Kamilah Khelili, Author at Food Health & Parenting Tips

Patria x Weslodge Paella & Aperol Summer Party

Kamilah Khelili — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 15:54:20 +0000

Every year, once a year, the people of the tiny village of Benaojan, in Andalusia, Spain, gather for an epic feast to celebrate Spain’s national dish, paella. With 400 pounds of meat, seafood, and rice, the whole town of about 1500 is fed. I found out about this fantastic tradition years ago, on Jamie Oliver’s Great Food Escapes show. I vowed that one day, I would see it (and participate in the eating process obviously) for myself.

Time has passed and I have yet to experience the amazingness that must be cooking and eating a ginormous paella in some remote corner of Spain. I have, however, had the pleasure of enjoying various unforgettable versions of the dish in its country of origin; and have since come to deeply appreciate it in all its forms, from the classic Valencian original with chicken and rabbit, to creative seafood renditions found along the coast.

When I heard that Patria and Weslodge restaurants decided to get together for a paella patio party, I thought: this is the closest I have gotten to my dream Benaojan experience; I’ll take it! For $12, guests could get a plate full of freshly made seafood paella or an Aperol Spritz for $5. Though the thing to do was to order a combo where for $15, a total steal, diners got to enjoy both.

As far as presentation goes, Patria did not disappoint. The pans used definitely couldn’t feed 1500 people, but they were nevertheless impressive and highly Instagram-worthy. The cooking execution itself was done beautifully; with each portion containing a solid balance between al dente rice, and the crunchy bits everyone loves. The seafood items, such as shrimp, mussels, and scallops, amazed me by how wonderfully tender they were. However, when it came to the dish’s depth of flavor, I was unimpressed. Paella has one of the deepest, most easily recognizable flavors when done right. While the overall plate tasted fine, it was missing that extra oomph that turns a paella from good to exceptional.

To accompany the food, Weslodge was serving guests a refreshing Aperol Spritz. The first time I tried this famous drink, was three years ago. I remember gagging and passing the glass across the table to a friend. A year later, an Italian bartender told me that trying Aperol the first time is very much like your first sexual experience: awkward and forgettable. Yet like sexual encounters, the more you drink Aperol, the more you like it. By the fifth time you have it, you will be hooked, he reassured me. Weslodge’s spritz was my fourth encounter. And if I’m honest, it’s growing on me.

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FIFA World Cup Viewing Party at Cabana Pool Bar

Kamilah Khelili — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 16:20:29 +0000

Despite being Brazilian, my relationship to soccer, or any sport for that matter, has always been apathetic to say the least. This year, for the first time ever, I actually cared a little about the World Cup. When the opportunity to attend Toronto’s Official FIFA World Cup Viewing Party hosted by the city’s hottest summer club, Cabana Pool Bar, along with Budweiser, I jumped at the occasion. The fact that my own country had been eliminated was irrelevant to me. We have already won more than any other team: five times to be exact. My best friend, and plus one at the event, is Croatian. He felt so emotionally invested in his home country’s first potential win, the sentiment was infectious.

Attendees came dressed head to toe in the colors of their chosen team (funnily enough, both France’s and Croatia’s flags are the same colors), enthusiastically waving their flags. The match was broadcasted in a massive 40ft screen that could be seen from almost anywhere in the club. Every time a team scored, fiery smoke and bumping music would be released into the air in celebration while guests sipped their Buds.

The club organized a competition where soccer fans got to try scoring into a net floating on the pool for a chance to win an exclusive trip to the winning country. As we all know by now, Croatia lost. Yet it didn’t matter.

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Una publicación compartida de Cabana Pool Bar (@cabanapoolbar) el 24 Ago, 2019 a las 7:00 PDT

Cabana is easily the best party spot during the summer. Soccer fan or not, the event itself was an Instagram-appropriate paradise. Cabana is worth visiting just for the insane views it boasts of the Toronto harbor, the gorgeous staff, the delicious drinks, and of course, the pool.

