Has Yotam Ottolenghi taken over the world? Perhaps not, but he's certainly a big reason that Middle Eastern cuisine is big right now. And with a strong Syrian community in Montreal (and proud reps from the rest of the Middle East), the city isn't lacking hummus. Damas, Sumac, … [Read more...] about Omnivore Grill and the Story of the Plateau Work Lunch
Life-Changing Lemon Chicken, Homemade Hoisin and Everyday Chinese
I read an article in the Globe & Mail a little while ago called "Chop Suey Nation" about why Canada has so many Chinese-Canadian takeout restaurants in small towns from BC to Fogo Island. Not regional Chinese places making hand-pulled wheat noodles in bone broth soups or … [Read more...] about Life-Changing Lemon Chicken, Homemade Hoisin and Everyday Chinese
Cheater’s Risotto with Turbot, Dill and Capers
Here's how you make awesome seafood risotto: Buy a whole fish. Get the fishmonger to filet it. Ask him or her to toss the skin but save you the bones and head. Put these flavourful bits in a pot covered with water and bring them to a simmer for 30 minutes. Strain. Eat the fish … [Read more...] about Cheater’s Risotto with Turbot, Dill and Capers
Mountains of Gluten Free Fake Oatmeal Cookies
It was a lie when I told everyone these were oatmeal cookies. They're actually made with quinoa flakes instead of oats, which are tons more expensive but I can digest them. And I used buckwheat flour in place of all-purpose. They're not vegan though – I used two large eggs from … [Read more...] about Mountains of Gluten Free Fake Oatmeal Cookies
The Great St-Henri Taco Crawl 2016
Okay, fine, the title's a bit ridiculous, because there couldn't have been a St-Henri taco crawl in 2015 – there weren't enough taco places! But like I said when I threw the "1st Annual Volk/Watson Christmas Extravaganza," there will obvious be more years of this awesome event to … [Read more...] about The Great St-Henri Taco Crawl 2016
Spicy Fish Soup with Turmeric and Lemongrass (and deep-frying for skinny people)
This is what you need to eat on a rainy summer day. It's spicy and hot and rich but not heavy. And most importantly, it'll warm you up from the inside. The best part? You get to shallow-fry a bunch of garlic. It's not scary, it doesn't waste a ton of oil, and it tastes delicious. … [Read more...] about Spicy Fish Soup with Turmeric and Lemongrass (and deep-frying for skinny people)
Quick Quick Jambalaya (Gluten free, dairy free)
I love jambalaya. But it takes awhile to make, and standing over a hot stove is the last thing you want to do when it's scorching outside. It also requires sausage, which I rarely buy. I don't really eat pork and a lot of sausages – even ones with other types of meat – tend to … [Read more...] about Quick Quick Jambalaya (Gluten free, dairy free)
Mail Order Gourmet: Yuzu Juice, Artichokes and Freeze-Dried Lychees
Have you ever heard of Qualifirst? I hadn't. But turns out the company's been around since the '80s, and before that it was a family-run import company called Far-Met, which brought some of the first foie gras, Burgundy snails, Portuguese sardines and Belgian legumes – basically … [Read more...] about Mail Order Gourmet: Yuzu Juice, Artichokes and Freeze-Dried Lychees
Sonoma Wine Tasting and Restaurants: An Organic Itinerary
I’m not saying this is the best way to drink and eat Sonoma in a week, but it’s a very fun, very delicious, very off-the-beaten-path way to see the area. It’s even relatively healthy. Here’s how I planned my trip: I contacted three sommelier friends who specialize in natural … [Read more...] about Sonoma Wine Tasting and Restaurants: An Organic Itinerary
Booze-tacular Turbot, and Other Fish Tales
When you brew a giant batch of saké with a master Kombucha scientist, you end up with a lot of saké. I'm not talking awesome saké, but table saké – the kind of saké that I'm happy to make friends taste, but won't crave after a long day. So what do I do with approximately 10 … [Read more...] about Booze-tacular Turbot, and Other Fish Tales