What’s Cooking: September 16 – 23

Noggins Apples

Apples, apples and more apples! We love fall and all the delicious treats it brings. With u-picks open, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and pick your very own local apples. This week’s What’s Cooking has events, live music and a toolkit to help inspire healthy lunches.

New Nourish Nova Scotia Toolkit

Nourish Nova Scotia has launched a new Local Food Lunch Toolkit with the purpose of strengthening local food systems while supporting healthy food environments for Nova Scotia children and youth.

The toolkit, authored by passionate food service consultants Jenny Osburn and Rosie Gair, offers 22 delicious recipes and menu-planning tools in French and English to make food service easy, accessible and affordable for families and food service professionals alike. Each recipe aligns with Canada’s Food Guide while incorporating the bounty of foods grown and produced in Nova Scotia. Recipes have also been tried, tested and approved by Nova Scotia students!

Tapas & Trails – Art & Culinary Adventures

Engage with nature and celebrate Nova Scotian arts and culture at the first annual Tapas & Trails on September 18. The event takes place along the scenic Keppoch Mountain hiking trails and will feature local art and culinary experiences along the way. Experience tasty local gourmet tapas and local beverages from Avondale Sky Winery, Steinhart Distillery, Sober Island Brewing Co., and Coldstream Clear Distillery. Tickets are $95/person.

Celebrate Saltbox Brewing Company’s Fifth Birthday

Join Saltbox Brewing Company on September 18th, as they celebrate their fifth birthday! There will be live music, cake and the added bonus of $5 pints! Don’t miss out on the chance to grab some friends, enjoy a pint and join in on this local birthday event.

Celebrate Coldstream’s Sixth Birthday

Join Coldstream Clear Distillery on September 18th, as they celebrate their sixth birthday! Hosted at the Stewiacke Distillery, on the patio and covered tent area located behind the distillery, the event begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Sip a beverage of your choice while enjoying live music from Tim Bowers & Nowhere Road Band. Treat yourself to the birthday deals, sticks & stone wood fired pizza, prizes and more!

Founders House Dining & Drinks – Wine Maker’s Diner Series

As summer fades into fall, help celebrate some of Annapolis Valley’s finest wine at Founders House Dining & Drinks. Relax in their dining room, and be guided through five thoughtfully curated courses, designed by Chef Chris Pyne. All paired with delightful vintages from Grand Pre Wines. As you travel through these courses, the Wine Maker himself will chat about each vino, and what makes it so unique. The event takes place at Founders House Dining & Drinks on September 22, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $147/person and can be purchased online or by phone.

Wine & Chocolate Tasting

Don’t miss an evening of Wine & Chocolate, featuring a curated selection of Grand Pré Wines paired with Petite Patrie’s fine chocolate. Limited tables remain for this tasting on September 24. Reservations can be made by phone: (902) 713-5048 or by visiting Petite Patrie’s Café & Chocolate Factory, located at 2 Webster Street, Kentville. Tickets are $46.5/person!

The Nova Scotia Culinary Trails

Hands hold a phone with the Nova Scotia Chowder Trail website on it. Two bowls of chowder and a lobster roll are also in the photo

Looking for staycation ideas? Lucky for you, we’ve mapped out your ultimate Nova Scotia culinary road trip through the Nova Scotia Lobster, Chowder, & Good Cheer Trails! Whether you’re tapping into local craft beverages, cracking open a freshly caught lobster, or diving into a bowl of seafood chowder – there’s something on the trails that will satisfy all your cravings. With three easy ways to collect stamps including the passport, the website and the soon to be released mobile app, it’s easier than ever to explore the Culinary Trails.

Featured Recipe: Bulwark Original Cider Braised Pork Loin with Nova Scotia Apple Chutney

Pork roast with cider chutney on top. Sitting in white platter with a glass of Bulwark cider in background.

If you’re in the mood for a tender, juicy and delicious meal — then this is the recipe for you. This recipe uses Bulwark cider and apple cider vinegar to marinate the roast until perfection. Apples, local honey and cranberries are used to create the tasty chutney.