Ras Iville Wright understands the need for soup. I originally met Wright every week for an entire summer at Harbourfront Centre where he'd set up his giant pot at a food stall every weekend for festivals. It contained a vegan variation on Jamaican pepper pot soup: chunks of … [Read more...] about One Love Soup: Vegan and Gluten Free Minestrone
Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free
Spatchcocked, Wet-Brined, BBQ-ed Thanksgiving Turkey: Not For Beginners
This recipe is probably not for Thanksgiving Dinner first-timers. It's actually really easy, and if you're comfortable grilling a big piece of meat on a barbecue, maybe this is for first-timers. But if not, just salt the thing in advance (on and under the skin and … [Read more...] about Spatchcocked, Wet-Brined, BBQ-ed Thanksgiving Turkey: Not For Beginners
Sad Stomach Soup: Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup (Pho’ Ga)
The worst feeling in the world is feeling stomach sick, I think. Okay, maybe not the worst feeling. But it's no fun. Not wanting to eat is also bad, as I experienced recently while away on a work trip. Lying in bed for a day with my knees elevated to relieve the pressure on my … [Read more...] about Sad Stomach Soup: Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup (Pho’ Ga)
A Birthday Best Forgotten
What's your worst birthday? Think back. Was it the time your parents got you the stupid book about farm animals instead of the supercool video game? The time your mom made a saggy vanilla cake or oatmeal raisin cookies instead of buying one from the grocery store (or better yet, … [Read more...] about A Birthday Best Forgotten
How Did My Garden Grow? My Community Garden 2018
I can barely call myself a gardener. For four years now, I've had a garden plot in the southwest of Montreal and I've learned a little from the Bangladeshi women, Quebecois men and published authors who share my tree-lined oasis right next to a train track. Why there's a hammock … [Read more...] about How Did My Garden Grow? My Community Garden 2018
Garam Masala Roasted Cauliflower “Wings”
When I ate my first vegan buffalo "wings," I was floored. They had to be deep-fried. They were chewy and spicy and warm and rich. I even kept pestering the cook, trying to get her to admit there was gluten in the breading. Nope, no breading, she said. Worcestershire? No. Soy … [Read more...] about Garam Masala Roasted Cauliflower “Wings”
Le Creuset Braised Rabbit Cacciatore
You're allowed to be scared if you've never cooked rabbit before. But you shouldn't. It's a lean meat with a thin skin and I can get it whole at Atwater Market at one of my favourite butcher shops, Boucherie de Tours. But there are a few downsides: 1. There are a ton of … [Read more...] about Le Creuset Braised Rabbit Cacciatore
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Cumin and Apricots
Comfort. We all crave it. Well, except maybe my friend who winter-ran the White Mountains in a day-and-a-half. But even he enjoys a glass of red wine with his sweet potatoes. In French, the term is "gourmand," but that doesn't translate directly. It's not quite "gourmet" and … [Read more...] about Braised Lamb Shoulder with Cumin and Apricots
Lac Brome Duck Sausages with Grilled Zucchini and a Dilemma
I'd originally decided not to write about these. Lac Brome sells its duck products throughout Quebec – in fact, the company is the country's leading specialist in Peking Duck. They sell whole duck, legs, breasts, legs cooked confit, ground meat, and thinly sliced duck for fondue … [Read more...] about Lac Brome Duck Sausages with Grilled Zucchini and a Dilemma
Ugly Delicious: Green Curry Chicken with Homemade Thai Curry Paste
What's the easiest, tastiest, most comforting gourmet food you can make while sharing a cottage with 15 other people? Thai Curry. All you need to do is buy a can or jar of green or red or yellow curry paste, a can of coconut milk and some chicken (optional) and vegetables: … [Read more...] about Ugly Delicious: Green Curry Chicken with Homemade Thai Curry Paste