Executive chef Barry Pall of Crudessence gave me a tour of the raw food restaurant's commercial kitchen space a few weeks ago, way up in a loft in one of my favourite areas of Montreal. I figured it'd be nice and cool, not needing air conditioning because Crudessence is a "raw" … [Read more...] about Raw Chipotle Tacos with Sprouted Mung Beans
Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free
Indian Lamb Curry from Hari Nayak’s Easy Indian Cooking
Nayak has a new Indian cookbook out. I'm slowly working through the recipes. It's not as big or beautiful as his last one, but if the recipes work I'm all for it. So far it seems the recipes are easier (blend things up all together rather than multi-step processes). This recipe … [Read more...] about Indian Lamb Curry from Hari Nayak’s Easy Indian Cooking
Juicing with Greens and Cheating on Raw: Apple, lychee, kale, quince, peach, spirulina
Raw and I were never exclusive. In fact, a friend of mine in Peru would say there's no need. We're wired to polygamy and monogamy is learned. I've also heard that pheromones make us calm so that we simmer down when we're around someone we're attracted to, making us less likely … [Read more...] about Juicing with Greens and Cheating on Raw: Apple, lychee, kale, quince, peach, spirulina
Green Smoothies 101: Apple, orange, kale, pineapple, soaked dates, and magical(?) spirulina
I had a chat with a green smoothie-lover from Crudessence in Montreal about variations on a green theme. I'm going to say upfront that I'm not a huge fan of green smoothies. Or, I wasn't for a long time. The idea of using a lot of high sugar fruit to mask the flavour of healthy, … [Read more...] about Green Smoothies 101: Apple, orange, kale, pineapple, soaked dates, and magical(?) spirulina
Making Friends With Salad: Du Puy lentils with red wine-maple vinaigrette, candied pecans and grilled endive
This is a salad that will make you enjoy eating: A. Lentils B. Salad Both, I believe, are important in life. Both, however, can be horrendously disappointing. I get why carnivores who only know romaine lettuce and Kraft Caesar dressing from a bottle stick to steak. I can't … [Read more...] about Making Friends With Salad: Du Puy lentils with red wine-maple vinaigrette, candied pecans and grilled endive
Arugula: My Garden’s First Bountiful, Nibbled-On Harvest (plus lots of recipes)
I've been pruning my basil plants. That means pinching off the little suckers (that's actually the name of the new leaves that try to come along where big leaves are already trying to grow. You pinch them off to encourage large leaf growth) and the flowers (same justification). … [Read more...] about Arugula: My Garden’s First Bountiful, Nibbled-On Harvest (plus lots of recipes)
Andalusian Green Grape and Almond Gazpacho: A taste of summer
A little while ago a friend of mine sprained his wrist falling off his bike after hitting a pothole on a poorly-maintained Montreal street. This significantly impaired his ability to chop vegetables, open packages, and wash dishes, resulting in a slew of lackluster - and … [Read more...] about Andalusian Green Grape and Almond Gazpacho: A taste of summer
Vegan Comfort: Brown Rice Pilaf with Fava Beans, Sauerkraut and Seaweed
I have a feeling this might be macrobiotic in addition to vegan, but I confess to not knowing for sure and I don't want to make any false claims. Still, it was warm, soft, and savoury, full of nutrients and deep, earthy umami flavours. Did I also mention it was simple? And a … [Read more...] about Vegan Comfort: Brown Rice Pilaf with Fava Beans, Sauerkraut and Seaweed
Summer Nights Sweet-and-Sour Chipotle Slow-Cooker Chili
There are two schools of thought on chili: 1. It's a winter-only food, meant for heating you up from the inside out 2. It's a year-round food, meant for heating you up in winter and cooling you down with mind-numbing and shiver-inducing sweating in summer. I fall into the … [Read more...] about Summer Nights Sweet-and-Sour Chipotle Slow-Cooker Chili
Deconstructed Banana Cream Pie: Layered Vanilla-Almond Custard with Banana Ice Cream and Meringue
You can also make these in individual mason jars for a dinner party, or in one large casserole dish. Either way, you'll need: 1 recipe vanilla-almond custard 2 fresh bananas, sliced 1 recipe banana ice cream 1 recipe meringue Vanilla-Almond Custard 6 tbsp sugar or mild honey … [Read more...] about Deconstructed Banana Cream Pie: Layered Vanilla-Almond Custard with Banana Ice Cream and Meringue