The bagel has long been a great companion to Philly. What do you know about its origins?
The bagel, which was brought over to New York and Montreal with the massive immigration of Eastern Europeans around the turn of the 20th century, has a history full of legend, with its creation linked by most to 17th century Austria and Poland. Today, Montreal and New York still retain the most famous bagels in the world!
The Montreal bagel traditionally contains malt and sugar with no salt and is boiled in water with some honey and then baked in a wood-fired oven. The New York bagel contains salt and malt and is boiled in water prior to baking in a standard oven. The resulting New York bagel is puffy with a moist crust, while the Montreal bagel is slightly smaller, has a larger hole, is crunchier, and is sweeter. Which bagel do you prefer?
Last year, community members launched their own Bagel and Cream Cheese Challenge to make the most creative version of the bagel and cream cheese. They ranged from a Stuffed French Toast Bagel and Chicken Caesar Bagel to a Grilled Bagel with Rosemary-Infused Butter.
What’s your most creative bagel and cream cheese concoction? Tell us about it below!
I've had bagels in both cities and I must say that Montreal bagels have a special place in my heart, maybe it's because of the many times friends gathered to share them in the park or at someone's house on a weekend morning.
As for what I have on my bagel, I'm playing it simple these days. This morning I just opted for onions and tomatoes with cream cheese. This weekend may call for more creative combos.
Haha - I remember that challenge! I am Montreal Style Bagels ALL THE WAY, love the crunch, then the soft dough inside! YUM!
A few weeks ago, I was in New York at a children's literature conference where ever morning they served New York Bagels and cream cheese. They offered a cream cheese with specks of smoked salmon. It was delicious! I enjoyed them immensely. Here at home, in Victoria, BC, we have a montreal bagel factory where we can buy many flavours of bagels. My brother buys them freshly made, cuts them in half and freezes them. When ever he needs a bagel, he pulls it out of the freezer and into the toaster.
My favorite bagel concotion is a sesame seed whole-wheat bagel toasted with a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt and garlic powder. This is an easy breakfast, sometimes I add a thin slice of aged white cheddar on top and then chopped parsley. Many times, I have eaten raw sliced onions with this as well.
T7Y 1G7
Hello, everyone!
During our live chat last fall, I hinted at a great new flavour of cream cheese, and I wasn’t pulling your leg. The new Roasted Garlic Philly is my new favourite. If you like garlic, you’ll love it. It is so great simply spread on a bagel or crackers, but I find it to be a big shortcut to flavours in dishes when I’m cooking.
Anywhere I would usually add garlic, I just add this flavour instead. It provides a rich, smooth garlic flavour with all the creamy goodness of Philly. I decided to use it on a winter version of a classic bruschetta recipe. I was heading to a party and needed an appetizer for a large number of people. In the summer, when tomatoes are fresh, I would have done a nice bruschetta. So it got me thinking how I could adapt it for winter. The addition of thyme instead of the usual basil makes it heartier, and adding a little maple syrup takes bland winter tomatoes into fresh summer flavour. By roasting the tomatoes in the oven at the same time as the bread, you kill two birds with one stone -- saving time and heightening the flavour of the dish! 
Warm Roasted Garlic & Tomato Bruschetta
Prep time: 10 min. | Cooking time: 10 min. | Total time: 25 min. | Servings: 16 (2 pieces each)
Ingredients:
1 (350g) baguette, sliced into 32 x ½” pieces
2 cups halved grape tomatoes
1 tbsp. maple syrup
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 tub (250g) Philadelphia Roasted Garlic cream cheese spread
Directions:
The creamy Roasted Garlic Philly just pulls it all together. It disappeared at my party, and I’m sure it will be a hit for you too.
Cayla Runka, Kraft Kitchens Expert
Just when you thought the excitement over new Philly products might be over with the arrival of Philadelphia Cooking Creme product, it has only just begun. Our new cream cheese flavour, Roasted Garlic, is hitting the shelves!
Who can resist the enticing aroma and flavour of roasted garlic? Add that to the magic creaminess of Philly and we have a surefire winner!
What will you spread Philadelphia Roasted Garlic cream cheese on first? Any toppings? Let us know below!
Happy Friday, Real Women of Philadelphia!
