Can it be that spring has finally decided to grace us with its presence? Tentative buds peek from beneath the scraggy clay, ennervated blades of grass sun themselves daily, waiting to transform from brittle, strawlike shoots to brilliant green fringes undulating in tranquil breezes. The sun is finally blazing overhead, causing pedestrians to peel off successive layers of clothing, first hat, then […]
side dishes
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 […]
Please Standby
I’m going to be dashing around town for the next couple of days, doing cooking classes (short notice, but if you’re in the Toronto area, I’ll be at the Bayview/Sheppard Loblaws tonight at 7:00–would love to meet you!), and then my friend Babe is coming to town tomorrow, so I won’t have much time for cooking […]
Vegan Celeri Remoulade
[Dig that romantic lighting in this photo!] I have a new love, and it’s not the HH. (“What? Mum, you’re not getting a divorce, are you? Because who’s going to walk us in the morning if Dad is gone??“). Now, before I go and scare The Girls, I should specify that I’m not referring to […]
Of Pods and Poetry: Arame and Edamame Salad
Full disclosure: even if I hated seaweed and loathed green soybeans, I would still have tasted this salad based on the poetry of its name alone. I mean, how can you pass up such alliteration, such euphony, such gastronomic lyricism? Just listen to it: AH-ra-may. EEE-da-MAH-may. “Arame” brings to mind “aria.” And “Edamame” –well, “edamame” just makes me […]
Herb and “Feta” Polenta Appetizers
You know how on Cheers, every time Norm would walk into the bar, all the patrons and wait staff would turn to look at him, and call out in unison, “NORM!” ? I remember thinking, “Sure, yeah, maybe on teevee life is like that.“ Ah, yes, wouldn’t it be great to be received with that kind of palpable jubilation every time you set […]
Chinese Scallion Pancakes
[Quick reminder: Don’t forget to go here and enter my contest to win chocolate or treats from my upcoming cookbook! You’ve got until January 30th to enter.] Over the past couple of years, the HH and I have developed a fairly steadfast routine: every Tuesday at mid day, we connect for a hefty serving of afternoon delight. (No, no debauchery, silly! Forget […]
Flash in the Pan: Sautéed Greens with Onions and Apples
[Sometimes, you just want to eat something now. 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.” (For other FitP recipes, see “Categories” at right).] [With Collards, […]
Family and Festive Feasting
[Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Warm Caramel Sauce] As I mentioned in a previous post, the CFO came to visit over the holidays, and we had a truly lovely time together, chillaxing (I can’t understand why that word has evaporated from the lexicon. I mean, it just seems to capture so perfectly the concept its meant to convey), laughing, […]
Two-Toned Latkes
[Latkes are great for Hanukkah, but this version is so yummy, you’ll want to eat them all year round. These Two Toned Potato Pancakes are vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, nut-free and yeast-free. Suitable for Stage 2 and beyond on an anti-candida diet.] The weekend began like most other mornings: a wet, cold nose against […]