All you need is balance. No, I'm not feeling particularly philosophical today. I am, however, hungry. For Thai. Specifically, gelatinous noodles coated in a creamy, salty, sweet, sour sauce. Want to know a secret? It's easy. It's my go-to, last minute, bad grasshopper, "I … [Read more...] about Bad Grasshoppers, and Sweet and Sour Pad Thai-Style Pasta with Cabbage
Vegetables
Baked or Poached Egg and Carrot-Cauliflower Hash
I loved this dish because it's quick and easy and made with a few things that happen to be in the fridge. If these are items that don't happen to be in your fridge, roast something else. Easy as that. Onions, potatoes, broccoli, green beans, parsnips, yams - all very … [Read more...] about Baked or Poached Egg and Carrot-Cauliflower Hash
Wild Arctic Char Chirashizushi: Scattered fish on sushi rice with homemade pickled ginger
This is what you do with leftover sashimi. You don't eat it raw since it's not as fresh and safe the day after. That would be like challeging the anti-microbials in the soy sauce and wasabi to a duel. At least if your immune system is as sketchy as mine has been known to be. So … [Read more...] about Wild Arctic Char Chirashizushi: Scattered fish on sushi rice with homemade pickled ginger
Red Cabbage Salad with Apple and Toasted Cashews (aka “tasty kraut for cheaters”)
Cabbage gets a bad rap. Sure, nothing smells like cabbage. Maybe smelly shoes. But there's a trick to making it delicious. Actually, there are two. First, massage it with salt. Or, second, roast it. Sounds weird to roast cabbage, right? It's not. It's a one roasting pan wonder. … [Read more...] about Red Cabbage Salad with Apple and Toasted Cashews (aka “tasty kraut for cheaters”)
Spanish (Basque-ish) Chicken with Olives
Why can you find a recipe only when you're not looking for it? I feel as though I've spent my life avoiding chicken à la Basquaise. I remember that whole slew of recipes to involve olives and paprika and a whole chicken cut up and slow-cooked. Turns out when I go to look for a … [Read more...] about Spanish (Basque-ish) Chicken with Olives
Sustainable Shrimp and Chicken Pad Thai and the Elements of Thai Flavour Balancing
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
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)
Miso-Ginger Purple Peruvian Yams (or Sweet Potatoes) and Lemony Root Vegetables
"Como se cocina?" How do I cook it? When I find something strange at local farmers markets I usually buy it, just to figure out what to do with it. At the Bioferia organic market here in Lima there's a stall that only sells sweet potatoes, yams and these strange gnarly root … [Read more...] about Miso-Ginger Purple Peruvian Yams (or Sweet Potatoes) and Lemony Root Vegetables