I was biking on the Maisonneuve bike path a few weeks ago and I saw a homeless man standing on the side of the road pointing at the ground ahead of me. Oh, he’s warning me about a pothole! I thought. How friendly and helpful! Now that’s something special about this city – the … [Read more...] about More About Montreal…and Potatoes
Green Tamalito with Smoked Haddock in Banana Leaf
I brought home tamal flour from Peru. I think it might be legal. No one told me it wasn't. It's ground white maize mostly. It's a rough grind and it's not as sweet as corn up here, so it'd be pretty hard to reproduce and probably very expensive to find the proper corn. You can, … [Read more...] about Green Tamalito with Smoked Haddock in Banana Leaf
Indian Tamarind-Fennel Tomato Sauce with Vegetarian Meatballs
I want to premise this with the fact that I never watch the Food Network. There was a point in the first year of my masters degree at Mcgill University when if I was having a really long day and desperately needed caffeine or a break I would go to Cafe ArtJava for a cinnamon tea … [Read more...] about Indian Tamarind-Fennel Tomato Sauce with Vegetarian Meatballs
In the Shape of Violins: Sautéd Fiddleheads
When I first heard the translation for fiddleheads it didn't click. Tetes de Violons - "heads of violins". To me a fiddle has never meant a violin. One plays Bach and the other plays gigs and reels. But when it comes to the dirty, toxin-bearing vegetable, it's all the same. You … [Read more...] about In the Shape of Violins: Sautéd Fiddleheads
Falling in Love with Lucuma and out of Love with Montreal
There’s a man who stands at the entrance to the Lionel-Groulx metro almost every weekday handing out newspapers. There are a lot of men with this job description but my favourite man has wrinkled skin, mean eyes, and a bite to his francophone accent that makes me want to step … [Read more...] about Falling in Love with Lucuma and out of Love with Montreal
T-15 Minutes Until Lucuma Ice Cream in Il Gelataio 1600
I set the timer and I walked away. That's what the instructions said to do. I'm currently waiting. Most of my lucuma powder is used up so this had better work. I'll only get one more kick at the proverbial lucuma ice cream can. So I kept it as simple as possible: 3 cups almond … [Read more...] about T-15 Minutes Until Lucuma Ice Cream in Il Gelataio 1600
Lucuma Ice Cream and my First Experience with an Ice Cream Maker
I tried out the smaller ice cream maker first. Less intimidating. It's a simple recipe: 3 eggs 1/2 cup honey 2 tbsp lucuma powder 4 cups milk (I used almond), divided 1/2 tsp almond extract You whisk two cups of the milk with the honey and eggs over medium heat until the … [Read more...] about Lucuma Ice Cream and my First Experience with an Ice Cream Maker
Lucuma Banana Smoothie
I brought back lucuma powder from Peru. Think of it as powdered brown sugar mixed with sweet potato. Yes you can powder sweet potato. The banana overpowered the lucuma powder, and as I don't have that much, I was careful with how much I used, but there's a natural sweetness to … [Read more...] about Lucuma Banana Smoothie
Il Gelataio 1600 and the Other Ice Cream Maker in my Kitchen
I currently have two ice cream/gelato makers in my kitchen. Two. How ridiculous is that? The Gelato Maker 1600 ("Il Gelataio 1600" - the official Italian name makes it sounds more prestigious) and I are getting along well so far. It sits there and I stare at it in wonder. It's … [Read more...] about Il Gelataio 1600 and the Other Ice Cream Maker in my Kitchen
Worms, Part 2
I don't generally tell people I have worms, but it doesn't mean I don't care for the little guys. They sit in a blue plastic container in my kitchen next to my recycling. When I came back to Montreal from Peru I had two worm-related concerns: 1. Had my roommate thrown them … [Read more...] about Worms, Part 2