Editor Lucinda Chodan of the Montreal Gazette announced in today's Weekend Life section that three new food writers would be coming Saturday section, taking over the role left open by former restaurant reviewer Lesley Chesterman. I'm thrilled to be one of those writers! … [Read more...] about Food Writing for the Montreal Gazette Weekend Life
Rosé Braised Turkey Leg with Sundried Tomatoes, Olives and Rosemary
Rosé and turkey? Yes. White wine just wasn't summery enough. Plenty of recipes call for white wine, from butter sauces to mussels, and plenty call for red, from coq au vin to braised beef. But since turkey leg falls somewhere between chicken and beef in terms of white meat … [Read more...] about Rosé Braised Turkey Leg with Sundried Tomatoes, Olives and Rosemary
Montreal’s Best Terrasses
Just in time for summer, I did a segment on Global Mornings on Montreal's best terrasses (or patios, for the anglophones out there). Whether you're looking for Haitian rum cocktails in a back courtyard, New Orleans-inspired brunch in a West Island garden or downtown … [Read more...] about Montreal’s Best Terrasses
Namazake Throwdown: Unpasteurized Sake in Cans
Yes, sake comes in cans. Yes, it's pretty affordable. And yes, occasionally it's even good. Sometimes, it's very good. Because, like beer, keeping unpasteurized or half-pasteurized sake in a dark, airtight container helps it stay fresher. The trick is to find a bunch of … [Read more...] about Namazake Throwdown: Unpasteurized Sake in Cans
Humboldt Squid Slow Cooker Ragout: Sustainable Seafood alla Italiana
Yes, I know it's Nordic shrimp and snow crab season here in Quebec. Yes, we're getting lobster from the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. And yes, I can even get fresh (farmed) BC sockeye or other Pacific salmon. So why am I buying tubes of sustainable Humboldt squid from the freezer section … [Read more...] about Humboldt Squid Slow Cooker Ragout: Sustainable Seafood alla Italiana
Côte Nord Crab Mushroom Risotto with Chickpeas
Back in February I did a television segment for Global Montreal and was given a bag of dried crab mushrooms from the North Shore (the Côte Nord) of Quebec to present on the show. They're very similar to lobster mushrooms in look, so I figured they'd be good in risotto. To … [Read more...] about Côte Nord Crab Mushroom Risotto with Chickpeas
Brined Barbecued or Roasted Turkey Leg with Ground Provisions
Okay, this is not a gorgeous shot. All that flaccid skin reminding you of the geriatric wing (I meant of the hospital, but I suppose your grandfather's elbow also applies). But all those wrinkles just mean that when this beast of a turkey thigh and neck are roasted, that skin … [Read more...] about Brined Barbecued or Roasted Turkey Leg with Ground Provisions
Provisions Restaurant: An Outremont Restaurant Actually Worth the Price
The problem with living in an up-and-coming neighbourhood is that, eventually, it will up-and-come. Might as well move into one of the most expensive up-and-came ones at the get-go. That's probably what the four owners of Provisions Restaurant thought when they moved into their … [Read more...] about Provisions Restaurant: An Outremont Restaurant Actually Worth the Price
Cocktail Invasion 2019, May 20-31 in Montreal
Cocktail Invasion is back starting Monday, with as many zombies as the Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but more delicious. I've been covering this festival since 2015 and I'm happy to see that's it's still growing. Montrealers download the cocktail passport for free from the … [Read more...] about Cocktail Invasion 2019, May 20-31 in Montreal
The Best Gluten Free Pizza: Don’t Make the Crust Yourself
"But... you can't eat pizza?" That's the standard incredulous sentence I hear when I tell people I'm gluten intolerant. Well, that or something sad about baguette. Quebeckers really love their breads. I know. I've eaten them (pre-gluten intolerance). I even essentially wrote a … [Read more...] about The Best Gluten Free Pizza: Don’t Make the Crust Yourself