September 28, 2012
If you follow this blog you probably know that I make a lot of pizzas. I do have some favourites (Roasted Peppers with Goat Cheese is one) but I also have new surprises every week. I get my inspiration from what is in the market, in my fridge or on my kitchen counter. This week I had a bunch of beautiful nectarines hanging around wondering what’s to become of them. Some made it into a... View Article
September 20, 2012
I am not entertaining too much lately but still, have been in the mood for making all kinds of little appetizers. Why do we have to make these just for guests? When my kids say not to fuss, it’s “just” them, I always tell them that they are the most important audience I have. Whatever you do, it has to start at home first. So I have made a few things to be posted in... View Article
September 9, 2012
On my last evening in kelowna I invited two of Kelowna’s food bloggers Val and Laura (www.morethanburnttoast.com and www.anuneducatedpalate.com, respectively) for a glass of wine on the patio. It’s fun to be with foodies who can talk about food and blogging. There are a few food people I’d like to get to know better in Kelowna and I hope to have more of these evenings as time goes on. I was busy enjoying other company... View Article
September 7, 2012
Have you used haloumi cheese in your kitchen? It features prominently in middle east cuisine and used for frying or grilling thanks to its high melting point (it begins melting only at very high temperature). It originates in Cyprus and is made from goat, sheep or cow’s milk. I have been looking for haloumi cheese here for a while and not finding any. I tried the Italian stores, the Greek shop and our Janice Beaton... View Article
August 2, 2012
So, we are still in Kelowna for a couple more weeks before going back to reality at home, which isn’t so bad either. We eat pretty informally, making the best of what I find in the local markets. I am having fun preparing all kinds of patio snacks and the latest was these mini grilled cheese sandwiches that I am serving with leftover raw vegetables from the open house the other night. I had quite... View Article
July 24, 2012
It’s raining and cool today. There must have been a rain storm here last night. We woke up to find several cushions and a beautiful, heavy table cloth that were left out overnight scattered all over the patio this morning, soaking wet. The one time I don’t put everything away and there is an overnight storm. The tall grass in the planters surrounding the patio is bent over, burdened with rain water and wind. One... View Article
July 5, 2012
Since sunday I have had cheese fritters twice, both delicious. First time was at a hands-on cooking class party to celebrate my dear friend Marilyn’s significant birthday. We gathered at the home of Sylvia and Ray, owners of Wine & Thyme Cooking School in Kelowna and for a few hours got our hands wet and prepared some lovely foods based on recipes provided by Sylvia and under her supervision. Sylvia is Cordon Bleu trained and... View Article
June 25, 2012
My interest in wine developed along with my interest in food but it was not until the last few years that I started devoting some time to the formal study of wine. Wine is an intellectual pursuit and a fascinating field of study. It is not an isolated discipline as it encompasses history, culture, religion, economics, geography, science, medicine, languages and finally, travel and cuisine. I have taken pre-requisite courses in the International Sommelier Guild program,... View Article
June 4, 2012
I think of cheese as one of the most exquisite culinary pleasures. Whether served with fruit after a meal, paired with a glass of wine, enjoyed on its own with a chunk of crusty bread or included in the process of preparing a dish, cheese is a captivating flavour and texture element in culinary experience. Wine and cheese have a lot in common. Both in a way are living organisms, created by their own Terroir... View Article
May 31, 2012
I have a few different ways of making corn cakes, some lighter, like this recipe, some more substantial that I will post later. Serve them for breakfast, lunch or dinner with creme fraiche, beans or on their own. In spite of the salty feta, they are also good with maple syrup. Makes about 8-10 pancakes. Ingredients: 2 cup white corn kernels 1 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 tablespoon corn oil... View Article
