When you buy and cook a squash, don't throw out the seeds. Sure, they're sticky and kind of gross, but if you wash them, strain them and toss them with salt, pepper and oil, they bake up to cheap treat perfection. Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Seeds of 1 pumpkin or squash 1 tsp olive … [Read more...] about Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry
Main Dishes
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
Oven-Roasted Lamb Shawarma, and Why I Didn’t Use the Slow-Cooker
There's something primal about biting into a roasted piece of meat. There's the exterior bark that's a little charred and caramelized. that bark protects the interior meat that's tender and juicy after basting in the fat from the skin for hours. It's called the Maillard reaction … [Read more...] about Oven-Roasted Lamb Shawarma, and Why I Didn’t Use the Slow-Cooker
Ethiopian Misr Wot: Lentils with Spiced Butter
Have you ever infused butter before? I'm not talking a simple herb or spice. I'm talking a good 10 or so simmered to curry-like perfect. Then skimmed and sieved and used sparingly because it's precious. Because when you're cooking bland lentils, you need something to make … [Read more...] about Ethiopian Misr Wot: Lentils with Spiced Butter
Whole Roasted Pumpkin with Brown Rice, Barberries, Cranberries and Sorrel
I was inspired to roast a whole stuffed pumpkin while at an orphan Thanksgiving. All us food- and circus-lovers (longer story) without family in Montreal came together for a potluck on a day meant for being with people you love. I knew a grand total of two people at the potluck … [Read more...] about Whole Roasted Pumpkin with Brown Rice, Barberries, Cranberries and Sorrel
Dry-Brined Fish with Roasted Tomatoes
What do you do with the leftover salt and sugar cure from your homemade gravlax? Why, make dinner, of course. If you add it to other fish or meat and let it sit about 30 minutes it soaks into the flesh and does a mini-cure. Then you rinse off the cure and roast the fish fillets … [Read more...] about Dry-Brined Fish with Roasted Tomatoes
Made With Love: Maqluba from Yotam Ottoleghi and Sami Tamimi’s “Jerusalem”
It comes in threes, love. And in so many forms. First, in the romantic idea of a recipe. If that sounds like hyperbole, go to a bookstore and look, just look at a copy of Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi's cookbook, Jerusalem. It's art. You want to make everything. It doesn't … [Read more...] about Made With Love: Maqluba from Yotam Ottoleghi and Sami Tamimi’s “Jerusalem”
Strawberry Summer Salad
Don't worry. You don't need all these ingredients for the salad. It's a variation on a theme. If you don't have sorrel (and who has sorrel if it's not in their garden?) or holy basil or pickled cabbage, who cares? The recipe can't see you. And it's made up, anyway. Strawberry … [Read more...] about Strawberry Summer Salad
Seared Sustainable Arctic Char with a Garden Salad
I really wish my image uploader was working and you could see this fish and salad meal. Instead, I'm going to describe it to you: Think of light green spinach leaves, peppery arugula, and rippled sacred green basil, freshly pulled from the garden. Add the first tomatoes of the … [Read more...] about Seared Sustainable Arctic Char with a Garden Salad
Soothing Summer Fava Bean Soup
Not all soups in summer need be cold. If I never see another clamato-doused gazpacho in my life it'll be too soon. But when you have fresh fava beans from your garden (my first!!!), rich, sweet homemade chicken stock, and you need something soulfully satisfying, this is your … [Read more...] about Soothing Summer Fava Bean Soup