I have a real love-hate relationship with technology, perhaps because I live on that age cusp where my five-year-old knows more about my iPhone than I do. I can't text worth beans; however, I am loving the apps available to me that make life easier.
I feel so equipped now as I travel to different cities looking for an eatery, grocer or wine shop. There are many great apps for iPhones and iPods that make finding food fun and especially easy with GPS options, ratings and visual food guides. Some apps even make the decision for you with games like slot machines activated by shaking your phone.
The following are a list of apps you should definitely check out:
Urbanspoon may help you burn some extra calories as you shake up your phone to spin the slot machine for help in making a dining selection. This app lets you see what is nearby, see what your friends like and browse lists by price, location or cuisine. Covers all Canada, U.S. and cities in the U.K. and Australia.
Food Network app is a must-have, as it inspires new ideas with an extensive library of celebrity-chef-inspired meals and recipes with video tips and techniques. I love the grocery list aspect that allows you to add everything you need to pick up, including what is needed for your recipe. It also lets you share recipes via Facebook and Twitter.
Yelp.ca is a brilliant app that provides honest customer reviews about destinations all over the world. Type "grocery store" or "eatery type" into their search engine and you will get reviews with photos and Google maps to help you find your destination. It also gives you traffic reports for your destination
No other app kick-starts your appetite like Foodspotting.com. This app brings you reviews and photos of specific dishes from various "foodspotters" who post tantalizing reviews that get you thinking about food you might never consider like Vancouver's Japa Dogs, Vij's Lamb Popsicles, Salmon Benny with Pan Fried Caper Hollandaise and Chorizo at The Nest in Brackendale. Click on the tantalizing item and you will find specials too.
CheckPlease Lite is a time saver that helps you figure out tip amount or how split up a bill between multiple, diners including tax and tip per person.
Clip Mobile Coupons is an app that gets you deals in stores, replacing paper coupons. You simply show the coupon on your mobile device to the cashier and the deal is done!
Visit the comment section for this article online at www.squamishchief.com and let me know about your favourite app.
There is nothing like a great French Onion Soup for a cool spring day. Visit www.foodnetwork.ca for video tutorial.
Michael Smith's French Onion Soup
(Credit: Foodnetwork.ca)
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons oil
5 large onions, peeled and sliced thinly
Splash of water
Salt
The Soup
1/2 cup brandy
3 sprigs fresh thyme
6 cups Homemade Chicken Broth (recipe from this episode)
Salt and pepper
4 slices multi-grain bread, cut into rounds to fit bowls, toasted
2 cups Swiss, Gruyere or Emmental cheese, grated
Directions
Toss the butter, oil, onions and water into a large soup pot with a few pinches of salt. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and let the onions soften over medium-high heat, about 10 minutes. When the water has evaporated, remove the lid, turn heat to low and begin to slowly caramelize onions, stirring frequently. This will take about one hour.
The Soup
When the onions are a deep golden colour and have shrunk dramatically, add the brandy, thyme and broth. Season with salt and pepper and let simmer for 15 minutes. Preheat your oven's broiler. Ladle the soup into four onion soup or oven-proof bowls and fit a slice of toast over each bowl. Sprinkle each evenly with the cheese and place bowls onto a baking sheet. Place under the broiler and broil until the soup is bubbling and the tops are golden brown.
Michael's show,Chef at Home, airs weekdays at 3:30 p.m. PT on Food Network Canada.