Member Tammy Laroche, of Peterborough, Ontario, owns Parkway Banquet Hall and has loved cooking since she was 5. You could say that cooking is in her blood, as she comes from a family full of foodies, from red seal chefs and bakers to restaurateurs.
About 13 years ago her landlord hired her to work as a banquet server, and after a couple of years asked her to take over the business. “I guess, in a nutshell, I was able to get into the catering business because someone believed in me,” says Tammy. “I could never ask for a more fulfilling career than I have now. With the help of the most amazing staff ever, I get to do what I love every day AND get paid for it!”
Tammy now owns and operates one of the largest venues in her area! “Of course, none of this would be possible if I didn't have such great staff,” she says. “Our customers are always telling me how helpful and friendly the members of the staff are. My staff aren't just co-workers, they are also family.”
We asked Tammy for 5 tips on how to plan meals for big groups. Here’s what she had to say:
1. Know who you are feeding. "A group of men are going to eat more than a group of ladies. Farmers will eat more than office workers. This will also determine things like meat portions, potato portions, salads, gravy, desserts, etc. If you are unsure of the type of eaters you are serving, plan for big eaters!"
2. Know your serving sizes. "My rule of thumb when preparing food for a large or even a small group is to allow 3/4 to 1 pound of meat per person, 1/4 to 1/2 pound of potatoes, about 1/4 pound of vegetables. When it comes to lasagnes and such, I know how many people my trays will serve depending on the size of the buffet they are having. This can be done with normal, home dishes as well. At home, I know my 13x9 pan of lasagne will feed 6 adults. Always err on the side of leftovers. Better to have too much than run out of anything!"
3. Plan your time and your cooking space. "Know how long it will take to prepare each dish and start with the ones that take the longest or need to be chilled. If it is possible to prepare some items the day before, do it. Just be sure to keep enough to do the day of, that your guests are going to walk in to wonderful aromas. Remember coming home after school to the smell of dinner cooking and how wonderful that made you feel, no matter how nasty the weather was?"
4. Trying something new. "If you are going to serve a new recipe, try it on friends and family first. It is a good excuse to have people over for dinner and they will give you honest feedback…at least mine do!"
5. Safety first. "The most important thing to remember about serving food to a large crowd is to make sure the food has been prepared and stored or held safely. Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold, no food should be left at room temperature for more than two hours. It needs to be refrigerated or kept hot. If there is a safe food handlers course available, be sure to take it. Your local Health Unit can help you with this. You really do not want to be responsible for an outbreak of food poisoning."
If you would like to learn more about Tammy and her business, click HERE.
Good morning!
Is today grocery-shopping day in your household? We’ve been reading that in Canada -- and the US -- the number of male grocery shoppers is up! It’s true.
According to recent studies, the percentage of Canadian households where men were the primary grocery shoppers has increased over the years. Why do you think that is?
Who does the grocery shopping in your household?
Is it something you enjoy, or do you quietly wish your significant other would take over the shopping duties?
Real Women of Philadelphia Team
With all the heart-shaped fun that Valentine’s Day brought, the team here started thinking about some of the fun-shaped dishes we’ve seen in our galleries over the past year. Here are a few from that stuck with us:
Lisa McBay's Philly Apple Pies to Go
The Kraft Kitchens team has some great ones as well:
Who wants to play Philadelphia Football?
Or take shelter in a Kraft Cheese Igloo?
We’ve asked you in the past about your edible art, and now we want to know what dishes you’ve “shaped” into something special? Tell us or show us below!
Real Women of Philadelphia Team
Hi everyone,
In honour of Valentine’s Day, we encourage you to show appreciation for the people you love. Show you care by posting your dedication to your sweetheart below! Whether it’s your kids, your spouse, your pet or even someone who doesn’t know it, it’s time to let them know.
We’ll get things started…
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Real Women of Philadelphia Community!
Thank you for sharing your recipes, your stories and love for Phillywith people across Canada!
Love,
The Real Women of Philadelphia Team
Now it’s your turn!
Ah, Valentine’s Day! The nicest day of the year to show those you love your appreciation.
I don’t know about all of you, but my way of showing love is through food. Whether it’s your children, your spouse, your parents or special friends, making food people enjoy and sharing it with them seems to be inherent to those who like to cook and eat!
