I moved yesterday. It had been 15 years. I turns out my belongings require a lot more boxes now. Twenty years ago, my whole life fit into two boxes (plus a rolling desk chair). Now, my collection of honeys, date molasses, and spices alone fill two boxes. Combined, all my … [Read more...] about Making Connections and Low-Carb Chicken Pad Thai with Cabbage Noodles
Chicken & Poultry
Chaat Masala-Spiced Chicken Wings and Cherry Bomb Peppers: Stinky Feet and Crispy Skin
"You'll know which jar is the garam masala and which is the chaat masala because the chaat is the one that smells funky," I explained to my mom, who was worried by having to distinguish between two unmarked jars in her cupboard. To me, the different was as clear as night and day. … [Read more...] about Chaat Masala-Spiced Chicken Wings and Cherry Bomb Peppers: Stinky Feet and Crispy Skin
How to Cook Chicken in a Slow-Cooker or Instant Pot: Recipe for Chicken with Wild Mushrooms and Sage
I'll keep this instant pot or slow-cooker chicken with wild mushrooms and sage recipe short and sweet, because I hear I can be a bit long-winded in the preamble to a recipe. All you do is soak your mushrooms OVERNIGHT (see below for why), then the next day you sear chicken … [Read more...] about How to Cook Chicken in a Slow-Cooker or Instant Pot: Recipe for Chicken with Wild Mushrooms and Sage
Chinese New Year, Feb. 11-17, 2021: Recipes and History
Nine years ago, I wrote an article called "Sleep Together and Have Sons: Celebrating Chinese New Year with Sex and Dumplings" for Maisonneuve Magazine's blog, back when I was an intern there. It's a catchy title and I remember researching this history of jiaozi and long-life … [Read more...] about Chinese New Year, Feb. 11-17, 2021: Recipes and History
Thanksgiving a Little Differently
This year I'm going to chuck a chicken in the slow cooker with potatoes, parsnips and carrots and be done with it. Sacrilege! you say. What is Thanksgiving if not an indulgent, roasted feast of turkey stuffed with fatty, herby, soft bread that leaves you comatose? Turns … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving a Little Differently
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
Chinese Healthy Soup: Ginseng and Other Adaptogens
I have a New Years tradition with a friend to make a giant pot of soup with a ton of vegetables from Chinatown, the reason being that after a late night of drinking it feels good to start the new year with something healthy, hot and easy to digest. And Chinatown is usually the … [Read more...] about Chinese Healthy Soup: Ginseng and Other Adaptogens
Kimchi Stew – Kimchi Jigae (pork-free)
When I saw that a pork-free kimchi stew won a best recipe award on The Guardian website, I figured it was time to use up the rest of my 2018 batch of kimchi and grab a box of tissues. The spicy stew is supposed to be earthy and rich and deep, but my versions in the past have … [Read more...] about Kimchi Stew – Kimchi Jigae (pork-free)
Sweet and Sour Turkey with Star Anise
Turkey is seeing a resurgence. No longer is it delegated to holidays. With its mixture of dark, nutrient-rich meat while staying pretty lean, it's a great way to roast something healthy without ending up with heaps of oily fat in the braising sauce. And if you're ever concerned … [Read more...] about Sweet and Sour Turkey with Star Anise
Rosé Braised Turkey Leg with Sundried Tomatoes, Olives and Rosemary
Rosé and turkey? Yes. White wine just wasn't summery enough. Plenty of recipes call for white wine, from butter sauces to mussels, and plenty call for red, from coq au vin to braised beef. But since turkey leg falls somewhere between chicken and beef in terms of white meat … [Read more...] about Rosé Braised Turkey Leg with Sundried Tomatoes, Olives and Rosemary