This creation was me saying happy birthday to Benjamin, my über wonder dog of 18 years. That is to say, I’m not the only one in the family that gets weak in the knees when someone says “duck.” Truly, it’s a wonder that over the years I haven’t been beaned with a softball between the eyes…
Maple-Teriyaki Pacific Salmon
If there has been one unifying ingredient as part of the Canadian Food Experience Project, it has been maple. This is not surprising given the prominence of this ingredient in our airport gift shops and the fact the leaf is emblazoned on our flag. It’s also not surprising, then, that it has shown up in…
Tangerine Beef with Broccoli and Ginger
Invigorate your plate with the season; infuse your meal with sunshine. To be clear, I’m all about cooking with ingredients that are local but when they can’t be local, I want them to be at least seasonal. So when the culinary doldrums of winter arrive, citrus becomes king. Thus, as I prepared to chase away…
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Banana-Date Glaze
Winter is certainly a time to dig into our dried fruits, especially with our dwindling produce this time of year. It’s a time to celebrate stronger flavours and sweetness. It’s a time for concentrated tastes that warm the body, inside out…. … but it is not a time to give up the barbecue. Yes, I’m…
Triple-Ginger Gingersnaps
Gingersnaps … for ginger fools™. One of my grandmother’s legacies to me is a love everything ginger. Ever since I was a child, I would eat anything ginger that she pressed into my hands: ginger marmalade, candies, crystalized ginger, chocolate covered ginger … and gingersnaps. I ate it all … I adored it all. And…
Sweet Potato Praline Casserole
The holidays have arrived and with that, I hope, more time to get caught up with my blog. My first contribution to the holiday season is a sweet, succulent sweet potato dish that will make believers out of the most ardent doubters who question the rightful place of this tuber on the dinner table. First,…
Sweet Ginger-Garlic Chicken Wings
Ah, the chicken wing. At one time a throw-away piece of chicken, now an exercise in Friday-night indulgence. While I in no way, shape or form claim professional training or knowledge as a cook, I did spend a few years early in my university life as a line-cook in a busy downtown Calgary restaurant: Ed’s…
“Hennepin” (Saison aka Farmhouse Ale), Brewery Ommegang
So now for something completely different…. My last foray into American brews salvaged what was becoming a dubious relationship. Don’t get me wrong, and contrary to a historic Canadian disdain for the brewing ability of our southern brethren, a disdain tied as much to our own Canadian inferiority complex as it is to a pre-craft-brewing…
Tagine with Merguez Sausage and Winter Vegetables
You may have noticed that for the past month at least I’ve been pretty much in a “winter” theme. Something about going cross-country skiing and shovelling snow that screams comfort food — and there are fewer better examples of comfort food than any stew. One of my very favourite stews is tagine, a North African dish so…