Pam's Roti, Hot Italian Sausages, Golden Cook Caribbean & more -- The Top 5 Food Posts of 2019

A few days ago we posted our annual review of the top posts of the year (in terms of hits) Fare Evasion Frauds, NDP Debacles, Racism in Canada & more -- 2019 on The Left Chapter. As any regular reader of this blog knows, The Left Chapter also has many food related posts.

This year saw many recipes including some more offbeat ones like The Sputnik -- Salami and Fried Egg Sandwich w. Green Chili Pickle, the Montreal Smoked Meat, Lime Pickle and Avocado Naan Wrap and Spicy Peanut Butter and Dill Pickle Sandwiches.


We continued our always popular vintage cookbook series with posts such as 1941's Wilson's Meat Cookery w. Oyster Pie, Chicken Gumbo, Deviled Broiled Pig's Feet & more and Great Meatless Meals w. Mediterranean Lemon Soup, Potato Kugel, Savory Onion Quiche & more. 

Some recipes such as Spicy Sausage and Beef Meatballs with Homestyle Tomato Sauce and Peruvian Inspired BBQ Chicken made it very close to the top five.

I want to thank everyone who contributed recipes to the blog and to our readership for such a great year and I look forward to what 2020 brings.

Here, without further ado, are the top five food related posts for 2019:

1) Pam's Roti w. Goat and Veggie Roti, Samosas, Pakoras and more

2) Hot Italian Sausages with Onions and Peppers

3) Golden Cook Caribbean Restaurant Reinvents Itself in New Toronto

4) Light and Crisp Steak and Vegetable Lettuce Rolls

5) Slow Cooker Curried Lamb Shoulder Chops w. Garlic & Onion

Thanks again for a great fourth year.

Do you have a left point-of-view or opinion, a recipe or a story you want to share?

Send them to The Left Chapter via theleftchapter@outlook.com!

See also: Trini Gardens, Kothur, Zippy Pickle Soup & more -- The Top 5 Food Posts of 2018

Pam's Roti w. Goat and Veggie Roti, Samosas, Pakoras and more

Early last year Pam's Roti reopened at a new and larger location, 1087 Bloor St. W (a couple of blocks east of Dufferin St. and subway station) after having served people their delicious fare further east on Bloor for many years.

Recently we took a few trips to the new digs to enjoy some rotis that have been consistently ranked among the city's best.

Nice and bright with ample seating you can always expect very friendly and fast service.

The rotis at Pam's are, straight-up, terrific. There are curried chicken, beef, goat and shrimp options, a jerk chicken version as well as a veggie roti. These range from $9.50 for the veggie to $11.50 for beef, goat or shrimp. 

The goat roti exemplifies what makes Pam's so great with the roti itself absolutely perfect and filled with tender curried meat and potato. It is served (as are all the rotis) with a small but refreshing side salad and if you eat in-house they will bring you containers of both salad dressing and their fiery, complex homemade hot sauce that is an absolute must.  

Goat roti with some fiery hot sauce on top, $11.50

If you want to have vegetarian Pam's allows you to mix a couple of veggies with a potato or channa base. A cauliflower, squash, channa roti, for example.

All of the curry options can be served on rice and peas instead. Pam's also has a very affordable lunch special from 12-3 p.m. with a jerk or curried chicken plate or a veggie plate available for only $5.95. The oxtail, always a must try for me, is very good as well served with rice and peas for $11.50.

One of my favourite things at Pam's are the samosa and veggie pakora sides. These are always freshly made and available at the cash where you can have them heated-up or get a few to reheat at home. Both are full of flavour and truly inexpensive with the samosas being only $1.25 each and the pakoras 4 for $2. I like to take a few with me after the meal every time I go.

Samosas and pakoras to reheat at home

Pam's Roti is located at 1087 Bloor St. W. at Gladstone Ave. Closed Sunday and Monday it is open Tuesday through Saturday 12-9 p.m.  (416) 533-3588.

You can visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Pams-Roti-Shop-542840972403444/