I'm testing a couple of products from the upcoming Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert (March 11-13, 2016) and first up is a expeller-pressed macadamia nut oil from NOW. If you've never been to the expo before, it's a weekend-long exhibition at the Palais de Congrès (metro Place … [Read more...] about NOW Macadamia Nut Oil, Available at the Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert
All Recipes
Chinese Dì Sān Xiān: Sautéed Potato, Eggplant and Green Pepper
This classic Chinese comfort food dish is a study in texture. When you think potato and eggplant, you probably think mush. Think again. In this recipe, they're soft on the inside and crispy on the outside from shallow frying before hot sautéing.The flavour is mild - there's no … [Read more...] about Chinese Dì Sān Xiān: Sautéed Potato, Eggplant and Green Pepper
Shui Zu Yu: Spicy Boiled Sichuan Fish
This is a typical Sichuan dish that's quick, light and tongue-tingling. Make sure you find real Sichuan peppercorns. If your mouth doesn't go a little numb, they're not real. You want the burn, because it's not really heat, per se; it's numbing. And sometimes we all need a little … [Read more...] about Shui Zu Yu: Spicy Boiled Sichuan Fish
Sweet and Spicy Slow-Cooker Turkey with Pinto Beans
I kind of cheated on this one. Instead of making a sauce, I just threw in a bunch of my frozen Heinz on Crack (sweet and spicy tomato jam). So if you make this recipe, don't replace it with ketchup or salsa. It won't be the same. The bones you see are the ones I took the meat … [Read more...] about Sweet and Spicy Slow-Cooker Turkey with Pinto Beans
Indian White Bean Coconut Curry
I have a secret. I'm a lactose-free eater who hates coconut. "Oh my God! What ice cream do you eat?" you ask – the obvious question. Either Solo Fruit Sorbet, So Delicious almond ice cream (though for legal reasons it's called "non-dairy frozen dessert") or I make my own almond … [Read more...] about Indian White Bean Coconut Curry
There’s More Than One Way to Cook a Chicken: On Brining and Spatchcocking
So it turns out I had my aphorisms all mixed up. How embarrassing. It turns out that the old saying actually goes: "There's more than one way to skin a cat," which has nothing to do with roasting chickens. And when you type "There's more than one way to roast" in a Google search … [Read more...] about There’s More Than One Way to Cook a Chicken: On Brining and Spatchcocking
Sweet Saturdays: Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cinnamon Buns from Bunner’s Bakeshop
Bunner's was rated the top bakery in Toronto by NOW Magazine in 2015. No, not the top gluten-free bakery – though it is – but the best overall bakery. It just happens to be both 100% gluten free and vegan. The staff can even tell you which items are soy-free, and most are. I … [Read more...] about Sweet Saturdays: Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cinnamon Buns from Bunner’s Bakeshop
Death Star Watermelon and Exotic Fruit from Baobab I
You can't have a Star Wars-themed party without a Death Star, clearly. Just google "Star Wars recipes" and go to images and you'll be amazed at what people can do with a pen knife. My dad took the challenge, sculpting two of these babies for the party. Cut some vertical lines and … [Read more...] about Death Star Watermelon and Exotic Fruit from Baobab I
Jawa Juice: Grapefruit-Basil Cocktail Punch with Frozen Cherries (Aperol Optional)
Is Aperol ever really optional? It's a bit like tying your shoe laces. You could leave them untied, but that would be dumb. Still, the virgin version of this punch is plenty passable (though less red). Either way, the key is the bittersweet grapefruit-basil syrup. Don't skip … [Read more...] about Jawa Juice: Grapefruit-Basil Cocktail Punch with Frozen Cherries (Aperol Optional)
Frog’s Legs, Chicken Wings or Scallops in Brandy
The original recipe is for frogs legs and it's in honour of Jabba the Hut's preference for eating them in brandy (see Christmas Party 2015 for further explanation). But frog's legs are somewhat hard to come by in Newfoundland, let alone in the middle of winter, so I subbed … [Read more...] about Frog’s Legs, Chicken Wings or Scallops in Brandy