Posts by The Culinary Chase

Jumbo stuffed shells is a pasta dish I haven’t made in years! I guess partly because it’s a very rich and cheesy meal and looks like a deep-dish pizza when done but I saw the box of shells in the grocery store and decided to re-visit this sinfully delicious dish. I had a jar of…

Crêpes are surprisingly easy to make and can be served as appetizers, first courses, and entrées. Fast to assemble and filled with a variety of savory fillings such as fresh vegetables and herbs, seafood, poultry, and meat.  Crêpes are ideal to make in advance and refrigerate or freeze, to fill later for a party or…

I have to thank my sister for introducing this delicious version of bruschetta!  Bruschetta (pronounced brus ketta) is an appetizer which originated in the 15th century from central Italy (Lazio, Marches, Tuscany, Umbria).  It consists of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. It’s believed that this poor…

Time for a break!  I’ll be back to regular posting on the 22nd March. Cheers, The Culinary Chase

I love homemade tomato sauce and this one is so easy to make with scrumptious results!  Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A (helps form and maintain healthy teeth and skin), and vitamin K (bone health).   The lycopene in tomatoes has long been studied for its antioxidant…

I watched a Martha Stewart program last year where she had Patricia Wells as one of her guest chefs.  I had never heard of her before but I certainly enjoyed her style of cooking.  I made a note to buy her cookbook, ‘Vegetable Harvest‘, but never got around to ordering it until last week.  There…

Naan is a generic term for various flat-breads from different parts of the world and is particularly popular in India, Afghanistan, Iran, United Kingdom, Pakistan, and in Xinjiang, China.   Naan can be served plain or with flavored with items such as minced garlic, chopped onion, butter or ghee melted on it.  Naan bread is…

Easy, quick and delicious best describes this dish!  Of all the Asian cuisines, I’d have to say Chinese is my favorite.  The food in most Chinese dishes is prepared in bite-sized pieces, ready for direct picking up and eating.  Traditional Chinese cuisine is also based on opposites (yin and yang) whereby hot balances cold, pickled…

Have you ever viewed the program, Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag?  It’s a show I started watching when I came back to Canada.  The duo came up with the idea of Shopping Bags back in 1999 where they test new products, give their feedback and discuss whether or not the product lives up to its…

Gumbo is a Louisiana soup or stew which reflects the rich cuisines of regional Indian, French, Spanish, and African cultures.  Gumbo is derived from the African term for okra, “gombo,” and first appeared in print in 1805.  Gumbo is also a choice dish during Mardi Gras, the day before Lent begins.  Mardi Gras is French…