What cheese are you? (430 words)
I have yet to find a decent recipe on You Tube for a Quebec Maple or sugar pie so perhaps one of you could claim your fifteen seconds of fame, post a clip, and make us Canucks proud. Otherwise, I just might have to do it myself.
Sugar time and looking for the good stuff (490 words)
There was a time in my life when pure maple syrup flowed like tap water at my house and I had no idea how lucky I was to have cans of the stuff put away like so much soup in a cupboard.
A timely bit of Irish fun, for the season and all (480 words)
Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland wasn't born Irish, you know. He was born around 373 A.D. in either Scotland, near the town of Dumbarton, or in Roman Britain.
Flying wasabi and cloned cows sour my milk (670 words)
So you are flying around in space and you have the munchies. What to do? Why, reach for the sushi and wasabi of course. Or you could have some Mutter Paneer (Indian curried cheese and peas) with basmati rice.
Scratch a pig, then sniff it, eh? (600 words)
As a lover of Asian food, imagine my excitement when I learned of the release of a new postage stamp that smells and tastes of sweet and sour pork when scratched and licked.
Valentine, you're food for my soul (580 words)
No romantic pressure this month dear readers. A little planning is all it takes to produce a Valentine dinner for two that he or she will reward you for.
Yogurt demystified (470 words)
The best nutritional deal is plain yogurt, which has only two ingredients: live cultures and milk (whole milk, low-fat, or skim). The longer the ingredients list, the more calories you get and the less yogurt nutrition.
Nobody wants to talk about farts, but… (590 words)
After posting a recipe for 7-day cabbage diet soup last week, a couple of readers e-mailed to let me know that their spouses are not pleased and I feel I must respond. I'll spare you the intimate details but warn that if you are uncomfortable with discussion about bodily functions, you should read no further.
Tax-free diet food (500 words)
As much as I like the beginning of a new year its arrival brings with it the notion of weight loss and taxes. If you are like me, you dread the thought of both.
The Red Rider rides again (500 words)
Tom Cochrane's recent offering No Stranger reinforces his commitment to lyrical depth. No shallow ditties here, he confirms his place as Canada's premier songsmith.
What's Hot or Not for 2007 (533 words)
The biggest food stories of 2006 saw us living in fear of a variety of contaminants in the average food supply. From e coli to salmonella, no animal or beast nor swimming creature was unaffected by some form of disease.
The Spirit of Christmas is in your kitchen (500 words)
So you can finally get into the spirit of the season…a few years back, I posted this humorous list of Martha Stewart Christmas project ideas and the list is still landing in e-mail boxes everywhere. Some things are timeless.
Truffles, no trifling matter (500 words)
Right now, somewhere in the oak groves of Europe, dogs, pigs, and humans are on a quest for an elusive fungus worth its weight in gold ... good truffle can sell for $2000 and is highly treasured.
Quebec politics, Quebec desserts (620 words)
Forgive me, dear reader, if I put down my wine for a moment to raise the issue of 'Quebec as a nation.' It's the hot dinner topic of the week, don't you know. Listen carefully…
Food news U need (540 words)
Why do we hear of more and more food related scares? This term we have witnessed spinach that contains E coli, carrot juice containing botulism, and meat contaminated with C difficile.
In my book, cookies = vegetables (525 words)
Yep, it's an indulgent time of year when we gobble up tons of Halloween candy between gorge fests. If that's not enough, the local school children hit the streets and descend on neighbors selling chocolate bars for a variety of school related activities. Combine all this food with a period of declining physical activity due to waning daylight hours, and you have a recipe for the bulge.
Turkey table tricks and treats (510 words)
Thanksgiving is North America's national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty.
Grab a large spoon and dig in (380 words)
Perhaps my favorite food at this time of year is a hearty soup. Whether you prepare one using any of the in- season harvest vegetables or dried legumes such as beans, peas, or lentils, the smoky addition of ham, bacon ,or sausage can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Quebec's apple season is in full swing (400 words)
I think that our cold nights give Quebec apples a certain advantage in taste over any grown elsewhere. The night cold does something to the sugars within and, as daily sun shines down on orchard rows, it warms the apple from its sleep. This cycle makes apples grow sweeter daily while retaining perfect crunch with a tingle of tartness to boot.
Plumb easy and plumb good (450 words)
It's still a few months until Christmas, but it's plum season, nonetheless. If you have a plum tree or know any one who does then chances are that you have more plums than you will ever need.
Zuchinni Bread (475
words)
"What the heck am I going to do with this entire zucchini?" She was pointing at a green behemoth waiting patiently on the ground.
High Eatin' With A Blender (450
words)
You've eaten corn on the cob until you just can't eat any
more, you're panicked at the thought of back to school and back to work
reality, and you need a vacation from your vacation, right?
Gazpacho Time
(530 words)
You are burned out on the barbecue, aren't you? You have
grilled, seared, roasted, and singed 'till you just can't stand the heat
any longer -- you just might be exhibiting all the classic symptoms, my
friend.
Rhapsody in
Blue (435 words)
Let's talk about B and Bs, shall we? I don't
mean overnight bed and breakfasts whereby you cuddle up in a Laura
Ashley-themed room and read a 1000 page novel on a cold winter weekend
in a remote Vermont hideaway, either. No, I speak of the color blue and
the world's most wonderful berry.
Cooling with the
cucumbers (425 words)
A trip to the local air-conditioned
grocery store can provide some welcome respite from the sun and humidity
of a hot summer day. I know, because I have made a visit to the ice
cream and frozen food section on more than one occasion, just to cool
off.
Ribs, salsa,
summertime (400 words)
I pity the poor piggies at this time
of year. Once our outdoor grills get fired up, there is one inevitable
barbecue truth on the horizon. Ribs will make their way to our patios
and smoky sessions will begin.