Even though Croatia didn’t win, the mere fact that they had made it to a World Cup final for the first time ever, was enough reason to celebrate. Everyone, including my fellow Croatian, was in a commemoratory mood, exactly what I had been hoping for. The great electronic music, perfect white decorations and flowing drinks made the day just the more special.

~ Cabana Pool Bar, 11 Polson St, Toronto, (416) 479-7645 ~

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Toronto’s Hottest Food Hall, Now at Your Door

Kamilah Khelili — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 14:00:14 +0000

When I lived in Europe during my university years, one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon was by eating my way through one of the many vibrant food halls found in any major city. There, purveyors serving every type of food and cuisine would gather under one roof for what foodies alike would consider a culinary amusement park. I remember thinking, we need something similar in Toronto. Thankfully, this year, my prayers were answered in the form of Assembly Chef’s Hall: an 18 000-square foot gastronomic playground featuring some of the cities’ most beloved dining establishments.

With its diversity of enticing food and beverage options, it is no surprise it has become a culinary destination. Now, there is a new way to enjoy the hall’s delicious offerings without leaving the comfort of your own seat. Assembly Chef’s Hall has partnered up with online food delivery company Foodora to reach hungry patrons beyond its walls. Foodora is the only platform where customers can order their Assembly meals ahead to be delivered at their preferred time. Making the ordering process straightforward, each vendor has their own store on the website. For diners who are unsure, Foodora has included a “Best of Assembly” section, consisting of the hall’s most popular items.

At their event celebrating the new partnership with Foodora, I had the pleasure of sampling some of Assembly’s best eats. The evening began with gluten-free, vegan, and organic Kensington hotspot Hibiscus. We were served a colorful 42-ingredient salad, comprised of items such as quinoa, sweet potato, beans, and broccoli: a filling bowl that would satisfy any carnivore.

Even the most devoted foodie must admit they have a soft spot for a classic Big Mac. Little Dailo’s bao version tastes exactly like the real deal, except better. The Good Son delighted everyone with a selection of assorted Neapolitan pizzas, from the traditional margherita, oozing with seductively melted mozzarella, to the delicious meaty spicy soppressata, as well as the bright and fresh eggplant ricotta salata. Colibri featured two adorable little handmade corn tortilla tacos: their famous cochinita pibil, made with pork, achiote chili, and pickled red onion, plus a vegan mushroom al pastor, topped with a refreshing pineapple salsa.

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Una publicación compartida de Colibrí (@colibritoronto) el 6 Sep, 2019 a las 3:04 PDT

Bluenose’s lobster rolls, adapted into smaller interpretations, could have certainly been done in their normal full size. The luxurious juicy meat led everyone to reach for a second, maybe a third, of the perfect tiny buns. Lastly, guests indulged in an assortment of precious mini cupcakes from Short & Sweet Bakery.

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Una publicación compartida de Short & Sweet Bakeshop (@shortandsweetcupcakes) el 23 Jul, 2018 a las 10:06 PDT

I personally reached for a decadent red velvet with cream cheese. I also allowed myself a classic vanilla cupcake, topped with a beautiful hot pink icing and festive rainbow sprinkles. With such an array of luscious choices, do yourself a favor and skip your usual fast-food delivery.

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Kanpai to Summer!

Kamilah Khelili — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 02:32:17 +0000

In an interview with Maxim magazine last year, late culinary hero Anthony Bourdain declared that if he had to pick one country to be stuck in forever, it would be Japan. While I have never been to the country myself, I can understand why. I love every type of Japanese food, from yakitori to ramen, and most of all, sushi. During my past life as a sushi cook, I learned how this beloved food item is one of the most intricately delicate dishes to make. I have since found myself on a never-ending search for the best sushi restaurants around.

