"Expectations are Boring," says cooking instructor Nantha Kumar at his Southeast Asian seafood class at the Centrale Culinaire a few weeks ago. It was a bone-chilling evening, but a class of eager students shlepped to the Mile-End shared kitchen space for a hot … [Read more...] about Razor Clams, Crab and Sambal: Diving into Seafood at a Southeast Asian Seafood Cooking Class With Nantha Kumar
Where to Drink Sake in Montreal (and why right now’s the best time to do it)
This morning on Breakfast Television in Montreal I actually made it through a taste test (well, almost) of six stellar sakes now available in Montreal! Did I even breathe? (See above.) I also talked about why the Montreal sake scene has recently boomed (shout-out to Viet … [Read more...] about Where to Drink Sake in Montreal (and why right now’s the best time to do it)
Dry Ciders and More Canadian Bubbles
I recently posted an article about sparkling wines made in Canada, but much more acknowledged is the cider-making industry, at least in Quebec, Ontario and BC. Generally, these are on the sweet side compared with French ciders. The non-sparkling ones have a much smaller … [Read more...] about Dry Ciders and More Canadian Bubbles
What’s in a Name? On Shakespeare, Trademarks and (Re-)Naming an App
Am I really going to start a blog post by butchering a quote from Romeo and Juliet? Am I going to insist that an app by any other name would smell as sweet? Yes, I am, because 1) My team and I renamed our app and 2) who doesn’t like roses? Well, at least the ones grown locally in … [Read more...] about What’s in a Name? On Shakespeare, Trademarks and (Re-)Naming an App
“I Love Montreal, But…” (Adventures in Three Toronto’s Food Destinations: Markets, Sushi and Gluten Free Baked Goods)
…there are great reasons to leave the city I call home, from the cold winters to the eternal construction – but most importantly, the food. Not that the food is bad here, but there's literally a world of flavours out there to discover and by which to be inspired. This fall, I … [Read more...] about “I Love Montreal, But…” (Adventures in Three Toronto’s Food Destinations: Markets, Sushi and Gluten Free Baked Goods)
How to Make Vegan Sushi at Home: Jackfruit and Avocado Maki
People often ask me where I go for sushi in Montreal. Most of the time, I don't. The variety and often the quality of fish just isn't that good. I refuse to eat farmed Atlantic salmon unless the farms are closed containers and the restaurant can tell me about the sustainability … [Read more...] about How to Make Vegan Sushi at Home: Jackfruit and Avocado Maki
My Best Meals of 2018 (and Restaurants to Try in 2019)
My year in Montreal restaurants started with a short list: Mon Lapin and Pastel. But as the year went on, it turned into a lengthy one, and I'm afraid I haven't quite caught up yet. Which is fine, because that's what 2019 is for. Why try to overstuff restaurants into 12 … [Read more...] about My Best Meals of 2018 (and Restaurants to Try in 2019)
Cheater’s Paella, or Fake and Cheap Rice and Mussels
Spanish people are going to hate me. I accept that. In fact, I deserve their shaken heads and disapproving frowns, because this paella is not paella. It's basically spiced rice with mussels. It's more like Peruvian arroz con mariscos, but cooked so that you get a bit of a … [Read more...] about Cheater’s Paella, or Fake and Cheap Rice and Mussels
Roasted Porcini Mushrooms and Cherry Tomato Cucumber Noodle Pasta with Dijon-Tarragon Vegan Cream
I love this dish because it combines a super light noodle made from cucumbers (the new zucchini?) with a rich and indulgent sauce that I'd normally find too heavy, then adds some roasted vegetables for a powerful umami kick that you just don't get with a fully raw pasta dish. … [Read more...] about Roasted Porcini Mushrooms and Cherry Tomato Cucumber Noodle Pasta with Dijon-Tarragon Vegan Cream
On Mistake Broccoli, Bad Gardening and Thai Green Curry
People often think that because I garden I'm a go-getter. You need lots of energy to water your plants all summer, pull weeds, transplant things, fertilize, harvest, prune... But it's a heck of a lot easier than having a pet. My plants never bark. They don't smell. I don't … [Read more...] about On Mistake Broccoli, Bad Gardening and Thai Green Curry