I have a friend who is an expert at pavlova. Named after the Russian ballet dancer, it's a dessert featuring egg whites and sugar whipped to stiff peaks then baked, so the outside is crisp and the inside is marshmallow-y. Unlike a floating island, which is surrounded by a pool of … [Read more...] about My First Meringue
Raw Tomato Cream Sauce and Tomato Bruschetta
With all those gorgeous tomatoes this week it's time to make one of three things: 1. Bruschetta 2. Gazpacho 3. Tomato Sauce This is a creamy pasta sauce that's almost a combination of the three - it's cool (perfect for hotter months), it's creamy and rich, and it's almost an … [Read more...] about Raw Tomato Cream Sauce and Tomato Bruschetta
Atelier et Saveurs: Cooking and Cocktail School in Montreal
Chef Rodolpho and the entire staff at the old Montreal cooking school, Atelier et Saveurs, have enthusiasm in spades. The night I went my cooking class tried to make five-spiced beef tataki with gremolata and Parmesan; fois gras torchon on caramelized onions on choux pastry; … [Read more...] about Atelier et Saveurs: Cooking and Cocktail School in Montreal
Not So Spicy Potato Filling for Masala Dosa
If you don't feel like fermenting lentils for dosa, you can just eat this on its own or with meat, or in a different kind of wrap (especially with mango chutney or tomato chutney...), spiced to your preferred level of heat. My level is high, but my dinner guest's level was … [Read more...] about Not So Spicy Potato Filling for Masala Dosa
Best Potato Masala Dosa Ever
Normally for dosa (South Indian rice crepes) I soak both Basmati rice and skinned urid dal (split lentils), but the recipe from Mangoes and Curry LEaves by Naomi Duguid and Jeffrey Alford says to use rice flour, which gives the crepes a smoother texture. I also think it may be … [Read more...] about Best Potato Masala Dosa Ever
CBC Radio’s Definitely Not the Opera – Saturday, June 2nd, 1pm-3pm
I'm going to be on Definitely Not the Opera on CBC Radio 1 tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, June 2nd, some time between 1:30pm and 3:30pm. The show's theme is Homesickness, so you'll hear me wax poetic about moving to big cities, Newfoundland dinner parties, drinking games, and … [Read more...] about CBC Radio’s Definitely Not the Opera – Saturday, June 2nd, 1pm-3pm
L’Express: Montreal’s Bistro
I didn't get to l'Express for 4 years because I assumed it couldn't live up to its hype. I figured it'd be just okay. I figured I'd get out of there without breaking the bank, but I'm more into food than wine, and I figured my money wouldn't be well-spent overall since I thought … [Read more...] about L’Express: Montreal’s Bistro
Slow-cooker Eggplant and Potato Curry
This looks completely unappetizing, I know, but bear with me. If you really love eggplant, it's worth making. The spicing is mild (aka "Indian for wimps"), so pump up the heat and the curry powder if you really want some flavour. You're also supposed to serve it with tomato … [Read more...] about Slow-cooker Eggplant and Potato Curry
Mandarin Orange-Balsamic Roasted Turbot with Grilled Lettuce
This is based on a recipe for Arctic char with grilled romaine, grapes and balsamic vinegar from Becky Selengut's "Good Fish." Except I didn't have any grapes. Or a grill. Or romaine. I had oranges and Boston lettuce. You really can't make this with delicate red oak, but a firm … [Read more...] about Mandarin Orange-Balsamic Roasted Turbot with Grilled Lettuce
Another Ridiculous Cake: Fallen Fudge Torte stuffed with peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough, topped with coconut creme anglaise and served with honey-vanilla custard
Is that a ridiculous enough title for you? This is what happens when a cake goes sort of wrong. Not the title. The cake, I mean. I almost wrote "horribly wrong", but it really didn't go horribly wrong, and it still ended up being delicious. Perhaps even more delicious than the … [Read more...] about Another Ridiculous Cake: Fallen Fudge Torte stuffed with peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough, topped with coconut creme anglaise and served with honey-vanilla custard