Kaza Maza, a Syrian restaurant located on avenue du Parc between Mont-Royal and Saint-Joseph, celebrated its two year anniversary last week. In a city of continuous consctruction, one of the major areas of difficulty in the past two years has been this exact strip of avenue du … [Read more...] about Syrian Cuisine at Kaza Maza: Interview with Fadi Sakrand
Organic Sour Cherries Preserved in Rum Syrup
These should have been easy, but I over-cooked them, I think, because the skins started coming off like when you blanch tomatoes. So I did a second batch and got it right...again, I think. I also ended up with more cherries than sterilized jars, which is generally a horrible … [Read more...] about Organic Sour Cherries Preserved in Rum Syrup
Pickled Sour Cherries (aka “What I Didn’t Mess Up”)
So my organic sour cherry jam that was more like treacle was still delicious when the jar was slightly heated in hot water...not exactly spreadable, SO sticky sweet and addictive and horrible for your teeth. My pickled cherries, however, were perfect. They're not shelf-stable, … [Read more...] about Pickled Sour Cherries (aka “What I Didn’t Mess Up”)
Organic Sour Cherry Jam with Vanilla Amaretto
When making jam, do not: 1. Run out of sugar after you've pitted 6 pints of valuable organic sour cherries 2. Think powdered sugar is a suitable replace for that last cup of granulated sugar that you don't have 3. Forget that powdered sugar has cornstarch in it 4. Cry when … [Read more...] about Organic Sour Cherry Jam with Vanilla Amaretto
Pillows of Dough: Gluten-Free and Not Gluten-Free Gnocchi with Tarragon-Pistachio Pesto and Basil-Hemp-Walnut Pesto
I live a long way from downtown right now. So inviting friends to my house is something I do carefully. How long will it take them to get here? Will it be worth their trip? Can they even catch a bus home before the bus lines stop service the night? Most of those issues are … [Read more...] about Pillows of Dough: Gluten-Free and Not Gluten-Free Gnocchi with Tarragon-Pistachio Pesto and Basil-Hemp-Walnut Pesto
Two Times Gomen: Ethiopian Collard Greens or Kale and Garlic Scapes
I made this dish twice. The first time it was absolutely amazing - sweet and slimy, just like my favourite Indian saag recipe. Unfortunately, just like my saag, sometimes it's not so great. The difference was the leafy green in use. The first time I actually made the recipe with … [Read more...] about Two Times Gomen: Ethiopian Collard Greens or Kale and Garlic Scapes
East Africa Restaurant: Ethiopian in NDG
East Africa Restaurant is a new-ish homestyle hole-in-the-wall on Sherbrooke next to the Caribbean restaurant, Ma's Place, and down the road from some tasty Middle Eastern options. So in a, maybe, three block stretch you can take a gustatory tour of the world. That was maybe not … [Read more...] about East Africa Restaurant: Ethiopian in NDG
My Canning Cupboard: Pickles and Jam
Pickles and strawberry-rhubarb jam filled my canning cupboard in early July. Now pickled cherries are down there too, along with sour cherry jam, sour cherry jam with vanilla amaretto, and sour cherry syrup with rum. Soon there will be pickled turnips added...though those may end … [Read more...] about My Canning Cupboard: Pickles and Jam
Interview with Ana Marinescu: Tera Ter and Montreal Public Markets
This week on CKUT I interviewed Ana Marinescu of Urbana Marketing on Public Markets in Montreal. A few weeks ago I'd stumbled across a new farmers’ market in the park next to the AMC Forum on Atwater, my old stomping grounds. There was a long table selling vegetables at very … [Read more...] about Interview with Ana Marinescu: Tera Ter and Montreal Public Markets
Dairy-Free Maple-Lucuma Ice Cream
Ingredients: 4 cups almond milk 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 2 egg whites 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tsp water 1/8 tsp cream of tartar 1/4 cup lucuma powder, optional (you could use 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract instead, and a little extra maple syrup - maybe 2 tbsp - since … [Read more...] about Dairy-Free Maple-Lucuma Ice Cream