Win this Basket of Canadian Foodie Goodies

I was the lucky winner of a food basket from Velva at Tomatoes on the Vine in Florida.  The only stipulation was that I also offer one from my country of origin.  It has been fun to find a few things that are not your stereotypical Canadiana.  There is more to Canadian cuisine than maple sugar!



So if you are interested in winning this lovely basket, please leave a comment on this post telling me how much you would enjoy receiving it!  Also, you must commit to offering such a basket from your locale within the next 6 months.  I just thought of one more (optional) requirement - share your creative uses of these ingredients with us!  I would love to see how you use them.



I will be using www.random.org to select the winner.  Each reply will be given a number and the lucky number will receive this gift.  The contest will close on Saturday.  Anyone who is reading, please feel free to pass this on to your other favourite bloggers so they can also enter the draw.





This is the booty:



La Carminee du Terroir  Quintessence de pommes

    This is a reduction made entirely of fresh apples.  It has been reduced to a balsamic type reduction and is heavenly.  I have added it to fresh strawberries and also with braised beef short ribs.  It adds a certain complexity to your food.  I think it would be great with an aged cheddar.





Huile de Homard du Canada.  This is a lobster infused oil from the Marche Transatlantique.  This unique and aromatic oil would be lovely drizzled on a seafood pasta, a lobster bisque or any other savoury seafood dish you might be making.



Wild rice from Manitoba.  This is actually a grass rather than a rice but it is so wonderful.  This is one of my favourites.  I usually make a pilaf mixed with a long grain white rice and a mirepoix.  It also makes a wonderful salad.  I think I might make a gratin in the near future and post that on my blog.



Smoked arctic char from Nunuvut.  Also from Nunuvut is an ulu.  Both of these items are courtesy of my sister who is living in Chesterfield Inlet at the moment.  I am so lucky to have such a great sister!  She has offered these two items to add to my basket.  An ulu is a traditional Inuit knive similar to a mezzaluna.  It has a half moon shape and a single handle to have the best leverage possible.  It would be traditionally have many uses in the culture but I think it would be great as a pizza cutter or to chop veggies in our kitchens.  The Arctic char is a fish akin to salmon and this smoked version would be wonderful with cream cheese, diced red onions, lemon wedges and crackers.  You could make it into a wonderful dip or toss with pasta.



Last but not least is a traditional prairie Canadian treat - Saskatoon berry syrup.  Saskatoon berries are only found in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  We usually have them in pies but also use them in syrups and jams.