Toronto, Canada
I love Saturday mornings in Toronto, I like to get up early and wander around town food shopping. I’m one of those people who buys food in about ten different places. Mostly because I’m cheap, so I know I can get bulk quinoa in Kensington at one shop but my favourite dried black beans are in another shop. It seems that it would be tedious but it’s my favourite part of the week.
Today I decided I should buy meat, but after reading Eating Animals, I have committed to trying to eat the most ethically raised, organic meat when I have access to it – like when in Toronto. It’s so much more expensive but it just means I eat less meat and more beans which is good for my health and the environment.
So on todays jaunt I headed to a great organic butcher shop, The Healthy Butcher, to buy chicken bones for stock and some meat. As I was waiting for my order I found pavé.
Bacon
Potato
Cream
Cheese
I had to have it. I rationalized that I would write about it so it was worth the decadence.
And oh it was.
Pavé is a French term that means cobblestone but traditionally is also a French dessert with layers of cream and spongecake. I’m sure it’s delicious but it cannot compare to what I just ate, like thinly scalloped potatoes but better.
If you ever come across a potato pavé with bacon on top you MUST get it.
Did you miss my last post asking for readers to vote on where to visit this year, I’m considering a US road trip or running with the bulls in Spain. I’m also tempted by holidays to Florida but then again that should be something done in the dead days of winter.
I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
(mouth-watering…) I have not seen those before here in San Francisco, hopefully either I find one here or I fly to France to try one XD
Annie – FootTracker recently posted..“Proper” Way to Enter a Hotel Room
Or you could come to Toronto
I think you will find a lot of restaurants in California that serve this dish. Usually under the appetizer section of the menu.
Russell recently posted..Potholes
Really that is so interesting. I have seen potato based dishes like it but never called pave…maybe another reason to visit California this summer if it wins on the voting over Spain.
I believe it was Thomas Keller who popularized the term ‘pavé’ for anything in a brick-like format.
I’ve made these at home a few times now, and it’s really not that difficult if you have a mandoline and a bit of patience.
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I adore Thomas Keller so I`m not surprised he popularized them. Now I need to go buy a mandoline.
Being a vegetarian I’m glad to hear that you’re informing yourself on more ethical ways to buy meat. Also, as a Torontonian I agree that there is nothing more serene than an early Saturday morning in Toronto. I own a condo near St. Lawrence Market (currently I live in BA) and I love produce shopping in the area. The best.
I had no idea you were a Torontonian. I must admit Toronto is a very veggie city. We are really fortunate that we have so many vegetarian options at most places. Even last night I had a black bean burger at Czehoski, my friends ordered mac and cheese with bacon and were surprised that I didn’t but my burger was much better.
Oh I love that book!
It’s a tough book to get through but I think worth reading. The only thing is that I really can’t eat chicken anymore.
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The dessert sounds good too!
By the way, I am always impressed by your desire to eat better, both for yourself and the environment.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Foto of the Week from … Puerto Natales: Color
Well I would never give up meat completely but I can make better choices.
Wow that is really cool. I have honestly never heard of that before! Its always interesting to see so many new things to eat!
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Hi Ayngelina, I too am making better food choices. I belong to a group called Food for Thought, which encourages eating locally produced, low miles food. Shopping here and there at shops that sell local food or at markets. I love the Kensington market area and St. Lawrence Markets. Toronto crept up on me silently! Why was pave at the butchers? It looks decadently delish.
Looks delicious! Will have to give it a try next time I’m in the area. I love their sausages and steaks!
Looks awesome. I just read Russell’s comment about finding potato pavé in California restaurants — I’ll be looking for it now.
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Bacon, Cheese, Cream, Potato… How could it go wrong
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Wow, that sounds really good.
I’d swap the bacon for veggie bacon (I know – blasphemy on this blog! 
) of course though.
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