You've got
your strawberries, your rhubarb (575 words)
The strawberries
that we know and love today are the cultivated ancestors of wild
varieties that once grew in abundance in colder northern climates, such
as the Americas. We can thank First Nation peoples for demonstrating
just what to do with them. In fact, our much beloved strawberry
shortcake is an adaptation from simple strawberry bread made by Native
Americans.
They spatchcock
chickens, don't they? (410 words)
Perhaps you have heard of
grilled chicken under a brick. But have you tried this ancient method of
splitting a chicken down the back and then weighting and flattening it
for an afternoon grill?
Eat green to perk up,
eh? (380 words)
This spring season has been very useful for
cool weather vegetables that appreciate moisture and chill. If you
haven't noticed, there have been many pickers at roadside gathering wild
salad ingredients.
Orange Dream
Cake (400 words)
We roasted split chickens rubbed with lemon;
garlic, oregano, and sea salt and enjoyed a yellow bean and new potato
salad with roasted red peppers and a mound of steamed organic brown
rice.
Honor thy
Mother with a casserole (300 words)
It is appropriate that
Mothers Day always falls on a Sunday as this gives kids and Dads the
perfect opportunity to make Mom a breakfast in bed. If you make this
dish then you can catch a few extra winks too and pop it in the oven so
she can wake to the smell of yummy promises.
Not Java Jiving here (400
words)
It was only a matter of time then that coffee was put to good
use as a barbecue rub for steaks. In fact, this dry rub is so good that
it was the primary reason for a first place win in a national
steak-cooking contest to the tune of a $50,000 grand prize.
Good Old Dad's Very Best
Olives (430 words)
>I make these olives often as they go very
fast around here. My daughter Erin especially loves them and I can't
keep them in stock, as she will eat a whole jar in one sitting. It must
be the marinade.
BBQ Tandoori Spiced
Halibut Fillets with Cucumber and Yogurt Salad (450
words)
You've rid the barbecue of spiders and cobwebs, scraped off
the remnants of last years late autumn cook-off, and have a full tank of
propane or a bag of charcoal waiting, right?
Easter basics: Ham, maple
syrup, and Jack Daniels (500 words)
What dish is most
commonly served at Easter tables? Ham, of course, and inquiring minds
want to know just why.
How about a grilled
sesame-crusted salmon steak? (507 words)
I don't like eating
anything that sounds like it should be on the next space shuttle. Of
course, when scientists unite to provide information on nutrition they
must use proper terms. Omega 3 is a good example of what I
speak.
Dangerous Desserts
101 (555 words)
Our assembly of six weary conference
attendees enjoyed a wonderful evening filled with delicious Quebec
products such as wild boar spareribs with a Jack Daniels barbecue sauce,
grain fed Cornish hen, Oka cheese melted atop oyster mushrooms, local
goat cheese-stuffed cherry tomatoes and an unidentified local cheese and
cauliflower soup.
Forgive my neglect,
eh? (590 words)
Pardon the pun, but a "hot" topic
of late is how to alleviate symptoms of menopause by eating appropriate
foods. Due to my own climb up the age scale, I curiously witness female
friends who escape to winter back porches every few minutes or so to
alleviate the sweats and who fan themselves tableside with increased
frequency.
Wearing the Green,
drinking the stout (490 words)
It is almost time to wear the
Green and to perform an annual ritual. The coming celebration of St.
Patrick's Day is not limited to your heritage, as Irish folk will gladly
bestow you with honorary status at least for one day.
Review: A Montreal
seafood buffet that dazzles (630 words)
The Gallivanting
Gourmand rhapsodizes about a new discovery: the seafood buffet at the
Hilton Atmosphere restaurant located at Montreal's
airport.
Food. The Olympic Games
run on it (720 words)
Canada did very well in Turin despite
the disappointing results of our men's hockey team. Our athletes were
fueled and energized by good foods while away from home. I thought I'd
provide some insight this week into the culinary environment that kept
the games going.
No need to go to a Pho
House for a hot treat (700 words)
"Pho houses" have
been around for a number of years and the more adventurous already know
of what I speak. At these Vietnamese eateries, windows are steamed up,
tables are crowded and chins are wet.
First, take a chicken
and a bottle of Marsala (440 words)
Marsala is a blended,
fortified wine of Sicilian origin, aged for two years or more in casks.
Marsala is a dark amber color with a rich, smoky flavor, and varies from
sweet to dry. It is also often used as a dessert wine and in many
desserts such as the Italian Zabaglione.
Some 'Angry Chicken'
for your lover? (515 words)
I found recipes for voodoo sauces
and even one for a "Pissed Off Grandma" sauce.
Blondies, anyone?
(570 words)
Dieters shall shield their eyes from this column or say
goodbye to any New Years resolution.
Attention, All
Foodies! (460 words)
Out with the old, in with the new … 2005
gives way to 2006 with a whisk and medley of culinary trends.
These are not Girl Scout
Cookies, dearie (480 words)
A good cup of coffee can go along
way towards helping you make it through a dark winter day. Personally, I
hit the wall at about 3:00 in the afternoon as the season of diminished
light progresses.
Drop everything and put
on a good broth (460 words)
There they were. A gaggle of
coughing and spewing souls, waiting their turn to see the Doc. As I
flipped through a sticky and ancient germ-laden Better Homes and
Garden magazine I considered the age-old notion of chicken soup as a
preventative and restorative measure against dreaded viruses.
Steak fit for
royalty (600 words)
Shiraz Filet Mignon Steaks: Make sure you
get cooking before you get into the wine too much as we have noticed
that abilities in the process can be influenced somewhat
(hic!).
