The best thing you can give me is food I can eat. Well, maybe love. I'd have to be pretty heartless to say, "Keep your feelings to yourself" – especially if you're coming to my house for dinner and I've cooked a birthday meal and I'm lactose and gluten intolerant, thus making … [Read more...] about Chicken with Wild Mushrooms and Salicorne
Cooking With Booze
Halibut with Currants, Harissa and Sherry
This sweet and sour sauce soaks into the halibut, playing off the silky, savoury onions and crispy crusted but tender fish.The harissa gives it a smoky, mildly spicy, tomato base. A quick sear and a gentle braise is all it takes. Halibut with Currants, Harissa and Sherry 3 … [Read more...] about Halibut with Currants, Harissa and Sherry
What Do I Do With That Zucchini?
If you're like me, zucchini have taken over your life. Maybe you don't have a community garden plot with four enormous zucchini plants, blossoms so big you thought they were squash and baseball bat-sized green summer squash hiding under thick green branches and enormous lily … [Read more...] about What Do I Do With That Zucchini?
Seared Duck Breast with Orange and Star Anise
Don't be intimidated by duck breast. All it needs is a good spice rub and a quick sear followed by a little rest from the exertion and you've got yourself a restaurant-quality meal for half the price. The orange and star anise sauce is just the icing on the cake. And sure, duck … [Read more...] about Seared Duck Breast with Orange and Star Anise
Maple Spring Salad with Roasted Chicken and Lemon Potatoes
The name of this salad is maybe only a double entendre to Quebeckers who made it through last year's student protests, aka maple spring. But this is a salad for all — student or not, protester or not. Because food, after all, is a great unifier. And if anything can unify, then … [Read more...] about Maple Spring Salad with Roasted Chicken and Lemon Potatoes
Maple and Wine Poached Fish
Simple. Fresh. Light. This maple-poached fish recipe is perfect for spring. It takes a grand total of 15 minutes to make and it's completely addictive. It also feels very indulgent to poach fish in maple syrup. Serve this at a dinner party and everyone will think you're … [Read more...] about Maple and Wine Poached Fish
How to Cook Whole Fish: Baked Sustainable Bass Stuffed with Herbs
Make this when you have leftover parsley or white wine. You can do it the mild way (Italian) or the spicy way (Asian). The difference is chili flakes and soy or fish sauce. One note about sustainability: Ask your fishmonger where the fish comes from and how it was caught. If it … [Read more...] about How to Cook Whole Fish: Baked Sustainable Bass Stuffed with Herbs
“Mardi Margarita” (ou Mercredi): Two Times the Drinking if You’re French
I guess French-speaking people get to drink twice as many margaritas as anglophones? In English, we have Margarita Monday. But in French there's both Mardi Margarita (Tuesday) and Mercredi Margarita (Wednesday). Alliteration's a bitch, non? Well I say drink these whenever you … [Read more...] about “Mardi Margarita” (ou Mercredi): Two Times the Drinking if You’re French
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Apple Pico de Gallo, Sherry and Toasted Pecans
In a party over-loaded with tacos and deliciously sloppy comfort food, this was my favourite dish. It was sweet and comforting, savoury and simple, with being overly heavy. The best part is that it's pretty easy. Sauté some stuff, add some sherry and stuff it into the squash … [Read more...] about Stuffed Acorn Squash with Apple Pico de Gallo, Sherry and Toasted Pecans
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