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
Vegetables
Wok-Fired Bok Choy with Peanut Sauce
I waited about a month before pulling this last pak choy (like bok choy) from my garden. It's a little like kale in that it's hardy and can handle the first frosts. Mostly I wanted to keep something green growing, in an effort to fend off winter, which would inevitably fail. I … [Read more...] about Wok-Fired Bok Choy with Peanut Sauce
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
Roasted Cauliflower with Red Onions and Grapes
Roasting is highly underrated. There's really nothing like sticking a big tray of vegetables in the oven and letting it brown to soft, chewy, crispy perfection. And it's so easy. Any idiot could do it. Okay, maybe not the kind of idiot who tends to leave the oven on. I had one … [Read more...] about Roasted Cauliflower with Red Onions and Grapes
Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil
I gave a canning class today where we made pink grapefruit marmalade and carrot and cauliflower giardiniera. And if you've never heard of giardiniera, you're not alone...and you're not Italian. Italians have some great pickled vegetable recipes, one of the most popular being … [Read more...] about Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil
Zucchini Pickles and the Mighty Squash
It was a heck of a zucchini season, wasn't it? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, don't feel bad. For anyone who had giant leaves draping over trellises, weighing them down to the point of collapse, their two-foot-long fruit dangling above the ground, you get it. … [Read more...] about Zucchini Pickles and the Mighty Squash
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
Slow-Cooker Caribbean Chicken with Squash, Chili and Lime
It might not feel like a slow-cooker day, but this spicy Caribbean stew/curry is perfect patio food for the cooler evenings. I made it originally for a dinner party and it was a hit thanks to the perfectly tender and flavourful chicken thighs. You really can't mess up slow-cooker … [Read more...] about Slow-Cooker Caribbean Chicken with Squash, Chili and Lime
Risotto Cooking Class Montreal: Seafood Risotto and Wild Mushroom Risotto
Slowly. Stir. Breathe. Stir. Blending hot stock into wine, letting the starch create a thick sauce as you coax it from the grains, making sure the bottom doesn’t stick. This isn’t Korean bibimbap. This isn’t Indian biryani. This isn’t Chinese congee. There’s nothing like this, … [Read more...] about Risotto Cooking Class Montreal: Seafood Risotto and Wild Mushroom Risotto
Bacalhao No Forno: Portuguese Baked Salt Cod
I really thought this was going to be less than spectacular. How great can a recipe seasoned with basically nothing but a sprinkle of parsley and a single bay leaf be? It was awfully silly of me to forget how amazing salt is—even after a day and a half of soaking this fish (my … [Read more...] about Bacalhao No Forno: Portuguese Baked Salt Cod