Blackstrap BBQ—one of four best new restaurants in Canada located in Montreal (photo by Tara Hunt/flickr). Sharp for Men just released their Best New Restaurants in Canada 2013 list, and four Montreal restaurants nabbed a spot on the list. They are: Maison … [Read more...] about Best New Restaurants in Canada: Four Montreal Restaurants Make the Cut
Montreal Vegan Throwndown: Aux Vivres vs. Crudessence
Montreal Vegan Throwdown: Aux Vivres | Crudessence 7 out of 10 | 8 out of 10 THE CRITERIA: flavour, vegan innovation, and price THE CATEGORIES: Best burger, best wrap, best juice/smoothie, best service, best dessert I know this is maybe not a fair comparison, since Aux Vivres … [Read more...] about Montreal Vegan Throwndown: Aux Vivres vs. Crudessence
RASPIPAV and La Grande Degustation Wine Salons in Montreal: Going Greek, local vodka, pure Champagnes, and quality Cali reds
Like Christmas, November's big wine events are over too fast. First, RASPIPAV—the private import wine salon at Marché Bonsecours—played host to every import company in the city. More and more companies are getting on the biodynamic, natural, organic, artisanal wine bandwagon. And … [Read more...] about RASPIPAV and La Grande Degustation Wine Salons in Montreal: Going Greek, local vodka, pure Champagnes, and quality Cali reds
Sweet & Spicy Carrot and Cabbage Slaw
I saw this recipe on Vietworldkitchen and then I started craving some heat. I have all this amazing hot sauce in my fridge—homemade, fermented, sweet and spicy—and it needed a creative outlet. I also love sauerkraut. It would be an unhealthy obsession except that it's oh-so-good … [Read more...] about Sweet & Spicy Carrot and Cabbage Slaw
Champagne Mustard on Fine Dining Lovers
My latest article on homemade mustard with Champagne just came out on Fine Dining Lovers. Ever wonder what goes into the yellow stuff? Turns out it's a simple process for the home cook and lovers of all things DIY. WAY easier than Japanese rice bran pickles. And probably also … [Read more...] about Champagne Mustard on Fine Dining Lovers
The Way to a Woman’s Heart…
I recently had an "intimate cooking experience with top chef Louis-François Marcotte." If you're Anglo you don't know who that is. If you're francophone, you do. If you're over the age of 40 you're in love with him. You might be in love with him if you were younger, but he's … [Read more...] about The Way to a Woman’s Heart…
Sweet Sesame Eggplant and Chicken Salad Bowl
This is what you should do with leftover turkey or chicken. Always. It's a variation on Karen Solomon's Korean spinach recipe. She's the author extraordinaire of Asian Pickles Korea, a book every exotic flavour-loving pickler should have. She calls herself a "culinary tinkerer," … [Read more...] about Sweet Sesame Eggplant and Chicken Salad Bowl
Indian-Spiced Sauerkraut
Cabbage. Salt. Mix. Done. I love sauerkraut. And in winter it's even simpler because I just put the jars outside and let them ferment slowly. They don't get rushed through the process like they do in summer while sitting on my counter. And the whole house doesn't smell like … [Read more...] about Indian-Spiced Sauerkraut
Putting the Garden to Bed: The end of my first year of gardening
Well, I made it. Without killing everything. Without driving myself insane. And with a ton of vegetables. Not as many or as well as my gardening mentor, who could grow a pepper from her pinkie, but not bad. A couple weeks ago I finally put my garden to bed for the winter. A … [Read more...] about Putting the Garden to Bed: The end of my first year of gardening
Thanksgiving 2013: Brined Turkey, Gluten-free Stuffing, Pan Drippings, a Charcuterie Platter, Crispy Parsnips, Homemade Cookies, and the Annual Marriage Proposal
What a beaut', right? I know that's what you're thinking. Those charred parsnips, that garden-fresh parsley, that chicken, brined, stuffed and roasted to golden perfection, all making for a happy Thanksgiving. But folks, it's not just about the food. It's about the company. … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving 2013: Brined Turkey, Gluten-free Stuffing, Pan Drippings, a Charcuterie Platter, Crispy Parsnips, Homemade Cookies, and the Annual Marriage Proposal