What did you do yesterday afternoon? Well, if you were downtown Toronto at Queen’s Park you were certainly in for a treat.
Over 15 Ontario food associations and groups gathered in partnership with Foodland Ontario for the annual Pick Ontario Freshness Farmer’s Market.
Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky, opened the farmers market at noon with announcement urging Ontarians to continue to purchase fresh Ontario products.
Much was to be sampled, from Ontario pickled eggs, to our fresh crimini mushrooms with dill dip, the day was filled with local products and local flavours.
Even Ontario Premier, Dalton McGuinty, had time to come visit and enjoy a sample of fresh Ontario mushrooms.
All-in-all it was a beautiful day filled with local food, and a strong reminder to Ontarians to enjoy locally grown foods as much as they can.
With the world becoming more environmentally conscience, and with additional pressure being put on Canadians to buy local and enjoy a 100 Mile Diet, it’s no wonder why people are turning to fresh Canadian mushrooms.
They are local grown year-round, they have a low environmental impact, and of course taste great!
1. Fresher and Taste Better That’s right! Locally grown Canadian mushrooms are fresher and taste better than mushrooms that have been shipped thousands of kilometers from other countries. Not only can you taste the difference, fresh Canadian mushrooms will last longer, saving you money. Make sure to check the label for the “Product of Canada” sticker.
2. Less Environmental Impact Locally grown Canadian mushrooms are not shipped thousands of kilometers, so they have a smaller carbon footprint. Mushroom farmers also follow sustainable growing practices and are agricultural recyclers; this minimizes the farms’ environmental impact.
3. Are Safe Locally grown Canadian mushrooms comply with a very strict On Farm Food Safety Program developed by Mushrooms Canada and Guelph Food Technology Center. This ensures that the mushrooms are safe before they leave the farm and hit your dinner table.
4. Support Your Local Economy Buying locally grown Canadian mushrooms supports your local farmers and helps to build your local economy. By buying from a local farm or farmer’s market today, you are ensuring there will be farms in your community tomorrow for future generations.
Do you live in Owen Sound, Ontario? Are you looking for something to do this Friday night with the girls? Then why not come on out to the WOW Thanks Mom Fundraiser?!
With a mini shopping mall filled with local businesses, and engaging seminars; WOW Thanks Mom is a fun filled night out! And best of all, proceeds raised from this event will go to Keppel-Sarawak Elementary School.
Of course I will be there cooking up my favourite recipe, Sweet and Spicy Stir-Fried Mushrooms, on the seminar stage, handing out recipes, and answering any questions you may have about mushrooms. I will also have a fabulous door prize with me, so make sure you come by my booth and enter the draw.
The Giveaway: I have four free admission tickets that I am giving away to four people who can answer the following trivia question correctly:
What variety of mushrooms has as much Potassium as a banana? (need a hint).
The Rules: – Answer must be left in the comments section of this post. – You must be a resident of Owen Sound, Ontario (and area). – Provide an email address/blog link by which I can contact you if you win.
– You have until Thursday at 11:59pm to submit you answers. Random draw will be held Friday morning at 9:00am. – Mushrooms Canada will provide no compensation for additional costs related to you attending the event. Prize must be accepted as awarded. Value of ticket $20.
The weather is warming up and the sun is shining bright, could that mean that grilling season is finally upon us? Well, Mushrooms Canada has the perfect recipe video for this very occasion, Grilled Mushroom Oriental Salad. Simple to prepare and packed full of flavour, this recipe is a big crowd pleaser.
Assorted fresh mushrooms and a zesty oriental style dressing are the stars in this warm zippy salad – perfect for lunch or to accompany grilled meat. This mushroom recipe is not only easy but healthy too.
Ingredients 3 tbsp each vegetable oil and soy sauce 45 mL 1/3 cup rice vinegar 75 mL 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 15 mL 2 green onions, chopped 2 1 tbsp finely minced gingerroot 15 mL 1 lb. assorted sliced fresh Mushrooms (white button, crimini, portabella, shiitake, oyster) 500 g 3 tbsp teriyaki sauce 45 mL 16 cups mixed salad greens or baby spinach 4 L 1 tbsp sesame seeds 15 mL
Method In small saucepan, mix oil, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, mustard, onions and gingerroot; set aside. Pile mushrooms in centre of large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Drizzle with teriyaki sauce. Fold edges and ends to seal well. Barbecue on high heat about 5-6 minutes or until steaming. Heat dressing on barbecue or stove top just until boiling. Divide salad greens evenly among 4 large salad plates. Top with warm mushroom slices and drizzle with hot dressing. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 main course servings.
Tips: Prepare dressing in micro proof bowl or glass (2 cup/500 mL) measuring cup and heat in microwave until boiling. Mushrooms could be cooked in 425º F (220 ºC) oven instead of barbecue.
Variation: Substitute roasted garlic teriyaki sauce for plain teriyaki sauce.
Do you love mushrooms? They are flavourful, easy to prepare and versatile, but how much do you really know about them? Test you mushroom knowledge and see how many of these quick facts you know.
One Portabella mushroom has as much potassium as a small banana.
Fresh mushrooms are the only vegetable that contain Vitamin D naturally.
Mushrooms are not a seasonal item, they are grown year round right here in Canada.
Mushrooms are good for you! They are loaded with B vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants selenium & ergothioneine.
Always store fresh mushrooms in a brown paper bag in the fridge.
The Nutritional Value of Fresh Mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms are making their mark! Even though they look simple, mushrooms have a whole lot going for them in the nutrition department.
Antioxidants: Fresh mushrooms contain a powerful antioxidant called l-ergothioneine. Ergothioneine is found in both raw and cooked mushrooms. Portabella and crimini mushrooms have the most, followed by white button mushrooms.
Cancer-fighting: Fresh mushrooms offer nutrients such as beta-glucans and conjugated linoleic acid, compounds that are currently being studied for their chemo-preventive potential. Recent research suggests that mushrooms (and mushroom extracts) may have powerful anticancer activity, for both breast and prostate cancer.
Essential Nutrients: A 100 gram serving of sliced fresh white mushrooms has only 25 calories, no cholesterol, is virtually fat-free, is low in sodium and has 1 gram of fibre. They are a good source of riboflavin, copper, selenium, niacin and pantothenic acid.
Fibre: Mushrooms offer both soluble and insoluble fibre, which helps to maintain good bowel health.
Immunity: A strong immune system helps protect against infections from bacteria and viruses. Emerging research indicates that certain mushroom extracts (including extracts from the white button mushrooms), may have a positive effect on the immune system.
Weight management: Fresh mushrooms are a perfect choice for low energy-dense diets, as they have high water content, are low in fat, and contain some fibre; three factors that will help keep you feeling full with fewer calories. Researchers have found that people who eat satisfying portions of foods that are less energy-dense have greater success at weight loss and maintenance.
Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky, opened the farmers market at noon with announcement urging Ontarians to continue to purchase fresh Ontario products.
