August 9, 2015
This summer I have made so many potato salads you’d think it’s the only thing we eat here. Well, almost, but not quite. I usually add a couple of other vegetables or grains or legumes to make it a dinner. We often eat outside on the patio in my outdoor kitchen, surrounded by hydrangeas, lavender and lilacs and a whole bunch of herbs. I don’t mind winter but I love summer and since the season... View Article
August 6, 2015
Cooking is an aesthetic experience. Before I even start to cook I may browse through beautiful food images in books and magazine and get inspired by an image, a colour, a combination of ingredients, a table setting. It’s already beautiful. Then I landscape the countertop with the cooking ingredients: colourful vegetables, fresh herbs, exotic spices, crusty bread, beautiful bottles of oil. The cooking itself is also aesthetic: flames rising to touch food on the grill,... View Article
August 3, 2015
Summer in the Okanagan is in full swing and of course tomatoes are part of it. Little heirloom cherry tomatoes are available at the local organic vegetable stands and make their way to my kitchen and the various dishes I cook. Pasta with cherry tomatoes, tomato salads, pizza and many more dishes have been fun to make and serve in the past few weeks. Today I had a small basket of green, black, red, orange... View Article
July 23, 2015
Driving through Banff the other day we stopped for lunch at Nourish Bistro on Bear Street, known for their innovative vegetarian and vegan cuisine. We ordered three dishes between the two of us: fresh peas and coconut soup, 420 burger and a slaw with pickled asparagus garnish. The menu was not overly descriptive so I cannot tell you what each dish was made with other than describe what I saw. According to the menu the... 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 6, 2015
My daughter Jade was home this weekend and it was fun spending time around the table visiting and enjoying her company. Summer breakfast on the patio is special, especially when you can linger without a major agenda calling you away. Pancakes were always a weekend breakfast treat when the kids where growing up and I try to keep the momentum going when they visit now. I made these simple buttermilk pancakes with no frills and... View Article
June 16, 2015
Corn fritters make a lovely change of pace at lunch or dinner, and they can be served as an appetizer with the mayo as a dipping sauce. I made the fritters batter in the food processor, pulsing everything a few times so the fritters still retain texture. Cook them in a skillet on medium heat, to allow them to cook through and the outside to become golden. Too high heat may cook the outside fast... View Article
May 30, 2015
Two pancake recipes in one week seems like a lot but that’s how sometime things go. I cooked red quinoa the other day and wanted to try it in a couple of different dishes. Pairing it with vegetgables is the predictable choice (and I did make red quinoa with shaved carrots and asparagus) but I thought I’d try it with pancakes and loved the results. The pancakes had nutty flavour with good texture and the... View Article
May 28, 2015
The salad was inspired by a conversation I had with one of my daughters (Alexis) who lives in Toronto and gets to eat at the many fabulous restaurants in that cosmopolitan city. She was telling me about a shaved asparagus salad she had at Buca Bar I believe and although we didn’t get to discuss it in details it stayed on my mind and I knew I wanted to make it. I didn’t have a... 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
September 24, 2014
Here is a way to use the last of the stone fruits at the end of summer and early fall. Roasting the fruits doesn’t dry them, rather it concentrates their flavour and softens them to a nice texture. I toss the fruits with sugar, drizzle pure vanilla extract over and roast at 400℉. You can make it in advance or put it in the oven just before you begin dinner and by the time you... View Article
July 30, 2014
If it’s summer, I make potato salads and so far no one is complaining (don’t start:). Here is another potato salad version from my kitchen. The new potatoes cook quickly and combined with other beautiful vegetables and a simple dressing make a beautiful salad. What can be better? You can serve it as a whole meal or with other foods. It keeps in the fridge nicely and travels well to the boat or a picnic... View Article
