Vegetarian

Recipe: Jade Soup

October 8, 2011

I’m feeling rather ornery. It’s Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend but the weather is downright balmy and I can’t face the thought of autumn, let alone winter. I don’t care that the leaves are turning glorious colours or the nights are perfect sleeping-weather-cool. I don’t want to make the obligatory pumpkin pie — even if it’s [...]

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Apple and Tonka Bean Crisp

October 4, 2011

No peaking. Just answer the question. What are tonka beans? Are they: a) a line of kids’ toys b) an ancient Polynesian percussion instrument c) urban slang for “I don’t care”

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Recipe: Basil Cheddar Scones

October 3, 2011

Last week I was in Banff, Alberta, surrounded by the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. It was unseasonably warm and the cloudless sky was the shade of cerulean blue you find only in a paint box. It was mid-afternoon and I’d had nothing but airplane coffee and a packet of the biscuits you can only get at [...]

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Recipe: Watermelon & Raspberry Soup

September 19, 2011

When I signed up for the watermelon carving challenge I figured inspiration would arrive by the time I received my personal-sized watermelon and its accompanying dual-ended melon baller. It didn’t. So, I scoured The National Watermelon Promotion Board‘s website to see if anything sparked an idea. One look at the fun and fanciful watermelon rabbits, sharks and [...]

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Three Farmers Camelina Oil and a Give Away

September 15, 2011

Is bright yellow the new olive green? These tiny mustard-coloured seeds are from the Camelina plant. Although popular in Europe since the 1940s, Camelina oil has been commercially available in Canada only since December 2010. I’m no trend spotter, but if I’m right, Camelina might be Canada’s answer to imported extra virgin olive oil.

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Recipe: Green Beans with Smoked Paprika and Marcona Almonds

September 13, 2011

I’ve created a monster. Or half a dozen monsters to be precise. Seems I’ve become the unofficial pastry chef for potlucks. In the past month alone I’ve made three fruit galettes, two rounds of pavlova, a gigantic chocolate-orange torte, a double batch of ginger cookies, champagne sorbet, and a couple of ask-for-seconds bundt cakes. I’m [...]

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Recipe: Peach Mango Soup Shooters

September 7, 2011

I don’t think of soup when it comes to pairing wine. And I don’t think of peaches when it comes to soup. And I don’t think of tart when it comes to sweet, sweet peaches. So a cayenne-kissed, very tangy-yet-sweet peach and mango soup designed to go with Gewurztraminer is exactly the kind of shake-me-up [...]

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Recipe: Roasted Radishes

September 5, 2011

To observe my mother eating radishes is to understand that over-used phrase “living in the moment.” They are not munched like baby carrots or popped into her mouth like grapes. They are consumed with quiet, focused deliberation. To begin, she sets a small bowl of radishes on the table beside her. They are scrubbed and [...]

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Recipe: Fried Avocado with Lime-Cilantro Dipping Sauce

May 2, 2011

Wanting to redeem myself from the monumental failure of my salted caramel candy apples — which devolved into sliced apples and a dip — I accepted the task of creating an avocado recipe for MissAvaCado‘s Cinco de Mayo Blogger Challenge. The results have me wondering if I’m cut out for challenges. While the goal was [...]

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Recipe: Potato Latkes

April 19, 2011

I was going to make you guess what’s in the photo above, but the post’s headline gives it away. Darn you, Google, and your search engine demands. As you can tell, these golden fritters are latkes. I made a big batch after the recent potato-fueled food fight. I’d like to tell you this was culinary [...]

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Recipe: Crumpets

April 11, 2011

In this age of pre-made artisanal everything, some foods remain defiant. While you can buy decent heat-and-eat naan in the grocery store, flaky croissants at any good bakery and to-die-for bagels at delis, crumpets remain elusive. The store-bought versions are rubbery and taste like they’re sprinkled with vinegar. The real ones? Slightly chewy but light, with [...]

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