A drab strip of St-Laurent is home to the lauded modern French restaurant, Bouillon Bilk. The coke dealer selling to the homeless guy outside the floor-to-ceiling windows really makes for great people watching. Throw in some fois gras and natural wines, and you've got yourself a … [Read more...] about Bouillon Bilk, Two Ways: Best Fine Dining Near the Quartier des Spectacles, but not Gluten-Free-Friendly
Savoury Squash Pancakes with Lime-Basil Pesto
Happy Hallowe'en! And since it is that festive day, it's time to cook up that pumpkin. No, not the one you put on your porch, but a buttercup, a an acorn, a kabocha, a delicata, or the classic butternup. The easy way to deal with it is to slice the whole thing in half and roast … [Read more...] about Savoury Squash Pancakes with Lime-Basil Pesto
Foraging Sumac, and a Recipe for a Middle Eastern Eggplant Pickle
Last year I got a cookbook for Christmas. This in itself is not a strange occurrence. What made this gift a little different was that it was a cookbook about foraging food: wild greens, weeds, bushes, berries, mushrooms. Back to my gatherer roots and all... I've only ever been … [Read more...] about Foraging Sumac, and a Recipe for a Middle Eastern Eggplant Pickle
Gluten-free Cooking Class: Sweet and Savoury Breads
I had a great gluten-free baking class the other week. Thanks to Cuisine Soleil for sponsoring me with their gluten-free flours. Though it's officially just a gluten-free cooking class, all the recipes were also lactose-free. It's also easy to make them vegan, though the texture … [Read more...] about Gluten-free Cooking Class: Sweet and Savoury Breads
Gingerbread Jam
There's something about freshly toasted and ground cinnamon and cloves that makes everyone close their eyes and inhale slowly. I wrote this recipe for FineDiningLovers. But here are the rest of the pictures. If only smell worked through the computer. If only you had … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Jam
Cafe Verdure: New Vegan, Gluten-Free Restaurant Hits Vegetarian Alley
Mackay Street just got even more vegetarian thanks to the addition of Cafe Verdure. The sort-of-Indian, all-healthy sandwich and burger cafe doesn't think setting up shop next to big guns including La Panthere Verte and Crudessence will be bad for business. And maybe the … [Read more...] about Cafe Verdure: New Vegan, Gluten-Free Restaurant Hits Vegetarian Alley
Not Your Grandmother’s Fruitcake: Artisanal, Quebec-made creations from Ken’s Fruitcake
Christmas fruitcake—fruits and nuts soaked in sweet liqueurs, aged until moist, or aged longer until the flavour is more complex. The cakes are often ridiculed, but long-lived both in terms of tradition and shelf time. And when made well, they’re able to traverse languages and … [Read more...] about Not Your Grandmother’s Fruitcake: Artisanal, Quebec-made creations from Ken’s Fruitcake
Spiced Red Lentils
Spiced Red Lentils This is an everyday meal. It's simple and quick and delicious. It's for anyone who wants to eat more vegetarian without missing meat. And it's for anyone who wants a satisfying, healthy meal in general. 2 cups red lentils 6 cups water 3 sprigs epazote, … [Read more...] about Spiced Red Lentils
Like Water for Chocolate
I have to write this before the details fade. It blends too much together already—the bitter into the sweet, chocolate into cream. It started with an offer. A simple meal for three. It was late but it was warm and humid like Lima always is in summer, and I knew we could cook … [Read more...] about Like Water for Chocolate
PF Chang’s: Gluten-free in Laval and Montreal
Yes, this is a chain restaurant. Yes, the one I went to is in Laval. These are two criteria that would normally mean I’d never try the restaurant. But any Asian restaurant with an extensive gluten-free menu is worth the drive to the giant shopping complex, the Carrefour … [Read more...] about PF Chang’s: Gluten-free in Laval and Montreal