I think anyone who has had a great fish taco, and the decadent Baja fish taco in particular, has fallen in love with the complex interchange of simple flavours, crunchy textures, the dialogue of sweet and tangy, and the pure comfort of food that pleases the soul. Recreating it home without pulling out the deep-fryer, though, is a…
Salsa Verde
Ah, the tomatillo– no, that’s an armadillo crossed with a tomato. And, no, it’s not synonymous “green tomato.” The tomatillo is unique little creature I discovered and was able to purvey without much difficulty when I lived in Calgary … which isn’t a surprise on account of the city’s fondness for Tex-Mex cuisine. However, it…
White Chili
While we battle through a late season cold-snap, the calendar says that winter’s strength will soon be behind us. In the meanwhile, the cold weather continues demand slow-cooked comfort foods and I’m happy to comply. Nothing seems to warm as well as those one-pot dishes that cook for hours and warm you from the core…
Ground Beef Tacos
I’ll be the first to say that not every night can be crispy duck breast, roast beef, or even vegetarian lasagna. Few of us have personal chefs and most of us have jobs and family commitments that compete for time, so even if you love eating, you’re going to once in a while be tempted…
Persimmon Salsa
If Roald Dahl had been in my kitchen this past winter while writing his children’s classics, he may well have titled the one about “James” as Dale and the Giant Persimmon. Though I haven’t had any particularly giant fruits in my kitchen, persimmons have certainly been giant my culinary craft this season as I continue…
Chili (con carne)
Chili is one of those dishes that is as varied as are our fingerprints. Every home cook or chef has their own version following one theme or another and it’s one of those few dishes that uniquely has competitions centred around it. However, you don’t need a chili cook-off and you certainly don’t need a…
Vegetarian Tacos with Grilled Zucchini
When four more beautiful, firm yellow zucchini showed up in last week’s CSA share, the challenge was on. What else could I do with them that would not only be delicious but would push my envelop. Inspired by the success of my Grilled Salsa a few weeks ago, I thought, hmm: tacos. I knew from…
Papaya-Mango Lime Salsa
Here’s an amazing fruit salsa that will be sure to put the kick back in your favourite Mexican fare. The papaya and mango work well together but what really brings this dish together is the lime … and the lime skin in particular. I’ve tried just the zest but there is something much more powerful…
Guacamole Cruda
Ah, guacamole. There aren’t many that sit on the fence when it comes to avocados … or this simple Mexican sidekick. For those that love it but have never made it, here’s a simple recipe to get you started. The only thing that really separates my versions is that I omit tomato from mine and…
Grilled Flank Steak Tacos
A fusion of Asian and Mexican flavours, these tacos should be illegal. What makes these work so well is the tight and perfect fit between the sweet and crunchy exterior of the meat which is married with the sweet tang of the papaya-mango lime salsa and the creaminess of the guacamole, both of which infuse…