New this week

May 29, 2021

Grilled Romaine

Not much kitchen work this morning as we were planting a few more herbs and edible flowers on the rooftop patio. I did fire up the grill briefly for this grilled romaine with croutons, Parmesan and capers crunched up in a skillet, all nicely married with a simple vinaigrette. Going to enjoy it outside. To make, heat up a grill or a grill pan (preferably ridged) to high heat. Cut the romaine in half vertically... View Article

May 29, 2021

Oeufs en Cocotte (baked eggs)

Morning, have you had breakfast yet? Here is a fun one if you eat eggs. I know it as a French dish, oeufs en cocotte but it’s aka shirred eggs. Basically it’s eggs baked in cream with cheese and some additions. I added asparagus and goat cheese. There is a story behind the dish. Oeufs en cocotte is a French dish named after the dish it is cooked in. A cocotte is a flat individual baking dish... View Article

May 28, 2021

Roasted Eggplant

Roasted whole eggplant is a beautiful dish that not too many people know about. It’s very middle Eastern and in season you’ll find it served in many restaurants. Let’s first start with how to buy an eggplant. It should be heavy (ie full of moisture), with shiny skin and few if any blemishes. Lighter eggplants are already dehydrated and not advised to buy. Once you buy it don’t let it linger in the fridge to... View Article

May 28, 2021

Mezze Party

I haven’t blogged in ages but thought I should put all my instagram recipes to the blog for ease of searching. I use the blog, at least in the past, as my own little cookbook reminding me of recipes I made and I my kids use it now and then to make things they remember from home. I believe that I have disconnected the mailing list at least temporarily now that I am doing an... View Article

January 6, 2021

Thai Vegetables Spring Rolls

I haven’t posted here in a while but was inspired today to post this recipe. I am more active on Instagram @oliveoilandlemons so feel free to check my Insta account for recent recipes. This little dish came today out of nowhere. I was in the mood for Asian flavours and decided to make some spring rolls. I didn’t have wrappers and didn’t feel like making them so made them with rice paper, which is done... View Article

May 23, 2020

Lemony Risotto with Spruce Tips and creme fraiche

I have heard of spruce tips and seen them used in food but haven’t cooked with them before. The other day I was at pottery with Shelley at @blueapplestudio talking both food and pottery and Shelley asked if I have used spruce trips before. She mentioned a risotto she had at an event where the chef served risotto with spruce tips. That’s all it took to ignite my culinary curiosity. Shelley picked up a handful... View Article

May 21, 2020

Cucumber and zucchini ribbons salad with radishes, ricotta, lemon and dill

Spring salads are so good because this is the time farmers get their first greens and the quality os superb. This is a simple salad made with thinly sliced ribbons of cucumbers and zucchini, beautiful local radishes and local fresh ricotta, all brought together with fresh dill, shoots, lemon and dill oil. If you are not inclined to make dill oil use good olive oil.

May 19, 2020

Dutch baby pancakes with blueberries, creme fraiche and bluberry compote

I enjoy making Dutch baby pancakes now and then. I don’t know why they are called Dutch though. When we were in holland they were no where to be found and whoever I asked, did not know about them. What they have in Holland are the little proffertjes, small round delicious pancakes that you can have all day long. These are reminiscent of popovers as they puff up in the oven and create a bowl... View Article

May 4, 2020

Red Lentil Dal with buttermilk flatbread

Dal and rice go so well together so now and then I have to make it. It does need something fresh so a smashed cucumber salad and sliced tomatoes are a nice side along with sort of raita. I had whole red lentils this time so this is what I used but I have made it with split red lentils and it works just as well. The flatbread is made with buttermilk instead of the... View Article

March 30, 2020

Vegan pancakes

It’s the kind of morning that requires pancakes. Cloudy, blowing outside, cushions flying off all over the rooftop patio. I was almost blown off myself trying to retrieve them in the wind and rain. But, it was fun. I make the pancake plant based without using eggs and oil BUT I can’t give up the whipped cream, so there. You, of course, suit yourself:). They are light and fluffy because of the baking powder so... View Article

March 25, 2020

Waffles with oats and strawberry sauce

I was dying to go out for breakfast this morning but of course, we must stay home. So I made waffles, something I don’t indulge in too often but enjoy it when I do. #quaratinecooking#dontroamstayhome#physicaldistancenotsocialdistance#physicaldistancesocialconnection . So I spent some time with our daughter and baby on video, sang to him (he wasn’t impressed) and got a few smiles and cooing. I think he may like the sound of my voice. Thank you @alexis_honce for staying connected. made... View Article

March 24, 2020

Vegetables Tacos

So I used the taco shells from the other day to make these tacos. Instead of beans I used shitake mushrooms and cauliflower, both chopped fine and sauteed so they looked like ground “meat”. Topping was aa simple pickled slaw, fresh tomatoes and queso fresco. Mexican crema is nice with it too. you can more “stuff”, I kept it fairly simple.