Cheap Eats Toronto restaurant guide blog

Today is Mardi Gras!

Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent.  Traditionally, a number of Christian denominations give up lard, flour, sugar, eggs (and more) for Lent.  In an effort to get all the rich foods out of the kitchen before Lent begins, Fat Tuesday became the day that all these delicacies get used up to make pancakes for Pancake Tuesday or paczki or donuts for Paczki Day. 

These days, it’s often a day to search out the cities best pancakes and donuts.

Since Sarah introduced us to paczki in the first edition of CheapEats, it has become a Fat Tuesday tradition here too: "...paczki, a traditional Polish treat. These soft, sweet doughnuts are filled with jam, cheese or poppy seed and almond, and are truly addictive" 

We’re especially fond of the Paczki from Granowska's in Roncesvalles Village. They even have mini-Paczki.  My favourites are the ones filled with rose petal (rosepetle) jam, but they often sell out first, especially on Paczki Day.

What are you going to eat on Fat Tuesday:  Pancakes or Paczki?

Sarah Ramsey’s Favourite Foodie Things for 2008

Sarah covers off her favourite cookbook, most envied job, farmer’s market and pear in her round up of favourites:

David Tanis' A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes ($47.95) is a lush cookbook written by the man whose job I envy the most; he works 6 months of the year at the famed Chez Panisse and the rest of the year travels around the world sourcing new ingredients. The colour photography accompanies simple, charming and beautifully written recipes, using only fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The East Lynn Farmers' Market is held Thursdays from 4-7 and it's where to find the best Flemish Beauty pears when in season. This variety is my favourite; round and supple with a ruby blush on its green flesh, a Flemish Beauty is sweet and surprising in a pie or cobbler, especially paired with a tart cranberry. Best from late August to early October.

Sarah is passionate about food and books. She’s been a regular contributor to CheapEats since 2003 and can be found all across Toronto testing out all-day breakfasts, sourcing ingredients for her latest food explorations, perusing cookbooks and travelling west for paczi’s.