I know it’s often said that Canada is a mere appendage of the U.S., the 51st state, the spleen of the continent that no one really knows exists and seems to have no necessary function, blah blah blah. Maybe it’s true; maybe we are like the unassuming cousin from out of town who never speaks at […]
blog event
Pear and Parsnip Soup
It seems like another lifetime now, but the year after my starter marriage ended, I lived in a townhouse with my dear friend Gemini I. Shortly after the furniture was placed and the boxes unpacked, we began to negotiate the rules of housework, grocery shopping, and TV usage when we got to chatting about food. I remember […]
Butter Tarts, Glorious and Free (of Eggs and Dairy)
[How about that red and white background? Pretty patriotic, eh?] There’s an annual event in Montreal called The High Lights Festival in which (among other things) La Belle Ville invites chefs from other world-class cities to cook alongside the Quebeçois culinary masters and exchange ideas. This year (2008), the guest city was the very one […]
Cookbook Winner!
Well, we have a winner of the cookbook contest! First, thank you all so much for your entries; it was wonderful to learn about so many new cookbooks! I’m definitely going to have to get The Passionate Vegetarian–I mean, with an author named Crescent Dragonwagon, how could I resist? Thanks, Jackie and Astra! I think I’ll also look […]
Spicy Red Pepper Pasta
Sometimes it’s best not to complicate matters. Even though I am well aware of this principle, I’ve never been the kind of gal who naturally embraces “simple”: no scoop of vanilla ice cream for me when double-fudge-cookie-cream-caramel-swirl exists in the world; no blue wooly socks if I can wear my favorite pair emblazoned with frolicking brown and green puppies; no simple […]
Weekend Update
I thought I’d take a few minutes before heading out for a long trail-walk with The Girls (it’s a long weekend over here, and they’re thrilled to have us both at home–ALL DAY!!) to post a few newsy notes. So, if you drop in only for the recipes or the witty repartee (I suppose that […]
Spiced Cauliflower Soup
It occurred to me yesterday that the last three food posts on this blog have all been desserts. Is this my chocolate withdrawal talking? Well, maybe so, but that means a contrapuntal savory dish must make its appearance today. No; more than just savory–we need something spicy. No; more than just spicy; we need something SPICE-EEEE! Aye, Carumba!! […]
Roasted Potatoes with Sweet and Sour Cipollini Onions
There are times when I glance around my chaotic home office, and I despair a little. Then my eyes glaze over and I fall into a reverie about the good ol’ days, when I used to be organized: desktop in order, with clearly demarcated “to do” and “done” piles. Mail returned with great alacrity, and an empty “inbox” each evening. Shoes […]
And Chocolate-Peanut-Butter Makes Three
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a blog entry about the trio of chocolate desserts I’d created for Valentine’s Day, each with at least one “secret” ingredient that conferred extra health benefits. I promised to post the recipes for each one, starting with the Gluten-Free Brownie and followed by the Vegan Molten Chocolate Cakes. […]