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
All Recipes
Coronavirus Diary, Part 3: All the Food
I admit I've been a reluctant cook during these days of social distancing. I usually don't have a problem cooking for one since I love having leftovers to stick in the freezer. But these days, with eating being one of the highlights of the day, it's a little less exciting to eat … [Read more...] about Coronavirus Diary, Part 3: All the Food
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
Download the “Quarantine Cooking” E-Book
It's launched! My pay-what-you-can e-cookbook Quarantine Cooking features more than 50 recipes with a focus on ingredients found in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Proceeds will go to the Montreal Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, which is supporting workers who've lost their … [Read more...] about Download the “Quarantine Cooking” E-Book
Quarantine Cooking: Plant-Based and Non-Plant Based Pantry Staples from Beans to Quinoa to Sustainable Tuna
Even in self-isolation or for anyone practicing social distancing not feeling like heading to the grocery store, you're never exactly totally isolated or stuck with nothing but that bag of rice you bought ages ago. But if you don't feel like going out, don't have time for a … [Read more...] about Quarantine Cooking: Plant-Based and Non-Plant Based Pantry Staples from Beans to Quinoa to Sustainable Tuna
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
Dairy-Free Almond Yogurt Apple and Pear Streusel Tarts
What's a streusel tart? It's a pie with a crumbly topping instead of a top dough. It's a fancy name for an open-faced pie with crunchy bits of what's usually a brown sugar-nut combo. It's delicious. This recipe is a variation on a recipe from Brown Eggs and Jam Jars by Aimée … [Read more...] about Dairy-Free Almond Yogurt Apple and Pear Streusel Tarts
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
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
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)