An in-depth review of certain orders from certain restaurants is just what some people need, in order to be convinced to eat out. Well, guess what? That’s exactly what we’ve done this time around. In the video below we’ve gone to different restaurants and given our personal ratings on the food and pricing! Sit back and enjoy!

Looking to treat yourself to delicious meals after a long, tiring day? Confused about which restaurant and cuisine to choose? We think finding the right place and food is not so easy, especially foods that will truly make you happy and add value to your experiences. Don’t freak out! We are here to help you choose. This time, we selected a few restaurants in downtown Kamloops and asked the restaurant owners and staff what they think their top dish is. The video above, we believe, is a great way to quickly answer the search of those who may be looking for a quick response and don’t have time to read a long article. So, get started: Hit the play button and enjoy the video!

“Simple, healthy, budget-friendly choices for everyone at your table” (pitaland.ca).

When talking about food, everyone has their own preferences for different reasons, which can include a personal choice or a religious one. Keeping that in mind, this time around, we’ve come up with an amazing option for you: Pita land.

Pita land is a middle eastern restaurant that serves cuisines that are a part of middle eastern traditions and cultures. It hasn’t been a long time since Pita land has opened in Kamloops, and yet has become so popular within Kamloops’s communities. What is so special about Pita land? Why does everyone love it so much?

Pita land is one of the first restaurants to come to Kamloops with authentic flavors. Their motive is to serve people with something new, fresh, and healthy. They have clearly delivered it with the authenticity of Middle-East cuisines.

https://infotel.ca/inwine/pita-land-is-coming-to-kamloops/it88580

But what is the real reason Pita Land became famous within Kamloops? Have you ever heard of the term halal?

What is Halal?

The Arabic word halal refers to the process of preparing food in according to the Islamic dietary laws and regulations. It involves cutting meat in a certain way. Muslims (people who follow the religion of Islam) cannot eat meat unless it is halal. Pita Land gives the Muslim community in Kamloops another halal option, which is why it’s become so popular.

Pita Land is most famous for their signature shawarma wraps. From the word “Pita”, which means round baked flatbread that can be formed as a pocket with fillings, a shawarma wrap is made of pita and delicious inner fillings, which the Middle East cuisine is known for.

Chicken Shawarma, the crowd’s favorite: affordable, healthy, nutritious value

At Pita Land, wraps are done in front of you. It’s not like other restaurants, where the wraps are made and prepared beforehand. You get to see for yourself that the beef and chicken are made fresh on the spot, and the best part is you get the chance to customize the condiments you want for the wrap! The wraps come with a variety of ingredients; you could choose many flavorful fillings you want to pair with your wrap.

What’s good about Pita Land’s chicken shawarma is that the serving is not too small and not too big; it’s just right! The wrap is perfect for anyone who wants to fill their empty stomach with something flavorful and wholesome. The chicken wrap has a blend of ingredients that is not only tasty but good for your health as well. The ingredients include a blend of seasonings, spices, vegetables, and the chef’s secret that makes it the customer’s favorite: the sauce!

An important thing that is not known to most people is that middle eastern cuisine is one of the healthiest since it incorporates lean proteins, healthy fats, vegetables, and grains into almost every dish. It’s the perfect dinner!

Additional Information About Pita Land

An important thing that is not known by most people is that middle eastern cuisine is one of the healthiest kinds of foods, as it incorporates lean proteins, healthy fats, vegetables, and grains into almost every dish. It is a rich source of vitamin B6 and other essential nutrients (i.e., manganese). One may also use these qualities to their benefit; for example, a person who may be trying to gain weight could eat one of the Pitaboxes available in Pita Land. It has around 1100-1200 Kcal, almost 50% of the RDI (Reference Daily Intake). It has the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and fats. On the other hand, considering people who are looking to lose weight or are just conscious of their calory intake, they could try Pita land’s salad boxes. These lack the “carb” element in the meal, which is perfect for many people who are looking for a healthier option.

By: LiFei Liu-Calver, Glorielle Sorrera, Simarjot Singh, Sukhjinder Kaur, & Umemah Siddiqui

326 Victoria St, Kamloops, BC V2C 2A5
Photo taken by: Simar and Glorielle

Are you in a dilemma of what to eat and what not to?? Don’t stress out too much. We’re here to help. In order to do that, we’ve come up with an interesting idea to select two dishes for you from one of our favorite restaurants (which we have mentioned in our previous post, go check it out!), that too for a reasonable price! We asked the owner himself what two dishes were his favorite. Not only did he give us an answer, he gave us the recipes! Here’s our insider’s scoop to the best dishes in Kamloops…

Jollof Spaghetti and Puff Puffs are the dishes we have chosen from the one-of-a-kind restaurant: Afrofusion.

