When the fennel showed up in my CSA share last week, I knew what salad number three was going to be in my five course salad night. I also knew I wanted citrus in it as a change of pace, even though the flavour isn’t exactly in season. But because of the season, I wasn’t…
Watermelon Salad
Those who’ve read my posts for a bit know that my values around food are hugely influenced by eating local and in season. I love the purity and simplicity of certain foods and dishes … which is why I unapologetically posted my own caprese salad a few days ago. When a whole watermelon showed up…
Insalata Caprese with Balsamic
Ahh… the flavours of the Mediterranean. There is an elemental purity to Mediterranean food which is hard to describe and which can really only be experienced. So elemental is it, that it is a challenge in my experience to fully participate outside of the region itself. You can taste the fire of the sun, the…
Grilled Ratatouille
Ratatouille…. I’ll wager it is one of those dishes that leaves very few on the fence. I’d also wager the distribution of fence dwellers isn’t even. What better challenge, then, than to make a classic dish whose heyday may be past but whose opportunity for a triumphant return remains. I previously remarked that if you…
Thai Salad with Napa Cabbage
Sweet ♦ Salty ♦ Sour ♦ Spicy ♦ Aromatic Some would define the classic Thai flavours as simply Sweet, Salty, Sour, which they are, but I like to think that it is a quintet that makes for most Thai food, not just a trio. And like any great band, it is harmony of playing together that creates memorable moments….
Maple-Lemon Mint Quinoa with Grilled Zucchini and Dried Cranberries
What do we name our creations? It’s not like naming a newborn where you can easily choose a family member or favourite character in a novel. My ability to choose the right name will determine whether you’re reading this right now or have passed it over, dismissing this as another trendy quinoa recipe. Recipes so…
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…
Asian Red Plum Salsa
The vegetarian tacos and their sauces were nearing completion. I had already made the Avocado-Chimichurri Sauce and the Black Bean and Corn Salsa. What I wanted now was something with a little sweetness and a bit of a kick … something to complement the Argentine and Mexican flavours I was already combining. And I was…
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
With the promise of vegetarian tacos firmly within my grasp, I knew that the dish was going to need some protein to give it some nourishing “staying power.” What better than black beans? They are my favourite in the legume family — I love their crunch, flavour, and their size. Instead of the doing a…
Avocado-Chimichurri Sauce
When a giant globe of curly-leafed parsley showed up in my CSA share last week, I visibly frowned. I really don’t like the stuff and much prefer the milder and softer flat-leaf aka “Italian” parsley I grow myself. However, I was up for my own CSA Challenge and so I considered what to make with it….