season is in full swing, and every weekend sees crowds descending on another Yukon community for a bit of all-night sun revelry. My personal favourite, and often my only festival of the summer, is the Atlin Arts and Music Festival. This year’s festival had an impressive array of food vendors who seemed to be …
Frolic for Foodies
At the end of July, foodies from across the country will travel north to take part in the 2015 Yukon Culinary Festival. Now in its third year, the festival will showcase and celebrate the Yukon’s local food movement to visitors and locals alike. Taking place over four days, from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August …
Premium Suds
2014, craft beer options were the T & M lounge or the Yukon Beer Festival. Brainchild of Andrea Pierce now Kaori Torigai will be president.
Food Security
Winter; a season many people dread. The extra work of shovelling snow, the layers of clothing, the cold temperatures, and even the shorter daylight hours are something to be endured. But I like winter, and always have. To me, it’s a time of working together — even if it is just to get a vehicle …
Local Food, Local Politics
Food has been in the news. A lot of it has to do with the issue of food security, food safety and the costs of the food we eat. Locally, we’re working hard, literally, to make sure we have an adequate supply of good, wholesome, sustainably produced food for an increasing portion of the year. …
Yukoners Mastermind a Winning Homebrew
If I was a better planner, I would have made my way down to Skagway at the end of April for the annual Craft Brew Festival, but sometimes my father’s genes kick in and I end up a little scattered. Luckily, I have friends who need to geek-out over conical fermenters, brewing efficiency, yeast viability, …
Burrito Business is Booming
Ray Mazurak was studying at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver when the idea of owning and operating his own portable food stand first began to percolate in his head. The 28-year-old saw a little burrito stand on Commercial Drive and knew right then he wanted, what he calls, a gold mine of his …
Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive!
November is my favourite month of the wine year. While it is the month where we have to acknowledge, especially in the Yukon, that we are plunging irretrievably into the depths of darkness and winter, at the same time there is a day that for me is the harbinger of the holiday season. That day …
Sweet Dessert Wines For Long Winter Nights
Working the Rotary Wine and Fine Food Festival last month, I was reminded all over again why I love the world of wine. There were new wines to discover and old familiar ones that I hadn’t seen in a while. And the same was true for the people I met and poured for. For those …
Have Fun Learning At Wine and Fine Food Festival
Sharing wines is a wonderful experience. Coming on Oct. 23, here in Whitehorse, is an opportunity to gather with friends, try many new wines and make a contribution to the local community … all at the same time. The Rendezvous Rotary Club is holding its 17th Annual Wine and Fine Food Festival at the High …
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Savouring Good Times of Food and Fellowship
Above Antoinette’s Food Cache is a sign that proclaims it to be an “International Slow Food Restaurant”. In a culture that often idolizes speed, such a proclamation seems a little out of place. But maybe there is more value in slowness than we often give it credit for. Antoinette Oliphant would certainly agree. She is …
The manly art of cooking
Rob Millar is my hero. He writes our Barbe-Yukon column which means, of course, he is an expert barbecuer. Right there, that makes him more of a man than I. If he and I were dropped into the middle of the forest and surrounded by AK-47-toting terrorists, I would draw on my army reserve training …
An Evening of Wine Tasting
Over the past several weeks, a number of my friends have been asking me when this year’s Rendezvous Rotary Club’s Wine and Fine Food event will take place. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a member of the Rendezvous Rotary Club and love working on the event each year.) This year, the event …
Sugar and Spice and … Bacon
Most people know that beer is made from water, barley, hops and yeast. The big four. If you were to glance around the shelves of the local liquor store, you might of course notice that some styles, such as Hefeweizens, are brewed with a fifth ingredient, wheat. But that’s it, right? Just those five? Luckily, …