The loneliness of old
kitchen tools (570 words)
I'm living in a kitchen gadget
nightmare and I've got enough tools and appliances to run a commercial
kitchen. Here's the thing…
Off my back and out
of my kitchen (580 words)
Our government knows on which side
its bread is buttered. Headlines this week reveal yet another round of
haggling about the sale of colored margarine in Quebec and I say palms
are being greased.
It's Halloween (400
words)
I can remember when gummies did not exist. I also remember
when they hit the scene and there was nary a sour version to be found.
Now, as an adult I'll admit to liking such concoctions and I suspect
that if you purchase any candy at all for giving out on Halloween night,
that you buy versions that you like. Leftover licorice Nibs
anyone?
Waiter for a day (600
words)
Life can be full of challenges and this week I experienced one
first hand. A couple of weeks back I was approached by CBC-TV to
participate in a series that portrays regular folk attempting to rise to
a variety of work challenges.
How about a turkey curry
for Thanksgiving dinner? (580 words)
Perhaps you have
wondered why Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving In October while our
American neighbors to the south do so in November.
Seagulls, a new taste treat,
eh? (570 words)
We have created a world whereby our fast-food
waste helps the proliferation of a species that is of little nutritional
value. Indeed, there was a time when a good feast of seagull could be
had with no worries.
Calling all Cookie
Monsters (340 words)
While the old saying that "An apple
a day keeps the doctor away" is appropriate, so is the following:
"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand."
I know a secret
garden… (570 words)
There is a secret garden here on
Montreal's West Island that rivals large outdoor produce markets in
varieties of good organic and exotic veggies and fruits. Melons,
peaches, pears, apricots, figs, sweet and hot peppers, exotic cross-bred
tomatoes, asparagus, rare Japanese cucumbers, beans, squash and pumpkin,
cabbages and potatoes are thriving here at harvest time.
How to deal with an
eggplant (485 words)
In various parts of Europe, people
suspected that eating eggplant caused madness, not to mention leprosy,
cancer, and bad breath, which is why eggplant was used mostly for
decoration in England and the North America nearly up to the 20th
century.
A corny end to
summer (475 words)
What if I challenged you to eat 1600
kernels of corn? You'd guffaw, most likely.
I know what you did last
summer… (480 words)
You planted garlic didn't you? Now, just
when it would be time to reap your bounty you may have come up empty
handed.
Is there a fish
more coveted than salmon? (620 words)
Atlantic salmon is
touted as the best in many circles, depending on which side of the pond
you reside and I even found some at the market here saddled up next to
its western cousin. It's hard to differentiate species by looks alone,
unless you are a frequent and experienced salmon eater.
I scream, you scream, we
all scream for ice cream (520 words)
If there were ever a
time for ice cream it would be right now. These sticky weeks have
prompted many trips to the store for frozen treats and the tab is adding
up.
Sing me a song of
trouts (400 words)
I've been known to worship the art of
angling. When asked if I golf, the inevitable answer has always been
that it interferes with fishing. Last week, accompanied by some fellow
anglers, I tickled a few trout on a very hot day. Who says trout don't
bite in the middle of the afternoon?
Consider the humble
lentil (450 words)
The Lentil is most likely the oldest
cultivated legume, and is believed to be native to southwestern Asia,
perhaps northern Syria. Seeds have been found in Egyptian tombs dating
from the 12th Dynasty (2400 B.C.), and there is also evidence of their
cultivation as early as 6000 B.C.
A homegrown Canadian
crisp (660 words)
Québécois separatists beware;
this column is peppered and flavoured with patriotic flag-waving
commentary and uses references to a proud Canadian federation of ten
provinces and three territories.
Flaming
Fajitas (525 words)
There is a run on propane and fruit
stands are appearing roadside. Grilling meats fly off the shelf and
barbecue manufacturers are rejoicing at our recent lucky spell of
weather.
Ice Cider - Give this
Quebec wonder a try (460 words)
Every now and then I discover
something worth bragging about. My latest discovery is ice cider or
plutot cidre de glace produced here in Quebec.
Potato Salad
Days (500 words)
What says summer more than potato salad? If
you could identify the most frequent side dish served in the great
outdoors, this common salad would definitely rank Number One in the
world.
You say scallops, I say
scawllops (505 words)
A trip Down East once taught me that
you will be immediately identified as a visitor should you use an
incorrect drawl when ordering this shellfish delight. You have to bone
up on the local lingo when traveling.
Food Fare in the Not
So Friendly Skies (530 words)
Flying on an airplane just
isn't what it used to be. The good old days of rubber chicken and
microwave apple crumble are a thing of the past, as I learned this past
week.
Remembering Mom's
Salmon Burgers (500 words)
I remember not liking them much as
a kid (sorry Mom) but recently for some strange reason I have been
craving them. I love salmon and yet never asked Mom until recently for
her recipe.
Falafel Days
(420 words)
The primary ingredient is chickpeas and many recipes call
for soaking the dry versions overnight. I cheat and use canned when
making them by hand but one can really save time by using perfectly
acceptable dried mixes available everywhere in the ethnic foods section
of your grocery.
All you need to know about
lobsters, eh? (400 words)
You can determine the sex of a live
lobster by locating the small feelers behind the rear legs, right under
the tail. On male lobsters, the feelers are hard, while on female
lobsters, they are soft.
Have some fun ~ eat some
chili (400 words)
Worldwide chili cook-offs and national
chili clubs are proof of chili's popularity and there are as many
versions as there are ingredients. Not just anyone can make a good chili
- It takes time and loving attention. Sure you can toss a packet of
pre-made seasoning into a can of tomatoes and beans with accompanying
hamburger for a quick fix but what fun is there in that?
Tequila Rose, she is a
new friend of mine (445 words)
For readers who enjoy a nip
here and there you may have noticed that tequila is in very short supply
and has become very expensive. Premium tequilas are increasingly hard to
find and shelves display non-aged white varieties that are apt to
resemble paint thinner.