Jollof Spaghetti

Wondering if this fits within your budget? Cost of Jollof Spaghetti: $9.99 (+ taxes)

The amazing Jollof Pasta is the dish that made customers keep coming back for more.

Jolloff comes in the form of stew and consists of rice, different types of meat, herbs and various spices. Jollof Spaghetti comes from Jollof Rice, popular in Western Africa where instead of stew, it is replaced with tomato paste. It is smokey and spicy in taste. The sweet taste of it comes from the tomatoes and onions. Maggi seasoning is added along with various spices.

Jollof Spaghetti and Puff Puff
Picture taken by: Glorielle and Sukhjinder

How Afrofusion makes Jollof Spaghetti

This is the way they do it: start by preheating the oil in a frying pan. The next step is to add minced tomatoes to begin with, which creates the sauce. Fry it until it has a thick texture. Then fry the grounded bell pepper for two minutes to give it a spicy taste. After that, sprinkle it with Maggi seasoning mix and a pinch of salt to enhance the sauce’s flavor, then mix it all together. Lastly, diced onions are added for a little bit of sweetness. After everything has been mixed, add the cooked spaghetti and stir it thoroughly. Lastly, put spinach, diced bell pepper, and thyme to give it a beautiful and colorful look.

Puff Puff

Wondering if this fits within your budget? Cost of Puff Puff: $0.50 (+ taxes)

Puff Puff comes from Sub-Saharan Africa and is a very popular typical street food. You cat eat it with koko and coffee. It uses low cost ingredients and is easy to make. The outside is shiny and golden brown in color with a light, fluffy inside.

Puff Puff with Jollof Spaghetti
Picture taken by: Glorielle and Sukhjinder

How Afrofusion makes Puff Puff

Like Jollof spaghetti, Puff Puff also uses oil. Using a big bowl, they add all purpose flour, nutmeg, yeast, and cinnamon. After adding all the ingredients, they are thoroughly mixed together. Luke warm water is also added to help the yeast do its job. Using hot or cold water will not allow the yeast to work, as yeast can only thrive in considerable temperatures. After it has been mixed, it is laid out onto the counter space and kneaded. Then, they will break the dough and roll it into small balls, covering it and setting it aside for an hour or two to allow the dough to rise. A deep pan or a pot is then placed on the stove and is filled with oil where they deep fry the balls until they appear golden brown in color. And there you have it! A perfect side dish to go with your beautiful Jollof spaghetti!

And there you have it! The perfect dishes for a night out, or the perfect recipes for a night in!

Sources

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/jollof-rice

https://www.today.com/recipes/how-make-puff-puff-t247547

The love of foodies #Restaurants

If you’re someone who’s passionate about food, you may have considered where the best location for you to have something worthwhile is. What are your best options? Does it fit well within your budget? Is it worth spending your money on? To answer these questions, we have come up with a few ideas that will hopefully make things a bit more clear. This is a guide to a few restaurants here in Kamloops that are easily accessible cultural foods for students. Not only that, we’ve decided to only include one-of-a-kind restaurants that you won’t find anywhere else in Kamloops; to make your decisions easier!

The first one in our list is Casa Azul:

It’s more than a restaurant. Casa Azul is an authentic Mexican restaurant who pride themselves in their freshest ingredients. It’s not just a place with food, it’s a place that encourages community. Their food is amazing, and a must-try if you’re ever stumped as to where to eat. Fun fact: Casa Azul has beautiful papel picado (traditional Mexican décor) hanging outside their restaurant that represents the connection between life and death in Mexican culture! Cool right?

How Costly: $$$

Our second choice is Jamaican Kitchen:

This is the perfect restaurant if you want a taste of Caribbean cuisine. A one-of-a-kind restaurant that you won’t find anywhere else in Kamloops. Their menu varies from breakfast options all the way to supper. Not only do they have traditional foods, they also bring a taste of Canada into the mix. Get interesting drinks along with your food traditional to Jamaica!

How Costly: $$

Last but not least: Afrofusion:

Afrofusion serves you with different kinds of African dishes. They have combined foods from all over of the continent! Not only do they have a location in downtown, they also have one at the TRU campus, which is very convenient for students! Of course, the downtown location comes with its own perks, offering a variety of entertainment, along with, of course, amazing food. Spend a perfect evening with your friends after a stressful day, enjoying snooker, Xbox, and good music along with your food.

How Costly: $$$