Classic British Potted Shrimp
A Tudor classic that won over Ian Fleming and James Bond: tiny shrimp sealed under golden spiced butter, made for warm toast.
Duck Ragu
The origin of ragù sauce can be traced back to Bologna, Italy. Duck ragu is a Venetian dish where the focus is more on the meat and herbs rather than the tomatoes. This slow-cooked sauce can also be made with beef, pork, veal, lamb or boar.
Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax
Friendship, elegance and gallantry are a few of the words to describe the worldwide epicurean phenomenon that is about to take over Halifax’s public space for the first time this summer on August 23. Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax is a 4-hour très chic picnic for 1,000 people. Le Dîner en Blanc, launched in…
Grilled Peppers
We grill all year round but when the weather is warmer we use the barbecue weekly. We grill anything – bread, cheese, veggies, meat, fish, fruit, you name it we’ve most probably grilled it. A couple of years ago John and I were on a cruise around the Adriatic Sea and one of the ports…
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Pop-up shops (temporary retail spaces that sell merchandise of any kind) have been around for a while and not limited to art or fashion. Farmers’ markets are getting on the band wagon and showing up in places you wouldn’t have thought. And why not? Last week I dropped my daughter off at Mic Mac Mall…
Grilled Guacamole
There are oodles of recipes incorporating an avocado but the most familiar is guacamole and everyone has their own version. Grilled guacamole is a slight spin on an old favorite. The avocado has been around for thousands of years and is rich in potassium (helps regulate blood pressure) and vitamin A (helps your eyes). Avocado…
Asparagus Vichyssoise
A celebration of eating local, made with spring asparagus. Leeks, potatoes and asparagus blended with milk and yogurt, served chilled.
Aussie Meat Pies
Meat pies in Australia and New Zealand are what apple pie is to North America – iconic. Years ago John and I visited Australia and everyone kept telling us to try the Aussie meat pies. Not one to turn down an opportunity to see what all the fuss was, we tried our very first meat…
Strawberry Pavlova
It’s officially Summer (yay!) although it still feels like Spring here in the Maritimes. A good indicator that we might be leaving the cold behind is the sighting of fresh, local strawberries. I spotted them at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, Pete’s and other grocery retailers over the weekend. I grew up in the country…
Crudités with Blue Cheese Dip
Out of all the menu planning, food prep, and cooking I do, the one thing I enjoy the most is the presentation. It’s so easy to take simple ingredients and show them off. Look around your home for interesting containers that tend to only be used for certain things or special occasions. Crudités (raw…
Grilled Pineapple
This is such an easy, no fuss, and delicious dessert to make. Grilled pineapple can be served on its own, with ice cream or a dollop of yogurt. I’ve been grilling pineapple for years and it’s always a crowd pleaser. I have been asked before how to pick a ripe pineapple. When we lived in…
Wine Tasting in Nova Scotia
All it took was an invitation from Domaine de Grand Pré to join them for their annual barrel tasting to spur us into action and take a mini vacation – it’s an easy one hour drive north of home. It’s been a while since we had a ‘real’ vacation and this was just what we…
Endive Salad
Belgian endive with pear, goat cheese and candied pistachios in olive oil and white wine vinegar.