Michelin-Star and "Gluten-Free" are not words that often go together. Sure, a Michelin Star restaurant has enough skill in the kitchen to adapt a meal for a gluten-free diner, but a naturally GF-friendly meal? Rare. So when I read that Michelin-Starred French gluten-free chef … [Read more...] about Gluten-Free Michelin Star Food from Nadia Sammut at Montréal en Lumière 2025
South Africa: What We Ate
The best way to start a conversation in South Africa may be to ask someone how they braii (South African outdoor grilling, but don't call it barbecue). Everyone has an opinion on how to position the wood and/or charcoal and the grate, what type(s) of firestarters to use (liquid … [Read more...] about South Africa: What We Ate
South Africa: On Safari at Kruger National Park
We haven’t even entered Kruger National Park and we’ve already seen three elephants behind the fence at the Crocodile Bridge gate. Just five minutes past the entry, we spot giraffes in the distance, followed by heaps (not the official name…) of impalas, a type of antelope with … [Read more...] about South Africa: On Safari at Kruger National Park
The Story of a Not-So-Spicy Mustard
You see that this mustard from Löwensenf clearly says "EXTRA HOT", right? I don't know what happened to this mustard, but it certain was not extra hot. It wasn't even hot. Which may or may not be the mustard's fault. I bought this mustard expecting that nose-tingling, … [Read more...] about The Story of a Not-So-Spicy Mustard
My Best Meal in a Long Time: Perch, Ottawa
I should have known. When Nancy Matsumoto puts a new restaurant in her Top 10 list, you should probably go there. That's what she did in 2022 when she ranked Perch in Ottawa as #4 on the Canada's Best New Restaurants list for enRoute magazine. So it was foolish that even after I … [Read more...] about My Best Meal in a Long Time: Perch, Ottawa
SIAL 2024 in Montreal: Moroccan Dates, Greek Olives and Gluten-Free Indonesian Kecap Manis
"How does the taste of these Moroccan medjools compare to Californians?" I ignorantly asked a Moroccan importer at Canada's biggest food and restaurant import/export-heavy festival, SIAL. "Taste it," he said. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference. They were just very, very … [Read more...] about SIAL 2024 in Montreal: Moroccan Dates, Greek Olives and Gluten-Free Indonesian Kecap Manis
Tips to Help You Save Money on Your Next Grocery Bill: My Radio Segment with Joanne Vrakas on CJAD 800
Yesterday morning I had a long overdue media reunion Joanne Vrakas on CJAD Radio in Montreal to chat about saving money on groceries in this time of inflation. I'd been a quasi-regular on the now defunct Breakfast Television Montreal for a couple years where Joanne was a co-host … [Read more...] about Tips to Help You Save Money on Your Next Grocery Bill: My Radio Segment with Joanne Vrakas on CJAD 800
Alice Medrich’s White Chocolate Mousse Cake from “Chocolate and the Art of Low-Fat Desserts”
Who doesn't love a fancy cake, but who has the time and patience to make them? Alice Medrich's cookbook "Chocolate and the Art of Low-Fat Desserts" is a game-changer for anyone who wants to learn to lighten up their cakes and other baking without failing 5 times before they … [Read more...] about Alice Medrich’s White Chocolate Mousse Cake from “Chocolate and the Art of Low-Fat Desserts”
Scallops and Mezcal: Scallop Crudo and Seared Scallops from “Good Fish” (and why I eat more seafood in Arizona than in Montreal)
To me, scallops cooked any way are a treat. But while you might think that finding big, juicy, sustainable ones in Montreal would be easy, the odd truth is that I usually eat more scallops when I come to Tucson, Arizona. That's why it took me ages to make the scallop crudo with … [Read more...] about Scallops and Mezcal: Scallop Crudo and Seared Scallops from “Good Fish” (and why I eat more seafood in Arizona than in Montreal)
Summerlicious Toronto 2023: Where to Eat in the Last Two Days of the Summer Food Festival
There are just two more days for you to check out Summerlicious and get a god deal on what's usually a pricier meal at a Toronto restaurant. How to choose? I went a bit crazy with Summerlicious reservations this year because there was a gluten-free category and a ton of … [Read more...] about Summerlicious Toronto 2023: Where to Eat in the Last Two Days of the Summer Food Festival