Every time I say the name of the recipe I picture graphic novel-style exclamations above me and I want to punch three times in various directions into the air — one, two, three! Basically I feel like a Thai warrior, not someone who just shallow-fried dried shrimp and fish, … [Read more...] about Nam Prik Pau! Thai Chile Jam That Packs a Punch
Small Bites and Spreads
Bean Sprouts with Fried Fish and Chili from “Heavenly Fragrance”
I'm more than a little addicted to this salty, spicy, crunchy side dish. It's simultaneously the perfect bar food and lunch. You hallow-fry fried anchovies or some other small dried fish and then toss them with sautéed garlic, beansprouts, chili and fish sauce. Then serve with … [Read more...] about Bean Sprouts with Fried Fish and Chili from “Heavenly Fragrance”
Balsamic Figs with Sheep’s Milk Cheese
The trick to this gorgeous appetizer is to find good figs. The rest is simple. But it's March! you say. Do you think a lot of figs grow in Montreal at any time of the year? My friend gets one per season, and the work she puts into burying that plant at the end of the growing … [Read more...] about Balsamic Figs with Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Shrimp with Bananas, Almonds and Agua Diabla: Recreating ABC Cocina Restaurant at Home
ABC Cocina restaurant in NYC blew me away, from the Tequila in my lime- and basil-rimmed margarita to my patatas bravas infused with vinegar and salt and topped with an addictive sweet chili sauce to the tamarind-glazed fish. But everyone at our table agreed on the best dish: the … [Read more...] about Shrimp with Bananas, Almonds and Agua Diabla: Recreating ABC Cocina Restaurant at Home
Healthy Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers with Avocado Dip
There's a slow burn that comes from cooked jalapeno. You bite into a baked or fried whole pepper and there's a mild sweetness of the roasted flesh. Then bitterness hits from the skin and membrane as you chew. And finally, there's the heat. That's what you wait for. It's what … [Read more...] about Healthy Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers with Avocado Dip
Loaded Nachos, Salsa, Guacamole: Enough chili pepper to kill a winter
There's a feeling that comes about this time of year that I call panic. It builds with every snow fall, with every frozen eyelash. It couples with the swearing I hear from my own mouth as I walk to the metro. And it multiplies like a parasite until something happens to calm your … [Read more...] about Loaded Nachos, Salsa, Guacamole: Enough chili pepper to kill a winter
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry
When you buy and cook a squash, don't throw out the seeds. Sure, they're sticky and kind of gross, but if you wash them, strain them and toss them with salt, pepper and oil, they bake up to cheap treat perfection. Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Seeds of 1 pumpkin or squash 1 tsp olive … [Read more...] about Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry
7th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza: The Pictures
My family's annual Christmas party happened yesterday. As usual, it was ridiculous: There were the beef tacos. And the chicken tacos. And the shredded chicken with Mexican rice, black beans and aioli crema. Since the party was tex-mex themed, there was a table with … [Read more...] about 7th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza: The Pictures
Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil
I gave a canning class today where we made pink grapefruit marmalade and carrot and cauliflower giardiniera. And if you've never heard of giardiniera, you're not alone...and you're not Italian. Italians have some great pickled vegetable recipes, one of the most popular being … [Read more...] about Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil
How to Cure Salmon – The Cheap and Easy Way
You're supposed to drown the fish in vodka. Most recipes think so, anyway. Or gin. Or any high-proof alcohol that can seek into the fish's flesh and denature it. Denature: to cook without heat. Like what happens when you ferment cabbage into sauerkraut. But in this case there's … [Read more...] about How to Cure Salmon – The Cheap and Easy Way