The Intercontinental Hotel in Montreal is a little intimidating. It connects directly into Square Victoria, bastion of downtown finance, so I never know where one ends and the other begins. And there are multiple levels in the hotel, with bars and restaurants divided amongst them … [Read more...] about Sarah B: An Absinthe Bar in Old Montreal
Off to the Gaspésie to Cater to Entrepreneurs
I've never been east of Rimouski. But I remember the world's most beautiful sunsets and a long drive. Today will be longer. I'm driving 11 hours to the tip of Quebec, as far east as I can get before I fall off the land, a feeling I know well from living in St. John's, … [Read more...] about Off to the Gaspésie to Cater to Entrepreneurs
How Does Your Garden Grow?
This year I meant to document my garden's progression from plot of nothingness to feast of green. That was the plan, anyway. But life never quite works out as you plan, does it? In the grand scheme of things, not plotting the course of a tomato to fruit explosion is not the end … [Read more...] about How Does Your Garden Grow?
Strawberry Summer Salad
Don't worry. You don't need all these ingredients for the salad. It's a variation on a theme. If you don't have sorrel (and who has sorrel if it's not in their garden?) or holy basil or pickled cabbage, who cares? The recipe can't see you. And it's made up, anyway. Strawberry … [Read more...] about Strawberry Summer Salad
Provender: Being a Locavore Restaurant in Montreal Just got Easier
I never thought farmers would be taking pictures of heirloom tomatoes and uploading them to a website so chefs could order them. But that's what Provender is making happen. It's farming 2.0. Now chefs can find out with one click how much of a fruit or vegetable farmers are … [Read more...] about Provender: Being a Locavore Restaurant in Montreal Just got Easier
Canning Class This Friday in Montreal: Homemade Organic Blueberry Jam
Ever want to learn how to make jam? Now's your chance. This Friday, Aug. 1st, from 11am-1pm I'm teaching my Canning 101 class. We'll be cooking down the organic Quebec blueberries I picked last week with just enough sugar and lemon juice to reduce into sweet, gel-ed … [Read more...] about Canning Class This Friday in Montreal: Homemade Organic Blueberry Jam
Seared Sustainable Arctic Char with a Garden Salad
I really wish my image uploader was working and you could see this fish and salad meal. Instead, I'm going to describe it to you: Think of light green spinach leaves, peppery arugula, and rippled sacred green basil, freshly pulled from the garden. Add the first tomatoes of the … [Read more...] about Seared Sustainable Arctic Char with a Garden Salad
Ateliers & Saveurs Gift Certificate Giveaway!
Summer + terrasses + cocktails = Montreal It's simple math. Ateliers & Saveurs is a cooking, cocktail, and wine school in Old Montreal. Their classes sell out far in advance, which makes sense when you look at their schedule of lunch quickies ("Gourmet Pressé: $14 meals of … [Read more...] about Ateliers & Saveurs Gift Certificate Giveaway!
Soothing Summer Fava Bean Soup
Not all soups in summer need be cold. If I never see another clamato-doused gazpacho in my life it'll be too soon. But when you have fresh fava beans from your garden (my first!!!), rich, sweet homemade chicken stock, and you need something soulfully satisfying, this is your … [Read more...] about Soothing Summer Fava Bean Soup
Sweet Potato Tacos with Creamy Roasted Poblano Pepper Salsa and Sweet Pickled Shallots
Here's the recipe for my sweet potato tacos from the Vegan brunch pop-up of a couple weeks ago. The recipe has all my favourite food qualities: spicy chili pepper on the soft but almost crunchy roasted sweet potatoes, crunch from cabbage, sweetness and acid from the pickled … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Tacos with Creamy Roasted Poblano Pepper Salsa and Sweet Pickled Shallots