Dear Food & Wine Lover,

Welcome to this month's edition - a chill is definitely in the air as we are most definitely in the depths of fall (in this part of the world anyway).  It makes me want to stay indoors and start entertaining.  This month we feature a delicious Spanish Tapa dish, perfect for the house-party as the temps start to dip. 

A Taste of Christmas in Italy.

Come and experience a truly unique family style food adventure out in the countryside just outside of Tuscania - a 3,000 year old medieval town (how's that for historic).  The food is wonderful, the scenery stunning and the people couldn't be friendlier.  Our Casa Italiano culinary vacation welcomes you to learn the secrets of an Italian Christmas.  We have oodles of space for our Christmas Recipe Special Program from December 9th and we'll extend a savings of $200 per person, so that you too can experience 'A Taste of Christmas in Italy.'

Make it a Tasty Gift.

I don't know about you...but I just started to think about gift giving for the holiday season.  I know it seems early, but the first snow flakes are just about to fly (brrrrr), so that's always a big reminder.  I thought I'd share a delicious gift idea with you...'food for thought'. 

This year forget neckties and perfume.  What better gift than the gift of food adventure travel for the food and wine lover who has absolutely everything!  Our culinary adventures in our four countries will make a special gift indeed.

If you are still looking for the perfect gift for a gourmet or a truly passionate amateur cook, here are some ideas which may inspire you:
*See an authentic kitchen in action and learn from fabulous chefs in Italy, France, Spain & Morocco

*Cook up a feast with renowned chefs and cook book authors in Tuscany

*Learn how to cook superb Tapas with a talented Spanish chef

*Stay in a medieval Tuscan village, visit colourful markets and taste artisan foods

*Gain access to exclusive vineyards in Languedoc-Roussillon

*Explore Chianti's vineyards with an expert

*Stay at an exotic villa on the outskirts of Marrakech and take in the cuisine

Can't decide...why not send gift certificates?  Gourmet Safari Culinary Discovery Gift Certificates open doors to the world's finest food & wine experiences and can be purchased in any denomination and can be applied to any culinary vacation or cooking class. Surprise your family and friends with your great gifts, we'll send you a customized letter and gift certificate that you can give to that special person in your life. Fine food, fine wines, fine times are just an email away, contact us today to purchase your gift certificate - the ultimate gift of food & travel culinary discovery.

Gift Certificate Exclusive Offer.
This year we decided to extend a special offer to you to 'get into the season' - pay $75 and receive a $100 Culinary Discovery Gift Certificate...the spirit of giving just got stated.

Don't forget our Gourmet Safari Discover Provence and Tuscany 'Test Drive.'

If you are in Toronto, Canada in November 2007 we invite you to test drive a culinary travel food adventure with us to Provence & Tuscany. 

Here's Le Menu that we'll be tasting while we 'drive':

Tuscany: Spiedini Alla Bandiera,Bruschetta Agli Antipasti & Balsamic Glazed Chicken...then we travel to...

Provence: Rosemary Baked Potatoes,Asaparagus with a Crème Fraiche Mayonnaise Sauce,Crème Brulee...hungry yet?

Where? The following LCBO locations:

Bayview - Thursday November 8th

Summerhill - Thursday November 15th

Kingsway - Thursday November 29th

Time? 6:30 - 8pm

Cost? Just $35 CAD to experience your own Gourmet Safari 'Test Drive' with fine foods and fine wines. 

Interested?  Contact us and come out for a drive!

Foodie's Corner.

Recipe of the Month.
Indoor entertaining is now the 'in' thing!  Serve these Spanish tapas appetizers at a party, and they are always the first to go!  And of course Holiday Season entertaining is around the corner, these delicious tapas are sure to be a big hit!

Mushrooms with Alioli on Tostadas
Tostada de Setas

 

5 oz mushrooms, stems removed and sliced thinly

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Pinch of sea salt

1 tsp sherry wine

Alioli (garlic mayonnaise)

French bread, sliced into rounds

How to make it:
1) Heat the olive oil, when the oil is hot, add mushrooms, salt and sherry.

2) Cover, lower heat, cook until liquid is released from the mushrooms (about 10 minutes) and then drain and set aside.

3) Toast bread slightly, just to dry it out a bit.

4) Whip up garlic mayonnaise (alioli) - place one fresh egg (at room temperature) and 2 tbsp chopped garlic in a food processor. Whirl until garlic is smooth. With the motor running, add 1 c olive oil in a slow stream, until the sauce is thick and emulsified. Add ½ tsp salt to taste.

5) Spread the alioli on the tostadas and top with mushrooms. Broil for about 30 seconds or until alioli starts to bubble.

Uncorked! 

La Vie en Rose. 

Beaujolais Nouveau 2007 Launch Countdown...new this year Rose will be introduced. At ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT on November 14th (3rd Wed of every Nov), from little villages and towns, over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey through a sleeping France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world. Banners proclaim the good news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! "The New Beaujolais has arrived!"  It's a special day throughout France for it marks the official tasting of the new season's Beaujolais wines. Arguably one of the most famous wines in the world, it is traditional on this day to taste the new crops of wine - often over a lavish meal. One of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world has begun.  By the time it is over, over 65 million bottles, nearly half of the region's total annual production, will be distributed and drunk around the world. It has become a worldwide race to be the first to serve to this new wine of the harvest. In doing so, it has been carried by motorcycle, balloon, truck, helicopter, jet, elephant, runners and rickshaws to get it to its final destination. 

Trendspotting.

Trendy Gift Ideas for the Foodie!

Food...under the covers...
Perfect for wine lovers and hard-core foodies, these books take eating and drinking beyond sustenance to education!

*Tasting Club:Gathering Together to Share and Savor Your Favorite Tastes by Dina Cheney

*Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide by Michael Jackson

*Vij's: Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine by Bikram Vij, Meeru Dhalwala

*Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless, Deann Groen Bayless

*Au Pied Du Cochon - L'Album by Martin Picard

*The Cocktail Chef - Entertaining in Style by Dinah Koo and Janice Poon

And a category all by himself - The Gourmet Guru Jamie Oliver.His most recent cookbook, Jamie At Home is now out in the UK and of course Jamie's Italy is always on the shelves.

And speaking of Jamie Oliver here's a nifty gift idea (I'd love one myself)!
The Flavour Shaker^TM is designed to crush, mix, puree, blend and release flavour from whole spices, herbs, garlic, nuts, citrus rind or even lime or bay leaves. In just a few seconds you can create and add flavour to all kinds of everyday dishes.  Simply pop your ingredients inside, add the magic ceranuc ball and give it a good shake.  The ceramic ball does all the work crushing, grinding and bruising the contents, releasing amazing aromas and zingy flavours. You can also add liquids like oil and cream to create delicious dressings and marinades. The Flavour Shaker is sized to give you just the right amount of marinade or dressing (you don't need a lot) so that you can pour the contents straight over your food.  Find your Flavour Shaker at fine gourmet stores in the UK or Ireland...sorry they aren't available anywhere else that we know of...just yet!

To find out more about any of our culinary vacations please feel free to call me at 416.238.9987 (Toronto) or 1.800.839.5795 (in North America).  Email works well too at jackie@gourmetsafari.com.

Gastronomically, Jackie

Gourmet Safari supports BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING - proceeds from every culinary vacation go to this special charity.

PS: Please help save the environment by recycling this email -- help spread the word and forward it to all your friends!