Sunday, October 18, 2015

Oreo White Chocolate Cheesecake (Recipe)

For our latest dinner party, the theme was all things cheese!! So fittingly, I decided to make a cheesecake for dessert. I found a great recipe for an Oreo White Chocolate Cheesecake. It was super easy to make and turned out to be a real crowd pleaser.


If you love Oreos, this is the recipe for you! (And if you don't, then we can't be friends.)

Ingredients:

3 x 154 g packets of Oreo cookies
Mini Oreos for decorating
75 g unsalted butter (melted)
300 g cream cheese (room temperature)
300 ml double cream (or whipping cream)
150 g white chocolate
1 tbsp water
1 tsp gelatine

Directions:
  1. Lightly grease a 8-9 inch springform cake tin with butter.
  2. Remove the filling of some of the Oreos until you get 200 grams of just biscuits to use for the base. Discard the filling. Finely crush them and put them in a bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until combined. Press mixture over base of the tin evenly. Refrigerate while you make the cheesecake mixture.
  3. With the rest of the Oreos, cut them up into small pieces.
  4. Put the tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl and add in the teaspoon of gelatine. Place the bowl in a small saucepan of simmering water until the gelatine dissolves.
  5. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave (30 seconds at a time until melted).
  6. In a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the gelatine and melted chocolate and mix until smooth and combined.
  7. In a smaller bowl, lightly whip the cream until it forms soft peaks (make sure not to over whip). Then gently fold into the cream cheese mixture and mix until combined.
  8. Stir in the pieces of Oreos, then pour the mixture over the prepared biscuit base.
  9. Spread the mixture evenly over the biscuit base with a palette knife until it's smooth and even. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally over night. 
  10. Remove the cheesecake from the tin and cut into 12 pieces and place a mini Oreo (or a few) on top of each slice.
  11. Take the cheesecake out of the fridge and leave for 15-30 minutes before serving.


Yields: 12 servings
Verdict: a delectable dessert that will change the way you think about cheesecake
Total Prep Time: 45 min
Refrigerate Time: at least 4 hours (ideally over night) 
Rating: 9.5/10

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Aroma Small Plates & Wine (Review)

For our next culinary adventure, we found ourselves at Aroma Small Plates & Wine, a modest restaurant nestled in an old Victorian house in Centretown. Specializing in Greek cuisine, Aroma boasts an intimate and casual atmosphere with an extensive, yet moderately priced menu. As evidenced by its name, this Greek eatery features an array of small plates and tapas of authentic and innovative fare, which are best shared amongst a group.

When we first arrived, we were kindly greeted by our waitress, who sat us at a round table by the fireplace in the front room. The cozy and familiar setting of the house instantly made us feel welcomed, much like we were attending a friend’s dinner party.

Tzatziki & Spanikomizithra
As first-timers, our informative waitress explained the menu and suggested ordering between 6 to 8 dishes, a few from each category on the menu. The categories included: The Dips, From the Garden, From the Sea and From the Earth. There was also a dessert category, which was fittingly named Sweet Conclusions. But before making any rash decisions, we perused the elaborate menu and then settled on 7 dishes, which were served sequentially throughout the evening.

All of the plates were designed for two people, but could be easily adjusted to accommodate the size of the party. As a group of four, our prices were simply doubled. To begin our meal, we went with two dips: Tzatziki ($5) and Spanikomizithra ($5). The classic Tzatziki and the Spanikomizithra dip, made of Mizithra cheese, spinach, roasted red peppers, roasted garlic, and almonds, were served with warm pita, which was generously refilled. The Spanikomizithra was delicious and a great way to start our culinary experience.

Next up were the Dolmades ($12). Grape leaves stuffed with extra lean halal ground beef, dill, rice and avgolemono sauce were tasty and extremely satisfying. From there, we were served the Arancini ($15), which were Arborio rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and squid ink, and coated in breadcrumbs. While the tomato sauce and zesty aioli accompaniments were tasty, the Arancini missed the mark. They lacked the traditional crispy exterior and were quite sparing on the cheese. Unfortunately, they tasted bland and we were unimpressed.

Dolmades ($12)
Arancini ($15)
However, our taste buds were delighted with our next dish…the Gorgonzola Gnocchi ($16). Perfectly cooked soft dough dumplings were drizzled in a creamy gorgonzola sauce and topped with wild mushrooms, roasted garlic and goat cheese. We all agreed that this was by far the best dish of the night. The rich flavours and interesting textures skyrocketed this plate to the front of the pack. The Gnocchi is definitely a must-try for any Aroma patron.

Gorgonzola Gnocchi ($16)
Seared Haloumi ($14)
At this point, we were starting to get full, but we had to make room for three more dishes! As cheese lovers, our next two dishes featured different types of Greek cheese. First, we were served the Seared Haloumi ($14), a semi-hard brine-cured cheese from Greece. Normally, I absolutely adore Haloumi. I love the distinctive layered texture and subtle flavor of this cheese. However, this time, the toppings ruined it for me. The combination of fennel, onion, mint and honey compote did not work.

