This sustainably farmed New Zealand salmon was the most beautiful fish I've ever had the privilege of filleting and eating. While famous sushi chef Jiro doesn't demo making salmon sashimi in his book Sushi Chef: Sukiyabashi Jiro, he does go in-depth on the virtues of marbled … [Read more...] about Jiro Dreams of Sushi and So Do I: How to Make Nigiri, Sashimi and Aburi Torched Sushi
Fruit
Dived Scallops with Avocado and Pink Grapefruit Salsa
This recipe comes from Scottish Highland Hospitality, which you can read more about in my recipe post for dairy-free cod brandade. It was my favourite recipe from the book, mostly because of the salsa. The key is to buy really tasty avocados and grapefruit. I splurged on organic … [Read more...] about Dived Scallops with Avocado and Pink Grapefruit Salsa
Homemade Persimmon Honey Wine
This is not wine from a kit. There are no commercial yeasts involved. No artificial flavours or chemical preservatives. I never thought I'd make wine, but once you make ginger beer and start exploring Sandor Katz's fermentation bible, Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition and … [Read more...] about Homemade Persimmon Honey Wine
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
Boozy Adventures and How to Make Homemade Limoncello
Limoncello is liquified Italian sunshine. The best versions are made with thick-skinned lemons from the Amalfi coast. They're sipped – glass by small glass – with memories of the azure coastline and often draw to a close a subjectively perfect meal of anything from simple … [Read more...] about Boozy Adventures and How to Make Homemade Limoncello
Three Slow-Cooker Recipes and Throwing Off Winter with Lamb Tajine, Tequila Chicken Tacos and the Ultimate Tomato Sauce
Was that snow falling outside my window the other day? I refuse to believe that those big pillows of fluff weren't hallucinations. There's no way we're subzero and it's not even November yet. My general rule is that if it's not worse in Newfoundland than here in Montreal at any … [Read more...] about Three Slow-Cooker Recipes and Throwing Off Winter with Lamb Tajine, Tequila Chicken Tacos and the Ultimate Tomato Sauce
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
Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs (The Easy Way and the Complicated Way)
Me: "Do you have ground lamb?" Friendly Guy at Boucherie de Tours: "Sure." Me: Turkey? FGBT: "Breast or thigh?" Me, realizing they grind everything to order and appreciating that the butcher even cares to ask when most ground meat is a mix of whatever fatty bits are left … [Read more...] about Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs (The Easy Way and the Complicated Way)
Old-Fashioned Creamy Rice Pudding
I once requested rice pudding in place of birthday cake. My aunt had asked me what kind of cake I wanted her to make for my birthday, and not wanting her to bother making me a gluten-free, dairy-free cake, I asked for the most comforting, easy-to-make dessert I knew — rice … [Read more...] about Old-Fashioned Creamy Rice Pudding
Strawberry-Blueberry Dessert and Wrecking Family Tradition
Growing up, my family had a repertoire of two special occasion desserts. There was my mom's blueberry pie and then there was the ambiguously named "strawberry dessert." I waffled between preferring one or the other from year to year. Whether for Christmas, Thanksgiving or a … [Read more...] about Strawberry-Blueberry Dessert and Wrecking Family Tradition