Herma’s News – Thanksgiving Edition, All you need to know!!
I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. – Henry David Thoreau
Dear Customers,
From ordering delicious foods to acquiring the kitchen tools needed to prepare your grand feast, to setting a beautiful table that exudes the idea of an elegant harvest – we have all you need to make this Thanksgiving meal special and memorable.
Thanksgiving Foods
Fresh Free-Range Turkeys ($4.69 lb.) – Capons ($5.29 lb.) – Gravy ($12.25) – Homemade Stuffing – Cranberry Sauce ($9.25) – Tourtière ($19.99)
The Village Grocer’s Fresh Free-Range Turkeys
Why so fresh, juicy and delicious? Raised on a local Ontario Farm – Fed on a Mix of Grains (naturally, not force-fed) – Birds Run Free – Gently Defeathered
Determining the size of your turkey…
Medium to large Turkey feeds one person per pound of meat. A turkey less then 16 lb., however, does not give the same yield and must be calculated as 1 person per 1 ½ lb. of weight. Don’t forget to account for leftovers!
Turkeys: small = 14+ pounds, medium = 18+ pounds, large = 20+ pounds
Capons: small = 7+ pounds, medium = 9 pounds, large = 10+ pounds
Note: Fresh Free-Range Turkeys will be around 14-23 lb. this Thanksgiving season.
Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Sauce and Stuffing
These Thanksgiving staples are all made according to Evan’s grandmother’s recipes from when The Village Grocer first got its start.
Tourtière 101
What It Is
For those of you that may not be aware, a Tourtière is a traditional Québécois meat pie that dates back to the early 1600’s and eaten when weather turns cold, especially at Christmas. While recipes vary, you can count on Tourtière being this – a buttery pastry shell filled with spiced meats and vegetables that is baked until the crust is golden and flaky. Think spices involving cinnamon, clove, allspice and nutmeg.
How It Got Its Name
Tourtiere most likely either got its name from the word ‘tourte’ which was the name of a bird like a pigeon. Another explanation is that it got its name from the dish — a tourtière is also the word for the pie pan in which this meat pie was cooked and baked.
The Village Grocer’s Tourtière is made of savoury pork using traditional methods.
Herma’s Signature Products for Thanksgiving
Better safe, than sorry. To ensure that we have our Signature Products in stock for your entertaining needs, order these products in advance at the same time you order your Thanksgiving foods.
Chicken Liver Pate – Marinated Goat Cheese Rounds – Beer Cheese Spread – Savoury Cheddar Spread – Herma’s Chevre – Stilton Pate – Bacon & Cheddar Spread – Sundried Tomato Dip – Seafood Dazzler – Lemo-Licious – Stilton Pate – Spicy Pimento Spread
Made fresh in our kitchen on a weekly basis for over 15 years, there is no end to what you can do with these amazing dips, pates and spreads.
Call 905-885-9250 or stop by front desk to place your Thanksgiving order.
Maple Sugar Hams
The Village Grocer’s award-winning Maple Sugar Hams are boneless and slow roasted with Maple and Brown Sugar until they are fully cooked. Another great option for your Thanksgiving feast.
Turkey and Ham Carving Demos
Click on the link below to see Evan, himself, from the Village Grocer, demonstrate how to carve a turkey and also a ham.
Evan’s Guide to Carving the Perfect Turkey and Ham! – The Village Grocer
Favourite Sides, Soups, Seasonings and Condiments
The Village Grocer Frozen Sides
The Village Grocer’s Scalloped Potatoes, Potato Puff with Cheese, Sweet Potato Puff, Turnip Puff, Cream of Carrot Soup, Ginger and Orange Soup and Cabbage Rolls would all be lovely choices from our freezers along with a loaf of Manoucher’s baguette. All very easy no stress foods to add to your special meal.
One of our favourites?
Gratin Dauphinois are rich and creamy potatoes shaped like small, round cakes. Just heat and you will have a delicious, five-star side with no mess or fuss. Find in our freezers.
The Garlic Box
Caramelized Onion Potato Seasoning – adds a deep, savory taste of caramelized onions and fresh Ontario Garlic to your potatoes (roasted, mashed or baked)
Apple Cider & Garlic Vinaigrette – brings festive and autumnal flavours of garlic and apple cider vinegar to your salads and vegetables. The Garlic Box uses local, organic apple cider from Filsingers, Ontario along with their own homegrown fresh Ontario Garlic.
Cranberry Garlic Preserve with Rum – an amazing combination of cranberries, garlicky goodness and the lovely taste of rum. Dollop on your plate with turkey, ham and potatoes. Yum!
Other festive flavours for fall?
