I've never made osso buco before...but I've eaten it once, and it was incredible. The reasons for never having eaten it before are: 1. It's notoriously an Italian bistro or restaurant dish (The Italian term 'ristorante' meaning a fancier and more expensive restaurant than … [Read more...] about Bison Osso Buco Recipe Challenge
Lobster Bisque
I did this as a personal challenge...I've never bought a live lobster in my life. In fact I didn't even like lobster until a few years ago. Once, my mom made lobster and I couldn't eat it. The antenna, the eyes. God, it had eyes. It was gross, and staring at me. But that was a … [Read more...] about Lobster Bisque
Mango Date Squares
Mango Date Squares is a variation on Bonnie Stern's more traditional date square recipe from HeartSmart: The Best of HeartSmart Cooking. I've made it a few times and it's always good, but I like my version a bit better. You know the cough syrupy sweetness of dates? Sometimes … [Read more...] about Mango Date Squares
Miso Vinaigrette
This is a variation on my favourite salad dressing/rice noodle/sweet potato noodle dressing/vegetable dip or sauce. Versatile? Yes: 2 tbsp. green onions (white part only) 1 tbsp. miso (I use white, but every kind adds a different flavour to your dish) 2 tsp. tamari or soy sauce … [Read more...] about Miso Vinaigrette
Jerusalem Artichoke Soup: Bonnie Stern’s Heartsmart Cooking
When I discovered Jerusalem Artichokes I didn't know quite what to do with them. First I didn't know what they tasted like, or what went well with them. It turns out they're nutty, sweet and earthy. Something to be tried, not just described. They look like dirty, knobby pieces … [Read more...] about Jerusalem Artichoke Soup: Bonnie Stern’s Heartsmart Cooking
Brocante Baleze
Brocante Balèze 2116 rue de Bleury Montreal, QC ●●○○○○○○○○ 2 out of 10 I'm sorry, but when I want to be treated poorly, I'll become a telemarketer. I certainly won't walk into a café I've been curious about for weeks and try to cause trouble. I swear I don't even know how to … [Read more...] about Brocante Baleze
Spicy Sweet Potato Soup
This is a variation on Judith Finalyson's "Slow Cooker Recipes". You don't have to use New Mexico Chili Pepper for this but, it works really well. Ancho might giv you more of a chocolatey taste. This was probably the best soup I've ever made, and I've made a lot of … [Read more...] about Spicy Sweet Potato Soup
Murgh Musallam: Whole Chicken Baked in Aluminum Foil
This is a wonderful way to roast a chicken. A little more complicated than Mireille Guiliano's 4 ingredients (chicken, shallot, champagne, herb of choice), but oh so very much worth it. As huge as the ingredient list is, though, I didn't have to buy a single thing, except the … [Read more...] about Murgh Musallam: Whole Chicken Baked in Aluminum Foil
Chicken au Champagne with Mashed Celeriac, Balsamic Braised Fennel, and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
I've been living in my apartment for 4 months, but not until now was there a dinner party. I wanted it to be simple, elegant and relaxed. So it started with cremini mushrooms, sautéed until their liquid evaporated, then drizzled with lemon juice and tarragon, and finally placed … [Read more...] about Chicken au Champagne with Mashed Celeriac, Balsamic Braised Fennel, and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
Olives et Epices
Olives et Épices 7075 Casgrain Avenue, Jean-Talon Market Montreal, QC ●●●●●●●●●○ 9 out of 10 When I first moved to Montreal, I fell in love with three things: 1) the blueberry jam at Première Moisson, 2) The Chocolat Chaud a l'ancien (also … [Read more...] about Olives et Epices