I had to pull over to the side of the road… thank goodness for my iPhone! I quickly entered Crown Food Equipment… up popped an address and my trusty iPhone mapping system steered me right to my destination.
This is a “must visit” stop for all Calgary Food Bloggers and Foodies alike. (Btw, this is not a paid advertisement!) The brightly light aisles attractively display an abundance of wares for both the amateur and novice chef. Terilynn came up and greeted me warmly and asked if she could help me with anything. “Just browsing, although, I would love to take some photos for my food blog if that would be ok?” I responded. Moments later I was given two thumbs up and I was soon immersed in the most gorgeous assortment of food tools and equipment. Then I was introduced to Tai, who was responsible for the incredible display of wares… I thought, “This is a perfect spot for a little Christmas shopping!”
then I began dancing, er, singing, well, walking down the aisles…
“Rainbow of shelves full of stuff for the kitchen,
Bright stainless lids, bowls and pots for the lickin’,
Racks full cookie sheets for Christmas baking,
These are a few of my favorite things.”
“Cream colored dishes and shakers for cheeses,
Ladles and spoons and a whisk, if you pleases.
A selection of graters and aprons with strings
These are a few of my favorite things!”
“White icing bags and those tips made for icing,
Cakes pans and muffin tins… all so enticing
Silver white sifters and spatulas to fling,
These are a few of my favorite things.”
“When the souffle falls, when the cake burns,
When I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite shop,
and then I don’t feel so bad!”
Sorry, I had to do it… I’ve been trying to sing (yes, me, sing) Solfège in theory. Do-re-mi… and all of the Sound of Music tunes are now stuck in my head…
On a bright note.. they even had one of these in cherry red..
I selected a lovely tapered wooden rolling-pin and couldn’t wait to use it for these appetizers… they’re a recipe that I make on the fly, when days get too crazy, and you need to bring an appie to one of your Christmas parties…
If you know how to make puff-pastry… or you have the time… good on ya’! I usually just pick up a package of ready-made and give it a few hours to thaw. There is very little (read: no) measuring required, and plenty of alternative ingredients come to mind (for another day)… different cheeses, different flavors of salt, sauces instead of pesto…
Having said that, baked up this way… they’re very Christmasy looking, don’t you think?
So swing by Crown Food (if you live in Calgary), pick up a new rolling-pin, cookie sheet and spatula and let’s get going…
Maria’s Pesto and Goatherd’s Cheese Tartlets
- 1 (400 g) package ready-made puff pastry
- (thawed if frozen)
- 1 (200 ml) jar of pesto
- 1 (300 gm) container cherry tomatoes,
- each cut into 3 slices
- 8 oz goat cheese
- kosher salt and cracked black pepper
- Fresh basil sprigs, to garnish
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Lightly flour your work surface. Working with half of your pastry at a time, roll out into a rectangle about 1/8” thick (they really puff up). Place on two parchment or silpat lined cookie sheets.
- Spoon a bit of pesto on each round, leaving space near the edges. Lay 3-4 slices of tomato on top. Dot with goat cheese.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until puff pastry has risen and turned golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Serve garnished with basil springs and leaves.
Sing it again Smidge!
Great idea for a quickly-made nibble! Those are a few of my favorite things!
Hoping Santa brings you a lovely day and a few surprises under the tree;)
Great pictures. I would imagine you revel in visiting such shops just as I revel in staring at stationery items and art materials in shops!! 😀
Oh, boy, don’t get me started… I have a stationery fettish as well! I don’t have to own everything, I just love looking!! All the colors of paint, the sizes and shapes of brushes…
Hehe, EXACTLY!!! Sheet music is another one, too. I know shoe collections are supposed to be close to a lady’s heart, but I’d rather collect sheet music given the chance. 🙂
Is that a glass bowl for the Kitchen Aid? Oh I want that one! and all that shiny stuff, how could you bear it!! Love your pesto tartlets.. but oh man, I would love to go shopping in that store! c
I know, eh? It would be great for photographing food and measuring all at once.. Yes, if you lived here I would take you for a stroll..:)
Yum! I am a big fan of goat cheese. I will copy the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Your photos are amazing!
You’re very welcome!
Those look absolutely great! I love walking around cookery shops you know. I could spend hours in them deciding what to buy.
Me too…
Wow, that place is like Disneyland for foodies. Great recipe too.
Great analogy!
I love browsing in cookery suppliers. This one look excellent – if I were to visit it I am sure I would emerge laden down with bags.
me, too!!
i love that kitchen-aid mixer!! i have a different model. a heavy-duty something or other. i love the one that comes with the glass bowl. i am thankful to have one at all, though!! they are so nice!! 🙂
I have the metal bowls (2) and would love the glass bowl.. maybe it can be ordered separately?? But yes, I’m lucky to have one!
I never, never thought I’d be into cooking gear, but now that I am – I really wish I lived near that store. I’d go crazy, though, and probably not limit myself as well as you did. And your song is simply delightful! Nice prose, as always. 🙂
Well, that’s because you’re turning into a “Foodie” or are one now:)
Love it! Wonderful version of the old classic, and I think I even prefer yours. I also get very excited in food stores, and really appreciate the fact you’ve documented your favourite. And my best friend lives in Calgary, I’m going to send this to her. Maybe she’ll remember for my birthday next year.
Now, time to figure to figure out if I can get me a cherry red kitchen aid in Australia…
I think all my recipes are classics, might be my age;) That’s so neat that your best friend lives here.. how did she end up in Calgary?
Oh my gosh these look delicious!!!! What a great appetizer – and what a fun store! I would do so much damage in there. 😉
Thanks, Kristy:)
Oh!My!Word!
