Lemon Drop Martini
Some cocktails have a way of taking you back to a particular place and time. For me, the Lemon Drop Martini will always be Hong Kong. I first made one in 2004, when we were living there. Hong Kong nightlife was buzzing.
Pasta Bake with Pancetta, Rosemary and Minced Pork
This dish reminds me of one my mother in-law makes and it’s always a top request when she visits. The aromas from it make me feel as though Aida is right in the kitchen with me. It’s a relatively easy meal to prepare and will have your family asking for more. Serves 6adapted from…
Sushi
The first time I ever made sushi rolls was back in 2006. I was excited to make my own back then and that enthusiasm hasn’t faded. I am also happy to see that sushi is now being made in our local grocery stores, albeit a bit more for a westernized palate. This allows an opportunity…
Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
If you search my blog for salad recipes you’ll see there are 33! Yes, I am a salad queen at heart. I love how easily a salad can be thrown together as an accompaniment to a main meal and some of the ones I’ve made have been meals by themselves. I always make my own…
Fresh Peach Tart with a Crumble Topping
Nova Scotia, for its size and short growing season, has a surprising selection of fruit especially stone fruits. There are a number of u-pick farms around the province that sell apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes. Local peaches are in abundance and each time I enter a grocery store I find myself picking up a…
Parmesan Tuiles with Heirloom Tomato Salad
Fall is just around the corner. It’s a time of the year I love the most when the leaves start to change color, the nights are cooler and fruit of the farmer’s efforts is noted in the grocery stores. Tuile is a French word for tile and is a thin, crisp cookie with a lacy…
Grilled Zucchini Ribbons and Prosciutto with Mint Dressing
Food on a skewer is always a treat and is a bit of a trend these days. They’re perfect for a gathering where your guests can serve themselves. Arranging the skewers upright in glassware or other entertaining containers make for decorative centerpieces as well as a chance for your guests to ‘ooh and aah‘ at…
Aubergines with Mint Salsa
While the aubergine (eggplant) was never a favorite vegetable of mine growing up, I never tire of eating it now. Some say it originated from India where it grew wild, but early written accounts from a 5th century Chinese record on agriculture called the Ts’i Min Yao Shu indicate its cultivation in China. Europe got…
The Culinary Chase Turns 5!
The traditional 5th wedding anniversary gifts are wood and silverware. Wood, representing strength and a solidified relationship, and silverware, representing connectedness. While I am not celebrating a wedding anniversary, I do feel these two gifts reflect the idea behind the reason for my food blog. My love for food and its natural way to fuel…
Sugar Snap Peas with Soffrito
Soffrito means softly fried, and is the Italian version of sweating or cooking aromatic vegetables at a low temperature. It’s a great way to add a number of vegetables to your diet all in one dish! If you have any leftover, this would be lovely tossed into hot pasta and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.…
Cornmeal Fried Tomatoes with Guacamole and Garlic-Cumin Sautéed Shrimp
The avocado is a family favorite and for good reason. They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals that can contribute to the nutrient quality of your diet. The high fat content of an avocado gives a quicker feeling of satiation which helps to reduce overeating and being more palatable reduces the temptation to binge on foods…
Stuffed Peach Tart
I love this time of year when local fruits and vegetables are available. Peaches from Ontario have been in the grocery stores for a while and Nova Scotia peaches will soon be hitting the shelves. This dish is from my friend Francesca who taught me so much about Italian cooking! I don’t think I ever…
Fancy a Pop-Up Restaurant in Your Own Home?
It may not be appealing to some people, but how does launching a pop-up restaurant in your home and inviting strangers around? You may be wary about the thought of this, or excited, or you may think it just sounds like a dodgy reality TV show! However, it’s the latest trend and home run restaurants…