If there was a food equivalent of original sin, I think I’ve discovered it. Long have I had the notion of creating a gourmet version of a childhood comfort food so many of us grew up on … create something very very adult. The inspiration for this comes from watching Gordon Ramsay several years ago challenge his…
Keint-he Winery – Chardonnay (2009)
Moving to another burgeoning wine region of the country, Prince Edward County. This hidden peninsula is quietly tucked away between where Lake Ontario gives its final gasp and becomes the head waters of the St Lawrence, this is a relatively young wine producing region with some delicious secrets that I’ve quite grown to love…
Red Rooster – Gewürztraminer (2012)
One sip, and you’re caught in a flavourful and syrupy bouquet of white fruit: pear and lychee. And, if fruit-forward isn’t enough, well, it ends with a splash of citrus: yes, as the label reads, you will certainly taste a fully-ripe and sweet grapefruit at the end. Produced on the southern tip of Okanagan Lake…
Malivoire Gamay (2012)
Food and wine … a splendid marriage for the ages. Starting in 2014, I’ll be adding a few wine reviews to my blog. I make no pretensions of being a wine critic or sommelier. I have no credentials other than my palette which loves to explore and taste. And while I have no pretensions, I…
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Who doesn’t love Lady and Tramp? What kid doesn’t enjoy slurping spaghetti? Who doesn’t love a meatball (spicy or not)? With all due love to vegetarians in my life, I gave you my my almost vegan tourtière — now, this is my chance to indulge the carnivore in me … and the Italian in me which I’m…
Rum-Kabocha (Pumpkin) Risotto
Risotto is comfort food. Yes, you can make “healthy” versions of it as I did when I developed my Tuscan Kale Risotto earlier this summer. However, risotto is best prepared when it can just be, let its warm, sensuous, snuggling personality reach out, when it can comfort the soul and light a warm fire in…
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…
Moussaka
Some things in life are inevitable. Put enough eggplants in a person’s CSA share and something Greek like the ubiquitous Moussaka itself is certain to appear eventually! Does Moussaka need an introduction, really? Made well, it is an incredible dish with the richness of a stew and the full satisfaction of summer. And I swear,…
Lemon Risotto with Tuscan Kale
Sex on a plate. Really, I challenge anyone to find a better way to describe risotto. It’s not a dessert, yet it is one of the most sensuous dishes ever devised. When I seriously started down the path of Italian cooking, there were a few dishes on my bucket list to discover, but risotto wasn’t…
Tuscan Chicken with Olives and Bacon … and Wine
I cannot take credit for this recipe or the brilliant flavour profile that was created; however, I’m happy to share. All credit goes to Joanne, author of her own blog, NYC Fit Food and Fashion! Her own recipe of Chicken with Olives, Rosemary and Pancetta can be found here. Those that know me, though, know…