Yeast Wheat (But way cooler if you call it Hefeweizen)
Hefeweizens are fantastic for a number of reasons, but we would like to start off with what Rachel thinks is the most important: they are riddled with scandal and intrigue. That’s right folks. Remember when we talked about the Bavarian Purity Law maintaining that beer must be made with only hops, barley and water? Well, …
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Organic Beer: Beer Cache Gets Serious
Want to proudly face your beer bottle label forward at parties this summer? Purchasing an organic beer is one way to do just that. When it comes to the environmental impact of drinking beer, the three biggies are transportation of product and ingredients, water consumption and the production of ingredients. We will hit up the …
Not the New Kid on the Block
Nobody likes a beer snob. Even beer snobs don’t like beer snobs. So, when someone wrinkles their nose at a Bud Light and then reaches for a Chimay Rouge, it’s hard not to get your back up as they start talking about yeast strains and overtones of cinnamon and ripe apricot. To clarify immediately and …
From Israel to Shipyards Park
He was a staple of this summer’s Fireweed Market, held every Thursday in Shipyards Park. At the far end of the market’s stalls, you’d find him cooking underneath a modest white tent. In fact, most aspects of his operation are modest. But not the line-ups. He is Gadi Katz, better known to some as “The …
Shootin’ the Brews: Skagway Edition
Last weekend, Beer Cache had the amazing opportunity to spend the better part of a day with Trevor Clifford, head brewer at Skagway Brewing Co., Skagway, Alaska. Spring-boarding from an established ribbon-winning homebrewer to the head brewer at a brew pub takes some ingenuity. Clifford has made the most of an incredibly small space and …
Where there’s smoke, there’s porter
Full disclosure: we really wanted to compare two smoked porters for this article, but quite frankly there is so much to say about our first contestant that we don’t have time to talk about what’s behind Door No. 2. Don’t get us wrong, we drank them both, but only one made the word limit. Before …
Chocolate + Porter = Genius
One of the swell new editors of WUY dropped us an email on the weekend inquiring about the status of our column, and casually mentioned that they were sipping on a Phillips Longboat Chocolate Porter at the time of writing. You know when someone mentions bacon, and all you can think about is … well, …
Cheap Beer!
Now that we have your attention . . . . Let’s pretend that you, our readers, wrote us letters. We imagine one of them would go like this: Dear Beer Cache, I’ve been reading your article for months now, and gee, it’s just wonderful! I never miss an article. What a great addition you are …
How to Attend a Wine Tasting … and Look Like a Connoisseur
Over the last several weeks, I have been giving a significant amount of thought to wine tastings, and wanted to speak about them in more detail. Before I proceed further, I should provide the disclaimer that I am the president of the Rotary Club here in town that puts on the annual Rotary Wine and …
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Sausage. Bier. Men in Knee-High Socks. It’s Oktoberfest!
”O’ zapft is!” cries the mayor of Munich. Translation: It’s tapped! What is tapped, where it’s tapped, and why it’s tapped is this week’s story. So dig out your lederhosen, dust off that beer stein and ready your arteries for a few links of bratwurst: it’s Oktoberfest! So … what the heck is Oktoberfest, anyway? …
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Tidings of Hops and Barley
It’s the season to eat, drink and be merry with friends and love ones. So what if we told you that you could kill two birds with one stone (the ‘eating and drinking’ bit), which would just leave you with the ‘being merry’ part? As our Christmas pressie to you, we have gift-wrapped a wonderful …
This Season, Beer Eats at the Grown-ups’ Table
This festive season, why not blow the minds of your nearest and dearest by pairing beer – not wine – with your holiday shrimp rings and Christmas desserts? That’s right. The stigma is gone. In fact, there is so much awesome literature out there on pairing beer with food that we have done some initial …
Adios, Corona.
