Dear Fellow Food and Wine Lover,

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 just fell here, 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.

Gourmet Safari Culinary Discovery Gift Certificates 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.

Christmas comes early for the Foodie.

To get you into the Christmas spirit of giving we have come up with the perfect gift for that food lover in your life (or maybe for you).  We have an exclusive program for April next year, complete with tours/tastings to wineries, balsamic, olive oil, and pecorino cheese tastings in the heart of rural Tuscany.  And the savings are tremendous with savings of $300 per couple for this 9 night/10 day food adventure package.

Mornings begin with a cooking class. The meal prepared during the class is served for that day's lunch. In the afternoons excursions will include; Florence, Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano Chianti Region as well as visits to local artisans, local markets, local wine producers, wine tastings and cultural centers.

Situated in the heart of the picturesque Tuscan countryside, this creates the perfect setting for an unforgettable culinary escape... 

Trip length: 10 days

Date:  April 2009

Can we tempt you? For further details and price, email us at:  jackie@gourmetsafari.com.

Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

If you happen to be in Toronto this month, the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo will take place November 20-23, 2008 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and this year Gourmet Safari will be participating with our very own booth!  Please stop by and say hello if you come out to the Expo.  Each year the event attracts 35,000 visitors to sample more than 1200 wines, beers and spirits from around the globe and taste culinary samplings from Toronto's top restaurants. 

Hope to see you there, we'll be sampling various crepes!

Foodie's Corner.

Recipe of the Month - Roast Chicken Charmoula.

This 'comfort food' roast chicken is perfect for cooler temps or hot climes (if you are in the other part of the world).  If your barbeque is still available for cooking, this roast chicken is delicious from the barbeque grill, otherwise indoor grilling in your oven is just as delicious (the flavour all comes from the marinade). 

6 Chicken Breasts

3 garlic cloves

1 piece gingerroot

1/2 cup packed fresh coriander leaves    

1/3 cup packed fresh parsley leaves

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin  

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 c extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp lemon juice

Method:
1)  Chop garlic with ginger in a food processor or blender, then chop in the coriander & parsley.

2)  Blend in paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper, cinnamon and then add the oil and lemon juice.

3)  Spread over chicken, place in ceramic or glass dish, cover and marinate 1-2 hours in refrigerator.

4) Absolutely delicious results on the barbeque OR bake on a baking sheet at 375 F for 30 minutes and then cover with foil and roast for 10-15 minutes longer.

Chef's Note:  Charmoula is a kind of relish-marinade of finely sliced or torn herbs with various names, the name is derived from the word meaning "to tear lightly."

Serve with Couscous.

Morocco's national dish.  It is made with the finest French durum wheat and nothing is quicker and easier to make. Couscous typically comes in a box and is plain (although many now have flavours added). Simply follow the instructions on the box and boil water (or stock), stir in the couscous, add olive oil and immediately take it off the burner and let it set for 5 minutes.  Fluff and serve steamed couscous sprinkled with freshly chopped coriander.

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

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