"Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill Cookbook" Ingredients in Toronto

[act1966]

Hi All:

Just received the above cookbook and know absolutely nothing about finding ingredients for southwestern style cooking in Toronto. Here are some of the things I'm trying to locate (have searched Sun Valley, IGA and Carrot Common on the Danforth with no luck):

Fresh Chiles:
Anaheim
Fresno
Habanero
Poblano
Serrano

Dried Chiles
Ancho
Cascabel
Chile de Arbol
Guajillo
Pasilla

Also looking for Mexican Cinnamon (Canela), Spanish Cayenne and Cotija Cheese.

Thanks for any info!

[act1966]

Thanks to both of you. I found everything I need at Perola and House of Spice. Thanks again!

[Recyclor]

Great, happy cooking!...House of Spice is a good one too, I love that place...

[Mila]

Have fun cooking act1966. And to spiral this thread off a bit...
Recylor, I love House of Spice too, but I really love BJ's in Little India. Cheap spices and fresh fresh fresh.

[Recyclor]

I rarely make it out there but you've given me yet another reason to make an afternoon of it...thanks for the tip Mila...

Cheers!

[Mila]

act1966 you're in my hood, and you're right there are no SW / US ingredients to speak of there.

I'll echo Recylor and fully endorse Perola, espescially for dried chiles and they definitely have Cotija Cheese in several varieties, fresh poblanos, crema, empanada pastry and lots more fun stuff. I wouldn't bother buying the dried chile powders that your Bobby uses, they tend to be old with no flavour. Toast your own chiles and grind them up.

I'd also recommend Mexican Dry Goods in Kensington.

[Jar]

Toast your own chiles, yes, oh yes!!!! --- here is a helpful hint to spice up plain rice or anything, soup, etc. --- In a very little oil, gently toast dried chiles until they just change colour from red to a light tan or gentle brown --- remove from heat, retaining the little oil and crush into any dish --- the toasting helps to go to a very flavourful degree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Recyclor]

I thought Flay only "cooked" toast?!....ok ok, in Kensington market you should be able to find most of this stuff, certainly all the dried ones at Perola's, they do stock many fresh ones too but they can be hit or miss if they are fresh...