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)
Raw Food 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
Home, and Stuffed Caihua with Huacatay Sauce
There are a handful of things that feel strange after leaving Peru yesterday. 1. Drinking from a water fountain 2. Throwing toilet paper in the toilet 3. Having hot water come from a tap 4. Turning on the heat 5. Seeing a mango on my kitchen counter 6. Worrying about unwashed … [Read more...] about Home, and Stuffed Caihua with Huacatay Sauce
Ancho Chili Pepper and Lime Exotic Fruit Salad (and Margaritas!)
Ancho Chili Pepper and Lime-Spiced Exotic Fruit Salad You're probably thinking, lime and chili and salt on fruit? All I'll say is try it, and then tell me all of Mexico is wrong. Also feel free to use other fruit. Newfoundland is not so exotic. Papaya, cherimoya, star fruit, … [Read more...] about Ancho Chili Pepper and Lime Exotic Fruit Salad (and Margaritas!)
Farmers Market Recipes: Curried Cauliflower with Dried Figs and Toasted Pine Nuts; Raw Beet, Carrot and Black Radish Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Thanks to everyone who came to the Nun's Island market today. Despite the rain, it was a nice atmosphere and I'm glad to have met some wonderful people. Here are the recipes I made today, slightly adapted from my portable grill to your home kitchens. (This is how I make these … [Read more...] about Farmers Market Recipes: Curried Cauliflower with Dried Figs and Toasted Pine Nuts; Raw Beet, Carrot and Black Radish Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
The Ultimate Dairy-free Vanilla Gelato and What Seattleites Don’t Know About Coffee
The first sous vide vacuum sealing I did at the Modernist Cuisine lab wasn't to cook anything. It was to reseal an airtight package of vanilla beans. The first time I used a pacojet, however, was to whir up some vanilla gelato. This lab is known for making pistachio gelato. It's … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Dairy-free Vanilla Gelato and What Seattleites Don’t Know About Coffee
When it Gets So Hot That All You Want is Cucumber Juice
That actually happened. I never thought it would, but it was 35 Celcius for about a week and I didn't have air conditioning. I do have systems in place, like reading at the Chapters on Ste-Catherine Street in the slightly air-conditioned basement, and spending time in the McGill … [Read more...] about When it Gets So Hot That All You Want is Cucumber Juice
Raw Tomato Cream Sauce and Tomato Bruschetta
With all those gorgeous tomatoes this week it's time to make one of three things: 1. Bruschetta 2. Gazpacho 3. Tomato Sauce This is a creamy pasta sauce that's almost a combination of the three - it's cool (perfect for hotter months), it's creamy and rich, and it's almost an … [Read more...] about Raw Tomato Cream Sauce and Tomato Bruschetta
Orange, Fennel and Red Cabbage Salad
I used to hate fennel. Anise, black licorice, ouzo, pastis - I hated all of it. I especially hated it with orange. But then I realized that I liked it depending on what I ate it with, and I especially loved it roasted, when it sweetened and softened in flavour. From there I … [Read more...] about Orange, Fennel and Red Cabbage Salad
“Raw” vs. Canned Chilies and the “Ultimate Caribbean Chili Paste”
If you think pickling chilies ends at vinegar, black peppercorns and salt, think again. This paste becomes rich and mind-numbingly pungent from cilantro, garlic, and lime, and is lightened up by carrot. You're supposed to use green papaya and bitter melon, but I like baby steps, … [Read more...] about “Raw” vs. Canned Chilies and the “Ultimate Caribbean Chili Paste”