I have been gluten free for almost three years. I mostly eat dairy-free too because I am lactose-intolerant. I cook mostly using olive and grapeseed oil. While I do indulge in butter and cheese sometimes, I know I shouldn’t because these products upset my stomach. Some recipes don’t taste the same without butter, I know! But I have to substitute because it doesn’t help my health issues.
That’s why I was happy to hear that Becel® Original, Becel Buttery Taste, Becel with Olive Oil, and Becel Vegan margarine are now being made with simpler ingredients. That’s right – no artificial preservatives, flavours or colours, which means you can feel good about choosing Becel® margarine as part of your heart healthy lifestyle – and, in the case of Becel Vegan, a lactose-free lifestyle!
Especially for someone who is at risk for heart disease and cholesterol, cutting out saturated fats is important. The blend of sunflower and Canadian canola oil provides a source of good Omega 3 polyunsaturated fats that our bodies need. Becel® margarine contains no trans-fat and has 80% less saturated fat than butter, so you can easily replace butter 1:1 for margarine in any recipe as an alternative.
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet author and health expert Rose Reisman along with MASTERCHEF star Chef Graham Elliot at the Blend Bar by Becel® at Loblaws, Maple Leaf Gardens. They were there to talk about and showcase Becel® margarine, made with a blend of plant and seed oils, to use for cooking and baking.
At the Blend Bar, the Master Blender showcased how plant and seed oils, like Becel’s Master Blend of sunflower and Canadian canola oil, are blended to create soft, non-hydrogenated margarine. Use it for cooking, baking, frying, sautéing and spreading.
Like a boss, Rose Reisman showed us how it’s done.
Then, Chef Graham Elliot cooked up two delicious dishes:
Grilled Zucchini with White Wine Sauce and Shaved Fennel & Citrus Salad
Garlic and Thyme Based Strip Steak with Wild Mushrooms and Becel® -Laced Whipped Potatoes
Oh. My. Goodness. First of all, Chef Graham was cooking for a small group of people and we could watch. Then, we got a chance to sample his delicious cooking. What a treat!
Blend Bar by Becel®
Residents of Toronto and the GTA are invited to visit the Blend Bar by Becel at Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens at 60 Carlton Street, Toronto, to watch the Master Blender at work, and to taste fresh margarine blended on the spot from now until March 20th, 2016.
What: Blend Bar by Becel®
When: March 2 – March 20, 2016
Time: 20, 2016, 11AM-7PM Monday to Friday, and 10AM-6PM Saturday
Where: Maple Leaf Gardens at 60 Carlton Street, Toronto
I hope you have a chance to visit the Becel® Blend Bar!
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This post is proudly sponsored by Becel® however as always, these opinions are my own.