For the second part of my "Not Your Grandma's Preserves" series coming out tomorrow on Fine Dining Lovers, I feature a recipe for blueberry aigre-doux, adapted from "Preervation Kitchen." Aigre-doux (canned sweet and sour, wine-sauced berries) deserve a come back, and this recipe … [Read more...] about Blueberry Aigre-Doux on Buttery Turbot
South Indian Cooking Class Tomorrow, Sunday, September 21
I have room for 2 more in my South Indian cooking class tomorrow! 4:30-7:30. We're making dosa crepes with spiced potato masala, sambhar, and tamarind, coconut, and cilantro chutney! $30. Let me know if you're interested! watson (dot) amie (at) gmail (dot) com … [Read more...] about South Indian Cooking Class Tomorrow, Sunday, September 21
Stir-Fried Bitter Melon: A Recipe with Salt, Sugar, and a Slimy Crunch
Really appealing title, right? If you don't like okra or purslane or Vietnamese spinach or marrow bone or fois gras, then this dish isn't for you. Because that's the onctuous texture of bitter when cooked. Unlike the marrow bone and fois gras, however, the creaminess is combined … [Read more...] about Stir-Fried Bitter Melon: A Recipe with Salt, Sugar, and a Slimy Crunch
“Boozy Preserves” and Not Your Grandma’s Preserves Series on Fine Dining Lovers
The first article in my "Not Your Grandma's Preserves" series is up on Fine Dining Lovers. The first installment is "Boozy Preserves: New Old-Fashioned Cherry Jam with Whiskey and Angostura Bitters." Breakfast and dessert? … [Read more...] about “Boozy Preserves” and Not Your Grandma’s Preserves Series on Fine Dining Lovers
Slow-Cooker Sherry-Braised Beef with Tomatoes and Eggplant
This is the ultimate comfort food. Though I don't eat a lot of beef, I decided it was time for some red meat. I headed to the organic place in Atwater Market and asked what a good cut would be for braising. The woman gave me this. I don't remember what she said it was; it wasn't … [Read more...] about Slow-Cooker Sherry-Braised Beef with Tomatoes and Eggplant
Nun’s Island Farmers Market Recipes: Spiced Eggplant Confit and Deconstructed Greek Salad
Today I'm at the Nun's Island Farmers Market cooking in the fall chill. I guess I should be pan-grilling pumpkin with parsley and lemon zest, but I'm staying less autumnal with olive oil-simmered eggplant and a tomato-heavy Greek salad. It was about time I took advantage of the … [Read more...] about Nun’s Island Farmers Market Recipes: Spiced Eggplant Confit and Deconstructed Greek Salad
Back to the Nun’s Island Market: Eggplant Confit
Check out my cooking demo tomorrow at the Nun's Island Farmer's Market. 11:45am I'll be cooking eggplant confit with tomatoes, paprika and cumin, and maybe some Greek salad with the exceptional olives and oil from the market. See you there! … [Read more...] about Back to the Nun’s Island Market: Eggplant Confit
Garden Update
My garden is growing up. After I harvested the last of my arugula over a moth ago I put in lettuce, endive, kale and spinach. I took out my barren pea vines and sprinkled fenugreek and cilantro everywhere. Now that's all coming up and I harvested my first lettuce and kale two … [Read more...] about Garden Update
Aaron Langille, Typhoon Crab, and the Omnivore World Tour
Omnivore World Tour hit Montreal last month and my favourite presentation of the fest was from chef Aaron Langille, formerly of Cafe Sardine and soon-to-be of a new market-fresh, locavore-inspired Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. There isn't a drop of Chinese in this guy, but he … [Read more...] about Aaron Langille, Typhoon Crab, and the Omnivore World Tour
Hot and Spicy Thai Cooking Class: The photos
Thanks to all the great participants in my last hot and spicy Thai cooking class. We cooked up some stellar pad thai, spicy eggplant with sacred basil, and a from-scratch green curry chicken that tasted of the fresh cilantro and the garden. And the mango cocktails to start didn't … [Read more...] about Hot and Spicy Thai Cooking Class: The photos