Food, Travel, and Cooking!
Ramps are a rite of spring if you’re lucky enough to find them! A simple braise with just a few ingredients. A clove of garlic plus either the green tops of scallions or some chopped up chives can be used if you can’t find those ramps. For The Chicken: 1 (3 lb.) chicken, cut into […]
I like to serve a big, bowl of crunchy greens dressed with lemon vinaigrette with savory tarts, especially in the spring. Makes an 8″ or 9″ Tart A pre-baked pie shell (see below). I prefer to use a glass pie dish because it gives a crisper crust. However, you can also use a 9″ rimmed, fluted […]
My husband invited friends over for Sunday lunch. He suggested we make Coq au Vin and because we haven’t made this “French bistro favourite” for quite some time, I agreed! It’s definitely coming back into our repertoire! Over the years, the recipe from “Joy of Cooking” has evolved. I figured adding some demi-glace to enrich the […]
We love lamb shanks! They are almost falling off the bone scrumptious. if you can source local lamb even better. We have found those to be smaller, so we adjust the cooking time slightly. Roasted veggies would be a nice accompaniment for the lamb but I have also made Spaetzle to serve with them. The […]
My parents often cooked shortribs because they were one of the least expensive meats you could get from the butcher and we liked them a lot! Those days are gone! It’s the same with oxtails. But they are so delicious that every once in a while we like to cook some for a treat. Chinese […]
We may not live in Quebec, but we love this fragrant savoury pie redolent with herbs and spices so much it’s become an absolute must at our house over Christmas! I have revised, changed and added things over the years and it just keeps getting better and better. I’ve made the filling using a mixture […]
These days at #5 we seem to be eating cherry tomatoes 24/7. I’ve been wanting to make these tarts all summer and finally did! I’m we glad I did…they were so good! Whipped up a green salad, voila dinner! You can easily double the recipe to make 8 servings. The best time to make this […]
Get ‘em still alive and cook them as quickly as possible. Remove the heads just before cooking. If you are a bit squeamish get your partner (I do), or a friend to do it. Or you can simply leave them whole. Spot Prawn season begins in May in B.C. We get them right off the […]
Meatballs are hard not to like! They’re quick and easy and you can have a meal on the table in no time, and the are child friendly too! I think these are especially good with mashed potatoes, Colcannon (a mashed potato/cabbage combo.) or buttered noodles and a green veg. Makes 4 Servings For the Meatballs: […]
I love making stews in the fall and winter months or even on a cool spring day when comfort food is what we really crave. This one is a winner! I highly recommend using fresh rosemary for both the stew and dumplings. Either broccolini, lightly steamed, buttered cabbage, kale or Brussels sprouts, or in for […]