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Culinary Retreat

Ste. Anne’s Salted Caramel Toffee

June 7, 2014 By Lena

One of the highlights of my recent Culinary Retreat to Ste. Anne’s Spa was of course, a visit to Ste. Anne’s Bakery. Here, you’ll find freshly prepared, gluten-free baked goods and a wide selection of cookies, cakes, breads, jams, chocolates and fruit butters made from products found on the Ste. Anne’s property. The bakery serves organic, locally roasted coffee and specialty teas, as well as quiche made with a gluten-free crust, fresh salads and a variety of wraps and sandwiches.

At the bakery, I found a little slice of heaven – in the form of Salted Caramel Toffee. This scrumptious brittle treat is dangerously addictive, combining smooth dark chocolate with a salty pecan crunch. For weeks, I thought about returning to the bakery just to splurge on a few confectionery delights… and Chef Khushroo must have sensed my obsession, because Ste. Anne’s recently published the recipe on their blog!

Caramel_Toffee

Hence, I’m going to save my husband the drive and attempt this chocolatey treat at home first. And as someone who has enjoyed this toffee first-hand, trust me, this recipe’s a keeper!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup glucose or corn syrup
4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups dark chocolate (60-70%)
1 cup pecans (optional)

Caramelize sugar, butter, vanilla extract and glucose until golden brown over high heat. Line baking tray with parchment paper. Pour ingredients onto tray, cover with parchment paper and use rolling pin to smooth. Let cool at room temperature for 4-5 hours.

Set a stainless steel bowl over a boiling pot of water. Add 1 cup of chocolate and stir until melted, then add remainder of chocolate until melted (stir occasionally).

Remove parchment paper and spread melted chocolate over toffee. Add pecans immediately, before chocolate solidifies. Flip and remove parchment paper on the other side and repeat process. Keep at room temperature until solid, break into desired pieces and enjoy!

CHEF’S CHOCOLATE TIPS:

• Avoid water from contaminating the chocolate
• Working temperature of chocolate should be 32ºC, highest melting temperatures should be about 46º-50ºC
• Adding additional chocolate aids crystallization, snap break, glossy appearance and shelf life

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Culinary Retreat, recipe, Salted Caramel Toffee, Ste. Anne's Spa

WIN a Ste. Anne’s Culinary Retreat (Value $1,100!)

May 26, 2014 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Okay, so by now, I know you may be a *little* envious of my recent Culinary Retreat to Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, ON. And trust me, I understand! Voted Canada’s Favourite Spa 2006 – 2013 (Spafinder Readers), the destination spa boasts an invigorating, Old World atmosphere, exceptional spa services and tantalizing menus.

Springtime-at-Ste.-Annes-Spa_thumbMy husband and I celebrated my birthday weekend with two glorious days of serenity, pampering, and most importantly, sumptuous gastronomic delights prepared by Ste. Anne’s talented culinary team. And to top it all off – a private lesson with Pastry Chef Khushroo, the world-renowned chocolatier and confectionery genius. If you happened to miss my posts, you can always check them out here:

Thirty-Six Reasons to Go on a Culinary Adventure
Recipe: Ste. Anne’s Almond Cookies
Gastropost: Ste. Anne’s Spa Dining Room Menu
Ste. Anne’s Spa: The Art of Chocolate

Well, the time has come to stop teasing you and offer up something BIG – you too can experience a Culinary Retreat at Ste. Anne’s! That’s right – one lucky reader will win a Culinary Retreat for Two at Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, ON!

Included in the prize:

Overnight accommodations for two (2) in a beautiful deluxe room at The Main Inn (midweek stay; Mon-Thur)
A 3-hour culinary class (offered at dinner time) at their new culinary facility at Maison Santé
A 30-minute demonstration at Ste. Anne’s Bakery, which specializes in freshly prepared, gluten-free baked goods
$120 in spa allowance for each guest; you may choose from Ste. Anne’s full range of spa treatments
Breakfast for two, a 3-course lunch for two, and afternoon tea for two (see menus here)

For a total value of $1,100! Please note that transportation to/from the spa is not included in this prize, so whether you live near or far, you’ll have to find your own ride. Ste. Anne’s Spa is conveniently located just one hour east of Toronto. Trust me folks, this is a destination spa – worth the visit!

To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck all! …

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Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Culinary Retreat, family travel, health and wellness, Ontario Tourism, spa food, Ste. Anne's Spa

Ste. Anne’s Spa: The Art of Chocolate

May 13, 2014 By Lena

By now, I hope you’ve read up on my Culinary Retreat at Ste. Anne’s Spa. Nestled in a private cottage just a stone’s throw away from the main inn, my husband and I enjoyed the many delights of the property, in addition to a private lesson with their celebrated Pastry Chef Khushroo Khambata.

Ste. Anne's Bakery DemoInterested in learning a few new culinary tips while you’re at Ste. Anne’s Spa? Join Pastry Chef Khushroo on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at the Bakery for a complimentary demonstration. The topics of these demonstrations vary from day-to-day, but could be on anything from moulding chocolates and bonbons, to creating marzipan fruits, to designing artistic sugar creations. On our visit, we made colourful handmade moulded chocolates. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Culinary Retreat, family travel, health and wellness, Ontario Tourism, spa food, Ste. Anne's Spa

Gastropost: Ste. Anne’s Spa Dining Room Menu

April 19, 2014 By Lena

Indulge without the guilt; as a Canadian health spa, Ste. Anne’s believes in nourishing the body on all levels.

