You've probably heard of almond milk. Probably also rice milk, hemp milk, flaxseed milk and soy milk. And if you frequent "raw" restaurants you probably also know all about brazilnut milk, macadamia nut milk, and maybe even hazelnut, cashew, and pecan. Take any nut, seed, or … [Read more...] about Homemade Lithuanian Poppy Milk
“Rosolli” Pickled Herring Salad
Any time you mix beets into something, the whole dish is going to turn pink. This salad can get pretty ugly... But leave it in layers, and only add the dressing to the fish, and you'll be alright. Heck, it might even be pretty. It's a Finnish dish involving pickles, cooked beets … [Read more...] about “Rosolli” Pickled Herring Salad
Karelian Pasties: Savoury Finnish Pastries with Creamy Rice Custard Filling
I didn't know a Finnish person was coming to the annual Christmas party! I made these Finnish pastries, pinching the edges as I rolled the dough over the cooled rice and egg filling, thinking that no one would mind if they were ugly and bland. I didn't expect someone to walk into … [Read more...] about Karelian Pasties: Savoury Finnish Pastries with Creamy Rice Custard Filling
The 2013 Holiday Party: International Christmas Smorgasbord
The party...whew, that was fun. The theme was "international Christmas traditions" or "international smorgasbord" and the idea was to make foods from all over the world that people from each country make for Christmas: Danish letter cookies made in the letters of the last name of … [Read more...] about The 2013 Holiday Party: International Christmas Smorgasbord
Super-Moist Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping (Gluten-free, dairy-free)
For any last-minute sweet teeth out there, here's a Christmas-friendly recipe for dessert, lunch, or breakfast. Aw, the miraculous ambiguity (versatility?) of coffee cake... Super-Moist Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping (Gluten-free, dairy-free) It's not low-fat, but … [Read more...] about Super-Moist Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping (Gluten-free, dairy-free)
Montreal Oyster Throwdown: Le Club Chasse et Peche, Joe Beef, L’Orignal, Maestro SVP
Note: This has been updated from the archives. Now I would also add $1 oysters at Cartel on Fairmount and St-Urbain on Wednesdays to the mix. I believe those come with $5 glasses of prosecco. Not a bad deal if the oysters are fresh. While some oyster lovers would shake their … [Read more...] about Montreal Oyster Throwdown: Le Club Chasse et Peche, Joe Beef, L’Orignal, Maestro SVP
Home for the Holidays
"There's about a 50/50 chance we'll be able to land in St. John's due to fog." Those were the words of the pilot on my plane home to Newfoundland for Christmas two years ago. I'm making the annual pilgrimage again tomorrow and as I stare out of bedroom window, I wonder what feat … [Read more...] about Home for the Holidays
Montreal Baklava Throwdown: Afroditi Bakery vs. Patisserie Efes
Afroditi Bakery (756 Rue Saint-Roch) | Patisserie Efes (689 St-Roch) ******** | ******* 8 out of 10 | 7 out of 10 Montreal is full of dry baklava. For a province that puts maple syrup in everything, I figured that I wouldn't be the only person who wanted their dessert swimming in … [Read more...] about Montreal Baklava Throwdown: Afroditi Bakery vs. Patisserie Efes
Vote for Me on Hostelworld!
Remember when I cut 6 lbs of chili peppers without gloves? Wasn't that hilarious? Turns out that a panel of objective judges (aka "not just my mom") thought burning my hands was great fun, too! So now I'm a finalist for the Hostelworld Travel Story Awards 2013 in the "Funny" … [Read more...] about Vote for Me on Hostelworld!
Montreal Pho-down: Pho Bac #1 vs. Pho Lien
Cloves, star anise, cinnamon and other secrets of the best Vietnamese noodle soups in Montreal. The Criteria: Broth and meat - two deceptively simple categories The Winner? Pho Lien...for now. Vietnamese noodle soup (pho - pronounced somewhere between "phuh" and "phah") is … [Read more...] about Montreal Pho-down: Pho Bac #1 vs. Pho Lien