There was a time this summer when I couldn't eat any more arugula. I loved the peppery leaves that took over my garden but I was struggling to keep up, and they don't freeze well. I beat them back almost daily, knocking off the flowers that insisted on popping up and making the … [Read more...] about Bean and Arugula Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
Main Dishes
Up In the Air: A Salad for Lightness
This was me three weeks ago. I flew through the air at Parc Jean-Drapeau on a trapeze set up for the Festival du Monde coinciding with Le Festival Complètement Cirque in Montreal. Definitions Festival du Monde: A two-weekend event celebrating the cultures of different … [Read more...] about Up In the Air: A Salad for Lightness
Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas
A few jerk chicken primers: 1. Jerk chicken is long-marinaded Jamaican chicken grilled until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside 2. Peas does not refer to green peas. It refers to black-eyed peas, aka beans. 3. The rice is usually cooked with coconut milk. 4. Most … [Read more...] about Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas
Indian Chili Bison Tacos with Homemade Taco Cups
Basically I made this because I was having a dinner party and wanted to make raw vegan tacos with sprouted mung beans and then happened to stumble upon this recipe in Hari Nayak's "Easy Indian Cooking" for beef chili. Despite the elevated temperatures my body wanted something hot … [Read more...] about Indian Chili Bison Tacos with Homemade Taco Cups
Indian Lamb Curry from Hari Nayak’s Easy Indian Cooking
Nayak has a new Indian cookbook out. I'm slowly working through the recipes. It's not as big or beautiful as his last one, but if the recipes work I'm all for it. So far it seems the recipes are easier (blend things up all together rather than multi-step processes). This recipe … [Read more...] about Indian Lamb Curry from Hari Nayak’s Easy Indian Cooking
Making Friends With Salad: Du Puy lentils with red wine-maple vinaigrette, candied pecans and grilled endive
This is a salad that will make you enjoy eating: A. Lentils B. Salad Both, I believe, are important in life. Both, however, can be horrendously disappointing. I get why carnivores who only know romaine lettuce and Kraft Caesar dressing from a bottle stick to steak. I can't … [Read more...] about Making Friends With Salad: Du Puy lentils with red wine-maple vinaigrette, candied pecans and grilled endive
Arugula: My Garden’s First Bountiful, Nibbled-On Harvest (plus lots of recipes)
I've been pruning my basil plants. That means pinching off the little suckers (that's actually the name of the new leaves that try to come along where big leaves are already trying to grow. You pinch them off to encourage large leaf growth) and the flowers (same justification). … [Read more...] about Arugula: My Garden’s First Bountiful, Nibbled-On Harvest (plus lots of recipes)
Andalusian Green Grape and Almond Gazpacho: A taste of summer
A little while ago a friend of mine sprained his wrist falling off his bike after hitting a pothole on a poorly-maintained Montreal street. This significantly impaired his ability to chop vegetables, open packages, and wash dishes, resulting in a slew of lackluster - and … [Read more...] about Andalusian Green Grape and Almond Gazpacho: A taste of summer
Vegan Comfort: Brown Rice Pilaf with Fava Beans, Sauerkraut and Seaweed
I have a feeling this might be macrobiotic in addition to vegan, but I confess to not knowing for sure and I don't want to make any false claims. Still, it was warm, soft, and savoury, full of nutrients and deep, earthy umami flavours. Did I also mention it was simple? And a … [Read more...] about Vegan Comfort: Brown Rice Pilaf with Fava Beans, Sauerkraut and Seaweed
Summer Nights Sweet-and-Sour Chipotle Slow-Cooker Chili
There are two schools of thought on chili: 1. It's a winter-only food, meant for heating you up from the inside out 2. It's a year-round food, meant for heating you up in winter and cooling you down with mind-numbing and shiver-inducing sweating in summer. I fall into the … [Read more...] about Summer Nights Sweet-and-Sour Chipotle Slow-Cooker Chili