Here's a round-up of the food writing I've done this week: Multiculturiosity: Roasted grapes, cauliflower and red onion—a little bit sweet, a little bit savoury and a whole lot comforting. And a spicy Sichaun bitter melon stir-fry (for June—my friend, not the month. Otherwise I'd … [Read more...] about Weekly Round-Up of Food Writing: Cocktails, Sichuan Peppercorns and Roasted Grapes
Roasted Cauliflower with Red Onions and Grapes
Roasting is highly underrated. There's really nothing like sticking a big tray of vegetables in the oven and letting it brown to soft, chewy, crispy perfection. And it's so easy. Any idiot could do it. Okay, maybe not the kind of idiot who tends to leave the oven on. I had one … [Read more...] about Roasted Cauliflower with Red Onions and Grapes
Spicy Sichuan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Shrimp
I really thought this was a bitter melon. It started growing in my garden. Actually, it just appeared mysteriously on a vine one morning, after presumably spending at least a couple days hiding under some leafy vines on my trellis. I had planted bitter melon, but I'd also planted … [Read more...] about Spicy Sichuan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Shrimp
Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil
I gave a canning class today where we made pink grapefruit marmalade and carrot and cauliflower giardiniera. And if you've never heard of giardiniera, you're not alone...and you're not Italian. Italians have some great pickled vegetable recipes, one of the most popular being … [Read more...] about Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil
Harrief: Some Seriously Funky Red Pepper Paste
When you meet a fellow preserver, one thing generally leads to another...and you end up talking about fermented pepper sauces. It's almost inevitable. So when I met the chef of Lapin Pressé, a very cute sandwich shop on Laurier Ave. and he found out I give canning classes, … [Read more...] about Harrief: Some Seriously Funky Red Pepper Paste
Nouveau Malay: Breakfast for Dinner at Nouveau Palais’ Weekly Malaysian Night
He used to have his own restaurant with a cult following. Go there for pad thai and coconut curries, my friend told me. He would come out, ask what you felt like eating, and make you something appropriate. There'd be toasted and ground coriander and cumin, fried shrimp paste and … [Read more...] about Nouveau Malay: Breakfast for Dinner at Nouveau Palais’ Weekly Malaysian Night
MTL à Table: Taverne F and Gluten-Free Fine Dining
My first restaurant of this year's Taste MTL (aka MTL à Table or Montreal Restaurant Week) was Taverne F. I generally don't dine at 10 p.m. but when the deal is this good... $19 for two courses. From the handful of options, I chose: Sardines with vegetable escabèche, and Grilled … [Read more...] about MTL à Table: Taverne F and Gluten-Free Fine Dining
Raspberry Jam and a Little More Canning
My canning cupboard is full. I open the door and pickles fall out. It's almost a problem. Almost. I will never say that having too much vanilla-plum jam, wild blueberry aigre-doux or pickled poblano peppers is a problem. Come April, I'll be begging for another jar of my … [Read more...] about Raspberry Jam and a Little More Canning
Re-living Summer One Salad at a Time: Sorrel and Tomato Salad with Sichuan Peppercorn-Pickled Eggplant
I remember how my last beefsteak tomato tasted from garden. I'll never taste it again. Cue music: "I'll never have that recipe again. Oh no!" But! All cheesy songs aside, I have one more jar of my homemade Szechuan pickled eggplant that paired so perfectly with it. It numbed … [Read more...] about Re-living Summer One Salad at a Time: Sorrel and Tomato Salad with Sichuan Peppercorn-Pickled Eggplant
My MTL à Table / Taste MTL Interview on CBC Homerun
I was invited onto CBC Radio's Homerun in Montreal yesterday to talk with host Sue Smith about MTL à Table (Taste MTL for the anglophones), the city's 11-day restaurant week. Host Sue Smith and I talked about where to get the best deals, the merits of dessert and the wonders of … [Read more...] about My MTL à Table / Taste MTL Interview on CBC Homerun