Welcome to Talla's Cantina

 

      Oats. You might wonder what the big deal is.

       This seemingly plain grain is a powerhouse of nutrition and a blank canvas upon which you can build texture and flavour. It has a reputation for being boring. In my honest opinion, I think it's because we've been having plain oatmeal or oat cereal for so long that we've forgotten (or perhaps never bothered to find out) how oats should be prepared to begin with.

       I had my first properly made bowl of oatmeal at a friend's house in high school. Simply drizzled with our very own Quebec maple syrup, it had nothing to do with the flavoured oatmeal packs I had previously forced myself to eat. As I clasped the little bowl, I felt an instant warmth and I knew that I had finally been properly introduced to something so simple, yet so utterly comforting. Ever since then, oats have been a staple in my daily routine, whether as the trusted and true maple oatmeal bowl, or as a dessert or savoury snack.

       A few years ago, I started making granola, which became a favourite topping for yogurt, ice cream, salads, and cake as I experimented with flavours and textures.

Soon after, Talla’s Cantina came to be. In keeping with the feeling brought on by that first bite of oaty goodness so many years ago, I have kept my list of ingredients simple and familiar, the flavours are familiar and satisfying, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!