Me: "Do you have ground lamb?" Friendly Guy at Boucherie de Tours: "Sure." Me: Turkey? FGBT: "Breast or thigh?" Me, realizing they grind everything to order and appreciating that the butcher even cares to ask when most ground meat is a mix of whatever fatty bits are left … [Read more...] about Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs (The Easy Way and the Complicated Way)
Lavanderia: Antonio Park’s South American Meat Emporium in Westmount
Every review of Antonio Park's Lavanderia seems to mention the parillada completa – the mixed grill of homemade chorizo, crisp-skinned fish, marinated cornish hen, beef short ribs, lamb shank, beef and charred broccoli, cauliflower and celery root that comes to the table on a … [Read more...] about Lavanderia: Antonio Park’s South American Meat Emporium in Westmount
The Queen of Chocolate Explores Gluten-Free Flours
My last article on FineDiningLovers.com is an interview with Alice Medrich, San Francisco baker extraordinaire. I grew up with one of her earlier cookbooks, Chocolate and the Art of Low Fat Desserts, that packs all the flavour possible into lighthearted recipes. Her latest … [Read more...] about The Queen of Chocolate Explores Gluten-Free Flours
Garlic-Roasted Zucchini
My zucchinis have exploded – yes that's a drastic overstatement. No bomb has gone off in my community garden plot. But the plants I thought were just too big to be zucchini and must be mysterious melons have sprouted limbs, yielding seven giant summer squash and counting. Now, … [Read more...] about Garlic-Roasted Zucchini
What Do I Do With That Zucchini?
If you're like me, zucchini have taken over your life. Maybe you don't have a community garden plot with four enormous zucchini plants, blossoms so big you thought they were squash and baseball bat-sized green summer squash hiding under thick green branches and enormous lily … [Read more...] about What Do I Do With That Zucchini?
Seared Duck Breast with Orange and Star Anise
Don't be intimidated by duck breast. All it needs is a good spice rub and a quick sear followed by a little rest from the exertion and you've got yourself a restaurant-quality meal for half the price. The orange and star anise sauce is just the icing on the cake. And sure, duck … [Read more...] about Seared Duck Breast with Orange and Star Anise
Summery Sweet Potato and Arugula Salad
Do you ever crave sweet potatoes? I'm not talking, "Oh, I think I'd like a sweet potato, perhaps." I'm talking a physical need for a sweet and soft, creamy and warm sweet potato, steamed and drizzled with lemon, baked with chile pepper flakes and paprika or roasted with … [Read more...] about Summery Sweet Potato and Arugula Salad
Thai Cucumber Salad from Nong’s Thai Kitchen
Who would have thought that dousing raw cucumber slices in spicy syrup would be a good a idea? Thai people, apparently. This simple salad is a good way to simultaneously feel healthy and pander to your sweet tooth. The recipe is from Nong's Thai Kitchen: 84 Classic Recipes that … [Read more...] about Thai Cucumber Salad from Nong’s Thai Kitchen
Flashback Friday: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pudding Cake and Maple-Pecan and Arugula Salad
Last year, I wrote a recipe for a gooey strawberry-rhubarb pudding cake. And two years ago it was a maple pecan salad with raw sheep's milk cheese and arugula that's still killer. ...I'd like to have both of those in front of me right now... … [Read more...] about Flashback Friday: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pudding Cake and Maple-Pecan and Arugula Salad
Old-Fashioned Creamy Rice Pudding
I once requested rice pudding in place of birthday cake. My aunt had asked me what kind of cake I wanted her to make for my birthday, and not wanting her to bother making me a gluten-free, dairy-free cake, I asked for the most comforting, easy-to-make dessert I knew — rice … [Read more...] about Old-Fashioned Creamy Rice Pudding