1/3 cup pecan pieces 1 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup or agave 1/8 tsp salt 6 cups arugula, washed 1 1/2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 tbsp blueberry balsamic vinegar (or regular aged balsamic or other flavoured balsamic. If you use regular un-aged balsamic reduce the quantity to 2 … [Read more...] about Candied Pecan and Arugula Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Greens & Herbs
Gluten-free Pasta Puttanesca with White Wine, Artichokes, Capers and Olives
I don't eat a lot of pasta, but when I do it's a real guilty pleasure. Not that I'm doing the traditional dairy-heavy, rich, creamy sauces that would make it something requiring the adjective "guilty," and I don't even use a cup of olive oil. But it's a comfort food and it's a … [Read more...] about Gluten-free Pasta Puttanesca with White Wine, Artichokes, Capers and Olives
Salt Cod Cakes with Beetroot Relish
I went to my fish guy in Newfoundland down at the Fish Depot on Duckworth Street. He's my go-to guy for sustainable fish in St. John's. He actually doesn't like Atlantic salmon. It's farmed, and most importantly, tastes nothing like wild. He doesn't like wild, though, since you … [Read more...] about Salt Cod Cakes with Beetroot Relish
Roasted Zucchini, Steamed Carrot, and Sauerkraut Salad with Not-My-Best Baked Chicken
It looks delicious, and darn it, it should have been. But it was just alright. I don't eat a lot of meat, so when I do I want it to be extraordinary. And this time I didn't follow a recipe. Well, I followed a basic one: Take chicken, coat in Dijon mustard, then a blend of spices … [Read more...] about Roasted Zucchini, Steamed Carrot, and Sauerkraut Salad with Not-My-Best Baked Chicken
Stuffed Eggplant with Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower and Lemon
This recipe is inspired by the only organic chef in Lima, Peru. He serves something like this but with lentils at the Bioferia organic market every Saturday in the Parque Reducto. This has a bit less olive oil, making it less heavy, but just enough to bring out the sweetness of … [Read more...] about Stuffed Eggplant with Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower and Lemon
Home, and Stuffed Caihua with Huacatay Sauce
There are a handful of things that feel strange after leaving Peru yesterday. 1. Drinking from a water fountain 2. Throwing toilet paper in the toilet 3. Having hot water come from a tap 4. Turning on the heat 5. Seeing a mango on my kitchen counter 6. Worrying about unwashed … [Read more...] about Home, and Stuffed Caihua with Huacatay Sauce
Three Salsas and the Ultimate Guacamole Recipe
I hate red or white onion in guacamole. Green (scallions) are acceptable since they're mild and add visual appeal without leaving you with onion breath. Fresh garlic has no place here either. Lemon is not lime no matter what they call it here in Peru. Key limes are the best for … [Read more...] about Three Salsas and the Ultimate Guacamole Recipe
Photos and Recipes from the 5th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza
The Christmas party was South and Central American-themed. That's a lot of ground to cover. Mostly it was Peruvian and Mexican under the thinly veiled charade of a "fiesta." Nobody complained. The margaritas, sangria and rum probably helped, but the ceviche, guacamole, and … [Read more...] about Photos and Recipes from the 5th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza
Dinner Party Menu Ideas, from Indian Ven Pongal or Lamb Saag to Ancho Chili-Rubbed Salmon with Sweet Chili Hollandaise
I have a saying: "You can't choose your family, but you can choose your dinner guests. I do think my family makes up the majority of my blog readership, however, so I'd better be careful what I say! So let me tactfully start by saying honestly that I love cooking for family. As … [Read more...] about Dinner Party Menu Ideas, from Indian Ven Pongal or Lamb Saag to Ancho Chili-Rubbed Salmon with Sweet Chili Hollandaise
Chicken Curry and Discovering Fresh Fenugreek in Montreal
A friend of mine said he finds fresh fenugreek leaves up by Jean-Talon and Parc Ex in Montreal, where there's a whole host of Southeast Asian grocers and restaurants. There are two much closer to my house in the southwest of the city, but I've never seen fenugreek there. The … [Read more...] about Chicken Curry and Discovering Fresh Fenugreek in Montreal