If you've been wondering what's been happening in the world of Montreal restaurants while a lot of the English-language media has reduced its food (and general freelance) coverage, the answer is "a lot." First, Montreal Sophie Watts launched a Google spreadsheet of Black-owned … [Read more...] about Montreal Food News: Black-Owned Restaurants, Controversy and New Openings During Covid
Garden Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (and How to Not Kill Your Tomatoes)
A few weeks ago when I wrote about Victory Gardens, I included a photo of my freshly planted tomato seedlings in my community garden plot. They were so small and cute and I gushed about them, as I imagine a mother would about her children (though clearly tomatoes are a better … [Read more...] about Garden Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (and How to Not Kill Your Tomatoes)
An Ode to Travels and Pears and Peaches Past (Pickled with Boubon and Maple Syrup)
Nectarines and peaches are back in Montreal grocery stores and markets lately, which reminded me of when I spent a few weeks in Seattle, Washington, going to as many farmer's markets as possible and discovering some gorgeous peaches and Japanese pears. It also reminded me that … [Read more...] about An Ode to Travels and Pears and Peaches Past (Pickled with Boubon and Maple Syrup)
Shrimp, Stinging Nettle and Potato Soup
This is what isolation does to me. I print off the Globe & Mail's giant crossword and I make soup. And I garden. I've basically hit menopause without the hot flashes and minus 20 or so years. I spent an hour pulling stinging nettle out of a community garden plot one … [Read more...] about Shrimp, Stinging Nettle and Potato Soup
The Return of the Victory Garden
The need for urban agriculture being championed by Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and Premier François Legault means more people will be growing plants and gardens at home this year. Even now that community gardens have opened with special rules in place (it was iffy for … [Read more...] about The Return of the Victory Garden
Even During COVID-19, we all Scream for…Ice Cream!
Summer came with a wallop last week as a heat wave sent Montreal into a renewed panic. Not one based on contagion, though, or at least not primarily. Playgrounds reopened their water play areas so kids could cool off and people with respiratory diseases were told to stay inside … [Read more...] about Even During COVID-19, we all Scream for…Ice Cream!
Sweet Miso Eggplant and Rice Noodles
I have a new favourite recipe. It's for pretty much any vegetable cooked in a mixture of sweet white miso, vegan fish sauce (or real fish sauce, or soy sauce) and enough water to make a paste. I use my homemade miso (the recipe was a mix of the one in Miso, Tempeh, Natto … [Read more...] about Sweet Miso Eggplant and Rice Noodles
Black Chickpeas: Kala Chana and What to Do With Them
Have you ever heard of black chickpeas? They're completely natural. There's no squid ink involved. And they're a bit of a misnomer. They're actually naturally dark brown (not black) on the outside and yellow like regular chickpeas on the inside. And they have a slightly nuttier … [Read more...] about Black Chickpeas: Kala Chana and What to Do With Them
I Love India Cookbook Review: Tandoori Sea Bream, Zucchini and Curry Leaf Cornbread, Bengali Stir-Fried Prawns and Mustard
When it comes to Indian cookbooks, I've long been a devotee of Madhur Jaffrey. My dal-splattered pages of her original "Indian Cooking" cookbook are accompanied by memories of flavour revelations and culinary triumphs: simmered chicken and lamb curries, my first homemade chicken … [Read more...] about I Love India Cookbook Review: Tandoori Sea Bream, Zucchini and Curry Leaf Cornbread, Bengali Stir-Fried Prawns and Mustard
Covid-19 and the Etiquette of Buying Watermelon
I should have known better than to only bring four bags on my one trip to the grocery store last week. My pulse quickened as I saw the large container of watermelon. I'd normally pick through them, melon after melon, until I found the roundest, heaviest, most hollow-sounding … [Read more...] about Covid-19 and the Etiquette of Buying Watermelon