At 9:30am, however — as their work days drew to a close — the hosts of CTV Morning Live were as upbeat and ready to talk food as any proficient gourmet might be.
“I just proved I’m not a foodie by using the words ‘mmm’ and ‘oh-my-gosh,” laughed veteran broadcaster Aamer (rhymes with ‘on-air’) Haleem. But, couldn’t involuntary guttural noises and slang be the stamp of a true food lover? In this case, yes. The proof: this former VTV Breakfast host’s favorite activity is to dine over delicious, drawn out meals with friends.
Aamer’s charming co-host, Norma Reid, on the other hand, is ‘one of the lucky ones’ whose partner loves to cook. However, with her new gig — requiring an 8pm bedtime and 2am wake-up — the Saskatchewanite may stick to her ‘home away from home’ sushi spot a little more often.
Watch the two in action weekday mornings from 5:30 to 9am and read on for their very favorite foods.
Q: Will you show us your ‘to die for face’? (This is the expression occurring at the taste of ‘to die for food’ – you know the one!)
A: See above.
Q: Name the food you would most often describe as, ‘to die for’.
A: AH — This could be the secret ingredient that can take a dish from ‘mmm’, to, ‘oh my gosh’. Cinnamon. Take peanut butter on toast, for example. Sprinkle some cinnamon on…goodnight, thank you for showing up.
NR — Perogies. I’m from the prairies and we have these Fall Suppers. The number one thing there is always perogies. You can’t eat them without sour cream, real bacon bits and chives.
Q: Which is your favorite restaurant?
A: AH — Vij’s. I’ve championed this restaurant around the world. A jackfruit appetizer is what I always order. There’s a ginger lemon drink that I crave, too.
NR — Sushi Maro. When I first moved here, I didn’t know anybody, so hung out there three times a day. I never thought I’d become a miso soup connoisseur, but their’s is the best. I also always order Kappa Maki, which isn’t even sushi.
Q: What is your trashy indulgence? (i.e. that late night 7/11 or drive-thru treat)
A: AH — The Hudson News shops at airports sell these pre-packaged cookies that are the size of bicycle wheels or sewer grates. I get the oatmeal raisin because I think I’m being healthy.
NR — I love 7/11. It’s the idea that you can walk into the store and buy anything you want. My favorite treat is a cup of candy. I love those long, blue, super sour raspberry strips.
Q: Is there a food you refuse to eat because you were sick after eating it?
A: AH — When I was growing up, my mom would make liver. I just hated the taste, the texture, and everything about it.
NR — Candy corn, and yet I still eat them whenever they’re out in a dish. Every time, I think my taste buds may have changed and I’ll like them.
Q: What is the sexiest food?
A: AH — The Red Velvet cupcake from Sprinkles. Why is it sexy? Come on, look at it…it’s red velvet. What it is, is an edible, delicious Valentine, which to me, is sexy.
NR — Chocolate. Alcohol is great too. And there are oysters. I know that’s so typical, but there is something so sexy about eating them…the texture, the different kinds with the different sauces, like they have at Rodney’s.
Q: What is your favorite dessert in Vancouver?
A: AH — There was a period where I’d eat molten lava cake so much, that I came to think of myself as a connoisseur. La Terrazza serves a great one.
NR — Society has an alcoholic milkshake — now, that is fun. It’s the concept that you’re drinking this grownup milkshake. We go to DQ sometimes for regular ice cream. Nothing beats a strawberry sundae.
Q: What is your favorite comfort food?
A: AH — By the time this is published, my answer will have changed. Right now, I’ll go with a mille-feuille from a cafe next door to the Paris Opera.
NR — Kraft Dinner. I eat it plain and I don’t like to venture too far from the blue box. Sometimes, my husband will offer to make steak for dinner, but all I want is KD.
Wishing you to die for at least once a day,
Erin