Who isn’t familiar with the concept of the Lawnmower Beer? This is just the one beer, a cool and refreshing drink, the perfect reward for a salty upper lip and grass-stained shoes. The main purpose of this particular beer is to be thirst quenching, and as Stephen Beaumont from the Beer Connoisseur points out, the …
Craft Time
In light of the 18th Annual Great Alaska Craft Beer and Homebrew Festival, which took place in Haines, Alaska, this past weekend, we thought that we would dedicate this article to defining what exactly a makes a craft beer unique. At its most basic definition, craft beer is an American term defining a style of …
Growlers: Not Just For Pirates
Canoeing to the DCMF? You are probably already concerned about the rattling of beer bottles in your canoe (to be safely consumed, of course, by your campfire and not while out on the water). We hear your pain. If drinking from a can doesn’t float your boat (i.e., lack of a good inhale upon drinking …
Great Scot!
As you may have noticed already, Whitehorse has some new beer in town. Our friendly neighbours at Yukon Liquor Corp have sourced four offerings from Russell Brewing Company: Blood Alley Bitter, Black Death Porter, Main Street Pilsner, and Wee Angry Scotch Ale. Three of these (all but the Main Street Pils) are part of the …
Look What’s Shakin’!
Attention: New beer in town. OK, so it has been around for a few weeks, but if you haven’t yet tried Delirium Tremens on tap at Tippler’s, we suggest you hightail it over there for a liquid lunch. This fantastic Belgian strong pale ale is brewed by Belgium’s Huyghe Brewery in Melle, East Flanders. Since …
Bitter and Batter
If you read Dennis Zimmermann’s article last week on ice fishing and combined it with the weather in Whitehorse this weekend, you may well have grabbed your auger and hightailed it down to Pumphouse. Or maybe, like us, you still have a freezer full of fish from last summer’s amazing season and got inspired to …
U(wanna) Brew?
Ever thought about U-brewing? It’s just another brick in the wall of beer enjoyment, and other than the method they use for actually producing the beer (full/partial mash or beer kit), U-Brews everywhere are pretty much the same. The Whitehorse outlet, U-Brew Yukon, guarantees 44 bottles (500ml) per batch. You can purchase plastic bottles and caps …
Happy New Beer!
In case your windows are too iced up to tell, it’s winter outside. For brewers, nothing really says winter like a barleywine: it’s strong, intensely flavoured, and pairs beautifully with a wood fire, an old pair of slippers and a good book. Lord of the Rings trilogy, anyone? (She said: The Girl with the Dragon …
Haines Beerfest 2011!
Have a lovely chat with Paul Wheeler of Haines Brewing Company about the origins of the Haines Beer Fest, and you will quickly understand Alaskans’ love of craft beer. The Annual Great Alaskan Craft Beer and Homebrew Festival got its start when a liquor store manager and Paul, a homebrewer at the time, got to …
Exploring Gray Monk Estate Wines
Several weeks ago, I had the happy opportunity to explore a significant portion of the range of Gary Monk Estate wines. A friend of mine who helps organize the annual Rotary Club Wine Festival represents the Gray Monk Estate Winery, and invited me and several other Rotary Club members to taste their wines. Gray Monk …
To Be a Cicerone
When I grow up I want to be a cicerone. Sigh. The above statement is true. A cicerone is the sommelier of the beer world. A lucky soul who gets to order beer for fine restaurants, recommend parings to chefs, write lengthy articles for beer connoisseur magazines and work in specialty beer stores giving wonderful …
Skagway Craft Brew Festival Debrief
It’s official: Skagwegians know how to have a good time. We just got back from the second annual Skagway Craft Brew Festival, and it was awesome. First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who made the festival a hit: Trisha Sims at Skagway Development Corporation, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, the good folk …
Beer Trivia
Delight your friends and family with a couple of beer-themed tidbits this week, or just look incredibly smart while getting your growler filled. The world’s oldest recipe? Yeah, it’s for beer. Despite popular opinion, Guinness in not a meal in a glass: It is one of the lowest calorie non-light beers, coming in at 125 …
Skagway Craft Brew Festival
If you’re 21 years of age and like to kick back in the company of more than 200 beer enthusiasts while tasting a wide variety of exceptionally crafted homebrew, we may have plans for you on April 23. Oh, and did we mention amazing food and live music? That’s right folks: it’s the second annual …
Turning to Argentinian Whites
In the week that followed the holidays, when I returned to earth with a thump to reflect on the fun and parties and food and drink I had consumed over the holiday season, there was a moment when I thought I’d spend all of January eating those boxes of mandarin oranges, and drinking nothing by …
An Evening of Fine Pairings
For at least 4,000 years, wine drinkers have chosen food to accompany certain wines and vise versa. When I imagine trying a good wine, it is always in a setting around a table or gathered with friends, and food is always a part of the picture. I worry that the North American wine industry has …
Trying Some Malbecs
After more than a month of grey skies and rain, the sun finally made a re-appearance over my lake. Still, it feels like it is too late for summer, with the first trees turning yellow, the underbrush taking on reddish hues, and falling leaves starting to mass on my road. I am trying to find …
Wine Money Diet: Part 2
One of the delights of wine is that there are always surprises to be found and bargains to be enjoyed, if you are open to trying new things or going off the beaten path. I thought I had a pretty good handle on the Yukon Liquor Corp selection until I went on my “money diet”, …
Planning a Wine Tasting
Several months ago I was asked by my friend Wendy in Dawson City to plan a wine tasting at her B&B, Bombay Peggy’s. We’ll be doing it over the May long weekend, so by the time you read this it will have been completed. I was explaining to a friend the thinking that I was …
Eight Men in a Canoe
In these dying days of summer, we often turn away from light and refreshing beers and choose to drink something with a bit more oomph. With fall in full swing, there are few more oomph-y beers available from the Whitehorse liquor store than Unibroue’s Maudite. The Name, the Legend, the Label The word maudite is …
New Finds from Italy (in time for Thanksgiving)
A recent article on the consumption of Italian wine pointed out that, for the first time, the value of Italian wines exported was greater than the value of that consumed by Italians at home. In 2010, Italy exported 3.93 billion euros ($5.3 billion in Canadian dollars) worth of wine, while spending 3.89 billion euros ($5.25 …
To Gas or Not to Gas?
We here at Beer Cache have just returned from a three-week brewery tour of the great craft brew state of Alaska. We were lucky enough to stroll around bright tanks, peak into mash tuns, hang out in chilled serving fridges and pull nails from barrels to sample back-room casked ales with the generous owners and …
Two Fine, Big Reds
This is a funny time of year in the Yukon. The return of the light and the moving forward of the clocks speaks to the impending arrival of spring. The other day I stood outside my cabin and heard birds calling their songs out, and thought… am I just noticing these calls, though they have …
Great Beer, and a Star Sighting to Boot
Phew! After two columns dedicated to near beer, I’m so glad I can trade in my Holsten 0.0% for a beverage that doesn’t make me feel bloated yet empty at the same time. It’s time to start writing about real beer again. Yay! My autumn was enlightened by a beer journey to British Columbia (yes, …
Cool Tunes, Swell Suds
Dawson Music Festival (DCMF) is billed as a music event, but there happens to be a lot of beer action in the midst of it. My friend Lee, who didn’t have the foresight to purchase music tickets beforehand, kept calling it Dawson beerfest from his vantage point in the beer gardens. And arguably, beer does …
Awash in Brew
I must be getting old: asleep in my hotel room by 10 p.m. the night of Haines Beer Fest this year. A poor display of anti-beerfest behaviour. The first year I went to the Great Alaskan Craft Beer and Home Brew Festival it was 2001 and it was held on the Fort Seward grounds. I …
Learnings from a Wine Tasting
In my last article, I told you about the wine tasting I was planning at Bombay Peggy’s in Dawson City over the May long weekend. We had about 20 people attend, a few less than I would have hoped for, but a good first effort. Three of the bar staff participated and helped do the …
