Apple Crisps

There's nothing greasy about these chips. Churned out in bagfuls by my father, they're made by dehydrating thinly sliced New Brunswick Cortlands. If you have a dehydrator of your own, you can make chips like this from any variety. Here in Ontario, I go for Galas and Lobos.

If you're thinking about your health these days, these little busters are full of vitamins and fiber. On occasion, Dad even dusts them with cinnamon, a spice that's been found to help balance blood sugar.

You can buy dried fruit snacks in grocery stores, but they are often exorbitantly-priced. Check natural food stores and bulk stores for cheaper chips.

More Fall posts in the pipe. See them soon!

Eat My City

Ottawa residents are used to hearing constant whinging about the food scene (or lack of it) in the nation’s capital. Our sushi isn’t Toronto-grade, our bistros and smoked meat not up to Montreal standards. We lack New York’s 24-hour pulse, and even Gatineau, our Francophone sister-across-the-river, outshines our atmosphere, charm, and that extra bit of je ne sais quoi.

But devoted fans of local food know that eating well in Ottawa doesn’t take a great deal of insider knowledge. You just have to leave the baditude at home. I just checked out Enroute Magazine’s most recent top ten list: best new resties across Canada. Reading about all those great spots inspired me to jot down a few of my most recent Ottawa food obsessions.

1. Hino – Tastes like Mom’s cooking, if your mother is Japanese. Big home style plates of teriyaki chicken, slippery noodles, rice, and salad. Butter-soft calamari in warm ginger dressing. Japanese curries, delicate pork chops, cold bottled beer, and an unpretentious dining room fill out a happy Hino meal.

2. Organic local spaghetti squash – Admittedly, these babies are from Quebec, but hey, we’ve got em here for the buying. At 99 cents a pound, no less. My technique: roast them till the skins brown for a smokier, richer flavour. Then douse them with butter and parmesan. Herb and Spice, 1273 Wellington W.

3. #418 – Although I was raised on meat and potatoes, noodle bowls have become comfort food for me during my time in Ottawa. Phnom Penh Noodle House does them fresh and fast for about eight bucks. #418 is topped with thinly-sliced fried tofu that tastes better than candy. Bonus: A jar of fire-engine house-made hot sauce sits on every table.

4. Gooney’s – I lived downtown for two years, moved to the West end, and then discovered this mad sandwich shop in my old neighborhood. Located right downtown where you need it most, Gooney’s serves warm sammies on the freshest buns this side of a teenager. 360 Laurier W.

5. Sconewitch – She brews one of Ottawa’s most perfect brunches. Eggs scrambled with what can only be mascarpone cream and topped with meaty mushroom ragout. Served alongside a thoughtful fruit salad of miniature grapes, ripe strawberries, and a slice of star fruit; a pile of greens with sweet Dijon dressing; and your choice of warm scone and jam. The ginger currant with a pot of lemon curd makes my hair curl every time.

There you have it. What Ottawa foods get your juices flowing? Send me a note and I'll give them space sometime this week. bitehardottawa@gmail.com

Bite Back!

It's true: we were in a jam. But now Bite Hard is back!

I've got a load of Fall vegetables, hot lunches, and homemade treats to tell you about, so let's get down to business.

Kirbies, I love

There was a time when my mother used kirby cucumbers for pickling. That's what most people still do with them. But as the phrase goes in New Brunswick: they're also 'good eatin' cucumbers. They're seedless like an English cuke, but nutty-tasting. I think the nuttiness comes from the 'burps' (or bumps), but maybe not. Too much burpiness though can make for a bitter taste.

If yours are bitter, just slice them up and soak in a bit of salted water. Cindy did that last week when I went over for lunch. We had a late summer feast in her backyard, eating roasted tomatoes; fennel seed bread; pretty peeled beets, spicy salmon leftovers; a Japanese salad of sliced kirbies, radishes and their tops, and sesame seeds; and a drop or two of sake.

Get them at any market while they last. Good-bye summer.