Oh summer, how wonderful you are… if you aren’t in summer school and have essays or exams to write. If you’re one of the fortunate souls that have free time this or next week/weekend, here are some events going on in the city that sound pretty exciting!

Worldwide Short Film Festival

295 short films from 46 countries! Short attention span? No worries, you get to see 5 to 22 films at each 90-minute screening.

Where: Various places around Toronto
When: June 16 – 21
Website: http://www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com

Photo from http://www.dragonboats.com

21st Telus Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival

Two full days of Dragon boat races by teams from all around the world, including some from the various clubs at U of T! Go and cheer them on!

Where: Toronto Centre Island
When: June 20 – 21 (Races generally happen in the morning and early afternoon)
Note: Watching the races is free, but you have to pay the small fee for the ferry to the Island
Website: http://www.dragonboats.com

11th Annual Taste of Little Italy

A lovely little festival celebrating Italian culture in Toronto!

Where: College St., between Bathurst and Shaw
When: June 19 – 21 (see site for opening and closing times)
Website: http://www.tasteoflittleitaly.ca

Beach Ribfest

Yum… Ribs…

Where: Woodbine Park
When: June 20-21
Website: http://www.beachribfest.com/

Toronto’s 29th Annual Pride Parade

Last, but not least is the annual and vibrant Pride Parade! Pride Week is from June 19 to June 28 and the Parade is but one of the various events happening to celebrate Pride in Toronto. Please see the website for more details.

Where: The Parade travels west from Bloor St. between Church and Yonge, south on Yonge St. from Bloor to Gerrard, and east on Gerrard St. to church.
When: The Parade begins at 2PM on June 28th
Website: http://www.pridetoronto.com

One of the first things I usually end up eating here are oyster noodles; in Taiwanese, they are called “Oh ah me suah”. They are basically noodles made of some sort of wheat in a very thick bonito and pork stock soup topped with oysters, pork, some bamboo shoots, red vinegar and coriander (which I don’t like so the vendor didn’t put any in my bowl).

The little bun-like things in the picture are called “pepper pastries” when translated into English. Pork, seasoned with salt, tons of pepper and green onions wrapped in a pastry that’s stuck on the side of a special oven, making the outside slighlty flaky and crunchy and the inside super hot, soft and delicious. If the pastry is made especially well, a lot of juices made from the water content in the onions and meat are trapped inside, making it even more delicious and succulent. (more…)

You will be pleased to know that my lengthy absence since introducing this cooking series has not been due to a case of food poisoning. On the contrary, I bear good news in the form of a couple of not only edible but tasty dishes. (The fact that there is a spinach-feta theme going is not really the natural chef in me trying to demonstrate the incredible range of preparation in food….no, to be honest, I had extra leftover ingredients, and wanted to save a trip to the grocery store. As a college student though, this approach does save money!)

Credit to these recipes go to Allrecipes.com –a site that I highly recommend. It’s a huge sharing database where ordinary folk submit their own homemade or family recipes of all kinds of food and cuisine imaginable, and the dishes are given an average rating out of five from users who have tried and tested them. In addition, people often leave personal reviews that offer valuable advice and alterations they made to give you a heads up on your own attempt. Another useful tool the site provides is its measurement converter, where you can enter in the number of people you want to serve and the quantities of ingredients are accordingly changed. Doesn’t get any easier!

After the jump, learn how to make a gorgeous Strawberry Spinach Salad! (more…)

I am on a serious mission this summer. I, Victoria, do solemnly swear that come September I will have mastered the exquisite execution of a full course meal. This isn’t so much a quest to become the female Gordon Ramsay in order to impress my family and friends than it is about just making them think that I am a fantastic chef. All I need is one killer appetizer, entree, and dessert. Never mind the fact that I will probably serve that same meal every time on a different plate under a different name —I shall enjoy what temporary praises and adorations there may be for my newly acquired signature dishes.

Prior to this undertaking, the only form of cooking I’ve ever done was stick my mother’s dishes in the microwave. My mother is an absolutely phenomenal cook who can make just about anything. She is also a control freak and guards her territory, the kitchen, like a hawk. I can’t count the number of times she’s shrieked at my brother and I for entering bare feet without our slippers, or the number of “Out!”s we’ve been greeted with upon trying to sneak a look –a look, not even a taste –at what was brewing, frying, or baking.

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As part of Nutrition Month, this Campus-wide celebration features an array of exciting events and healthy meals every day of the week next week. Food outlets across campus are participating in NUTRILICIOUS, a take on the Toronto favourite, “Winterlicious,” where eateries from across campus will be offering healthy (and tasty!) five dollar meals all week long, so you can dabble in the diversity U of T’s food services have to offer. Here’s a taste of what to expect for NUTRITION WEEK 2008: EVENTS

• Healthy Eating Tips + Q&A with dietitian, Laura Coxson
• Slow Cooking in a Fast Food World
• A hands-on community kitchen
• A Five Buck Lunch at Hart House
• Film screening of Fast Food Nation- Cooking Demo
• Healthy Comfort Foods on a Budget (Middle-Eastern theme)

One Time Only Lunch Specials at…

• 89 Chestnut Residence
• The Hot Yam! Vegan Café
• New College Cafeteria

There are also healthy $5 lunch specials all week at various locations on campus. For a schedule of all the events, check out the Nutrition Week Website HERE.