JAKE's World: Au Marché!

cheeses at Atwater Market

While we were in France, we reconnected with the joys of shopping at local markets, choosing our menu based on what the farmers had to offer that day. Some of the foods we loved to eat in France were the cheeses, the salaisons, the wine (of course), the baguettes and croissants. Even the butter tastes better! The girls discovered 'les sirops à l'eau'.

Upon our return home, I wanted to continue to live the 'market' experience. I have to admit that I love walking through local markets, taking in the sights and wonderful smells, buying a treat or two to take home and add to our evening meal. We rediscovered a couple of local markets here in Toronto. The girls and I went to the North York Farmers' Market (Thursdays at Mel Lastman Square on Yonge Street). We also visited Reesor's Farmers Market in Markham on our way home from a morning of mini-golf at Timbercreek (Stouffville).

These were wonderful markets to find fresh produce and local products (I stocked up on honey! Yumm!). But it is very hard (maybe impossible) to find the salaisons/sausissons or cheeses 'au lait cru' here. We also were on the hunt for the syrups the girls liked to add to water for special drinks. In France, there is a brand of syrups called Teisseire. We found them in the grocery stores while on vacation but did not have any luck here in Toronto. However, in doing some research online, I found a store in Montreal that was rumoured to carry these fruity syrups.

Hanging out at Atwater Market!

On recent trip to Montreal, we went to Atwater Market one morning. JACKPOT! We walked in and the first kiosk we crossed was a sausage and salaisons vendor from les Iles de la Madeleine! We bought a piece for our 'apéro'! We walked a little further and found the store with Teisseire lining its store front window!

salaison - Check!

Teisseire - Check!!

J'ai mon sirop citron-vert!

We also ended up buying an early anniversary/birthday present in the form of a cheese friller. We also bought a 'tête de moine' cheese, something we also discovered in France. We must admit that it doesn't taste the same as the one we ate in France. I think something happens to these cheeses when they are shipped over the Atlantic!!

On our way out of the market, we walked passed the crêpe kiosk. And yes, he was making them on the flat round griddles like the ones in Paris! Cool.

P.S. We enjoyed our treasures that evening during 'apéro' but of course we also had to stop at Lafleur's at lunchtime for a poutine!