"In the past, I have publicly expressed my dislike of bread and butter pickles." That's how Tim of Lottie + Doof starts his post about making this recipe from the Zuni Cafe Cookbook. We're friends already, Tim and I, only he doesn't know if yet. That's not creepy, right? … [Read more...] about A Man After my Own Heart, and Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles
Like Ratatouille, but Italian: Peperonata
The difference? You add a few potatoes and zucchini and the balance leans toward peppers. The rest is about the same. A rustic dish of eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, zucchini, and garlic. With a whole bunch of olive oil and minimal spices. Simple and delicious. … [Read more...] about Like Ratatouille, but Italian: Peperonata
Cantaloupe in the Lufa Farms Fresh Basket
I've eaten 4 cantaloupes in the past week and a half. That's an average of just under half a cantaloupe per day. Well, no, that's a lie, because I froze 1 1/2 of them in chunks for later cantaloupe enjoyment. Except 3 of the 4 cantaloupes were just so-so cantaloupes. But the … [Read more...] about Cantaloupe in the Lufa Farms Fresh Basket
Variations on the Great Wall: Pickled Sweet Summer Turnip Threads with Szechuan Peppercorns
This is not a picture of all the pickled sweet summer turnips I made with this recipe. The other 10 jars are in the dining room... Last year I made fermented radish threads using one giant daikon radish and a recipe from "Beyond the Great Wall", a beautiful book about Chinese … [Read more...] about Variations on the Great Wall: Pickled Sweet Summer Turnip Threads with Szechuan Peppercorns
La Fete des Vendanges in the Cantons-de-l’Est, September 3,4, 5, 10, & 11: Sinful Meals, Wines, Fois Gras and Panna Cotta
"I'm on a diet. In 14 days I lost two weeks." -a chalkboard quote at Magog restaurant Les Péchés de Pinocchio I headed to Magog, Quebec to check out the local culinary scene before the annual Harvest Festival in the Eastern Townships (the weekends of September 3-5, and 10-11, … [Read more...] about La Fete des Vendanges in the Cantons-de-l’Est, September 3,4, 5, 10, & 11: Sinful Meals, Wines, Fois Gras and Panna Cotta
La Succursale
La Succursale 3188 rue Masson Montreal, QC ●●●●●●●●○○ 8/10 Brewpub There's a new Brewpub in the city that rivals Dieu du Ciel. Yes, I said it. I didn't say it's better. I just said I like it a lot, and I'm picky about my brewpubs. Atmosphere and beer quality and selection are … [Read more...] about La Succursale
Best of Montreal: Cupcakes at Cho’Cola
Cho'Cola 5601 Monkland Avenue Montreal, QC ●●●●●●●●●☺○ 9 1/2 out of 10 Cupcakes I'm a cupcake snob. Ever since I discovered 4-D cupcakes at Toronto bakery "For the Love of Cake" I've know that a cupcake can be an amazing thing. I'll admit that until that moment a year ago I'd … [Read more...] about Best of Montreal: Cupcakes at Cho’Cola
Villa Wellington: Finding Peru in Montreal
Villa Wellington 4701 rue Wellington Verdun, QC ●●●●●●●○○○ 7/10 Peruvian When I wasn't playing music in Lima last May, I was hunting down food. I tried ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice and salt with onions and chili pepper, pescado surdado (steamed fish in a sort of … [Read more...] about Villa Wellington: Finding Peru in Montreal
Sweet Summer Turnip and Miso-Apple Dressing
Outside a smoked meat shop in Point St-Charles last week, two men sitting on benches across from each other in the late afternoon sun. As I walk between them, generally avoiding eye contact and anything resembling an encouraging smile, they comment, as only older Quebecois men … [Read more...] about Sweet Summer Turnip and Miso-Apple Dressing
What to do With All Those Greens
Beet greens, mustard greens, chards, cresses, and rapini - all those leafy greens that are maybe too tough or too peppery for salads but with which you never know what to do. You don't want to just throw them out and you're sick of steaming or blanching and then cooking them with … [Read more...] about What to do With All Those Greens