As I sit at the table in my cozy kitchen and my cat stretches out on the hardwood floor in front of the dishwasher and heat vent, we are locked in a polar vortex of frigid Arctic weather. I’m in the mood for comfort food. Slow cooking. Braising. Making a pot of soup. Filling the […] Read more
Author Archives
Heat up the kitchen with soups and warm spices
Dumplings help make Lunar New Year a special time
Feb. 5 marks Chinese New Year’s Eve, the year of the Pig. It is also called the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. Although it’s still cold, the coldest days are over. Celebrations carry on for 15 days with festive foods and family visits. Children receive lucky money in gold-embellished red envelopes. Family kitchens […] Read more
These tips can help make Christmas dinner a success
The countdown is on. Although Christmas dinner is usually a set menu, it is nice to change things up from time to time. If it is your first time hosting, then here are some tried and true tips for success. The best mashed potatoes Starchy potatoes such as Yukon gold or russets are the best […] Read more
Christmas season foods for entertaining
The Christmas season sneaks up on us every year, and every year we search for new recipe ideas. Simple is best. And if it can be made in advance, even better. There tends to be no end of sweets, but interesting savoury foods are sometimes lacking. Firecracker shrimp Skip the usual shrimp ring this year […] Read more
Thirty-minute meals great for busy mid-week schedules
Middle of the week can be busy with appointments, kids’ sports and errands. It can be difficult to get a good meal on the table. Takeout or frozen prepared meals are tempting. With a little advance planning it is possible to create a tasty and nutritious home-cooked meal in 30 minutes or less. Cook once, […] Read more
Instant Pot can make great meals … and Christmas presents
Many stores have already stocked their shelves with appliances for Christmas giving. The Instant Pot is front and centre for a second year. Before buying any appliance, consider how much use it will receive in your kitchen. Also, consider the space it takes either on your countertop or in a cupboard. If space is limited […] Read more
Tomato sauce is a versatile ingredient
Canned tomato sauce is like summer in a jar that will keep throughout winter. Canning may not be as popular as it used to be but it remains the best way to preserve tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are the best for making sauce because they are meatier and have fewer seeds but any tomato can be […] Read more
Jazz up summer with an ice cream sundae party
Summertime, or any time, is ice cream time. My father’s favourite treat was a banana split from the soft ice cream palace in town. Any sundae would do, but a banana split was nirvana. I don’t often indulge at home but why shouldn’t I? The toppings are so easy to make and taste so much […] Read more
Corn: a nutritious and delicious garden delight
Many of us eat corn for its fresh, bright flavour and sweet juices. It’s also a convenient and fun finger food to eat at picnics and family barbecues. But corn also contains many essential nutrients. It is an excellent source of antioxidants; it contains folate, helpful in fighting heart disease; it is high in thiamine, […] Read more
Talk to your fruit seller when looking for the right peach
The tree fruit industry in British Columbia has about 400 commercial growers who farm about 15,000 acres of apples, pears, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums. The peach is a member of the rose family. It is a cousin of apricots, cherries, plums and almonds. Choose peaches by smelling them. They should have a delicate […] Read more
