May 12, 2016
I usually have a package or two of soba noodles in the pantry to whip up an Asian flavoured lunch now and then. These are Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour and are not very thick, similar to spaghettini. They can be used with either hot or colds sauces and are quite versatile. Soba noodles do not cook al dente like a regular pasta so be careful not to overcook them or they will become... View Article
April 26, 2016
It has been a while since I bought any kitchen gadgets but on a recent trip to Vancouver my son recommended the KitchenAid spiralizer attachment and I went for it instantly. I have a spiralizer thingy at home but it works best with larger vegetables such as potatoes etc. The KitchenAid one apparently works with any size. (nothing to disclose, this is not a promotional post). While in Van City we had dinner at Provence... View Article
April 16, 2016
I am still relieving moments from the trip to Italy so bear with me. The best spaghetti alla puttanesca we had was in Naples at the authentic Antica Pizzeria Port Alba, rumoured to have created the first pizza in Naples. The pasta was perfectly cooked, had just enough sauce and the flavours were intense and pure. That dish remained in my memory and today I thought I would try and recreate it the best I... View Article
March 15, 2016
You will have to forgive me for still being immersed in Italian food and culture. On second thought, I shouldn’t have to apologize, it’s fabulous food and I am sharing it with you. So, enjoy. One of the soups we had in Tuscany was pasta and chickpea soup that was simply delicious and just my kind of food. When we returned home I made a lot of soups in the beginning, because they are easy... View Article
March 6, 2016
There is something about pasta al forno that is very comforting and satisfying. Maybe it’s the slightly charred bits on top, or the creamy sauce around the pasta, or the melted cheese. Whatever it is, I sometimes crave the flavours and texture of a pasta that is cooked just below al dente, then mixed with a a sauce and baked in the oven until crispy on top and slightly charred here and there. I tend... View Article
November 11, 2015
We are keeping different schedule here in Italy with all the comings and goings and sometime late at night we just want something to eat. Unless I have a dish ready I invariably turn to a quick pasta and use passata as a base for the sauce. Passata is a useful Italian ingredient not well known at home so I thought I’d tell you about it. It is common in Italian kitchens and frequently called... View Article
September 17, 2015
Pasta is a comfort foods that I turn to again and again. I have learned to make simple pasta dishes with only a couple of ingredients that taste good and leave you satisfied. This particular dish makes use of the purple radicchio that we usually tear or shred into into a salad. It has a slightly bitter taste and a sturdy texture that stand up to a quick saute and goes particularly well with simple... View Article
August 13, 2015
Roasting a cauliflower transforms its flavour and texture, and I am sure would convert even my friend Val to loving this veggie. The sugars in the cauli caramelize and lend a smoky-sweetness that is very enticing. Cauli comes in many colours, from white to orange to purple and green. Each has a slightly different flavour profile and unlike purple beans or purple asparagus, they keep the colour during cooking. The colourful variety makes a beautiful... View Article
July 21, 2015
Here is a quick and simple pasta recipe that I make with fresh market vegetables. This time zucchini and a sweet red pepper combine with short pasta to make a light dish that can be served warm or at room temperature as a summer meal on the patio. A good baguette, a drizzle of olive oil and crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette is all you need to go with it, if anything at... View Article
July 18, 2015
Garlic scape is a new item in my kitchen. Somehow it escaped the range of my rather extensive vegetable repertoire and I have never cooked with it before. My friend Jeannette brought them to my attention last year after she was invited to a garlic farm and urged by the farmer to pick as many garlic scapes as she could. She ended up making garlic scape pesto and brought over a couple of jars filled... View Article
May 27, 2015
Pasta with cauliflower may seem unusual but it is really a melody of complimentary textures and flavours. Pasta, in any event, goes with just about anything. I had a beautiful white and crisp cauliflower that called to be a main dish (vegetables for me ARE the main dish). I cooked it on top of the stove in olive oil and to make it more substantial, added some cooked pasta to the skillet as it was... View Article
May 21, 2015
I haven’t spent much time in the kitchen this week. I have discovered the Apex Trail leading up to the top of Knox Mountain and got completely hooked on the hike and the area and have been going there every day. I hope this enthusiasm continues through the summer and fall because it is such a good workout in a gorgeous setting with spectacular Okanagan views. I do pack a lunch, enjoy it on top... View Article
