I brought a can of chestnut purée home from Montreal to Newfoundland along with my sezchuan peppercorns and dried Anaheim, New Mexico and bird's eye chili peppers (these things are still hard to come by here, though at least the peppercorns may soon be available at Food For … [Read more...] about Sweet Chestnut Torte with Butterscotch Frosting and Blueberry Syrup
Kale with Garlic and Lemon
So many people think leafy greens and immediately think "yuk". It's so annoyingly cultural. Italian kids will go for seconds of the wilted spinach or sautéed rapini, and North Americans of all ages will subtly push their serving to the side. I have huge respect for Josée di … [Read more...] about Kale with Garlic and Lemon
Freak Snow Storm Harira Soup
Yesterday didn't start out badly. Sure, the day before there had been a few flakes of snow, but it was in positive digits. Then all of a sudden I look out the window to see sideways snow whipping through the air. I actually had to get out the snow brush and scrape off the car. … [Read more...] about Freak Snow Storm Harira Soup
Bistro Sofia
Bistro Sofia 320 Water Street St. John's, NL 7 1/2 out of 10 European Finally there's a true bistro in St. John's. This affordable, unpretentious spot specializes in braised meats and old-world comfort foods like lamb shanks, pork shoulder and duck confit. Unfortunately, once a … [Read more...] about Bistro Sofia
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
I bought 12 sweet potatoes. 1 for each expected potluck guest. I knew it would be way too much, but I did it anyway. Sweet potato fries go fast, and besides, they're SO easy to make. Really, all you need are sweet potatoes, salt and a bit of cayenne. Others would say skip the … [Read more...] about Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Arugula Salad with Shrimp and Grapes
Every good potluck needs a salad. A good salad. Not some greens served besides bottles of Kraft dressing. Not something coated in oil. There are two appropriate kinds of potluck green salads - ones with the dressing on the side (where only the unobservant fools who are too in a … [Read more...] about Arugula Salad with Shrimp and Grapes
Masters Potluck
Traditions are wonderful. When my family started having a Christmas party two years ago, I immediately started calling it 'annual'. Traditions need to start somewhere, and they certainly need a little bit of help sometimes. A longer tradition in my family is my dad hosting a … [Read more...] about Masters Potluck
Spiced Basmati Rice: Masaledar Basmati
I know, I know. This is my third rice post in a short period of time, but if you want something just a touch fancier than a plain basmati rice, this is a nice, easy recipe. 2 cups basmati rice water 2 tsp oil 1 onion, diced 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1/2 tsp garam masala a … [Read more...] about Spiced Basmati Rice: Masaledar Basmati
The Best Recipe I Ever Made: Almond, Poppy Seed, and Fig Shahjahani Leg of Lamb
I can never try opium. This is not a problem or anything, but I just know that I can't try it or I'll become addicted. If I can become addicted to the toasted poppy seeds in this recipe this easily (which are not addictive at all, but are derived from the same plant as opium), … [Read more...] about The Best Recipe I Ever Made: Almond, Poppy Seed, and Fig Shahjahani Leg of Lamb
A Sweet Touch: Mashed Potatoes
For my dad I made regular mashed potatoes as a rabbit bed. For myself, I threw in a sweet potato. Sure the colour is not quite what you'd expect, and it's not particularly attractive since the sauce for the rabbit is already kind of orangey-red, but it tastes like something a … [Read more...] about A Sweet Touch: Mashed Potatoes