Delicious local food pairings to enjoy in July

We love local food, and Ontario has some of the best in the world—especially in the summer months. In addition to our delicious Ontario beef, poultry, lamb, game and pork products, there are so many incredible fruits and vegetables available from local sources. You can put together any combination of favourites, but we’ve got a few recommendations to inspire delicious, nutritious, farm-to-table meals. Start by shopping online at Olliffe.ca or visiting us in store—we’d be pleased to assist you.

Here’s a quick look at what’s in season here in Ontario this month. If you’ve got a great recipe to share, please do so in the comments on Facebook. 

Pair a steak with…

Garlic scapes and roasted baby potatoes from a local farm. Start with a Blue Ribbon bone-in rib steak, a delectable prime rib steak, a Snake River Wagyu Strip Loin or one of our incredible reserve beef Tomahawk steaks. Add some flavourful garlic scapes to the plate and pile on some tender-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside potatoes for a perfect summer meal. Here are some tips on preparing garlic scapes (you can also roast them with olive oil and sea salt for a crispy, garlicky, fry-like side dish) and a great recipe for roasted potatoes. Sprinkle these with chopped fresh herbs from your garden if you have any! Some sauteed mushrooms or roasted beets would also be a nice addition to this meal.

Pair pork chops with…

Grilled Ontario peaches. We love a tender Ontario pork chop with grilled peaches and a fresh salad—what a treat! Use a savoury spice rub or marinade, grill your pork chops and peaches to perfection and go. Consider using fresh local baby spinach and Ontario blueberries in your salad for a meal that’s fully local and incredibly tasty. Here’s a simple recipe for grilling peaches and another for a fantastic summer salad. If you can find some local asparagus to add to this meal, even better!

Pair grilled chicken with…

Oven-roasted broccoli, a fresh salad made with local field cucumbers, radishes and tomatoes, and some buttery corn on the cob. This classic summer meal is perfect for July because so many amazing ingredients are becoming available for the first time in months. Ontario corn may not be at its peak quite yet, but it’s still pretty great. You can grill seasoned chicken breasts or boneless thighs prepared to your taste or go with our marinated whole butterflied chickens to save on prep time. We’ve also got delicious southwest chicken burgers and ready-to-grill chicken kebabs for your convenience.

Pair sausages with…

Grilled bell peppers, zucchini, sweet onions and mushrooms. We love a perfectly seared sausage with some grilled vegetables and a homemade potato salad. This is an easy, delicious meal that your whole family will love. Go with Olliffe’s amazing potato bacon salad to keep things simple or make your own with fresh local ingredients. Here’s a good recipe if you’re going the homemade route—enjoy!

Thanks for reading and shopping local. We’d love to see you in store soon but if you shop online, remember that Olliffe is pleased to offer FREE home delivery on qualifying orders.