This is a salad that will make you enjoy eating: A. Lentils B. Salad Both, I believe, are important in life. Both, however, can be horrendously disappointing. I get why carnivores who only know romaine lettuce and Kraft Caesar dressing from a bottle stick to steak. I can't … [Read more...] about Making Friends With Salad: Du Puy lentils with red wine-maple vinaigrette, candied pecans and grilled endive
Garden Update: My first little tomato, and no children
I suppose I should call this a balcony update rather than a garden update, as my first tomato appeared yesterday (do you see it??!!) in one of the 5 self-watering containers on my balcony, not my community garden plot. My balcony tomato plants are energetic, to say the … [Read more...] about Garden Update: My first little tomato, and no children
Successful Strawberry Jam Canning Class
Thanks to the participants in my canning class who'd learned to make strawberry jam yesterday. It was a relaxing few hours of learning about safe canning techniques, stirring, tasting, adjusting and not dropping hot bottles of jam on the floor. Instead of doing a traditional … [Read more...] about Successful Strawberry Jam Canning Class
Canning Class This Monday: Learn to Make Strawberry Jam
I picked a whole lot of strawberries, so it's time to make jam. Come lend a hand, learn a thing or two, and take home some of the spoils. When: Monday, July 1, 2pm-4:30pm Where: My place (email for directions) How much: $20 How many people: Only 4 spots left! watson.amie (at) … [Read more...] about Canning Class This Monday: Learn to Make Strawberry Jam
Arugula: My Garden’s First Bountiful, Nibbled-On Harvest (plus lots of recipes)
I've been pruning my basil plants. That means pinching off the little suckers (that's actually the name of the new leaves that try to come along where big leaves are already trying to grow. You pinch them off to encourage large leaf growth) and the flowers (same justification). … [Read more...] about Arugula: My Garden’s First Bountiful, Nibbled-On Harvest (plus lots of recipes)
Andalusian Green Grape and Almond Gazpacho: A taste of summer
A little while ago a friend of mine sprained his wrist falling off his bike after hitting a pothole on a poorly-maintained Montreal street. This significantly impaired his ability to chop vegetables, open packages, and wash dishes, resulting in a slew of lackluster - and … [Read more...] about Andalusian Green Grape and Almond Gazpacho: A taste of summer
Vegan Comfort: Brown Rice Pilaf with Fava Beans, Sauerkraut and Seaweed
I have a feeling this might be macrobiotic in addition to vegan, but I confess to not knowing for sure and I don't want to make any false claims. Still, it was warm, soft, and savoury, full of nutrients and deep, earthy umami flavours. Did I also mention it was simple? And a … [Read more...] about Vegan Comfort: Brown Rice Pilaf with Fava Beans, Sauerkraut and Seaweed
Summer Nights Sweet-and-Sour Chipotle Slow-Cooker Chili
There are two schools of thought on chili: 1. It's a winter-only food, meant for heating you up from the inside out 2. It's a year-round food, meant for heating you up in winter and cooling you down with mind-numbing and shiver-inducing sweating in summer. I fall into the … [Read more...] about Summer Nights Sweet-and-Sour Chipotle Slow-Cooker Chili
Restaurant Mais: Mexican-inspired fare in the Mile End
Conveniently located in Mile End where everyone wants a fairly priced meal in a relaxed but sleekly-decorated location, Restaurant Mais has its vintage and cocktail-loving clientele cornered. The spot is tiny, doesn't take reservations, and has an open kitchen. Hipster-friendly? … [Read more...] about Restaurant Mais: Mexican-inspired fare in the Mile End
Candied Pecan and Arugula Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
1/3 cup pecan pieces 1 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup or agave 1/8 tsp salt 6 cups arugula, washed 1 1/2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 tbsp blueberry balsamic vinegar (or regular aged balsamic or other flavoured balsamic. If you use regular un-aged balsamic reduce the quantity to 2 … [Read more...] about Candied Pecan and Arugula Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette