My latest food article in the Montreal Gazette was about gentrification in the southwest neighbourhood of Pointe-Saint-Charles in Montreal as told through its changing restaurant scene, from blue plate specials to tacos. What I didn't get to include were some of the … [Read more...] about Tastes Like Gentrification: My 10-Year Story on Low-Income Residents in PSC as Told Through Tacos
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
Miso Tempeh Natto Cookbook Review: Dosa, Fermented Flatbreads, Injera, Natto and Tempeh
Miso, Tempeh, Natto & Other Tasty Ferments is my new favourite cookbook! I write this as I'm preparing for the three-day (low-effort) adventure that's making Indonesian oncom, a more sausage-like (apparently) version of tempeh where you end up with soymilk as a by-product … [Read more...] about Miso Tempeh Natto Cookbook Review: Dosa, Fermented Flatbreads, Injera, Natto and Tempeh
Dear Chefs: A Tiny Bit of Gluten is Too Much Gluten
This is an actual conversation I had with a chef recently. He's very nice and he'd gone out of his way to make a soup recipe that I'd written up for a magazine, but had never been able to try because it contained flour and butter. So he made a version with cornstarch and oil, … [Read more...] about Dear Chefs: A Tiny Bit of Gluten is Too Much Gluten
I’m in The Globe & Mail: How to Crash a Newfoundland Dessert Party and other Holiday Food Traditions
Last week I was in The Globe & Mail with a story about crashing a Newfoundland dessert party, but the story is really about food traditions from coast to coast, specifically regional and familial variations on holiday jello puddings and a whole lot of Dream Whip. I should … [Read more...] about I’m in The Globe & Mail: How to Crash a Newfoundland Dessert Party and other Holiday Food Traditions
In the Belly of the Banquet: Inside Montreal’s Biggest Catering Companies
I don't often post links to my Montreal Gazette food feature articles here on my blog, but this one about an insider take on catering companies in Montreal deserves it, I feel. Especially around the holidays, so many people attend catered events. And most have no idea the … [Read more...] about In the Belly of the Banquet: Inside Montreal’s Biggest Catering Companies
La Cuisine Botanique: This New Plant-Based Cookbook Gets a Thumbs Up
Chef Stéphanie Audet's first cookbook is a keeper. It's all-vegetarian and mostly vegan and gluten free. (If recipes aren't overtly vegan or gluten free, there are often gluten free options.) I'm still working through it, but my favourite recipes so far are a Middle … [Read more...] about La Cuisine Botanique: This New Plant-Based Cookbook Gets a Thumbs Up
L’Orygine Bistro Quebec City
If you're planning a trip to the capital of Quebec any time soon, there's a restaurant group you should check out – mostly because at least one of its Old Port restaurants will appeal to you. I don't always love restaurant groups, but this one is impressive because of the quality … [Read more...] about L’Orygine Bistro Quebec City
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)