Winterlicious debuted in 2003 to promote Toronto’s restaurant industry during the slower winter months. Since then, the event has grown significantly, reportedly serving over 450,000 meals annually. This year, more than 230 places offer three course, fixed price menus at reduced rates. Six of these are within an easy walk of my office on the Danforth.

Zero are available in Weston.

So I’m doing my own Weston Winterlicious. My criteria? walking distance from my house; food cooked onsite; table service; and open for lunch.

As I do most meals, I started with a little diced red onion in oil. I’m experimenting with grape-seed oil these days. I haven’t really concluded it’s any better or worse than any veg oil. A pretty benign flavour though. As the onion softened, I cut up an old half brie in the fridge. I was debating whether it would ultimately end up in the green bin but thought I’d give it another chance. And I got a pot going to boil macaroni and turned on the oven to 350.

Winterlicious debuted in 2003 to promote Toronto’s restaurant industry during the slower winter months. Since then, the event has grown significantly, reportedly serving over 450,000 meals annually. This year, more than 230 places offer three course, fixed price menus at reduced rates. Six of these are within an easy walk of my office on the Danforth.

Zero are available in Weston.

So I’m doing my own Weston Winterlicious. My criteria? walking distance from my house; food cooked onsite; table service; and open for lunch.

Winterlicious debuted in 2003 to promote Toronto’s restaurant industry during the slower winter months. Since then, the event has grown significantly, reportedly serving over 450,000 meals annually. This year, more than 230 places offer three course, fixed price menus at reduced rates. Six of these are within an easy walk of my office on the Danforth.

Zero are available in Weston.

So I’m doing my own Weston Winterlicious. My criteria? walking distance from my house; food cooked onsite; table service; and open for lunch.

Most meals are amped up with mushrooms and the dried version are a particular favourite of mine. So much so that rather than feeling overwhelmed by its size, I was delighted when a friend gave me the 1/2 kg container of mixed dried mushrooms from Costco for Christmas. For mushrooms, I’ll do some rearranging!

Winterlicious debuted in 2003 to promote Toronto’s restaurant industry during the slower winter months. Since then, the event has grown significantly, reportedly serving over 450,000 meals annually. This year, more than 230 places offer three course, fixed price menus at reduced rates. Six of these are within an easy walk of my office on the Danforth.

Zero are available in Weston.

So I’m doing my own Weston Winterlicious. My criteria? walking distance from my house; food cooked onsite; table service; and open for lunch.

Winterlicious debuted in 2003 to promote Toronto’s restaurant industry during the slower winter months. Since then, the event has grown significantly, reportedly serving over 450,000 meals annually. This year, more than 230 places offer three course, fixed price menus at reduced rates. Six of these are within an easy walk of my office on the Danforth.

Zero are available in Weston.

So I’m doing my own Weston Winterlicious. My criteria? walking distance from my house; food cooked onsite; table service; and open for lunch.

Driving home from work, I listen to Here and Now, CBC Toronto’s drive-time talk show. On Thursdays, their chef guest answers callers’ food-related questions. This week, a listener asked how to prepare rapini. I was inspired. It’s been awhile since I’ve had any. I picked some up at the grocery store today, with a plan.

Winterlicious debuted in 2003 to promote Toronto’s restaurant industry during the slower winter months. Since then, the event has grown significantly, reportedly serving over 450,000 meals annually. This year, more than 230 places offer three course, fixed price menus at reduced rates. Six of these are within an easy walk of my office on the Danforth.

Zero are available in Weston.

So I’m doing my own Weston Winterlicious. My criteria? walking distance from my house; food cooked onsite; table service; and open for lunch.