Two Toronto restaurants: Asuka and Aroma. One Japanese/sushi up in Yorkville, the other Northern Indian down on King Street. When I go out for dinner it's a well thought-out plan. Never random, never out of desperation, and never something I don't expect to be excellent. I knew … [Read more...] about Because Sometimes Dinner Isn’t About the Food: Asuka and Aroma
Back in the Village, Part 2: Wanda’s Pie in the Sky
I needed a sugar fix like I needed a punch in the head. But I went to Wanda's Pie in the Sky anyway. It used to be in Yorkville in Toronto but relocated to bohemian-friendly, Prada-mocking Kensington Village a few years ago. Now it even tries to cater to vegans! Vegans! At a … [Read more...] about Back in the Village, Part 2: Wanda’s Pie in the Sky
How to Sprout Microgreens and Legumes: Interview with the Concordia Greenhouse Sprouting Master
Last week I spoke with Concordia Greenhouse sprouter, Stefanie Dimitrovas, about how to sprout chickpeas, alfalfa, mung beans and quinoa, as well as how to grow microgreens. She's in charge of growing and packing these little nutritional wonders for Le Frigo Vert and other shops … [Read more...] about How to Sprout Microgreens and Legumes: Interview with the Concordia Greenhouse Sprouting Master
My Pickles, and the Trinity-Bellwoods Pickler
This is all the pickling I did this summer. I think I got everything in here. As long as you don't count the pickled sour cherries, which I think of more as dessert or a snack than as accompaniment to BBQ fare. sure, they look a little neon, which is creepy, but they tasted … [Read more...] about My Pickles, and the Trinity-Bellwoods Pickler
Back in the Village, Part 1: In Search of Pork and Beef-Free Pierogies, Cabbage Rolls and Sauerkraut at the Ukrainian and Polish Festivals
You'd think vegetarian pierogies and cabbage rolls would be easy to find, wouldn't you? And surely some sauerkraut somewhere doesn't involve pork butt, but two Eastern European cultural festivals in Toronto later and I'm proven otherwise. I guess I was just spoiled by St. … [Read more...] about Back in the Village, Part 1: In Search of Pork and Beef-Free Pierogies, Cabbage Rolls and Sauerkraut at the Ukrainian and Polish Festivals
TexiCali Salad with Corn, Tomato and Peppers
Ingredients: 1 red onion or 3 shallots, diced 3-5 large delicious tomatoes, diced 2 bell peppers, any colour, diced 2 cups cooked chickpeas (you can use black beans for a more traditional texicali salad, but any bean will do. f you use dried black beans soak them the same … [Read more...] about TexiCali Salad with Corn, Tomato and Peppers
Sweet and Savoury Fig and Tomato Salad and How to Make a Decent Salad Dressing
Have I ever mentioned that I hate raw garlic? It stays on my breath for at least the rest of the day. Often it turns into "morning after" garlic without most of the fun of what that should involve. So when I make a salad dressing I'm torn. I want body and depth, and I want tang … [Read more...] about Sweet and Savoury Fig and Tomato Salad and How to Make a Decent Salad Dressing
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with Parsley, Rice, Corn and Tomato Sauce
Whether you use leftover rice and tomato sauce or make this all in one fell swoop, it's the ultimate end of summer/beginning of fall, cool evening meal. Not too heavy, not too light, not too hot, and completely summer vegetable beautiful. Adding parsley to the rice mixture and … [Read more...] about Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with Parsley, Rice, Corn and Tomato Sauce
Pissaladière: Tomato, Olive and Onion Tart
Using perfect tomatoes and olives and perfectly softening the onions are the keys to this dish. What you need to do is use more olive oil than you think you should ever consume. This is a rustic dish, after all. A handful of ingredients. Simple. Delicious. 2-3 tbsp olive oil 2 … [Read more...] about Pissaladière: Tomato, Olive and Onion Tart
Haddock in Indian-Spiced Tomato Sauce
This is a simple fish recipe with just a few spices and a quick tomato sauce. If you're scared of fish and want to try some lesser-known Indian cuisine (butter chicken this ain't), this is the recipe for you. Please use sustainable fish. Printing the handy wallet-sized pdf and … [Read more...] about Haddock in Indian-Spiced Tomato Sauce