Summer BBQ salmon and Funchi

Summer days often call for BBQed salmon, cajun style. What better way to celebrate the summer than with a nice dinner from the BBQ? This summer salmon is cooked en papillote (in parchment) which makes for juicy and flavourful fish, cooked with aromatics. It is served with funchi, a starch that is a staple in…

Chinese Tea Eggs

A recipe today to celebrate the year of the Rabbit. The Lunar New Year is celebrated by many millions all around the globe, and is a time of promise and wishing your loved ones good fortune for the coming year. A beautiful way to ring in the year of the Rooster is to make these…

Challah bread pudding with apples and honey

Here is a recipe that combines several Jewish favourites into one beautiful breakfast dish. The wonderful eggy deliciousness that is Challah bread is comparable to the French brioche and lends itself very well for day-old bread dishes. According to mitzvah (Jewish law) Challah is bread that has been ‘separated’. Part of the dough of each…

Brazilian lemonade

Ever thought of putting condensed milk in lemonade? I sure hadn’t. But the Brazilians have, and it’s delicious. This ‘lemonade’ uses whole limes, making use of both juice and oils without the hassle of zesting. So it’ll take you very little time to go from ordinary Vancouver summer to next level tropical Vancouver summer. Ingredients…

Weekday Okonomiyaki

The word okonomiyaki can be translated as: grilled ‘whatever you like’. Japanese comfort food at it’s best, these savoury pancakes can be whipped up easily for a nice weekday meal with the do-it-yourself component of adding the toppings at the table. There are several versions of Okonomiyaki, originating in different areas of Japan. Most famous…

Grandfathers in maple syrup

Even though poutine has since found its way into my midnight-snack regime, today I’ll share with you a lesser known treat from traditional French Canadian kitchens: grand-pères au sirop d’érable. ‘Grandfathers in maple syrup’ are traditionally served in sugar shacks throughout Quebec during maple tapping season. These scrumptious dumplings simmered in syrup are best made…

Dublin Coddle

A Coddle is basically a leftover stew. Traditionally eaten in Ireland on Thursdays, to finish any meat left in the house, it is a hearty potato based dish best made in a Dutch oven, or any other heavy lidded pot. This version contains all the basics: potatoes, onion, sausage and bacon. While it sounds like…

Dublin Coddle

A Coddle is basically a leftover stew. Traditionally eaten in Ireland on Thursdays, to finish any meat left in the house, it is a hearty potato based dish best made in a Dutch oven, or any other heavy lidded pot. This version contains all the basics: potatoes, onion, sausage and bacon. While it sounds like…

Bourani Banjan

The first time one of my Middle Eastern friends cooked me dinner I could’ve sworn she made an entire bottle of olive oil disappear into the dish. To be honest I expected it to be greasy, heavy and unpleasant, but none of that was the case. In my culinary upbringing, we were conservative with fats…

Tibetan butter tea

Love it or hate it, it’s getting cold out there. Love it or hate it, it’s time for a cup of Po Cha, or Tibetan Butter Tea. In the highlands of Tibet this is a staple drink, served three to four times a day to warm the bones and provide enough sustenance (caffeine, fat) to…

Persian Kalam Polow with meatballs

Recipe You may know this type of one-pot rice dish under other spelling variations used around the Balkan and Middle East, like pilaf, polov, or pilau. Persian Polow is rice that is pre-cooked, and then mixed and steamed with vegetables, herbs, and/or meat. In this recipe small beef meatballs are pan fried in separately and…

Taiwanese braised pork belly

Cooking with pork belly might seem daunting, but it really isn’t. Nicely portioned slabs can be found at most Asian supermarkets and at your local butcher’s. If you don’t see any in the cooler, ask! The butcher will be happy to portion some for you. This recipe makes use of a slow cooker, but it…

Brazilian lemonade

Ever thought of putting condensed milk in lemonade? I sure hadn’t. But the Brazilians have, and it’s delicious. This ‘lemonade’ uses whole limes, making use of both juice and oils without the hassle of zesting. So it’ll take you very little time to go from ordinary Vancouver summer to next level tropical Vancouver summer. Ingredients…