Barbeque &
Asian Coleslaw Time (750 words)
Walking the pooches made me
very hungry indeed this past weekend as I strolled by house after house.
Burgers and steaks here and there with hints of more adventurous flare-
ups were noted. I caught a whiff of curry on one corner and a Greek
infused oregano aroma at another.
It's spring, our
Gallivanting Gourmand has crabs, and he's not sorry (780
words)
I was daunted at the prospect of putting my killing skills to
the test. However, like lobster, once you get past the point of no
return and plunge them headfirst into a rolling boil all sense of guilt
disappears and lip-licking begins.
How to prepare Aztec
testicles, otherwise known as avocados (650 words)
There are
a lot of folks who shun this delicately flavored item as they simply do
not know what to do with them. Sure, there is the all-important
guacamole recipe that satisfies but many avoid buying them because they
don't have a great shelf life and usually require immediate
attention.
Springtime is salmon
time (450 words)
Is there a little more spring in your step
lately? There is in mine.
Beer with added
caffeine - not just another breakfast beverage, eh? (620
words)
Let's face facts. Humans have been programmed to consume and
we are now no more than a bunch of Borg who will eat and drink any new
thing that comes our way if it is marketed aggressively. We are
programmed to receive, so to speak.
Erin Go Bragh and please
pass the cookies (570 words)
I'm not one for green beer. It
brings back memories of youthful over-indulgence and I'll leave that
libation for the truly Irish. I can wear a kilt but one of Scottish
heritage.
You want rice with
that? (580 words)
I speak of rice, a basis for which humanity
has anchored its hungry maw and I say get thee to the stove and put up
some grains of the fluffy stuff.
Check this out, eh?
(950 words)
Let's talk checkout lines. Specifically, let's talk about
manners at the grocery store. Apparently, some folks don't have any and
you know who you are.
So, you want to make
hay with your wok? (650 words)
Before you suspect that I am
promoting kink in this column let me remind you that the year of the
rooster has begun and that the Chinese New Year has been celebrated for
days. If you have ever wondered just why your stir-fry does not have
that same oomph that you get at the restaurant you can be sure of one
thing. Your wok is out of energy and breath or "out of hay" as
the Cantonese refer to it.
Will you be my lovely
Valentine? (630 words)
Somehow, Mondays do not conjure up
images of wild romantic abandon and although Valentine's Day falls smack
at the beginning of a work-week, there is still hope for the hopeless
romantic.
Jerking around with
sports (660 words)
The upcoming Super Bowl will be the next
good excuse for a gathering and one snack item will create a rush on
poultry parts at the grocery store. While millions will watch the game,
chickens everywhere better prepare their last wills and
testimonies.
Epidemic on the horizon!
Food kills! And hold the salt! (880 words)
I have to ask --
is there nothing to eat that is not bad for us? Experts continually tell
us to stay away from anything that tastes and makes us feel
good.
Comes once again the lowly
crock pot (560 words)
Here is an easy and hearty recipe to
start you on your journey that you can cook on a snowy day: Boogie
Woogie Beef.
Food Trends
2005 (860 words)
Our mothers were told that margarine was a
healthy alternative to butter. Now it turns out that Mom might have been
killing us with trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Good to go for corned
beef hash (650 words)
Here is a classic recipe for corned
beef hash. I trust Pierre Berton is making his version in the
heavens.
All I want for
Christmas (660 words)
I am prepared to carry the torch
proudly for all Quebecois and present one of our best food products to
the world. That's right folks -- I'm going to be the King of
Cretons.
We're talking fat
here (720 words)
I've never liked margarine very much...and
I've always preferred a homemade piecrust made with good old-fashioned
lard....but like most people, I've eaten more than my share of a
recently identified heart-stopping killer.
How are you gonna keep
'em down on the family farm, after you bankrupt 'em? (450
words)
In the upper echelons of the agricultural game, leaders gain
political support by doling out your taxes to the giants in the
industry. If you have enough power to lobby you will profit. Down on the
family farm, however, you'll be lucky to sell beef for
peanuts.
Sucking 'em up, slurping 'em
down (700 words)
The slurping season has arrived! If you are
an oyster lover, you are among the millions who anxiously await the
arrival of fresh bivalves from eastern and pacific shores. Get out your
shell-shuckers and get ready some large linen napkins for a feast of
seaside proportions.
Chow down on chowder
(665 words)
Early French immigrants to Canada made a hearty soup
called Chaudree from salt pork and fish. (Chaudree derives from the
Latin caldaria or caldron.) When Breton-inspired Chaudree crossed the
Canadian border and moved down the eastern seaboard of the United
States, 'chowder,' American-style came into being.
Remembering (400
words)
I'm providing two recipes that will satisfy any gathering on
Remembrance Day. The soup will warm those that have made their way from
chilly outdoor tribute activities and sweet-toothed connoisseurs will
love the cookies.
Halloween Boogers
on a Stick (500 words)
There will be many parties for little
goblins this coming week and you'll need to serve up some ghoulish
treats. The kids will enjoy these gross-out items.
There's nothing quite
like a nice cheddar (620 words)
I'm not sure what makes
Vermont cheddar so good but, combined with a few local apples, you've
got a dish fit for a king or queen. As history reveals, cheddar has been
coveted for centuries and has established itself as the cheese of choice
for northerners.
Pop not so fresh,
Martha in stripes (500 words)
Veteran Pillsbury spokesman
Pop-n-Fresh has died of a severe yeast infection. He was 71. Fresh was
buried in one of the largest funeral ceremonies in recent
years.
Say, have I got a tip for
you (780 words)
If this rant classifies me as a cheapskate,
so be it. I have a gripe that has been bubbling just under the surface
that I must vent.
