Salad niçoise has a bit of a Mediterranean flavor with anchovy fillets and black olives. The term Niçoise refers to any of the dishes created by the women of Nice. This salad has many variations in terms of its ingredients and remains a dish that is argued over. Do you add potatoes and green beans…

This is an appetizer with oomph and a great showpiece for any occasion. My husband suggested we have brie and crackers as an appetizer and I said that was a good idea, but decided to dress it up a bit. Brie or Camembert, about 4 inches (10cm) wide Tomato Bruschetta Topping:1/4 cup seeded and finely…

Ingredients:1/2 cup finely chopped onion1 garlic clove, minced6 tablespoons olive oil1/2 cup dry white wine3 (14-16 oz. cans) chopped tomatoes (including juice)2 tablespoons finely chopped flat leafed parsley1/2 teaspoon dried basil1/2 teaspoon dried oregano3/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)dried hot red pepper flakes (add to taste)1.5 pounds medium shrimp (about 34) shelled and de-veined1 pound…

Although I don’t often bake many sweets (partly due to high temperatures and high humidity in Hong Kong), this tiny cream puff gem is definitely a must have in one’s collection of recipes! Profiteroles, one of the smallest members of the cream puff family, are made from a thick batter. A drop of the batter…

Deepavali is the festival of Lights. The word ‘Deepavali’ is made up of two simple words. ‘Deepa’ means light and ‘Avali’ means a row. Hence ‘Deepavali’ means a row of lights. This is perhaps the most well-known of the Indian festivals. It is celebrated throughout India as well as in Indian communities around the world.…

This is a family favorite. It’s my Mom’s recipe and has been a tradition in our family for many years. Quiche is from the Lorraine region of France and is of German origin. The original ‘quiche Lorraine’ was an open pie with a filling consisting of an egg and cream custard with smoked bacon. It…

I’m not called a peripatetic Canadian for nothing! Owning a car in Hong Kong is expensive, however, local transportation on the other hand is easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Where else can one travel 20-30 minutes and only pay HKD$4.50 to HKD$10.50 (USD$00.58 cents to USD$1.35). The tram, which is the world’s only double…

There are many versions of this salad but I prefer this one. It’s quite easy to make and because the pita bread is toasted, you can let it sit for half an hour to let the bread soak up the dressing. Serves 4 to 61 Romaine lettuce, washed and cut into 1″ strips225g (8oz.) cherry…

This is a crowd pleaser! It’s a simple recipe and with the cheese oozing out the sides, one can only wonder what’s inside. The chilies add just a hint of heat which is quietly soothed by the mango and brie. A very light and refreshing snack! Ingredients:4 (8″) flour tortillas 1 serrano chili, or 2…

Moroccan cuisine blends African, Arabian, and European influences to make some of the most exotic food in the world. Moroccan food exudes exotic aromas and full piquant flavors. Herbs and spices are an essential part of Moroccan cooking and most dishes feature cumin, saffron, ginger, turmeric, cloves and cinnamon to bring out the full flavour…

Since Thanksgiving is generally regarded as a North American tradition, I thought I’d share some information on the subject for my Asian, European and Australian friends. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October unlike the American Thanksgiving, which falls in November. Some people believe this is because Canada, being farther north, has an…

Laksa is an everyday soup made famous by the Peranakan (Chinese-Malay) from Malaysia and Singapore. It was in Singapore where I first discovered this rich and spicy soup. The name may originate from the Sanskrit word laksha, meaning “many” and referring to the soup’s many ingredients. Asian vegestables such as bean sprouts, bok choi or…