So it turns out I had my aphorisms all mixed up. How embarrassing. It turns out that the old saying actually goes: "There's more than one way to skin a cat," which has nothing to do with roasting chickens. And when you type "There's more than one way to roast" in a Google search … [Read more...] about There’s More Than One Way to Cook a Chicken: On Brining and Spatchcocking
Archives for January 2016
Sweet Saturdays: Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cinnamon Buns from Bunner’s Bakeshop
Bunner's was rated the top bakery in Toronto by NOW Magazine in 2015. No, not the top gluten-free bakery – though it is – but the best overall bakery. It just happens to be both 100% gluten free and vegan. The staff can even tell you which items are soy-free, and most are. I … [Read more...] about Sweet Saturdays: Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cinnamon Buns from Bunner’s Bakeshop
Death Star Watermelon and Exotic Fruit from Baobab I
You can't have a Star Wars-themed party without a Death Star, clearly. Just google "Star Wars recipes" and go to images and you'll be amazed at what people can do with a pen knife. My dad took the challenge, sculpting two of these babies for the party. Cut some vertical lines and … [Read more...] about Death Star Watermelon and Exotic Fruit from Baobab I
Maurin Cuisine: Home-Cooked Food Delivery in Montreal
A celiac friend of mine told me once over a glass of natural wine that if she could quit her job and do anything in the world, she'd buy a stone cottage in England. "But what would you do?" I asked. "Make jam." I nodded. Sounded reasonable. "But what would you do in … [Read more...] about Maurin Cuisine: Home-Cooked Food Delivery in Montreal
Jawa Juice: Grapefruit-Basil Cocktail Punch with Frozen Cherries (Aperol Optional)
Is Aperol ever really optional? It's a bit like tying your shoe laces. You could leave them untied, but that would be dumb. Still, the virgin version of this punch is plenty passable (though less red). Either way, the key is the bittersweet grapefruit-basil syrup. Don't skip … [Read more...] about Jawa Juice: Grapefruit-Basil Cocktail Punch with Frozen Cherries (Aperol Optional)
Review of Starbuck’s Evolution Fresh Juices: From Super Green to Sweet Berry
You can't pigeonhole juicers – the people, not the appliances, I mean. That's what Starbucks has figured out with their new line of cold-pressed juices by California juice company Evolution Fresh. Yes there are the hardcore green juicers: those who feel good about themselves for … [Read more...] about Review of Starbuck’s Evolution Fresh Juices: From Super Green to Sweet Berry
Frog’s Legs, Chicken Wings or Scallops in Brandy
The original recipe is for frogs legs and it's in honour of Jabba the Hut's preference for eating them in brandy (see Christmas Party 2015 for further explanation). But frog's legs are somewhat hard to come by in Newfoundland, let alone in the middle of winter, so I subbed … [Read more...] about Frog’s Legs, Chicken Wings or Scallops in Brandy
How to Make Saké at Home: My Step-By-Step Article with Sebastien Bureau
Last December I published an article on how to make your own saké on FineDiningLovers.com. Not for the faint of heart DIY-er, the month (or so) long process yielded about 40L of quality rice alcohol. Here's a link to the step-by-step article with accompanying photos of the … [Read more...] about How to Make Saké at Home: My Step-By-Step Article with Sebastien Bureau
Star Wars Ration Boxes
Luke’s savoury ration boxes: kale chips, sweet potato chips, zucchini chips, raisins, currants, dates, toasted almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts. What's a ration box, really? Let's ask the Star Wars wiki: "Food rations...were a transportable form of ready-to-eat food used … [Read more...] about Star Wars Ration Boxes
Misnamed “Womp Rat Stew” (Slow-cooker Spiced Lamb and Spinach) for the 8th Annual Volk/Watson Christmas Extravaganza
I didn't create this recipe for womp rat stew. Womp rats are small creates that Luke talks about bullseyeing growing up on Tatooine. According to the Star Wars Wiki, the dish is sometimes called mystery stew and was served at Jun Seros' diner in Mos Eisley, Tatooine. But I got it … [Read more...] about Misnamed “Womp Rat Stew” (Slow-cooker Spiced Lamb and Spinach) for the 8th Annual Volk/Watson Christmas Extravaganza