First, drag a speckled
toad by a hind leg… (680 words)
I've been thinking it's time
to put it to bed for the winter. I've got lots of herbs and herb seeds
to think about and perhaps you do, too.
Good old New England
Boiled Dinner (540 words)
Tasty, hearty, and nutritious it
consists of corned beef brisket and vegetables -- usually potatoes,
carrots, onions, cabbage, and turnip.
Summers_end
Stew (550 words)
Those who return from work and school will
be delighted with the smells and aroma upon entering the house. There is
something so comforting about a one-pot meal loaded with vegetables and
meat.
Fried green
tomatoes, and more (570 words)
Let me guess. You've been
griping about the bounty of green tomatoes that you have successfully
grown this summer. You are not alone.
Sweet Corn:
Readers Respond (600 words)
A recent column about innovative
things to do with fresh corn revealed that readers are willing to take
up a challenge when prompted.
Put the pot on to boil,
Ma, we've got fresh corn (700 words)
Here in suburbia, I
gauge the annual arrival of a good corn crop by the number of impromptu
roadside stands and resulting near-traffic-mishaps as lollygaggers
decide whether to stop to get some or not.
Peaches, glorious
peaches (525 words)
Rub a peach against your cheek and smell
the heady scent that only a peach can provide.
Spank your watermelon. I
do. (630 words)
The interesting thing is you are paying for a
lot of water and that is exactly what you are looking for. A heavy melon
reveals a good dull resonance when spanked properly and a melons' watery
content is worth its weight in gold. Far better to hydrate oneself with
this elixir than bottled water, I say.
It's J. E. L. L. O.
time (615 words)
If I wanted an extreme Jell-O experience I
would sky dive or bungee jump with my shorts stuffed with gelatin.
Better yet, I'd stuff my shirt with X-treme Grape and get into the mosh
pit at a summer punk concert.
Ladies' Night
Out (630 words)
When the girls arrive for their get-together,
they will be toting fruit, veggies, and wine coolers. This is in stark
contrast to a man's weekend full of beer and hot dogs.
To grill, perchance to
feast (700 words)
"I'm a man. Men cook outside. Women
make the three-bean salad."
Berry delicious
(485 words)
There is not much that is better than biting into a
sweet, juicy strawberry. Red juice dribbles at the corners of your mouth
and children delight in red-stained clothes and faces.
Soloing and
cooking at the same time (650 words)
Today I offer hope for
the many men out there who are single or will be spending a day or two
on their own while the missus is out of town.
Steak for Dad
(630 words)
Perhaps you can indulge him by picking up some premium
steaks, russet potatoes with fatty sour cream and butter and a beverage
accompaniment. If Dad is a vegetarian, I don't know what you'll do but
you can figure it out.
Seek you the simple
leek (600 words)
Unlike the occasionally sharp bite of a
scallion or onion, the leek imparts delicate, garlic infused taste when
used correctly.
Eat right from your
back lawn and save (650 words)
No matter how you slice it,
the price of gas will even impact the price of pizza as outlets download
increased costs for delivery.
Lobster: the red-shelled
treat (580 words)
What has two claws and a tail and costs as
much as a bottle of good red wine? A lobster, of course.
Iced Frappuccino
hits the spot (400 words)
The arrival of iced coffees on the
East coast a couple of years back signaled our desire to be as hip as
the West coast where wide-eyed and zoomed coffee slurpers
unite.
It's Spring - get that
fridge cleaned (785 words)
Have you got a science experiment
growing somewhere in your refrigerator?
On the island of
Hispaniola (485 words)
We could learn a thing or two from
Latin Americans, as I found out recently on my sojourn to the Dominican
Republic. Hispaniola is a place that runs on its own schedule and by my
reckoning Canadians would be a little less stressed out if we adopted
some worthwhile Spanish practices.
Crispy balsamic breast
of duck (400 words)
It's that time of year when some days the
weather is better suited to ducks. The other evening on my way home from
work I waited at a red light in the pouring rain and noticed that a few
good-sized quackers had adopted a flooded area at the intersection of
Highway 20 and Don Quichotte Boulevard.
Maple Pie once a day is not
enough (450words)
Not only a wonderful topping for pancakes,
waffles and French toast, maple syrup is often destined for inclusion in
any recipe that calls for a sweetener. The following recipe makes for a
very good pie and I suggest you serve up a slice with a side of vanilla
ice cream at your next spring dinner party. This recipe is as easy as .
. . well. . . pie.
Asparagus: good Spring
eating (485 words)
Now that Spring has arrived, you'll notice
that local groceries are displaying bright green spears of asparagus.
Nicely washed and tightly wrapped bundles glisten and tempt you like
beautiful flower arrangements.
Yummy 'cat-poop'
treats (380 words)
You may not want to make these cookies.
Hell, you may not even want to read about them.
The luck & the stew
of the Irish (375 words)
Irish folk have a reputation for
telling good jokes and enjoying life in general. They dance as if no one
is watching and sing as if no one is listening. Fortunately for us here
in Quebec, there is no shortage of Irish goodwill or Irish-influenced
food and music.
Focaccia: Healthy, tasty,
and not out of a box (800 words)
Sorry, but no television ad
is going to convince me that a frozen pie in a box is as good as
take-out or a homemade pizza.
The satisfying feeling of
a Sunday dinner on a Wednesday night (420 words)
We are
spoiled here as the offerings are many and prices are good. My local
super-sized supermarket makes choosing a simple dinner for two a trial
in fiscal balance as I navigate the many sections and try to make a
decision that will allow two important functions -- I need quick, and
easy.
Affinity group:
Poutine, potatoes, potholes (550 words)
The state of Quebec
roads leaves a bad taste in mouths across the province as craters wreak
havoc. I just may have a solution that will save municipalities and the
government tons of bucks in road repair costs.
