Thumbnail image for Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

December 23, 2011

It’s almost noon on the day before Christmas Eve and I’m not finished my shopping. Not by a long shot. I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess  I’m not the only one who needs the born-of-fear adrenaline to face the holiday crowds. Or maybe you’re too disorganized busy to get it [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Recipe: Gluten-Free Macaroons

Recipe: Gluten-Free Macaroons

December 15, 2011

As a food writer, I’ve dabbled in the gluten-free world. I’ve bought guar gum and xantham, various rice flours, teff, sorghum and nutmeals. They’re taking up a lot of room in my spiffy new pantry along with the gluten-loaded all-purpose, whole wheat, cake & pastry, bread and unbleached flours. Since everyone in my house can [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Recipe: Salted Orange Toffee Crisps

Recipe: Salted Orange Toffee Crisps

December 8, 2011

Last year, due to circumstances beyond my control, I didn’t do any Christmas baking. Not so much as a single shortbread came out of my kitchen. But this year? I’m making up for the loss. The rumballs are rolled, the eggnog is chilling and now it’s time for some serious sugar. Luckily, Anna Olson recently released [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Recipe: Homemade Eggnog

Recipe: Homemade Eggnog

December 6, 2011

I’m trying not to be resentful but a certain celebrity llama has more Twitter followers than I do. And his first name isn’t Dali. To be fair, the llama is a talented goat herder, so I can see the appeal. Why all the fuss over a shaggy camelid? Polka Spot belongs to the Fabulous Beekman [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Recipe: Walnut Rumballs

Recipe: Walnut Rumballs

December 5, 2011

Walnuts are the hard-done-by, neglected middle child of the nut family. Between the mature and established almond, with its fancy frangipane and marzipan pastes, and attention-grabbing, TV-diva baby of a macadamia (I’m looking at you Roseanne!) walnuts are easily overlooked. Sure, you can find them huddled in a corner with the maple syrup, but have [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for How to Table Chocolate

How to Table Chocolate

December 3, 2011

Last week I had the pleasure of taking a truffle and bon bon making course in Toronto with Marissa Scibetta at Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts. For two glorious evenings I was the proverbial kid in the candy shop, weighing, heating, mixing, spooning and dipping chocolate. My only complaint is I am no longer [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Recipe: Buttermilk Bean Waffles

Recipe: Buttermilk Bean Waffles

November 28, 2011

I’m doing my part to make beans hip and cool. I even I walked through downtown Toronto clutching a clear plastic bag brimming with the four pounds of brightly coloured lentils, legumes and beans picture above. No one laughed. No one pointed at me. And if I may say so, I think the odd fashionista [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Happy Thanksgiving: How to Carve Poultry

Happy Thanksgiving: How to Carve Poultry

November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! Since I can’t join you in person and help out  with dinner, I thought I’d share a video that could make your holiday meal run a bit more smoothly — or at least save your good table cloth from some unnecessary grease spots. While the turkey roasts, take 3 [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Recipe: Coconut Baked Chicken with Dipping Sauce

Recipe: Coconut Baked Chicken with Dipping Sauce

November 21, 2011

The biggest (okay, only) disappointment in meeting Roger Mooking is he is not a Gemini. How can that be? We’re so alike. Like me, Roger once felt “like a mad man caught in two worlds.” It took a long time for him to realize his love of food and music both branch from the common [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Canada Cooks the Books

Canada Cooks the Books

November 1, 2011

    I’m abandoning you for the next little while. But it’s for a good cause. I’m stage managing Canada Cooks the Books. It’s a student cooking competition with a twist. Culinary students go onstage with cookbook authors and make a recipe for a Canadian cookbook in hopes of being named Canada’s Best New Student [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Recipe: Spiced Grilled Chicken

Recipe: Spiced Grilled Chicken

October 27, 2011

You’ve all heard the expression “Dollars to doughnuts.” But in my world the expression should be, “Doughnuts to Morocco.” Those versed in Moroccan cuisine might assume the connection comes from sfenj, the popular Moroccan street food that closely resembles the North American doughnut. You’d get a Brownie point for your knowledge, but you’d be wrong. [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →