Happy Thanksgiving everyone! So much to be thankful for isn’t there. Not the big things you have around you, but the things you can’t put value on – parents, siblings, kids (no matter how old, they will always be our kids) and good friends! Health, so much to be thankful for here, no matter how [...]
I Chef'd a private party recently for some folks who really know their mushrooms. So much so, that they even supplied me with some. A whole bunch of mushrooms - fresh cremini, shiitake and oyster mushrooms as well as dried morels and porcinis - very generous of them, to feature in the evenings menu. Now I [...]
As if the noble cauliflower weren't already engrained into our diet. In addition to boiling, broiling and roasting, here's another great way to enjoy this cruciferous vegetable. I've adapted this recipe from the Loblaw site. It tastes great as presented in the recipe but of course I made two batches and adapted one to my [...]
At a recent celebration at our place, my niece brought over a delightful smoked salmon hors d 'oeuvres (pictured below) to our house. Beautifully made phyllo pastry tarts, a container of sauteed leeks and sour cream. She assembled it on site so it would have a crispy crust, delightfully warm center and cool smoked salmon [...]
I'm a big fan of puff pastry. I love making it from scratch - I know, some people don't - but I do, go figure! The texture of the raw dough, the butter, the dimples on the folds to tell you exactly where you are in the process, therapeutic and relaxing. If you have not [...]
I always have mushrooms in my grocery cart, my family loves mushrooms sautéed until all the water is dried out, then seared a bit. Of course I flavor the sauté with good olive oil, butter, lots of garlic, chili flakes, salt and pepper. If I have some red or white wine left over (not usually) [...]
Summer is not over yet! I love when I'm told to make anything I like. Here is a recipe for a bruschetta variation using what's in season. I wanted a combination of sweet and tangy and peaches seemed so appropriate for this bruschetta. So simple to make and I know it was liked as it [...]
Oh I love these! I could eat a lot of them if it weren't for that look, you know the one. It is forever etched in every husband's mind, I can almost hear her saying "really, isn't that your third patty?!?". Oh well, I know she's only looking after me! But you can have as many as you like. Make [...]
I'm always looking for newish ideas to serve for hors d 'oeuvres. I did this for a party - what a hit! Beef Tenderloin, Horseradish and Honey Mustard served on Naan triangles. So simple, and you won't break the bank! I like my tenderloin with salt and pepper. Nothing, absolutely nothing, else. Yes you can [...]
Summertime is here! Officially and in reality - love the sunshine. This means bbq's, picnics and outdoor parties. One of my favorite things to make for any of these is potato salad. I will admit, I am not the best at judging quantities of potato salad so inevitably, there are vast amounts of potato salad [...]
