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
Bouillon Bilk, Two Ways: Best Fine Dining Near the Quartier des Spectacles, but not Gluten-Free-Friendly
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