Aburi Sashimi via mikutoronto.com

Bringing to Toronto an element of Japanese finesse in the art of sushi making is Miku, the first East Coast location of famed Aburi Restaurants. To celebrate summer, the restaurant hosted a patio event with a selection of their acclaimed Aburi Sushi and canapés, as well a variety of premium sakes. Aburi, meaning “flamed seared”, is Miku’s specialty. For the evening, the restaurant featured two of their most popular aburi oshi (pressed) sushi: the ebi, comprised of prawn, lime zest, and ume sauce, and the salmon, made with BC wild sockeye salmon, jalapeño, and Miku sauce. Both were the stars of the event, with constant lines forming around the aburi station. A few tables down, attendees were presented with two beautiful types of oysters, sourced from our very own Maritimes region: The Raspberry Point, a sweeter, brinier variety, and the Chebooktoosk oyster, for those who prefer a meatier option. Next, rows of vibrant sockeye salmon poke on a crispy lettuce leaves as well as spoons full of aburi albacore tuna with masatake sauce were elegantly displayed.

Aburi Prime via mikutoronto.com/

The canapés passed around were just as enticing. Their signature Miku roll – made of salmon, crab, cucumber, rolled in tobiko, and finished with Miku’s secret sauce, plus the Red Wave Roll, with prawn and avocado wrapped in red tuna, and masatake sauce, were equally delicious. Moreover, the vegetarian Garden Roll, filled with avocado, red bell pepper, cucumber, shiso, wrapped with pickled watermelon radish, and topped with moromi miso was a colorful surprise.

Another favorite of mine was the tender and juicy kabayaki glazed octopus, served on skewers with baby potatoes, and black garlic aioli. The ebi fritter with soy balsamic and sweet chili aioli was highly addictive. As for dessert, their green tea opera genoise, made with hazelnut wafer, adzuki bean cream, and dark chocolate ganache – which apparently takes three days to prepare, is definitely worth the effort. Only two dishes didn’t make my taste buds sing: the aburi beef carpaccio on wasabi masatake and the crispy tempeh and pickled market vegetables. While nothing was particularly wrong, compared to the other amazing offerings, I found them easily forgettable.

Sashimi, Kabayaki Soy Glazed Octopus, and Beef Carpaccio with Shaved Foie Gras Torchon via mikutoronto.com

Though I consider myself very comfortable with Japanese food, I cannot say the same for sake. Miku’s event presented me with a great opportunity to learn more about the country’s cherished rice wine. Guests were welcomed with a special aburi Ginjo sake Sangria. Delicious and refreshing. My sake tasting tour then began with an exclusive Jikon sake, which has yet to be released at LCBO, from Kanazawa’s oldest brewery, Fukumitsuya. Made with water that spends at least a hundred years filtering underground, the brewery’s sake is filled with essential minerals, which make it taste so extraordinary.

Feeling like I had just experienced a revelation, I was ready for more. My second sake came in the form of a Taiheizan Chogestu Junmai Ginjo from Kimura Imports. Very fragrant in sweet aromas, it reminded me of a Sauvignon Blanc, my favorite type of wine. Moving on, I was about to be even more amazed. My following drink was an Aizu Homare Strawberry Nigori. I had never had anything like it. Imagine a strawberry yogurt smoothie, but alcoholic. Amazing!

Following, I was excited to try the Izumi Gold Junmai Ginja Sake, made with local Ontario spring water right here in Toronto at the Distillery District. Nearing the end of my tour, I had yet to taste a sparkling sake. Normally, they are meant to be drank as an aperitif, but I wanted to leave my personal favorite for last. I opted for the Hakkaisan Sparkling Nigori, bright with fresh flavors, the right level of acidity, and a lovely bouquet of smells.

Laurent-Perrier Rosé via mikutoronto.com

As I was making my way towards the exit, an adorable girly pink and orange bottle caught my attention. It turned to be a Japanese peach liqueur called Momo, perfect for dessert I was told. Intense and sweet, it was just the right ending I didn’t even know I needed to an already amazing evening. I will be saying Kanpai way more often now!

~ Miku, 10 Bay St # 105, Toronto, (647) 347-7347 ~

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