Gallivanting Gourmand's
Wing Dingers (600 words)
The thing is, even the biggest of
birds has one shortcoming. It only has two wings.
Gimme fats, gimme sugar
everytime (400 words)
Disclaimer: Neither this columnist nor
the LCC will be held responsible for the unethical treatment and
consumption of sugar, yeast, fat and chocolate. Nor does this column
serve as an endorsement for Krispy Kreme. The writer reserves the right
to sample and comment on doughnuts he deems appropriate and worthy.
Sweetie, you want to dip
some? (650 words)
Why not plan a classic dinner for two and
cozy up on the couch for a movie? And here's a tip for the guys: now is
your chance to make good on that promise to watch that romantic drama
that she has been after you about. Bridges of Madison County
anyone?
The end of food as we know
it? (650 words)
There's not going to be much left to eat
soon, some say. Researchers have been hard at work to find all manner of
bad things in our favorite foods. I'm all for food safety and I
appreciate warnings about potential danger but I just can't help wonder
if there are some conspiracies afoot.
Gung Hey Fat Choy
(Happy New Year) (500 words)
The Year of the Monkey is upon
us and no matter how tempted you are, this does not mean that you can
act like one.
Out with the old and
in with the new (500 words)
The year 2004 promises good
things for foodies everywhere and while there are holdover and hanger-
on trends from 2003, tables will explode with healthy and creative
flair. Here are my predictions of trends and attitudes that will parlay
themselves into kitchens and homes in the coming year.
Gravyman gets his horn
blown (650 words)
Life isn't a bowl of gravy folks. Sometimes
no matter how hard you try that gravy at the family holiday meal turns
out lumpy seven times out of ten according to experts. Who knew a panel
of professional gravy lickers existed?
Down, Fang, down!
(350 words)
I think Santa would approve of giving our family pets
something good to eat on Christmas Eve and I know most families set out
stockings for Rover and Minou. I have witnessed kitty cats rolling in
catnip with wide- eyed abandon at 7 a.m. on a Christmas morning while
Mom and Dad sip special coffee.
Friends, exchange
cookies and smiles (650 words)
And now, just in time for
those Christmas parties -- a holiday cookie exchange…the perfect way to
simplify baking and have fun doing it.
Put a little zing in your
life - eat some horseradish (450 words)
This root helps keep
the flu and cold at bay while keeping the sinuses open and although it
is usually served as a condiment, it always packs a punch when used in
sauces or as a rub for a winter rib roast.
Remembering Victory
Gardens (575 words)
There are lessons to be learned from
history and perhaps Remembrance Day is the perfect opportunity. How many
of us remember a time when gardening was not so much an activity of
leisure and stress- busting but rather a call for action?
Eatin' High Down
East (500 words)
Could it be? Had I found the world's
best-kept secret? How could I have been so ignorant of such an obviously
profound culinary treat? A happy pub patron confirmed my suspicions and
the truth was revealed. What you see is what you get when you order
deep-fried pepperoni Down East. Sliced, greasy and ever so tasty, I ate
the whole basket myself.
Fowl Weather
(665 words)
There is a glaze in the eye of every hunter I know at
this time of year. You might recognize the look and the twitch. Eyes
watery with anticipation and a far away focus, trigger finger at the
ready.
Thanks for the turkey
trivia (475 words)
The truth is out. Turkey doesn't make you
tired, it's the fact that when you combine it with all those
carbohydrates and starch that napping messages are released to your
brain and you feel sleepy.
Apple pie once a day is not
enough (380 words)
"But I, when I undress me
Each
night, upon my knees
Will ask the Lord to bless me
With apple-pie
and cheese."
Don your mussel
shirts and tuck in (480 words)
Coastal waters are cooling and
a bounty of bi-valves is being harvested for tables across the country.
Oysters, mussels, clams, and cockles are being propped atop crushed ice
in virtually every grocery, their salty calcium-clad bodies waiting on
your creative talent to put them to good use. If you love these
creatures, then now is the best time to start cooking them.
Johnny Cash: A
coyote at a poodle party (360 words)
"He's like a coyote
walking through a poodle party." That's how friend and fellow
Highwayman, Kris Kristofferson, described Johnny Cash. Cash was one of,
if not the, most recognized voices in the entire music
world."
Quebec is as corny as it
gets (480 words)
Here in Quebec, eating corn on the cob is a
ritual. Huge gatherings are planned around the annual harvest and
shucking begins. The thing is, you've got to get it on the fire or in
the pot before all those sweet sugars turn to so much starch. Same-day
picking and eating is the rule of thumb and once you have plowed through
a pile or one of those large green net bags of the stuff, you have to
figure out what to do with the rest.
Oh, fudge! (650
words)
I don't give a darn if it cuts in to profits at dollar stores
who's only raison d'etre is to flog cheap Asian child labor crap and
convert spiritual holidays to wallet grabbing and excessive spending
experiences.
Those damned
squirrels (420 words)
Yesterday was planned as harvest day
and a good bruschetta along with a pesto sauce were on the menu. You can
imagine my horror then when I happened on to the scene of the crime.
Nary a bulb to be found.
Beer is good, very
good (380 words)
Ah, the hazy, lazy days of late summer.
Grasshoppers dance and crickets sing while sunflowers droop under the
weight of seed. Suburban lawns look like so much shredded wheat and men
everywhere relish in a short reprieve from lawn mowing. What's a man to
do but crack open a frosty while watching the grass grow ever so
slowly?
Blueberry
Bliss (580 words)
Fiords and crystal rivers make for
wonderful picnics and a blueberry heaven. You may have to share your
lunch with a bear mind you. I have seen bears munch blueberries by the
paw full as they waddled through a laden patch while grunting, snorting
and gorging, as they are prone to do. How they do this while swatting
pesky black flies with one paw while managing to pick enough so as to
fatten up for the winter is a feat of ingenuity.
Summertime and the sipping
is easy, or
The proper way to make a Mint Julep (1000
words)
Go to a spring where cool, crystal-clear water bubbles from
under a bank of dew-washed ferns. In a consecrated vessel, dip up a
little water at the source. Follow the stream through its banks of green
moss and wildflowers until it broadens and trickles through beds of mint
growing in aromatic profusion and waving softly in the summer breezes.
Gather the sweetest and tenderest of shoots and gently carry them
home.
Et tu Caesar?
(585 words)
I only have one complaint about rug rats. Why is it that
no matter what you cook, they always want something else?
Desperately in need of a
stone mortar and pestle (700 words)
Molly put it best.
"You must pound paste harder, must make good paste, make good
wife!" Ah, the lessons learned while dining in this mountain valley
in a basil-infused state.
Lotus Land
Salmon (470 words)
It almost goes without saying that British
Columbia is best known for one of its greatest resources, the pacific
salmon. Whether barbecued, steamed, baked, or fried, they know how to do
it right.
Doing right by Good Old
Dad (650 words)
Okay kids, listen up. Dad is expecting that
you will make him breakfast or take him out to eat on his special day.
He is also expecting a variety of tools and man toys to be
delivered.
Some of the facts/truth
about hot dogs (1200 words)
The council claims that the
average North American eats 70 hot dogs a year. Simply put, these little
doggies are so easy to prepare that I won't be providing a recipe here
this week. You know how to cook them and if you don't then you have a
serious culinary impediment. Let's take a walk through a little hot dog
history.
All burgers, all the
time (780 words)
Hamburger is clouded in history and
controversy. In Medieval times, the Tartars -- a band or warriors from
the plains of Central Asia -- would place pieces of beef under their
saddles while they rode. This would tenderize the meat that would then
be eaten raw.
Men in bikinis adore
pasta salad (700 words)
I applied at Curves (a new
fitness-centre franchise) for a membership on the weekend and was
declined because I am not of the female persuasion. Discrimination, I
say, as I deserve to look as good in a bikini as anyone else.
Steaking my claim on
turning right on red (500 words)
I have just realized that
being allowed to turn right on a red light has its perks after all.
There is a downside however. Quebec's recent new traffic regulation will
allow you to eat fast food even faster.
Angry Rabbits &
Sambuca Chicken (400 words)
Last week I served up a dish that
I believe is worthy of serving at any Holiday meal. This dish is simple
to make and is 100 percent bunny free. That is unless you consider jumbo
shrimp the Rabbit of the Sea.
Spicy Chicken revs up
the heat (550 words)
You may want to consider serving a cool
cucumber salad with a yogurt-based dressing on the side to cool your
tongue between bites. A good bottled dressing will do just fine if you
are in a hurry.
St. Paddy was born a
Taffy (500 words)
The Scots have their whisky; the Welsh have
their tongue, but the Irish have St. Paddy, who's second to
none.
Simple Thai soup for cold
weather fueling (450 words)
In an effort to warm you up, I'll
share a recipe for a steamy Thai soup that I made at home this week as
the outside temperature hovered at minus thirty. It took me all of
twenty minutes to prepare...
Och, No Haggis
Here (300 words)
I just can't bring myself to publish a
recipe for Haggis in this column. Believe me, I've had my share of this
wonderful Scottish treat and can't say enough about it. It's just that
regardless of my heritage and my lineage that dates back to King Duncan,
I still have not acquired the taste for it.
Florida lushness
comes to Montreal (400 words)
The Holiday Inn Aero port
Montreal is alive with soft music and swaying palm trees. It's easy to
imagine that you are in some far-away place as you dine in lush
surroundings. As you sit poolside, Don Richards serenades with his
one-man performance of classic and contemporary tunes. Order a margarita
and lose yourself in the moment. We did not long ago when we visited the
hotel's restaurant on a cold and blustery evening.
Santa's
Shortbread (335 words)
Is there anything that makes a recipe
better than butter? I think not.
Santa's
Shortbread (335 words)
Is there anything that makes a recipe
better than butter? I think not.
Chicken soup
for the flu & soul (510 words)
Had the flu yet? Caught
the bug? Sneezed on your sandwich? Had any annoying symptoms that don't
allow you to taste or smell your food? All right, settle back and allow
yourself the time to recuperate. Just make sure that you keep yourself
hydrated. That means lots of liquids of both the cold and hot
variety.
Poor Martha plus
Sweet & Spicy Fruitcake (565 words)
Poor Martha, not only
is her stock value eroding due to allegations related to some shares
that she recently sold, she is the constant subject of e-mailed jokes of
the day.
Get a little Nooks in
your life (620 words)
This month-old bistro on Montreal's
West Island shows that a female touch at local eateries is long overdue.
Warm contemporary decor with a flare accents wonderful home-made
Mediterranean cuisine in a formula that will guarantee success for this
startup.
My secret: Piazza
Perfection (630 words)
When I visit a new restaurant for the
first time, I am privately hoping that I will discover a place that I
can call my own and guard as a secret so as to impress friends and have
the chef all to myself.
Get those Love Apples
in (500 words)
So many tomatoes, so little time. If Jack
Frost hasn't visited your neighborhood yet, then you can be sure he will
soon. You'll need to get those tomatoes in, ripe or not.
A Barbie with a social
conscience (550 words)
Barbie's also gives back to the
community and has raised some $10,000 this year for the missing children
network, topping last year's fundraiser of $ 8000. I like to see
businesses that are involved in local efforts and Barbie's is obviously
a generous contributor.
Enjoy a regatta for
two (775 words)
If you thought that the Lord Reading Yacht
Club in Beaconsfield (near Montreal) was just for private members, think
again. "Le Dining room" offers patrons a Dining Room
Membership at no charge and, as a card carrier, you will wish you had
known about this earlier.
Tributes and tails for
Canada Day (580 words)
Yes, I am speaking of the beaver,
Canada's truly great construction wizard. I know that all of you
fur-loving and fuzzy, feel-good crusaders will balk at the idea of
gnoshing on this little devil, but lets face it: If it walks, crawls or
swims, it's potential food for the truly refined chef.
A taste of the East in the
West (650 words)
The Arrival of Kim Loy on the West Island is
long overdue. Lovers of seczhuan and Cantonese food no longer need to
travel all the way to Chinatown to experience authentic dishes prepared
at the hands of an excellent chef who caters to the whims of
diners.
Eclipsed in Dorval (600
words)
Sometimes, little culinary gems are in the least obvious
locations. Take Eclipse as an example. Local diners may be
unaware that a place where you can sample a wide variety of wines by the
glass exists on the West Island of Montreal.
Ristorante Tevere - diners keep
coming back (700 words)
I chose a main dish of grilled
sirloin in a brandy sauce while my partner chose cotelettes de Porc
Pappagallo (a boneless stuffed pork chop with ham and cheese).
La Cage Aux Sports not only for sports
fans (580 words)
My rib steak was large, tender, and
perfectly grilled -- medium as requested. A crunchy-skinned potato with
all the trimmings complimented by crusty bread and a few veggies made it
perfect for my large appetite. I believe this one must be popular with
the football players who regularly frequent the place.
Rôsti - a crispy Swiss classic
(500 words)
Sometimes it's the simplest of foods that linger in the
mind long after a meal is gone. It's the smoky, oniony, crispy little
potato pancakes that I enjoyed that are haunting me.
Trudi does fondue in Dorval
(660 words)
My partner and I were tempted by Cordon Bleu and Wiener
schnitzel, along with a large selection of sausage dishes but could not
resist the fondue experience -- the sound of sizzling beef immersed in
hot oil at a table next to us confirmed our order.
Scores, On the West
Island (560 words)
Actually, I find the chicken noodle soup
to be one of the best around. My partner and I chose an appetizer of
samplers. Wings, Mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and onion rings.
Three sauces for dipping allowed us a pleasurable finger food
experience.
Pizza with pizzazz (450
words)
Good crust, great sauce, excellent cheese, and a large variety
of toppings. The ability to choose any combo and size and the choice of
eating in or having it delivered makes this popular food item a North
American staple.
Maple Delight arrives
early (600 words)
There is a sweet aroma in the air and
activity in the maple stands across the southern parts of this belle
province of Quebec.
Yummy Japanese treats at
Yamato (630 words)
We started with ebi, nice large shrimp
atop sticky rice. Fresh and succulent, they complimented the hotatgai,
scallops thinly sliced. No overtones of fish here - they both were as
fresh and tender as they should be.
Il Mezzogiorno - tempting Italian
indulgence (700 words)
The menu includes familiar items such
as pasta, pizza, veal scaloppini, and seafood. Chicken and beef dishes
compliment the menu as do a variety of salads and soups, all prepared to
order and with a focus on freshness.
Le Palais Imperial (770
words)
No limits here.
Peche Peche (700 words)
The best way to enjoy the flavors of the sea is sometimes the
simplest and one should savor the delicate and natural offerings of the
ocean in their freshest form..
La Girouette (900 words)
I
witnessed first hand how a simple French meal can be turned to magic by
a finishing at the hands of an experienced maitre.
Quebec Cuisine (900 words)
Its
ours and we're sticking with it.
Spinach Pasta Salad (600 words)
And don't forget the pine nuts.
Rhubarb - good and good for you (500
words)
In pies, stewed as sauce, or with meats...
Avoiding Heartburn Hotel (500 words)
Check the salad, avoid the fish, and pass on the last coffee.
Peppered steak for the masses (500 words)
He does loves his read meat.
Give me another cuppa, Joe (500 words)
But I wish the prices would stop rising.
A brunch kind of guy (500 words)
I do
love my eats.
Happy Year of the Dragon (550 words)
Enjoy your beef in oyster sauce.
Old cold symptom relievers still
work (550 words)
There's something about chicken soup...
Questioning genetic food tampering
(550 words)
The jury is still out on messing with the food supply.
Warm olives & artichoke dip (350
words)
Ending this century in the right way.
Dutch trick, Dutch treat (500
words)
Out of the box and yum-yum good.
Slurping good stuff (500 words)
Oysters may be slimy but those who love them, love them.
The great baby corn mystery (500
words)
More than you'll ever want to know, perhaps.
What to do with the glut of zukes
(400 words)
And be sure to use your home-grown garlic, too...
Cucumber Yogurt Soup keeps you cool
(400 words)
But first, a short essay on product marketing...
Hit me with more smores (400 words)
Always the innovator, he reaches for the strawberries...
Let your fingers do the dipping (400
words)
Greg is a double dipper in Quebec.
Sweet & spicy fruitcake (500
words)
Greg's foolproof recipe.
Not all partridges are in pear trees
(500 words)
And through the window is worth two in the bush.
Fat = good (500 words)
Why is all
the hamburger so lean these days?
Stuff your bird (500 words)
An
goat cheese and garlic alternative to bread crumbs.
Keep your pickles perky (500 words)
What to do with end-of-summer cukes.
Oy, all those tomatoes (500 words)
Everything is looking red these days.
Hot, Hot, Hot! (500 words)
Our
accomplished eater likes his hot.
Not a Newfie Joke, Eh? (600 words)
Our eager eater discovers the rock-bound coast, etc.
The joys of making hay (600 words)
And learning to know the land.
Gallivanting Gourmand (500 words)
Wild eater on the loose again.
Gallivanting Gourmand (450 words)
A
little herb will do you.