This year I’ll be spending Valentine’s Day with my sweet 4-year-old, so I’ve chosen some recipes “just for two” that I know he will love. They can easily be doubled or tripled if you are planning a larger celebration. The mini chocolate cheesecakes are perfect for sharing, and the pasta makes me think of the romantic image of two dogs sharing their plate of spaghetti (I won’t name any names, but you know the one!). My son will probably eat his with chopsticks, though, so not quite so romantic :)
I wish you all the best for you and your loved ones this Valentine’s Day and hope you try some of these delicious ideas!
Quick Bruschetta for Two
Prep time: 10 min. | Cooking time: 0 min. | Total time: 10 min. | Servings: 2
Ingredients:
1/4 cup quartered cherry tomatoes or 1/4 cup chopped plum tomatoes
2 tbsp. Kraft part skim Mozzarella shredded cheese
1 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
2 tsp. Kraft 100% Parmesan light* grated cheese
2 tsp. Kraft Calorie-Wise zesty Italian dressing
2 thin slices French bread (1/4 inch thick), toasted
(*Kraft 100% grated Parmesan cheese light has 26% less fat than our regular grated Parmesan cheese.)
Directions:
Kraft Kitchen Tip: Tomato mixture can be prepared ahead of time. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator up to 24 hours.
Shrimp in Love Pasta
Prep time: 10 min. | Cooking time: 20 min. | Total time: 30 min. | Servings: 2
Ingredients:
125g linguine, uncooked
1 cup frozen uncooked cleaned medium shrimp, thawed
3/4 cup (1/2 of 19 fl. oz./ 540mL can) diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup Philadelphia cream cheese spread
1 cup torn fresh spinach leaves
Directions:
Chocolate Cheesecake for Two
Prep time: 10 min. | Cooking time: 2 hrs. | Total time: 2 hrs. 10 min. | Servings: 2
Ingredients:
60g Philadelphia brick cream cheese, softened
1 square Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, melted
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup thawed Cool Whip whipped topping
2 Oreo cookies
Directions:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Cayla Runka, Kraft Kitchens Expert
Good morning!
Tomorrow is V Day, who’s ready to spread some love?
You've shared what your plans are for Valentine's, now we'd love to hear some of your favourite Valentine's memories. Tell us about those romantic dates, those creative presents or how you showed someone special you love with food. Marriage proposals? A collapsed soufflé? We’d love to hear about moments that make you look back and smile and things that make you look back and just plain laugh! Who doesn’t like a good love story?
Post your photos and share your memories below!
Miss Philly
Long-time food lover and food writer Kim Hatcher of Kamloops, British Columbia, runs the culinary site Fig and Pepper along with her tech saavy husband, Steve. While he takes care of what Kim calls the “computer magic,” she takes care of the cooking and photography. And, of course, they both enjoy “devouring the results!” says Kim. “I think it really helps that we approach Fig and Pepper from different angles, and with 2 very different areas of expertise, and yet still get to meet up in the middle at the dinner table.”
In honour of the coming Valentine’s Day, she shared some excellent tips on bringing romance to home-cooked meals with your significant others.
Decorate your dishes or your table.
Kim focuses on the little things: “Cooking and food for both of us is very much a celebration of flavours, colours and ideas. You can turn even the simplest of recipes into something fantastic.” Garnishing her dishes or adding a beautiful table setting can spice up any ordinary meal.
Always remember to share.
Romance can be found not only in the food itself, but also in the way that it is served. “Finger food and foods that need to be shared automatically lend a feeling of connection between people whether it’s a platter of beautiful meats and cheeses, a big bowl of clams and mussels served with fresh bread or a bunch of different little tapas style nibbles.” 
Play to each other’s cooking strengths.
If you’re planning a cooking date night this Valentine’s Day, Kim advises that when there are 2 in the kitchen, you must understand each other’s weaknesses and not make things complicated. “Avoid overly fussy recipes that can turn stressful and divvy up the prep and cooking in a way that will ensure you’re both comfortable and having a good time,” she says. “Music and a glass of wine help, too!” Kim muses that “if you let it, food can do so much more than just fill your belly!”
For those of you in search of the perfect Valentine’s Day tapas treat, try Kim’s recipe for a date with dates.
