Who could have ever guessed that our summer would FINALLY arrive on Labor Day Weekend? The weather this past weekend was glorious: brilliant sunshine, sky entirely unsullied by even a speck of cloud, so blue even the dogs seemed able to perceive its piercing azure, colorblind or no. The temperature’s been hovering at around 28C (that’s […]
nut-free
Sweet Potato and Ginger Salad
[Sweet Potato and Ginger Salad–recipe below.] Ah, yes, life is sweet. Not so much in the “I’m a celebrity, I haven’t a care in the world, I’m revoltingly rich, beautiful and vacuous” kind of way; but more in the “every which way I turn I see or think ‘sweet,’ most recently the chocolate chip blondies I devoured last week” kind […]
Sweet and Spicy Tempeh
After the HH and I had been dating for about four months and he’d already passed the “willing to tolerate my multiple quirks and neuroses” test, I decided it would be acceptable for him to finally meet my family and old friends in Montreal. I cajoled coerced begged invited him to join me one weekend as I […]
Zucchini and Pineapple Mini Loaves
You know, there are days when I just marvel at how much my life has been enriched by joining the world of blogging. I’m amazed at how many positive experiences this little outlet for self-expression, culinary creativity and the occasional star-struck reference to my favorite soap opera has brought my way. At the forefront, of course, is […]
Warm Dandelion-Potato Salad
To me, summer means potato salad season. And coleslaw season, and watermelon season, and ice cream season, and gin and tonic season. . . but primarily, potato salad season. So, quick: when you think of potato salad, what type do you think of? Well, there are the “smooth and creamy potato salad” people. There are the “tangy, […]
Rustic Plum-Topped Cornmeal Breakfast Cake
[Red plums, white(ish) cake, blue(ish) other plums–Happy 4th of July!] Our recent visit to Montreal last week, like most of our road trips, involved a hamper of food to stave off starvation en route. As is my wont, the night before travelling, I basically ransack the kitchen and tote along anything that’s hardy enough to last the voyage. The list […]
Lucky Comestible III: The Perfect Guacamole
[I thought it would be fun to run a little series over here at DDD: I’ll profile one one of my favorite foods, or a food that I’ve recently discovered and enjoyed, over several days. For this third entry, I’m focusing on Avocados. The series is presented on an occasional (and entirely arbitrary) basis, before I move on to the next lucky […]
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 […]
Radish and Grapefruit Salad
In the past, I’ve always thought of radishes as kind of a poor cousin to beets: smaller and more anemic, they obviously missed out on the family jewels. Without well-heeled connections or an established vocation, they’re much like the street punk with the pugilistic attitude, slamming your jaw with a peppery punch every time you dare take a bite. And besides, […]