I hate mashed potatoes. There, I said it. They're full of everything I can't eat - butter and cream and milk. But even years ago when I was eating those things and my mother put the extra effort into mashing potatoes (once a year or less. Probably less), I thought it was a … [Read more...] about Perfect Grated Mashed Potatoes
Vacuum-Infused Maple-Brandy Peaches and Champagne-Tarragon Chanterelles
Here's an article I wrote for for Fine Dining Lovers on vacuum-infusing quick pickles. Kosher dills these ain't. I tell the story of a farmers market in Seattle and write about not spilling vinegar all over a giant chamber infuser. Boy, that would have been embarrassing. … [Read more...] about Vacuum-Infused Maple-Brandy Peaches and Champagne-Tarragon Chanterelles
This Year’s Sauerkraut: Three Ways
Why would you make one batch of sauerkraut when you could make three? That was the theory behind this year's non-spicy cabbage fermentation binge. In addition to the annual kimchi fest, I invited friends over to make less fiery ferments (speaking of that, it's a great … [Read more...] about This Year’s Sauerkraut: Three Ways
Review: The Sous Vide Supreme Demi, Perfect Eggs and Steak and Reasons to Have 15 Children
A large box containing a sous vide supreme demi arrived at my door yesterday. It felt a little like Christmas, except with $1000 kitchen toys to test-drive instead of ugly sweaters. That being said, the idea of flavourful food vacuum-sealed then cooked long and slow made me … [Read more...] about Review: The Sous Vide Supreme Demi, Perfect Eggs and Steak and Reasons to Have 15 Children
Risotto-like Sorrel Rice With Egg and Pecorino Sheep’s Milk Cheese
It's a bit annoying that even when I follow Yotam Ottolenghi's recipe properly, his photos are prettier than mine. Case in point, the recipe for sorrel rice with pecorino and egg yolk from his Sept. 9, 2017 The Guardian food column. This was the second Pecorino recipe I made … [Read more...] about Risotto-like Sorrel Rice With Egg and Pecorino Sheep’s Milk Cheese
How to Make Homemade Crème de Cassis or Blackcurrant Liqueur
This looks kind of gross, I know – kind of like milking blackcurrants. I can also see why you'd think it's blood all over my friend's hands. And yes, our hands were died reddish-purple for the next few days. But the beautiful bottles of homemade crème de cassis in my fridge were … [Read more...] about How to Make Homemade Crème de Cassis or Blackcurrant Liqueur
Le Blumenthal: Go for the Wine List, Stay for the Food
You'll never hear me say, "Boy, we really need more bistros in Montreal." There are already great ones (L'Express), very good ones (Café Cherrier) and scores of mediocre ones. But when I heard Le Balmoral in the Place des Festivals, smack in the middle of the high-tourist area … [Read more...] about Le Blumenthal: Go for the Wine List, Stay for the Food
Gluten Free and Dairy Free at Lili.Co in Montreal
Every seat is a good seat at Lili.Co, a small restaurant on St-Laurent on the border between the Plateau and Mile-End. Bar seats wrap around the open kitchen where you either talk to your date and/or watch Chef David Pellizari and maybe one or two others on his kitchen team sear … [Read more...] about Gluten Free and Dairy Free at Lili.Co in Montreal
Bouchées à la Reine: Alsatian Savoury Pastry Stuffed With Chicken, Veal and Mushroom Sauce Suprême
When an Alsatian man told me that the food he missed most from Alsace was Bouchées à la Reine, a buttery pastry filled with a béchamel-type sauce called a sauce suprême, I figured my chances of ever eating it were slim... ...but when his eyes filled with nostalgia and I saw … [Read more...] about Bouchées à la Reine: Alsatian Savoury Pastry Stuffed With Chicken, Veal and Mushroom Sauce Suprême
Made With Love – Montreal Regional Finals 2017: Tea, Coffee, U Frost and Other Cocktail Trends
There was a whole lot of alcohol shaken, stirred, foamed and frozen at Montreal's Made With Love 2017 regional finals last Monday evening at the SAT on St-Laurent. The event featured heaps of mixologists at kiosks on two floors, plus the outdoor winter-y terrasse (shout out to … [Read more...] about Made With Love – Montreal Regional Finals 2017: Tea, Coffee, U Frost and Other Cocktail Trends