"Yellow is my favourite rice!" said my brother as I lifted the cover of the rice cooker to reveal a turmeric-tinged batch of Basmati. "It's seriously just turmeric and rice," I said, but it did look good. Sometimes it takes a brother to point out how delicious a colour can … [Read more...] about Turmeric-Sage Rice with Pickled Kale Stems
Greens & Herbs
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
Slow-Roasted Duck Legs in Wine: Raspberries and Food Memories
Are there meals that you dream about from before the days of social distancing? I often dream of one in particular. I was sitting into a beautiful new restaurant in NDG in Montreal two years ago with a platter of duck legs, breast, wings, sausage and duck-fat-cooked potatoes in … [Read more...] about Slow-Roasted Duck Legs in Wine: Raspberries and Food Memories
Ethiopian lentils, spinach, squash and pan-seared wild deer
I know, I know, this is not an accessible meal for most people. Who has access to wild deer? I was gifted some by a hunter friend. Lucky me, I know. Which is why I really didn't want to screw this up. I don't sear a lot of red meat since I very rarely eat beef, and cooking this … [Read more...] about Ethiopian lentils, spinach, squash and pan-seared wild deer
Chinese Healthy Soup: Ginseng and Other Adaptogens
I have a New Years tradition with a friend to make a giant pot of soup with a ton of vegetables from Chinatown, the reason being that after a late night of drinking it feels good to start the new year with something healthy, hot and easy to digest. And Chinatown is usually the … [Read more...] about Chinese Healthy Soup: Ginseng and Other Adaptogens
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
Côte Nord Crab Mushroom Risotto with Chickpeas
Back in February I did a television segment for Global Montreal and was given a bag of dried crab mushrooms from the North Shore (the Côte Nord) of Quebec to present on the show. They're very similar to lobster mushrooms in look, so I figured they'd be good in risotto. To … [Read more...] about Côte Nord Crab Mushroom Risotto with Chickpeas
Brined Barbecued or Roasted Turkey Leg with Ground Provisions
Okay, this is not a gorgeous shot. All that flaccid skin reminding you of the geriatric wing (I meant of the hospital, but I suppose your grandfather's elbow also applies). But all those wrinkles just mean that when this beast of a turkey thigh and neck are roasted, that skin … [Read more...] about Brined Barbecued or Roasted Turkey Leg with Ground Provisions
The Best Gluten Free Pizza: Don’t Make the Crust Yourself
"But... you can't eat pizza?" That's the standard incredulous sentence I hear when I tell people I'm gluten intolerant. Well, that or something sad about baguette. Quebeckers really love their breads. I know. I've eaten them (pre-gluten intolerance). I even essentially wrote a … [Read more...] about The Best Gluten Free Pizza: Don’t Make the Crust Yourself
Southwest Chicken Enchiladas with Farmer’s Market Pink Oyster Mushrooms and Dry Bandol Rosé
How could I not buy these pink oyster mushrooms from Laura's Locals at the Rillito Farmer's Market in Tucson, Arizona? I've never eaten pink ones before, and though I was promised (presumably by Laura) that they taste the same as white...well, they're pink! Now, I've never … [Read more...] about Southwest Chicken Enchiladas with Farmer’s Market Pink Oyster Mushrooms and Dry Bandol Rosé