ottawa foodies

You're right, AMR, I find the international aisle at Food Basics (in Kemptville) a kind of wonder too, and often stop to have a look at things there, and even buy some stuff to try. And it was there that I found some Purity Hard Bread for my s-i-l in England so I put it in the last care package for some fish and brewis or whatever he wants to do with it. Dutch-made Specuulas, jams, gingersnaps, tinned mackerel, German sauerkraut...and more.

A colleague gave me the heads-up on the wonders of the centre aisles at Food Basics. I checked it out a couple weeks ago and - wow - was he was right (though it's not a place for those against imports). Interesting cans of sardines from Portugal, juices from Israel, jams from Croatia, and on and on. Loads. Most of it remarkably inexpensive and really fun to peruse.

But I'd like to mention the unexotic box of Post Spoon Size Shredded Wheat I bought. I pour out a bowl and it's seriously...darkened. Charred. As someone who enjoys burnt toast, I still ate it. I went back for more yesterday as a test. I even dug and picked a box from back - thinking newer stock (maybe?). Hello! Burnt again!

Maybe this is what Food Basics is all about? The slightly, uh, irregular. The imperfects. :) That's why it's a deal!??

Oh, but those centre aisles...
The Croatian gooseberry jam? Perfect.

Crazy packaging...hmmm reminds me of a lil something...I wonder if the tag line is: Dolmades, that little bit more :)

I've been turning into a fan of the 'ethnic' section at Food basics, and am happily surprised to find that the "Al Wadi Al Akhdar" (www.alwadi-alakhdar.com/) dolmades are really good.

Lemony with a hint of mint. Not submerged in oil like the tinned kind. Great with plain yoghourt.

I'd given up on packaged ones, but these are worth it. Less than $4 for a decent-sized container of them, too.