I'm testing the recipes from a new Asian cookbook one country at a time. The Asian Kitchen is divided this way, with gorgeous photos and tips jammed into each chapter. First up was Japan. The recipes are all homestyle – nothing too chef-y – and cover the dishes you've … [Read more...] about Japanese Eggplant, Chawan Mushi Egg Custard and Rice With Mountain Vegetables from “The Asian Kitchen”
Sweet and Spicy Slow-Cooker Turkey with Pinto Beans
I kind of cheated on this one. Instead of making a sauce, I just threw in a bunch of my frozen Heinz on Crack (sweet and spicy tomato jam). So if you make this recipe, don't replace it with ketchup or salsa. It won't be the same. The bones you see are the ones I took the meat … [Read more...] about Sweet and Spicy Slow-Cooker Turkey with Pinto Beans
Indian White Bean Coconut Curry
I have a secret. I'm a lactose-free eater who hates coconut. "Oh my God! What ice cream do you eat?" you ask – the obvious question. Either Solo Fruit Sorbet, So Delicious almond ice cream (though for legal reasons it's called "non-dairy frozen dessert") or I make my own almond … [Read more...] about Indian White Bean Coconut Curry
There’s More Than One Way to Cook a Chicken: On Brining and Spatchcocking
So it turns out I had my aphorisms all mixed up. How embarrassing. It turns out that the old saying actually goes: "There's more than one way to skin a cat," which has nothing to do with roasting chickens. And when you type "There's more than one way to roast" in a Google search … [Read more...] about There’s More Than One Way to Cook a Chicken: On Brining and Spatchcocking
Sweet Saturdays: Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cinnamon Buns from Bunner’s Bakeshop
Bunner's was rated the top bakery in Toronto by NOW Magazine in 2015. No, not the top gluten-free bakery – though it is – but the best overall bakery. It just happens to be both 100% gluten free and vegan. The staff can even tell you which items are soy-free, and most are. I … [Read more...] about Sweet Saturdays: Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cinnamon Buns from Bunner’s Bakeshop
Death Star Watermelon and Exotic Fruit from Baobab I
You can't have a Star Wars-themed party without a Death Star, clearly. Just google "Star Wars recipes" and go to images and you'll be amazed at what people can do with a pen knife. My dad took the challenge, sculpting two of these babies for the party. Cut some vertical lines and … [Read more...] about Death Star Watermelon and Exotic Fruit from Baobab I
Maurin Cuisine: Home-Cooked Food Delivery in Montreal
A celiac friend of mine told me once over a glass of natural wine that if she could quit her job and do anything in the world, she'd buy a stone cottage in England. "But what would you do?" I asked. "Make jam." I nodded. Sounded reasonable. "But what would you do in … [Read more...] about Maurin Cuisine: Home-Cooked Food Delivery in Montreal
Jawa Juice: Grapefruit-Basil Cocktail Punch with Frozen Cherries (Aperol Optional)
Is Aperol ever really optional? It's a bit like tying your shoe laces. You could leave them untied, but that would be dumb. Still, the virgin version of this punch is plenty passable (though less red). Either way, the key is the bittersweet grapefruit-basil syrup. Don't skip … [Read more...] about Jawa Juice: Grapefruit-Basil Cocktail Punch with Frozen Cherries (Aperol Optional)
Review of Starbuck’s Evolution Fresh Juices: From Super Green to Sweet Berry
You can't pigeonhole juicers – the people, not the appliances, I mean. That's what Starbucks has figured out with their new line of cold-pressed juices by California juice company Evolution Fresh. Yes there are the hardcore green juicers: those who feel good about themselves for … [Read more...] about Review of Starbuck’s Evolution Fresh Juices: From Super Green to Sweet Berry
Frog’s Legs, Chicken Wings or Scallops in Brandy
The original recipe is for frogs legs and it's in honour of Jabba the Hut's preference for eating them in brandy (see Christmas Party 2015 for further explanation). But frog's legs are somewhat hard to come by in Newfoundland, let alone in the middle of winter, so I subbed … [Read more...] about Frog’s Legs, Chicken Wings or Scallops in Brandy