I truly believe that store will have me losing my mind and my purse lol. I love stores that provide you with everything you need. And this Pesto and Goatherd’s Cheese Tartlets recipe sounds so delicious. Amazing post as usual 🙂
Good point, it can be dangerous going in there! I find having a list helps;)
Beautiful photographs and beautiful recipe… Seems so delicious dear Barbara and also I loved how you served it… Thank you, with my love, nia
Thanks so much Nia.. and now I’m off to visit your blog. I’ve been walking the malls and wrapping gifts, I’ve missed all of you here!
How much damage did you do in the cooking store? How fun… Your tartlets sound perfect for a gathering. Take Care
I actually showed quite a lot of restraint.. it’s funny, photographing something almost feels the same as owning.. but not;)
I must NOT be allowed in that store – I repeat, NOT allowed in that store – I will not be able to contain myself!
LOVE the tarts!
🙂 Mandy
Hahaha, I’ll let them know:) Thanks, Mandy!
What a great shop! Good thing it’s in Calgary. Any closer to Chicago and I’d be in there all of the time.
I’m thinking every city must have one of these… just think of the pasta gadgets.. or do you have the best collection already?
I just love kitchen stores! And these are the best photos!! You are so clever! These little appetizer bites are beautiful! I never make my own puff pastry!
I’ve seen people do it here, but the frozen is just so quick.. maybe some day when I’m not busy with family, etc, I’ll have a go at it!
So many wonderful kitchen gadgets! I’m with Mandy…I shouldn’t be allowed in that store. I’m pretty sure I’d want to buy every single item. And wow, those tartlets look and sound amazing! Yum!
Thanks, Caroline! Now I’m off to see your posts.. I’ve been away getting ready for Christmas for the past few days..
Oh heavens. I would have just been like a kid in a candy store in there! I bet you had a ball. These cheese tartlets look like they are so melt-in-your-mouth wonderful. So glad you shared both the recipe and the store photos. 🙂
You are very welcome:)
Oh, my gosh! I want to go there SOOOOO bad, I must arrange a trip for 2012. Period. Must fly there with two empty pieces of luggage and take care of business…
Those gorgeous huge stockpots…. the baking pans… wow!
and your recipe is the icing on the cake!
I am sure you had a blast in your visit to the store…. thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Sally! It is definitely pretty the way it’s all been arranged.
Outrageously edible looking treats, oh boy! But I loved the ‘guided tour’ through Crown and yes, I couldn’t help but sing along. 😉 We had a restaurant-supply store near us up in WA but I haven’t found The One here yet, so must learn where that might be. A vicarious visit to Crown helps immensely in the meantime. Now about those hors d’oeuvres . . .
I knew you would be there singing if you could;)
Great pics!
Puff pastry is a magical ingredient and always impresses whoever eats it. Yum!
Thanks!!
Great post! Looks like a field trip to me…..
Now that you’re in town… 🙂
A) I love adding to my repertoire quick and easy recipes for cocktail hour at my house or to take as hors d’oeuvres to holiday parties. These are clearly amazing fresh from the oven, but did you try any a few hours later, or chilled?
B) I love color, it’s really Ruth’s fault, you should see how bright her kitchen is, and all of those color options for “standard” kitchen utensils, it makes my heart sing. SING!
~Emilie
I actually served them at room temperature (book club;) I’ll just have to have a word with Ruth!! Going around inspiring the lot of us!!
I love shopping in stores like that. Even if I don’t buy anything, I still formulate a very very long wish list in my brain!
It’s true, I always think… leave that one for next time, so I have an excuse to visit:)
I would say, lucky I don’t live in Calgary!
Heaven, that’s what a shop like that is.
Too true:)
I loved your witty lyrics for your rendition of My Favorite Things. That song will be buzzing around in my head all morning now. Your photographs were great as well! I am not much of a cook but those colorful gadgets and gizmos got me wanting to go all “Chef Ramsey” on something.
Food supplies stores are the best. I was at Sur La Table to buy my sister a Christmas gift the other day with the intention of staying ten minutes, but that quickly turned into half an hour haha
I now have shop envy! Not something I normally say, but oh to lose yourself in there. and a lovely recipe too 🙂
I love the look of that store. You could just spend hours in there. And your recipe looks delicious. They would be a great appetiser.
We’ve got nothing like that store in good old Blighty (well nothing I’ve found anyway). North America does everything bigger and (arguably) better! Except Holidays – we get 4 weeks, you seem to only get two?!
There is a place here in Singapore called Tools of the Trade and it looks like the same sort of shop – it’s like being let loose in a candy store, isn’t it ? I think I have had my happiest moment when I discovered that place.
Thanks for the recipe as well – goats cheese and pesto sounds delicious !
Hi Smidge, I’ve just been given The Versatile Blogger Award, which is one of those awards you pass on. So, you’ll have a link on my next blog post, which I hope to get out by this evening. Congratulations. Now you start thinking about seven things you want to tell your readers about yourself and fifteen blogs you want to nominate… Cheers! — Sharyn
Hi Sharyn, that is just so lovely of you to think of me.. I have had this one before so I don’t believe I can receive again.. but I’m going to be doing a blog in the New Year and will make sure to acknowledge your website and thank you:) Have a wonderful Christmas season!! 🙂 Barb
What a fun place to shop! Sounds like you had fun, Smidge! I hope the visit gave Santa a few ideas.. 😉
The tarts look perfectly festive and absolutely delicious! 🙂
I can sure see why that’s your favorite shop…it would be mine, too! Love the goat cheese tartlets. They’re so festive and the ingredients are, well, a few of MY favorite things! Merry Christmas to you!