I'm more than a little addicted to this salty, spicy, crunchy side dish. It's simultaneously the perfect bar food and lunch. You hallow-fry fried anchovies or some other small dried fish and then toss them with sautéed garlic, beansprouts, chili and fish sauce. Then serve with … [Read more...] about Bean Sprouts with Fried Fish and Chili from “Heavenly Fragrance”
French Rack of Lamb with Honey-Parsley Marinade, Potato Purée and Pickled Beets
I was a rack of lamb virgin. Embarrassing, right? 28-years-old and I'd never seared an expensive piece of meat with the ribs sticking out like boney fingers. I bet that's not what you think when you order it in a restaurant — bony fingers — but I do. Which is mostly why I didn't … [Read more...] about French Rack of Lamb with Honey-Parsley Marinade, Potato Purée and Pickled Beets
Live Stream from Les Turbulents Natural Wine Salon at the SAT
Fish Head Resale and the Legalities of Gill-to-Fin Eating
The man cleaning fish behind the small window counter at La Mer Poissonerie in Montreal is not having a good day. He knows the man whose salmon he's filleting is not going to tip. Somebody has already helped that customer choose the whole fish, weigh it and put a price tag on the … [Read more...] about Fish Head Resale and the Legalities of Gill-to-Fin Eating
How to Cook Whole Fish: Baked Sustainable Bass Stuffed with Herbs
Make this when you have leftover parsley or white wine. You can do it the mild way (Italian) or the spicy way (Asian). The difference is chili flakes and soy or fish sauce. One note about sustainability: Ask your fishmonger where the fish comes from and how it was caught. If it … [Read more...] about How to Cook Whole Fish: Baked Sustainable Bass Stuffed with Herbs
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
If you think this is a cake only your grandmother would make, you have the world's best grandmother. Do you know what happens when you put a base of sugar below sweet, juicy fruit and bake it? It browns at the edges, so you get that chewier, almost crispy in places, caramel-y … [Read more...] about Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Calamari and Pomegranate Ceviche Salad
The dressing of this salad tastes sharp and bright like ceviche, but the fennel and pomegranate drag it far from its South and Central American roots. You could add other seafood, like thinly sliced scallops and shrimp if you like. Or if you can find really good quality white … [Read more...] about Calamari and Pomegranate Ceviche Salad
Balsamic Figs with Sheep’s Milk Cheese
The trick to this gorgeous appetizer is to find good figs. The rest is simple. But it's March! you say. Do you think a lot of figs grow in Montreal at any time of the year? My friend gets one per season, and the work she puts into burying that plant at the end of the growing … [Read more...] about Balsamic Figs with Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Live Blog from the Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert 2015 in Montreal
More than 250 exhibitors took over Montreal’s Palais de Congrès today for day one of the annual Healthy Eating and Green Living Expo. The 18th edition of Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert has even more vendors this year selling gluten-free breads, dairy-free ice creams, vegan … [Read more...] about Live Blog from the Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert 2015 in Montreal
Spiced Orange, Fig and Toasted Sunflower Pilaf
I'm reviewing a new cookbook called The Smart Palate. It was created by the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center at McGill University. It's three authors aim for easy-to-make recipes that are visually appealing and healthy. Healthy in their views means fairly low in … [Read more...] about Spiced Orange, Fig and Toasted Sunflower Pilaf