Today, we're happy to share a guest blog from Indigo Bookseller Annette Smith.  

If you are Canadian and are an avid Food Network junkie, you surely have heard of Chuck Hughes, host of Chuck’s Day Off.  Back in November 2010, Hughes released an entirely French version of Garde Manger (cleverly named after his first restaurant in old Montreal).  Finally, the English version of Garde Manger has hit the shelves featuring recipes from his show, from his restaurant and from his heart.  Boy, does this guy have heart.

As if Chuck wasn’t dreamy enough to look at; his newest book comes complete with a heartfelt thank you to all of his staff, his book is dedicated “for anyone who’s ever cooked on the line or washed dishes” and a photo with his mother in the back of the book (sigh)!  It’s no secret that Chuck gives back to his community. He's very open on his show about coming from a troubled background and how cooking “saved his life” so to speak. His passion for cooking and food shines through every word in this book.

Let’s talk about the recipes.  There’s a whole chapter titled “Amaaazing” with dishes like Lobster Poutine, Preserved Pork Belly (are you drooling yet?!) and of course what would a French-Canadian book be without some foie gras?  Duck Breast and Foie Gras in a Red Wine sauce?!  Yes please!  Another cool factor is almost every recipe in this book has a crisp, detailed photo to go along with it. Included also are photos of Chuck’s staff along with various nooks and crannies around the restaurant. This book is a labour of love with entire chapters dedicated to cocktails, seafood, small plates and “potato crazy” – Chuck’s homage to the potato!  “Staff Meals” is another chapter showcasing new recipes that his staff share with one another such as: Chipotle Pork Chops with Potato Risotto or Veal Cheeks in Beer (yum!).

The book ends with an entire chapter dedicated to desserts: Fried Mars Bar, Rocky Road Brownies and his mom’s famous pecan pie.  For those who don’t know, Hughes’ mother was the reason Garde Manger began serving desert and her pecan pie is a staple at the restaurant.  Remembering “tastes of childhood” is Chuck’s entire philosophy for his dessert menu; thus it's fitting that the inspiration came from his own mother.

Garde Manger is full of recipes that are ultimate comfort foods; the ingredients are all relatively easy to find, recipes range in level of difficulty. I guarantee anyone could find at least a few recipes that they are DYING to try.  If I had to say though, I believe this book is for the foodie nerd (like myself).  The one that dreams in food, gushes about that restaurant they went to last weekend, gets a wave of excitement when they discover a new flavour.  This is the kind of book where you want to lock yourself away for a week and try each and every single recipe.  For now that just might have to do seeing as there’s about a six month waiting list to get into the Garde Manger restaurant.

A few weeks ago we launched our quirkiest, most vibrant collection for baby yet—featuring pops of colour, fun prints and an assortment of adorable accessories . Designed in-house by our team of baby experts, we’ve crafted a jungle-themed collection of organic cotton onesies, cozy blankets, plush toys, and room décor  that are perfect for mixing and matching to create a unique gift for the new baby in your life!

Baby Blues

 In the sweetest shade of baby blue, our Canal Blue Striped Onesies are made with 100% organic cotton for ultra soft and cozy comfort on baby’s delicate skin. Adorned with the necessary set of bottom-snaps and packaged in a giftbox—making it easy to wrap, or add to a gift basket as is. 

Our Blue Elephant Rattle is the perfect size for little hands to grasp, attach it to the outside of a gift for a fun add-on. The Whale Silhouette Pillow is a personal favourite—it will look adorable nestled in Baby’s crib or as a plush to cuddle.

In anticipation of the tasty and fragrant herbs that will soon be sprouting in our gardens, we’ve dug up a delicious recipe from the book Home Herbal to inspire and excite our fellow green-thumbs. Whether you’re a newbie gardener or a seasoned pro, this A-to-Z directory is packed with useful information and tips for cooking, brewing, blending and cleaning with over 100 key herbs. After you bookmark this delicious recipe, browse our online Garden Shop for grow kits, planters, tools and more!  

Goji berry and mint soup
Rejuvenates skin

Makes 4 servings

Goji has become famous through the centuries as a food that protects the body from premature aging. It is now recognized as a “superfood,” being a rich source of antioxidants and a tonic that alleviates anxiety and stress, promotes a lighter, more cheerful mood, improves sleep, and increases energy and strength.

Ingredients
31⁄2oz (100g) dried goji berries
1 tbsp olive oil
3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
2 beefsteak tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
1 pint (600ml) vegetable stock
1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped, plus extra to garnish

Method
1. Wash the berries and soak them in water for a few minutes to rehydrate them. Heat the oil in a saucepan, sauté the shallots for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes and goji berries. Stir for few minutes before adding the stock. Stir and simmer for another 20 minutes.

2. Add the mint leaves and remove from the heat. Pourthe mixture into a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Serve garnished with the extra mint leaves.

Note: To peel the tomatoes, cut a cross incision through the skin at the base of the tomato and place in a heatproof bowl. Pour over boiling water to cover and leave to stand for a few minutes. Remove the tomatoes from the water with a slotted spoon. The skin should now peel away easily.