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.
Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad with Tomato and Black Bean
For casual entertaining or an easy weeknight meal this dish gets the thumbs up from my husband. Black beans are popular in Latin American cuisine and are also found in Cajun and Creole cuisines of South Louisiana. The black bean has a dense, meaty texture making it popular in vegetarian dishes. Because of its mix…
Spinach, Fennel and Roquefort Filo Pies
Roquefort cheese is blue cheese made from sheep’s milk and hails from the South of France. Its distinctive veins of green mold helps to give it a sharp taste with salty overtones. Roquefort is also delicious on top of steak, in salads and perfect with fortified wines A perfect starter, these vegetarian tartlets are delicious…
Baked Figs with Gorgonzola
My husband was never a big fan of figs mainly because he had only tried the dried version. A few years ago I presented him with fresh ones and he was amazed at their taste (sweet with a texture that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin and the crunchiness of…
Butter Beans with Chorizo
Butter beans (aka lima beans) are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. Their high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for people with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. Use butter beans in curries, soups, in a dip, in chili con…
Salt and Sugar-Cured Asparagus, Poached in Butter
The title alone in this recipe was enough to peak my curiosity. Poached in butter…doesn’t that sound delicious, over-the-top delicious? I had been wanting to try lobster tails poached in butter but decided this was an easier and more economical option. Asparagus is a Spring vegetable and now is the time to savor them! To…
Gordon Ramsay’s Vietnamese BBQ Pork Skewers
This is an easy recipe with outstanding flavor! Lemongrass is native to the Philippines and is used in Asian cuisine. You’ll find it in teas, soups and curries. It’s a tall tropical grass which has a lemon-like scent because the stalks contain essential oils. Lemongrass is considered a diuretic, tonic and stimulant. It’s also known…
The Big Apple!
Travel. It’s an emotive word for me where in an instant I recall fond memories of places visited and people I have met. I’ve been to a number of exotic destinations in the world and one thing that always stands out is people. It’s the stories we take home with us when the vacation…
Grilled Asparagus with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
The city of Halifax, Nova Scotia has 283,000 people however, the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) swells to 403,188 to include Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Lower Sackville, Cole Harbour. For such a small city we are blessed to have attracted a slew of quality restauranteurs where the owners and chefs happily promote locally grown produce. Many…
Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas
Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone: Recipes to Put You in My Favorite Mood. With a title like this, who could resist buying? I started watching this young, spirited chef from down under back in 2007 when he and Ben O’Donoghue were in a cooking show called, Surfing The Menu. This book showcases recipes that allow…
Grilled Asparagus with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
The city of Halifax, Nova Scotia has 283,000 people however, the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) swells to 403,188 to include Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Lower Sackville, Cole Harbour. For such a small city we are blessed to have attracted a slew of quality restaurateurs where the owners and chefs happily promote locally grown produce. Many…
Pudding Chomeur A La Lavallée
There are some desserts you know are going to taste delicious. When I first saw the photo of this sweet dish that Renée Lavallée posted on her website, Feisty Chef, I knew I had to try it. This recipe is from Renée’s momma. Renée said, “it was named Welfare Pudding because back in the day…
Roasted Peppers and Spinach Salad with Pesto Dressing
Inspiration for me doesn’t always come from a cookbook or glossy food magazine. Grocery stores are also a good source of recipes and what’s more, they’re free! Sobeys produces a quarterly magazine highlighting their brands and the recipes are developed by their own dieticians. Each recipe contains nutritional information making it easier for those counting…