Nine years ago, I wrote an article called "Sleep Together and Have Sons: Celebrating Chinese New Year with Sex and Dumplings" for Maisonneuve Magazine's blog, back when I was an intern there. It's a catchy title and I remember researching this history of jiaozi and long-life … [Read more...] about Chinese New Year, Feb. 11-17, 2021: Recipes and History
Fish and Seafood
Spicy Sichuan Boiled Fish from Bon Appetit and How to Simultaneously Burn and Numb Your Mouth
Sometimes you just want your whole mouth to burn. For that, there's Sichuan boiled fish. The bright red liquid the fish is served in is more a cooking oil than a sauce, and the whole dried Sichuan chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns that occupy it are for simultaneously … [Read more...] about Spicy Sichuan Boiled Fish from Bon Appetit and How to Simultaneously Burn and Numb Your Mouth
Spice-Rubbed Salmon on the Barbecue with Grilled Zucchini
I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I'd never cooked a large fillet of fish on the barbecue. Never once have I done the traditional cedar plank salmon or even a large fillet en papillote (in parchment paper). But then I realized all I needed to do was put a big slab of … [Read more...] about Spice-Rubbed Salmon on the Barbecue with Grilled Zucchini
Black Bean Mussels Adapted from The Seventh Daughter by Cecilia Chiang
Sometimes you read a memoir/cookbook that puts your life is in perspective. The Seventh Daughter: My Culinary Journey from Beijing to San Francisco by famous San Francisco restaurant owner Cecilia Chiang tells her life story of barely escaping China, moving to Japan then on to … [Read more...] about Black Bean Mussels Adapted from The Seventh Daughter by Cecilia Chiang
Kimchi Stew – Kimchi Jigae (pork-free)
When I saw that a pork-free kimchi stew won a best recipe award on The Guardian website, I figured it was time to use up the rest of my 2018 batch of kimchi and grab a box of tissues. The spicy stew is supposed to be earthy and rich and deep, but my versions in the past have … [Read more...] about Kimchi Stew – Kimchi Jigae (pork-free)
Pesto Potatoes Two Ways and Trout with Peach Salsa (aka à la Beau Mont)
Rarely is a meal that I make for myself as much about eating something pretty as it is about eating something delicious. But sometimes life just works out for the best. This dish of potatoes and trout is a prime example. I'd made a green pesto (I blended together basil, olive … [Read more...] about Pesto Potatoes Two Ways and Trout with Peach Salsa (aka à la Beau Mont)
Salt Baked Fish
You know when a restaurant charges you $40 for the whole grilled fish? That's a complete waste of my money. Whether it's a waste of yours depends on your income, inheritance, budget, your home's proximity to a good fish shop and the restaurant's sourcing and belief in … [Read more...] about Salt Baked Fish
Lobster Salad with a Sweet Basil, Chive and Lemon Vinaigrette
This is spring in a bowl. It's also fall and part of summer, depending on where you live. When lobster went on sale in the spring, I went on a spree, and tossed it with a bunch of my recently grown lettuce, chives, sorrel and basil shoots and some sliced cucumbers. It wasn't … [Read more...] about Lobster Salad with a Sweet Basil, Chive and Lemon Vinaigrette
Humboldt Squid Slow Cooker Ragout: Sustainable Seafood alla Italiana
Yes, I know it's Nordic shrimp and snow crab season here in Quebec. Yes, we're getting lobster from the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. And yes, I can even get fresh (farmed) BC sockeye or other Pacific salmon. So why am I buying tubes of sustainable Humboldt squid from the freezer section … [Read more...] about Humboldt Squid Slow Cooker Ragout: Sustainable Seafood alla Italiana
Southwestern Tequila Shrimp Skewers and Spicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Here are another two recipes from Savvy Southwest Cooking. The Gulf of Mexico has some sustainable shrimp options, but make sure you source yours carefully to avoid food colorants, antibiotics, sea lice and other parasites and chemicals. Not to mention the destruction to … [Read more...] about Southwestern Tequila Shrimp Skewers and Spicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes