I was around 12 when my friends and I first began to find ourselves interested in boys as romantic partners, and not simply background annoyances during art class. (Yes, twelve is ancient by today’s standards!) During that year at school, we girls were all given a little blue pamphlet (because pink would have been so conventional, and […]
beans
Seven Grain Dirty Rice and Beans
[Totally tangential rant: When I woke up this morning, I was sure my eyes were playing tricks on me–it is snowing outside! Snowing. BIG snow. As in, “little white flakes that fly across your field of vision.” As in, “icy and slushy and boots weather.” As in, “everything is coated with rime and appears opaque and goes crunch […]
The Nerd Makes Good: A Double Ode to Okra*
* Or, Give Pods a Chance! [Okra pods, in the raw] I have a confession to make. I haven’t told you all about this yet because, quite frankly, I was afraid you’d reject me. Move that cursor elsewhere, and click. At best, roll your eyes. Maybe snort in disgust. Maybe gag, even. But I’ve decided it’s […]
Chili to Last Through the Winter
The three of you who were reading my blog last year at this time may recall that I am not a fan of winter. “What?” the rest of you ask, “and you from Montreal?” Well, I’m here to tell you that being born in a certain place doesn’t automatically predispose one kindly toward the weather of […]
Flash in the Pan: Baked Beans Nested on Greens
I’ve decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly, or else is so easy to make that no recipe is required. Here’s today’s “Flash in the Pan.”] [Oh, and before I continue: notice the photo? Notice anything different? Um, like, actual detail on the food? Well, […]
Wait No Longer: Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Black Bean Bites
[Ooh, look at those widdy bits of black bean and sweet potato in there! Who could resist?] Even as I slog through my pile of assignments and tests, I’ve been sneaking in here to read everyone’s comments, with much gratitude. Thanks so much for the “ooomph” I need to complete all this work, and your […]
Flash in the Pan: Spurious Spuds (Cauliflower, Parsnip and Bean Mash)
[I’ve decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly, or else is so easy to make that no recipe is required. Here’s today’s “Flash in the Pan.”] I was seduced by Mark Bittman last week. Now, hold on a minute–before you go and call the authorities, […]
Three Classic Summer Salads
Years ago, I visited a career counsellor to determine the profession best suited to my personality (turns out I should have been a Human Resources professional or a researcher). Part of the assessment was a test in which you enumerate your ten most prominent personality traits. To help me decide, the counsellor suggested I ask friends or family members who […]
Sneaky + Deceptive + Chef = Delicious
I find it fascinating how certain ideas make the rounds in the world of food, blogging or otherwise. I’ve mentioned before about how it galls me that Mrs. Jerry Seinfeld has an over-hyped, over-acclaimed, skyrocketed-to-bestseller-status cookbook in print, all because she thought to add some vegetable purees to existing recipes (Oh. And because she’s Jerry. Seinfeld’s. Wife. Right.). No matter […]