A month ago I went to the opening of Cocktail Invasion in Montreal and I also went to the all-out MadeWithLove national cocktail championship. I've been in past years and this year was no less of a ridiculous party with tons of quality booze. The room was set up so that each … [Read more...] about Cocktails from MadeWithLove and Cocktail Invasion Montreal 2017
How to (Most Ethically) Cook a Lobster (and a Recipe for BBQ’d Lobster and Seafood Pasta)
I wanted to call this "How to Kill a Lobster," but that just sounded awful, even though the blog post is about the most ethical way to do it. Ever since the first time I biked live lobster back to my university apartment and boiled them alive, I've been squeamish about cooking … [Read more...] about How to (Most Ethically) Cook a Lobster (and a Recipe for BBQ’d Lobster and Seafood Pasta)
Exploring the World, One Meal at a Time
Ever dream of taking a cooking class in Thailand? Making pizza from scratch with a nonna in Napoli? Drinking Malbec while waiting for your carne asada (a fortunately long wait) in Argentina? I credit Toronto with inspiring me to eat my way around the world. You can almost do it … [Read more...] about Exploring the World, One Meal at a Time
Creamy Wild Mushroom and Shrimp Risotto (Dairy Free)
Lactose intolerant? Can't eat Parmesan? Not feeling like drowning yourself in dairy and suffering from a heavy-stomached post-risotto feeling of regret? I love the idea of slow-simmering rice in broth until the starch of the rice makes the dish creamy. The traditional cheese … [Read more...] about Creamy Wild Mushroom and Shrimp Risotto (Dairy Free)
Dived Scallops with Avocado and Pink Grapefruit Salsa
This recipe comes from Scottish Highland Hospitality, which you can read more about in my recipe post for dairy-free cod brandade. It was my favourite recipe from the book, mostly because of the salsa. The key is to buy really tasty avocados and grapefruit. I splurged on organic … [Read more...] about Dived Scallops with Avocado and Pink Grapefruit Salsa
Dairy Free Gluten Free Cod Brandade
I knew I could never eat cod brandade. For one, the salt cod was unsustainable. I come from Newfoundland, a Canadian province that knows all about the overfished cod. So I would never buy the giant sheets of the salted stuff from Portuguese markets in Toronto. I also knew that … [Read more...] about Dairy Free Gluten Free Cod Brandade
Would a Chocolate Bar by Any Other Name Taste as Sweet?
Did you know that a chocolate bar can't be called a chocolate bar if it doesn't contain cocoa mass and cocoa butter? That's a candy bar. Twix? Caramilk? Coffee Crisp? Candy bars. Its doesn't mean they don't taste good, you just can't call them chocolate bars – and you can't … [Read more...] about Would a Chocolate Bar by Any Other Name Taste as Sweet?
Herbalicious and Spicy Fish Heads from the Toqué! Restaurant Cookbook
I should subtitle this article "How to successfully use a kitchen torch and fail at decorating fish heads." In the Toqué! restaurant cookbook, the fish heads look all pretty. It's one of the restaurant's most popular (and simplest) dishes, but it turns out that when you take a … [Read more...] about Herbalicious and Spicy Fish Heads from the Toqué! Restaurant Cookbook
Cocktail Invasion 2017: May 10-16 in Montreal
Invasion Cocktail is launching its 4th edition from May 10th to 16th in Montreal, which includes: a week of special cocktail lists in tons of bars and restaurants a big opening night party in Old Montreal a sugar shack cocktail brunch at Au Pied de Cochon's famous Cabane à … [Read more...] about Cocktail Invasion 2017: May 10-16 in Montreal
A Lost Phone, a Taxi Ride and Rolling With the Punches
It’s 3:40am. I’m at the Lionel-Groulx metro stop in Montreal waiting to catch the 747 bus to the airport. I’m reading a book as the bus pulls up, right on time. I silently count off the items I can’t leave the city without, all packed safely and double-checked before leaving my … [Read more...] about A Lost Phone, a Taxi Ride and Rolling With the Punches