I admit I've been a reluctant cook during these days of social distancing. I usually don't have a problem cooking for one since I love having leftovers to stick in the freezer. But these days, with eating being one of the highlights of the day, it's a little less exciting to eat … [Read more...] about Coronavirus Diary, Part 3: All the Food
Private Import Wine Agencies Can Now Legally Sell Mixed Cases
Cheers to this! In a huge turn-around on the part of the SAQ, private import wine companies can sell mixed cases now in Quebec. They have to have a minimum of three bottles of each wine in a case (so two types in a case of six, or four types in a case of 12), and the agencies … [Read more...] about Private Import Wine Agencies Can Now Legally Sell Mixed Cases
Open That Bottle: Glutenberg 2014 Saison Froide (and Some Other Gluten-Free and Gluten-Removed Beer Reviews)
This might be the first time I've ever written about beer, gluten-free or not, in my decade-long career as a food writer. But in this COVID-19 world of being stuck at home, we might as well find some joy in, well, something...so lots of people have been opening those bottles … [Read more...] about Open That Bottle: Glutenberg 2014 Saison Froide (and Some Other Gluten-Free and Gluten-Removed Beer Reviews)
Perfect Fish in a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: Like Sous Vide Without the Plastic
In the recently released cookbook by Nicki Sizemore called Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker: Reinvent the Slow-Cooked Meal; 77 Mouthwatering Recipes, I learned a technique that has changed how I will forever cook fish. It's almost idiot-proof, meaning you might never overcook … [Read more...] about Perfect Fish in a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: Like Sous Vide Without the Plastic
Slow-Roasted Duck Legs in Wine: Raspberries and Food Memories
Are there meals that you dream about from before the days of social distancing? I often dream of one in particular. I was sitting into a beautiful new restaurant in NDG in Montreal two years ago with a platter of duck legs, breast, wings, sausage and duck-fat-cooked potatoes in … [Read more...] about Slow-Roasted Duck Legs in Wine: Raspberries and Food Memories
Montreal Coronavirus Diary: Part 2
The highlight of my evening the other day was not making these failed amaretti cookies. It was jumping on a cardboard box. It was the box that food samples for my last television segment had come in and I had to to break it down for my recycling bin. I'd tried to tear it, but … [Read more...] about Montreal Coronavirus Diary: Part 2
Online Food Shopping: Brunette Helps You Support Local Restaurants and Qualifirst Delivers Your Fancy Cooking Ingredients
Lots of people have been asking where to shop online for delivery right now. Local grocery stores are overwhelmed with delivery orders while local farmers, artisans, producers and other food manufacturers are struggling. So in addition to places like La Mer and Odessa Seafood, … [Read more...] about Online Food Shopping: Brunette Helps You Support Local Restaurants and Qualifirst Delivers Your Fancy Cooking Ingredients
The Recipes that Didn’t Make it Into “Quarantine Cooking”
Sometimes you need to know when to stop. Once Quarantine Cooking hit 50 recipes, my designer friend very gently told me it was time to reign it in. Which I did. But that meant that a chapter on tacos got cut, along with a braised Mediterranean chicken recipe, mussels and one … [Read more...] about The Recipes that Didn’t Make it Into “Quarantine Cooking”
Download the “Quarantine Cooking” E-Book
It's launched! My pay-what-you-can e-cookbook Quarantine Cooking features more than 50 recipes with a focus on ingredients found in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Proceeds will go to the Montreal Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, which is supporting workers who've lost their … [Read more...] about Download the “Quarantine Cooking” E-Book
SHUK Cookbook Review: Masabacha, Harissa Fish, Quinoa-Stuffed Beets and Orange Blossom Roasted Chicken
It's a great time to be cooking at home, and while I'm working on my own Self-Isolation Cookbook, I've also been reviewing other cookbooks. The latest is SHUK: From Market to Table, the Heart of Israeli Home Cooking by Eimat Admony and Janna Gur. Long before all this COVID-19 … [Read more...] about SHUK Cookbook Review: Masabacha, Harissa Fish, Quinoa-Stuffed Beets and Orange Blossom Roasted Chicken