Getting Piggy with it at Bacon Fest 2014

It was the 3rd Annual Bacon Fest this past weekend at the Leslieville Farmer's Market.   I love this market because they have great products and it has a community feel with all kinds of people just hanging around in the park eating, shopping and listening to whatever music is happening that week.

The last time I went it was extremely hot and I left to a ticket waiting on my windshield.  This time I found a better place to park and tried again and participated in eating as much piggy products as I could stuff in my face.   Not as much as I thought I could apparently.

It was a beautiful day with big fluffy clouds in a bright blue sky.   And the smell of bacon wafting through the air.  What's not to love about that.

First I had to stop and get my favourite Sesame Seed Baguette before they got sold out.   Then I walked around to see what the Bacon Fest vendors were selling and seeing what else I needed from the market.    I picked up a dozen Organic Eggs, smoked sausage, some Back Bacon, some garlic, some amazing cream cheese and I split a basket of peaches with my friend.  She picked up some Callaloo leaves.  She is from Gyana so it is native to her country.  I have never cooked with it but maybe I will try to one of these days.


There were a few very long line ups... and as I walked around I stopped at some of the shorter ones that had some yummy looking things.   I tried the Le Papillon booth for some Pulled Pork Belly on a bun with coleslaw.  Messy but good.   Then over to the Hooked booth for some bacon and white fish fried fritters.  So filling.  They kind of did me in but I wanted to try a few more things.   I was going to try the Smoked Bacon on a bun but while waiting in the line they ran out.   Just as well as I wasn't sure I could even finish it.  But I had to try at least one more thing so I opted for Be Good Gelato's Ice Cream Sandwich "Breakfast of Champions" with double smoked bacon, pecans, caramel sandwiched between dark chocolate chip cookies with cafe mocha gelato.  It was frozen solid and so large that I couldn't finish it unfortunately.

    

My friend only eats Chicken so the Bacon didn't appeal to her but she tried a few vegetarian/vegan options.   She got some of the bacon tofu on a stick.  I tried it and it tastes pretty close to a bacon flavour.  My friend not ever having eaten bacon wasn't as impressed because she couldn't relate to the taste of it.   She also had another appetizer that used dried eggplant as the bacon substitute.  I didn't try that one so I don't know how it was.   And my friends final taste was the fruit and cream waffle.

There was so much more to try but my eyes are bigger than my stomach as my mom used to say.   Although lately it looks like my stomach is looking as big but really I can't eat as much as I used to.  Not so good for a food blogger I guess.

 And the Winner of the 3rd Annual Bacon Fest was Sweet Sammies.  There were 3 dessert places to try so I didn't get to try their ice cream sandwiches.  I hope I will see them again at another event soon so I can try it then.

Also in the top 3 was County General, and I didn't have room to try their dish either.  I guess I wouldn't have been much of a judge if I couldn't eat everything.

And an honourable mention went to the Smoked Bacon Tofu on a stick.   Everyone seemed to be impressed with that bacon imitation.

It was a fun day and I hope I can go again next year and have more room in my stomach to try way more things.

The Best Fish Tacos in TO

Taco at the Distillery Food Festival

I seem to be on a bit of a Taco kick these days.  It seems as though Tacos are the new trendy food in the City again. There are new authentic restaurants, food trucks, fancy restaurants are even adding their taco versions.   I had my pulled Taco version at my Food Revolution Day event and in my researching or just getting in the mood of the event I have been trying a few different fish tacos in the past few weeks.
I think the reason I eat so many fish tacos when I go out is because of a few reasons.  First, I don't like deep frying food at home.  I never know what to do with the leftover oil and it makes a mess and leaves a long lasting smell that nobody wants to smell.  Second, finding fresh fish when I want it in my area can be tough.  Thirdly, I don't always have the ingredients on hand to whip up a couple of tacos and it really isn't worth it to do all of this for 2 or 3 tacos.  So I will leave it up to the Fish Taco pros to feed my some delicious Crunch Fish Tacos.

Let's start with one of my favourite Fish Tacos from Buster's Sea Cove. Food Truck. The shrimp tacos are amazing but the fish tacos are great too.  It's the light crispy batter and the kick of the hot sauce that gets you on this taco.

The next one I loved was from The One That Got Away on King St.   Three spicy fish tacos served on newsprint paper as seen in this photo.  There was a nice after burn from the sauce on these tacos.  The only thing was they kind of fell apart from the sauce so you need to inhale them quickly.

While I was on my way to the Farmer's Market at Trinity Bellwoods Park I passed The Happy Hooker on Dundas St. W.  I was starving and had some time to kill before the market started so I popped in to try a Cali Baja Taco.  I only had one because I also tried the Shrimp Corn Dog which was delicious.  I would recommend getting 3 of the Cali Baja Tacos because they are very small.

These Tacos came from Hooked.  I tried this one at their stand at a Farmer's Markets in the city but I have also had it at the Green Living Show in Toronto.

Tacos are kind of quick semi healthy fast food.  They are quick to assemble and eat once you have all the elements in place.   It's the getting the elements right and taking the time to season and cook these elements right that makes the difference.    You can dunk a piece of fish in hot oil and then stick it in a tortilla shell with some lettuce and call it a Taco or you can dip a seasoned piece of fish in a light batter and fry it to perfection and then place it in a fresh made corn tortilla with some special hot sauce, pickled slaw or spicy salsa and cilantro and then you are tasting a Great Taco from where Guy Fieri calls "Flavourtown"   No 2 tacos taste the same.  

What's your favourite taco?

Still on my Taco Bucket list are trying Playa Cabana and the Grand Electric and then there is always a trip to Mexico to taste the original inspiration of the Taco.