I never seem to make Pad Thai the same way twice. Sometimes I'm feeling all traditional and I keep it dry and mild, and other times I'm craving that sweet-and-sour tomato saucy, spicy mess you get at most Thai takeaways. But there are some constants, whatever way I do it. It has … [Read more...] about Sustainable Shrimp and Chicken Pad Thai and the Elements of Thai Flavour Balancing
Cucumbers, Peppers, Zucchini, Tomatoes & Eggplants
Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Mixed Bean Chili with Parsnips, Carrots and Eggplant
This is the ultimate quick-fix meal. It takes forever to cook (either stove top or slow-cooker) if you use dried beans (and you should), but it's simple because you just toss in whatever vegetables you have (almost) and lots of dried spices. It's very economical, it's fresh, and … [Read more...] about Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Mixed Bean Chili with Parsnips, Carrots and Eggplant
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
Miso and Balsamic Glazed Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku à la Peru)
At Japanese restaurants I usually end up getting ripped off. The problem is I really like the savoury, homestyle vegetarian dishes. That means natto (fermented soybeans), chawanmushi (egg custard), and nasu dengaku (grilled eggplant with a sweet miso sauce). These dishes should … [Read more...] about Miso and Balsamic Glazed Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku à la Peru)
Seared Amazonian Paiche Fish with Huacatay Yellow Potatoes, Avocado and Coca Leaf Rice
Food is cheap in Lima, but quality food is not. So I finally got cooking to both save money and eat better. It's comforting to know exactly what I'm putting in my body instead of wondering if I'll be okay if I eat something at a restaurant. There's a fish called "paiche" - river … [Read more...] about Seared Amazonian Paiche Fish with Huacatay Yellow Potatoes, Avocado and Coca Leaf Rice
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
“Plenty” of Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Parsnips, Tomatoes and Capers
I've used the "plenty" pun in a title before, but with significantly more disastrous (and less delicious) results. So I wanted to give this one a more positive spin since I really do love this cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi. The capers are not optional. Only use roma tomatoes … [Read more...] about “Plenty” of Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Parsnips, Tomatoes and Capers
Thai Green Curry Eggplant
I was speaking with someone a few weeks ago about how ridiculous it is to buy curry pastes. I remember when I first got into Thai cooking how impossible it seemed to make your own curry paste. There were so many ingredients and so much oil and it seemed so complicated. And then … [Read more...] about Thai Green Curry Eggplant
Back to the New York Times with Gingered Chickpeas
Sometimes I go on a big lentil and bean kick. It mostly happens when I don't have any meat dishes in mind and don't feel like leaving my house. But there's also a comfort food element to the decision. And a budgetary one. When I'm planning to head to a few restaurants in the near … [Read more...] about Back to the New York Times with Gingered Chickpeas
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