Donato Artisan Farms Grand Opening

We constantly hear that we should be buying local and support our community and farmers. Why? Well its not just about that. Yes its great to give support and help our own community earn a living but its really a lot more than that. I remember when I was young my parents would often visit local farmers and buy a lot of various types of produce and meats when in season. By use of canning, freezing or curing methods was how things were stored for consumption throughout the year. Somewhere along that path all that was starting to become a thing of the past. Shopping from large big box stores which offered lower prices for mass produced meat and produce was becoming the new way. I dont know a lot about mass market meats and produce but from what I read its not pretty.

Is it just me or has anyone noticed our egg yolks have lost their colour, yolks used to be deep yellow orange colour. Chicken meat is pale and white and beef is not a natural deep red and tasty anymore probably due to mass production and growth hormones and who know what else. We add so many sauces and condiments to our meats because they really have no natural flavor of their own anymore.

Do your homework and find a local farmer or supplier you can trust and re-open your taste buds again and judge for yourself.

Yesterday was the grand opening of Donato Artisan Farms located at 7255 Hwy 9 in Schomberg, Ontario. www.donatoartisanfarm.com They sell wholesale to the public and offer old world knowledge and their Natural Dry Age Program successfully allows the beef to achieve rich flavours, a ruby red complexion and a silkiness type feel that slides across one's palette. Patrizio and Sil Donato, the owners hosted a lovely gathering offering tastings of their product. What can I say but mouth watering deliciousness.



Patrizio Donato has a wealth of knowledge,experience and passion for his business and supplies to many high end restaurants and executive Chefs that share the same passion.




Pat thanks his wife Sil for all the love, help and support she has given him to make this dream come true.



I purchased some strip loin steaks from Pat for today that I will be making for Fathers Day. I will just add a light rub of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and the BBQ grill.

This is what I am making for my husbands Fathers Day Special Dinner/Surf and Turf

4 Dry Age Sriploin Steaks.
Extra virgin olive oil, a light rub over steaks.
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

4 skewers of shell on shrimp (5 per skewer)
Extra virgin olive oil, a light rub over steaks.
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
BBQ until just pink then drizzle with butter

4 Corn on the cob, grilled
butter, salt and pepper to taste.

4 Baked potatoes
Light sour cream, chopped chives, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

mixed greens salad
olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper.








Me and Pat



Pat gives loving special thanks to his Wife Sil and Daughter Alessia



Pat gives Special Thanks to Maria Arangio--Creative Director, Creativo Advertising



Ribbon cutting with the Mayor of Schomberg Steve Pellegrini



Diana, Elia, Maria and myself in front of Pats truck



The succulent meats on the BBQ we got to taste :)


Pat and Alex




These little people are the reason why we need to eat better, need I say more?


Family and friends enjoying the day

The Amazing Artichoke

What is an Artichoke really?


Dictionary meaning:

ar·ti·choke
[ahr-ti-chohk] Show IPA
noun
a tall, thistlelike composite plant, Cynara scolymus, native to the Mediterranean region, of which the numerous scalelike bracts and receptacle of the immature flower head are eaten as a vegetable.


Now that we know that I will add,
I love artichokes and I have been eating them since I was small they were just as normal to eat as a salad in our Italian household. Eaten mostly when in season and in abundance I never got sick of them. I traveled to Sicily, Italy 31 years ago and I was amazed at how many people had these plants growing on their properties. I was excited to see this beautiful plant grew. With my passion for food and cooking I am always eager to try different ways to prepare them and in so doing it has opened a whole knew chapter of love for them. Not only are they delicious they are super nutritious too.


Eat them Steamed, BBQ-ed, baked, stuffed, fried, sauteed, braised, boiled,dipped,pickled,casseroled as toppings for pizza or fillings in sandwiches, in dips and soups. To top it off they have so many health benefits you should include them in your diet as much as you can.



Its all in the prep, I fill a large bowl of fresh water and half a lemon squeezed into it to keep them from oxidizing (turning brown) much like avocados. I like to keep as much of the stem on so I peel it with a pairing knife and tear of about 3 to 4 rows of the tougher leaves and the cut the tips right off because there may be thorns in the tips. when they are all in the bath they are ready for cooking. When I flour or bread them I like to boil them for 5 minutes so they are tender then drain so they are dried

Soaking in the Lemon Water Bath


Ready for Baking


BBQ (placed on an aluminum foil tray and drizzle with olive oil and garlic cover with foil and bbq until tender)


Lightly Floured and Fried


Grouper and Artichoke Stew


As a Pizza Topping


Soup


Breaded and Fried





OMG did you know about all the health benefits?



High in Antioxidants
A study done by the USDA found that artichokes have more antioxidants than any other vegetable and they ranked seventh in a study of the antioxidant levels of 1,000 different foods.

Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Studies done with artichoke leaf extract have found that they induce apoptosis (cell death) and reduce cell proliferation in many different forms of cancer, including prostate cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer. An Italian study found that a diet rich in the flavanoids present in artichokes reduces the risk of breast cancer.


Increased Bile Flow
The pulp of artichoke leaves contains a polyphenol antioxidant called cynarin which increases bile flow.

High in Fiber
One large artichoke contains a quarter of the recommended daily intake of fiber. A medium artichoke has more fiber than a cup of prunes.


Better Digestion
Artichokes help the digestive system. They are a natural diuretic, they aid digestion, improve gallbladder function and, as mentioned above, they are of great benefit to the liver.


Hangover Treatment
Thanks to their positive effects on the liver, many people swear by artichokes as a hangover treatment. Try the leaves of an artichoke.

This is what is looks like when it flowers: