Eat Alberta 2011: Apple Pie and Pastry Making

One of the first sessions that I experienced at Eat Alberta was the Apple Pie and Pastry Making 101, which featured the pastry talents of Christian Miller. A pie baking aficionado, Christian first learned how to make pies from her father... and has since catapulted that talent into many trademark pies and culinary creations.

While this session did not mark my first attempt at pie making, I figured that there was plenty to learn. All bakers have a slightly different take on how to best create his or her ideal pastry... and just like traditional family recipes that have been passed through generations, typically each is faithful to their version.

I was challenged to "work the lard hard" and produce a crust in a very different way from what I had in the past... yet equally tasty!

Oven Roasted Chickpeas

I was trying to come up with some new snack options for myself without indulging in the office vending machine, which seems strategically placed to mock me as I pass it each time I need to use the ladies' room. Despite its token granola bars, low salt nut packs and 0 calorie beverages, if I am going to purchase an item from the vending machine, it isn't going to be faux-healthy. It is going to be a calorie-laden treat that makes the indulgence worthwhile.

Anyway... I need to curb this indulgence. While only happening once, maybe twice, in a week, that chocolate bar is just a gateway snack item... ready to coax me into a 'balanced' meal of cashews, potato chips, tuna-snack pack and soda. 

Enter: chickpeas. I wasn't in the mood for hummus... so I thought I'd come up with my hummus-inspired version of roasted chickpeas. It's a win.

Eat Alberta 2011: A Celebration of Our Local Food Heroes

Six weeks ago, I posted about the first-ever, and then upcoming, Eat Alberta conference to be held in Edmonton on April 30, 2011. I was so excited about the opportunity to learn and share and connect with fellow food lovers. If I was able to, I would have registered for every session that was to be offered.

That excitement held through until the actual conference day... yesterday... and carried me, enthusiastically, through a very full day.