My recently Culinary Retreat at Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, ON was everything I could have imagined, and more. Nestled in a private cottage just a stone’s throw away from the main inn, my husband and I enjoyed the many delights of Ste. Anne’s Spa, in addition to a private lesson with their celebrated Pastry Chef Khushroo Khambata. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my experience – everything from the accommodations to our chocolate-making triumph. Today’s entry is a gastropost dedicated to the sumptuous delights you’ll find at the main dining room.

Ste. Anne’s is an all-inclusive destination spa; whether you choose a day or overnight getaway, your stay will include at the minimum two culinary experiences in their dining room. For overnight guests, your stay includes a 4-course dinner, breakfast, 3-course lunch and afternoon tea.

“Relaxation would not be complete without taking care of the great appetite that develops during your stay at the spa. We have gone to great lengths to put together a dining experience that is both healthy and wholesome. You will notice that we don’t discuss calories or fat content on our menus. If your requirements are left wanting by our philosophy please feel free to ask the chef to prepare a special meal. The dress code in the dining room is very casual, be yourself, and be relaxed!

Our culinary team considers the healing powers of food for the body and soul when creating Ste. Anne’s breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Specifically designed to intrigue and delight, each dish generates a strong response from guests who appreciate the creativity while taking comfort in knowing that every ingredient is hand-selected after thorough consideration.”

Upon arriving at the spa, we were treated to the most delightful afternoon tea.

I highly recommend the Sampler Plate, which achieves the perfect balance between sweet and savoury. All baked goods are prepared fresh daily by Ste. Anne’s gluten free bakery, and although the menu has been created for simplicity, guests can feel free to choose their favourite items for a special, personalized plate.

Above: Smoked salmon pinwheel with a spinach flavoured wrap, fresh sprouts, herb and honey mustard; open-faced cucumber sandwich with sundried tomato cream cheese and fresh chopped herbs, served with havarti and old orange cheddar cheese, crackers and dried cranberries. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Culinary Retreat, family travel, health and wellness, Ontario Tourism, Ste. Anne's Spa

Recipe: Ste. Anne’s Almond Cookies

April 13, 2014 By Lena

Friends, I’m off to the spa for two glorious days! And since I’ll be spending most of Monday morning at a private baking lesson with Ste. Anne’s Pastry Chef Khushroo Khambata, I thought it was only polite to share his recipe for Almond Cookies. These addictive treats are easy to make, chewy and flavourful – as well as being gluten and sugar free (win-win-win!). I’m very much looking forward to my mini vacation!

2 1/2 cups Almond flour – 1 cup Raisins – 1 cup Walnuts – 1 cup Unsweetened coconut – 1 cup Chocolate chips – 1 cup Pecan chopped – 1 cup Currants – 1/2 cup Melted butter – 2 cups Honey – 3 Eggs – 2 tsp Baking soda – 1/3 tsp Salt – 4 tsp Almond extract – 1 pinch Cinnamon – 1 pinch Clove

Preheat oven to 300ºF. Mix together the melted butter and honey. Mix in one egg at a time until combined. In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients together. Stir in raisins, walnuts, coconut, chocolate chips, pecans and currants. Drop by teaspoon onto parchment lined baking tray, slightly flattening cookies with fork. Baking for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Ste. Anne’s Spa Bakery specializes in freshly prepared, gluten-free baked goods. Click here for more information.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Culinary Retreat, family travel, health and wellness, Ontario Tourism, recipe, Ste. Anne's Spa

Thirty-Six Reasons to Go on a Culinary Adventure

April 8, 2014 By Lena

There are two things in life you simply can’t escape: taxes, and getting old.

(Except if you’re Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, in which case you’re really just trying to avoid the tax man while growing “young” into a hot babe. Side note – Brad Pitt, circa 2004, was what fantasies were made of.)

Alas, I am growing old… but I’m not old just yet. It’s my 36th birthday this Sunday! Now I’m not one to have over-the-top celebrations, per se… but I do like to do something simple and special to acknowledge the day. Of course, I don’t think I’ll ever beat my 35th birthday, when I met Oprah Winfrey (<< shameless photo plug), but I’ve got something amazing lined up just the same.

As a guest of Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, Ontario – I will be embarking on a healing weekend of rest, relaxation and culinary delights. Voted Canada’s Favourite Spa 2006 – 2013 (Spafinder Readers), the destination spa boasts an invigorating, Old World atmosphere, exceptional spa services and tantalizing menus.

Picture it: The Main Inn and Ontario spa cottages are nestled across over 400 acres of scenic, rolling countryside; each uniquely appointed accommodation features its own style and amenities. More than 35 rejuvenating spa treatments revitalize and soothe the senses while the culinary team creates scrumptious cuisine which delights the palette. Now I *could* go through all the amazing spa treatments that Ste. Anne’s offers, but really, you can simply check them out here. And while I’m very much looking forward to a weekend of pampering, what I’m most excited about is the Culinary Retreat that my husband and I will be treated to. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Culinary Retreat, family travel, health and wellness, Ontario Tourism, Ste. Anne's Spa

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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