Cooking to Celebrate Ontario
from the farm to the kitchen
One of my favourite things to do, and ways I stay connected to the place that I live, is to pick Ontario fruit and vegetables fresh from the farm when I can.
So this year let’s hit the road, find an orchard, or spend some time getting our hands into the dirt! We’ll bring back the local bounty to prepare into a fresh recipe for you to take home with you.
Spring
Early springs respectfully foraged wild ramps, asparagus, late spring strawberries.
- marinated wild ramp cheese
- savoury strawberry thyme preserve
- pickled asparagus
Summer
The bursting season for abundant preserves: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and more.
- cherry basil preserve
- herb de provence jelly
- strawberry jam
Autumn
Early fall tomatoes and pears, late fall beets and apples.
- herb roasted tomato sauce
- spicy corn salsa
- pickled beets
- cinnamon spiced applesauce
Winter
Farm-fresh Milk: Artisinal cheeses, homemade butter, yogurt, ice cream
+
Sourdough Bread
Available all year round.
A Message from The Contemplative Cook
an invitation to you...
For the sake of slowing down, art and spirit and good food, I dedicate my love and hands to artisanal cooking in my kitchen; to be steadily rooted down to a place and touched by its natural rhythm, to care for the world and your soul in this way.
Somehow this way of living and cooking is continually feeding a gentle goodness in my life - it always has, and something about it tells me it always will. It's in the slower moments, the quiet ones, when I feel it: a gratitude warming the heart full with daring to live such a simple, yet rich and meaningful life. If I am so lucky, a lifetime of this will refine and teach me how to cook well, and live well.
Come, join me in my home kitchen to cook, create, and find a little peace - it would be my joy to serve you.
May the Contemplative Cook in you shine, too.
Love,
Alissa
homemade Kitchen Staples
seasonal preserves
seasonal preserves
seasonal preserves
Jams, herb jellies, salsas, pickles, fruit preserves.
Beautiful accompaniments that capture the flavours, colours and spirit of Ontario.
farm-fresh milk
seasonal preserves
seasonal preserves
Artisanal cheese + hand churned butter + yogurt + ice cream.
Discover a delightful craft made with a slow, gentle and patient touch.
sourdough rising
seasonal preserves
sourdough rising
Natural, whole-wheat goodness baked for you.
Who doesn't love the warming scent of bread, fresh from the oven?
Private Cook + Bespoke Meal Service
A
Love good food but life is too busy to cook?
Let me make your life easier, your home more peaceful, and your belly happier with my bespoke private cooking service.
Please email to discuss the details!
Rustic Roasted Squash + Sage Galette
Making beautiful food to share with our own little hands is an enriching mindfulness practice. Let's settle into a chill groove together with this savoury take on the classic galette pastry, filled with roasted butternut squash, fresh thyme and sage, layered on a homemade creamy cheese (that's right...we'll make cheese!), and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Guests will leave with their galette lovingly packaged to take home with them.
So tasty, so comforting. So easy to freeze and serve to guests!
Festive Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies
There is peace in a slower, creative rhythm. Let's find joy in making edible art together with these simple shortbread cookies, decorated to delight.
Each guest will leave with a box of hand-crafted cookies to share with those they love!
Join The Contemplative Cook!
December Festive Sessions: $195 + HST per person
Please be in touch to discuss date and time availability.
Cost includes the festive creations, ingredients, treats for you to savour, and a warm mug of deliciousness!