Luckily, our next cheese plate made up for it. We went with the Saganaki ($14), a pan-seared Greek cheese served in a cast-iron skillet. After being fried, the cheese was flambéed at the table, and the flames were then extinguished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The cheese was scrumptious and provided that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Saganaki ($14)
Finally, to finish off the meal, we went with the Madjool Stuffed Dates ($20). Large dates were stuffed with gorgonzola cheese, topped with pan-seared foie gras and deglazed with Marsala and spicy gingered candied walnuts. It was the perfect combination of sweet and salty, and the perfect way to end our Greek feast.

Madjool Stuffed Dates ($20)
Other dishes that passed our table that looked equally delicious include the Fish Tacos, served with coleslaw, tomatoes, coconut, cilantro, lime and jalapeno aioli ($24), and the Beetroot Towers, slow roasted beetroot wheels layered with garlic yogurt and topped with micro greens, roasted chopped walnuts and balsamic reduction ($14).

Overall, Aroma left us extremely satisfied; a combination of efficient staff, a relaxing ambience and high-quality Greek cuisine makes for a thoroughly recommendable dining experience.

Verdict: 7.5/10 – tasty authentic Greek tapas, but a few dishes missed the mark

Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Friday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Price: Small plates range from $5-$13 (2 person portion sizes)

Aroma Small Plates and Wine, 239 Nepean Street, Ottawa, ON
www.aromameze.com

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern (Review)

As you know by now, we love to celebrate birthdays with a fabulous meal, and so Lola’s birthday celebration this past week was no different. We headed to the Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern in the burgeoning Hintonburg neighbourhood. Open since 1934, this 81-year old Hintonburg fixture has seen several ownership changes, the latest of which occurred in 2013 when it was taken over by the Whalesbone Oyster House and remade as a seafood restaurant.

Since its reinvention, we passed by this restaurant on a few occasions, although it never made it on our ‘must-try’ list. But as fanatic lovers of oysters, Lola finally recommended that we check it out, and so we did!

The restaurant continues to rock the familiar, warm atmosphere of the former tavern, with its minimalist, rustic decor, dim lighting and friendly staff. However, the menu has completely transformed, with a focus on top-notch sustainable seafood.

When we first arrived, we were warmly greeted by our jovial waiter, who we quickly came to call ‘Charlie Day’, for both his sense of humour and uncanny resemblance to the actor. Without delay, he brought us some cold beverages, and then helped guide us through the menu, which consisted of various fresh seafood dishes, served raw, cured, smoked or fried, and other mouth-watering delicacies.

We decided to order a bunch of smaller plates to share, so that we could experience as much of this delicious food as possible! Of course, we had to start with the Oysters on the Half Shell (12 oysters for $35). A tray of pristine, assorted oysters was served with a slew of sauces and garnishes, including fresh horseradish, mignonette and cocktail sauce, and array of other local hot sauces. The oysters were fresh and of top quality.

Oysters on the Half Shell (12 for $35)
Served alongside the oysters was the house bread and butter, which was totally addictive...whipped in-house burnt butter served with first-class sourdough bread. It was truly delicious! But we had to refrain from asking for a refill, as we had a lot more on the menu to taste!

Next up were the Saltfish Fritters ($16), which we were told were a must-try. Five fried fish battered balls were served with tomato sofrito and other delectable, but unknown sauces. This dish was completely on point and certainly did not miss the mark. We quickly understood why this was a crowd pleaser!

Saltfish Fritters ($16)
After that, we went with the Albacore Tuna Crudo topped with pickled pineapple, pork rind, sweet soy and Thai basil ($21), as well as the Mussels, which were served in a curry sauce consisting of coconut milk, kaffir lime, peanut and basil ($17). The tuna was succulent and tasty, as were the mussels. The combination of flavours in both dishes was bang on.

Albacore Tuna Crudo ($21)
Mussels ($17)
We decided to finish off the meal with the Angus Beef Tartar ($18), which the waiter raved was the best in town. It was served in a miso mayo with shallots, herb and egg yolks, accompanied by a few pieces of crostini (which we obviously got topped up). Again our waiter did not disappoint. Hands down, this was the best Beef Tartar that we have ever had. To sum it up, it was heaven in our mouths.

Angus Beef Tartar ($18)
The menu also had three tantalizing dessert options, however, by that point, we were way too full to indulge. So we decided to call it a night. Overall, this was one of my favourite meals I’ve had in a very long time. The food completely surpassed my expectations. The only real disappointment of the night was that they ran out of the Scallop Ceviche. But this just means that we have an excuse to return! Next time, we will coincide our visit with one of their regular live music performances, whether it be DJ spun dance music, duelling pianos or a local artist.

Verdict:  9.5/10 – fresh, delicious seafood served by friendly staff in a cozy atmosphere

Hours: Monday-Tuesday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday & Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Price: Smaller items $12-$20, bigger plates $12-$29

Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, ON
www.elmdaletavern.com