Origen’s Fig Jam, Red Wine Jam and Hot Chili Pepper Jam
Saltspring Kitchen Co.’s Rhubarb & Apple Chutney and Onion & Thyme Savoury Spread
Cafiti’s Pickled Beets
Turkey Brie Cranberry Appetizer
- Heat broiler to high. Place thin baguette slices on a large baking sheet. Layer turkey and brie on top of each slice. Broil until cheese is just melted and bubbly.
- On each slice place teaspoon of the Garlic Box’s Cranberry, Garlic and Rum Preserves on top. Garnish as desired. Serve immediately.
Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Leftover Ideas
For three Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Leftover Ideas go to the blog section of hermas.ca or click on the link below.
Herma’s Cheese Shop
Canadian-themed Cheese Platter
Give thanks for this great land of ours with these Canadian Cheeses…
Louis D’Or Grand Preserve, a 3-year-old from Quebec – Tiger Blue from BC – Private Reserve 6-year-old Cheddar from Ontario – Moo Crisps from Cow’s Creamery in PEI
Featured Cheese
Louis D’Or Grand Preserve
One of the most prestigious, award-winning cheeses in Canada!
We are so excited to offer Louis D’Or Grand Reserve, a French-style alpine cheese that has won Canadian Grand Prix awards, The American Cheese Society Competition, Cheese of the Year, twice, at The Canadian Cheese Award and also multiple awards at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair. Jean Morin took his inspiration for this cheese from old-world cheeses-makers in the Jura Mountains between Switzerland and France who are responsible for cheeses like Comté, Morbier, Emmental and others.
Phil Belanger, chair of the 2011 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix jury, had this to say about Louis D’Or, The milky richness of this cheese is a tribute to the organic milk with which it is made. The cheese has a smooth texture, warm nutty and floral notes in aroma and taste. Inspired by the traditional cheesemaking know-how from the Jura region, the cheesemaker created an amazing cheese.
Enjoy on a cheese board served with foods like crusty bread, apples, nuts, light salamis, pear preserves and olives. It also has a nice melting quality which is well suited for fondue, raclette, gratin dishes and grilled sandwiches. Pair with an oaky Chardonay.
Charcuterie
Have Herma, Margaret or Janis slice fresh, Italian Porchetta Ham, Fennel Salami, Spicy Pancetta and Prosciutto especially for you in Herma’s Cheese Shop. Also find pre-cut meats in our cooler around the corner from the Cheese Shop.
Kitchen Tool & Table Checklist
Make sure you have the following tools and dishes for your kitchen and table before you prepare to cook and set the table. We have what you need at Herma’s!
Flavor Injector – Roasting Bags – Natural Turkey Stuffing Bags – Turkey Lifters – Basting Brush Set – Trussing Ropes – Twine – Carving Sets – Cutting Boards – Casserole Dishes – Fat Separators – Ladles – Meat Thermometer – Corn Scrubber – Corn Stripper – Corn Holders – Big Peeler – Potato Mashers – Asparagus Steamer (used for corn also) – Timer – Oven Mitts – Tongs – Spatula – Salt & Pepper Mills – Knives (chef’s knife, bread knife, paring knife, veggie knife) – Appetizer Picks – Spreading Knives and Spoons for Cheese Platter – Cheese Platter – Gravy Boats – Salad Bowls – Salad Servers – Tableware – Linens – Placemats – Napkins – Candles
And for mashed potatoes there’s no better tool than…
Dreamfarm’s Smood
Effortlessly creates smooth and fluffy mash in seconds by trapping food and forcing it through the thin gaps between the collapsing nylon spring coils.
Overnight Guests
We suggest serving these foods from Herma’s for a memorable visit.
Breakfast
the Village Grocer Quiche – the Village Grocer Breakfast Sausages – Stonewall Kitchen Pancake Mix – Maple Syrup – Saltspring Kitchen Blueberry & Basil Preserve
Lunch
Porchetta Ham + Stonewall Kitchen Aioli + Gouda + Manoucher’s Persian Noon Bread = Delicious Sandwich
Breakfast Recipe
For a Blueberry & Basil Baked French Toast recipe go to the blog section of hermas.ca or click on the link below.
Blueberry Basil Baked French Toast – Herma’s Fine Foods & Gifts (hermas.ca)
Thanking the Hostess
While attending a Thanksgiving get-together or feast be sure not to arrive empty handed.
Hostess Gift Ideas
Fragrant Autumn Candle – Pretty Apron – Festive Napkins – Chocolates – Bottle of Olive Oil or Balsamic wrapped in Festive Kitchen Towel (ask for black Herma’s ribbon at front desk to tie) – Wrapped Gift Certificate – Cheese, Crackers, Preserves and Cheese Spreader on Small Cheese Platter
Holiday Hours Reminder
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 9th
CLOSED Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10th.
We look forward to your visit in coming days as you make preparations for your celebration.
Sincerely,
Meredith Ender
Communication Coordinator
Herma’s Fine Foods & Gifts
