So I made a test batch of cabbage rolls for my friend's party and then another batch at his house. I used the same recipe except for a few spices, and all in all, both worked just fine. Since my friend and I eat partly raw I figured I'd do the raw substitute for rice and use … [Read more...] about Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls with Cauliflower
Vegetarian
Sauerkraut-Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Don't Knock 'em til you Try 'em. When a good cook friend who makes litres of sauerkraut for personal use insists that he lives on sauerkraut-peanut butter sandwiches on his home-made sourdough bread, you have to be a bit skeptical. But when he trades you a jar for some of your … [Read more...] about Sauerkraut-Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Mission: Cabbage Rolls (aka Sauerkraut/Jam Swap at DNA Restaurant)
Objective: Exchange home-made sauerkraut for home-made fig jam Where?: DNA Restaurant - fancy contemporary restaurant in Old Montreal - 355 rue Marguerite d'Youville When?: Happy Hour Why? (Besides desire for sauerkraut): 1/2 price on all Canadian bottles of wine from … [Read more...] about Mission: Cabbage Rolls (aka Sauerkraut/Jam Swap at DNA Restaurant)
Quinoa Lentil Salad
I can't believe I don't have a picture of this dish! The quinoa, lentils, and arugula in a simple balsamic-dijon vinaigrette is such a perfect potluck dish. Whole grains, protein, greens and a mild flavouring that is best served at room temperature makes for a nourishing, … [Read more...] about Quinoa Lentil Salad
Lotus Root Poached in Dashi and Vinegar
I worked a catering shift once that required me to chop lotus root into 1/4" slices, then place the slices neatly in stacks of 10. This kitchen had no mandolin, which meant that an hour and a half (and 4800 lotus root slices) later I had a few large bins worth of slices and a … [Read more...] about Lotus Root Poached in Dashi and Vinegar
Lentil Soup with Better Broth
Josée di Stasio's cookbook "A la di Stasio" is a Quebecois gem. I've made this recipe before, but a good soup depends on a good broth, and finally I had a good broth. There was nothing special about it - just carrots, celery, onions and a tiny bit of garlic simmered with bay … [Read more...] about Lentil Soup with Better Broth
Bibimbap: In Search of the Perfect Gochujang
The trick to a good bibimbap, as far as I know, is the sauce. You take some sweet rice and cook it until it's perfect and then some vegetables and meat cut into strips (chicken, beef or pork, preferably marinated, leftover or freshly cooked), but you don't even need the meat. To … [Read more...] about Bibimbap: In Search of the Perfect Gochujang
Because Indian Food Is Supposed to Be Ugly: Sweet and Sour Eggplant
Maybe if I'd had some more fresh coriander for garnish this wouldn't have looked so gross? I wouldn't have cared if it had been delicious, and as much as it wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. I even bought the right kind of eggplants for once; the long, lighter purple, skinny … [Read more...] about Because Indian Food Is Supposed to Be Ugly: Sweet and Sour Eggplant
Stir-Fried Cabbage with Dried Chilies, Star Anise and Ginger (Yunnan Lajiao Baicai)
I house-sat once at a chef's house. I found myself in a kitchen where bones took up most of the freezer, grinders and ice cream makers and food processors lines the tops of the cupboards, and the spice cabinet rivaled my own. The recipe books, however, far surpassed my collection … [Read more...] about Stir-Fried Cabbage with Dried Chilies, Star Anise and Ginger (Yunnan Lajiao Baicai)
Indian Sambar in Newfoundland (aka Turkey Detox Food)
I've made a lot of sambhar, but I figured my family might be all turkey-ed out after Christmas and no-meat-Mondays weren't quite good enough. So I introduced my family to masala dosa and, more importantly, to sambhar. Ingredients: Sambar Powder2 tbsp coriander seeds 2-4 small … [Read more...] about Indian Sambar in Newfoundland (aka Turkey Detox Food)