November 5, 2013

Read this

This and that So, you want to marry a chef? Things no one tells you about marrying a chef Huffington Post “It all looks so fun and glamorous — as the other half of a chef, I’m clearly partaking in all this glitzy, fancy food-induced awesomeness, right? That’s both true and false. ” So, you want to marry a chef…Eat or Cry CNN, by ChefWiddow.com “When most people learn that I am married to a chef, they automatically... View Article

November 4, 2013

John Ash at the Cookbook Co. Cooks

Foodies in Calgary are fortunate to have the Cookbook Co. Cooks. Over the years Gail Norton and her team managed to put Calgary on the culinary map attracting cookbook authors, famous chefs and food professionals from across Canada and the US to their cooking school at 722, 11th Ave. SW. Along with their City Palate magazine, the Cookbook Co. is definitely the place to go for all things culinary in Alberta and beyond. Tuscan chicken... View Article

October 30, 2013

Homemade Vegetable Chips

Sometimes I am in the mood for potato chips. It’s hard to avoid them altogether.  If I happen to have a bag of good chips at home I am not beyond getting into it it once in a while. However, here is a better version of chips, using variety of vegetables to create a lovely melange of vegetable chips with or without oil. Commercial potato chips, after a few handfuls they lose the appeal and... View Article

October 26, 2013

Figs with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

Figs must be perfectly ripe when you buy them. Unlike other fruits that may ripen on your countertop in a few days figs do not continue to ripen once they are picked off the fig tree. This necessitate touching them before buying to make sure they are a little squishy, indicating the inside is nice and ripe. Figs that are firm are not ripe. Figs that are wet and oozing are overripe, but they can... View Article

October 23, 2013

Roasted Sweet Dumpling Squash with Oregano Honey

Squashes are in season and make my head spin when I am at the market. So many varieties, colours, shapes and sizes. Needless to say I love them all and pile my kitchen counter with a few of these gorgeous things. What can I do? Vegetables are my “thing”. I get so excited I almost forget the weather is changing and it’s getting cold outside. There are the usual varieties of squashes, like butternut and... View Article

October 22, 2013

City Slickers in the Vineyard – Harvesting at Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery

So, are you dreaming of owning a vineyard? Not so fast. It is a romantic notion to own a vineyard, but the reality is that working a vineyard is farming and often lacks the glamour that you would otherwise expect. Owning a vineyard is demanding physically and emotionally, not to mention the financial risk it entails. They say that the way to make a small fortune in the wine business is to start with a large... View Article

October 20, 2013

On a Spoon: Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Salad with Goat Cheese Mousse

I  recently jumped on the bandwagon for spoon appetizers, I wonder where they started. I liked the idea right away, when they first came into vogue, but it took me a while to follow this trend. Once I begun making them though, I was hooked. Yesterday I had the opportunity to make some pre-dinner appetizers and my inspiration was a lunch at Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery prepared by Chef Darin Patterson of Bogner of Penticton restaurant.... View Article

October 20, 2013

Roasted Red Grapes and Brussels Sprouts

People for some reason have a love-hate relations with brussels sprouts. They either love them or hate them. I was asked by a hostess recently to bring vegetables to a pot luck dinner and was told in no uncertain terms Not to bring brussels sprouts. Why is it I wonder that such a lovely veggie is so maligned. They are beautiful to look at, have significant health benefits, are easy to cook and at least... View Article

October 18, 2013

Alfresco Dinner in the Vineyard – Joy Road Catering

Okanagan culinary adventures Olive Oil and Lemons Style: celebrating the first day of fall at an alfresco dinner in the vineyard by Joy road Catering at God’s Mountain Estate. Continued from HERE. A few weeks ago we purchased tickets for a vineyard dinner at God’s Mountain Estate B&B above Skaha lake, an event put on by God’s Mountain and the fabulous chefs from Joy Road Catering. I have been interested in attending one of these dinners but the... View Article

October 17, 2013

My Husband Fell in Love

My husband fell in love. She is a fourty somethin’ years old beauty with soft curves and a strong build. She had some “work” done and it looks good on her. Her golden accessories shine against her satiny skin, glistening in the sun. She is an athletic type, loves the water and cuts through the gentle waves with style and grace, her tall white sails blowing in the wind. Her name is Isa Lei and... View Article

October 16, 2013

Early Fall Stone Fruit Compote

Fall desserts are usually more elaborate than summer desserts. I barely bake anything in the summer, relying more on fresh fruits and light sauces for dessert. Now I find myself in the mood for heartier desserts, pastries, cooked sauces and heartier foods. Baked apples, poached pears cooked figs are but few of the things I am making these days. But I am not quite ready for a lot of baking and like to use up... View Article

October 10, 2013

Wild Mushrooms and Potato Ragout

I am still buying wild mushrooms, can you blame me? They are in season. I am going on a mushroom foraging day soon with my friend Val of More Than Burnt Toast (Laura of An Uneducated Palate, when are you joining us?). Val and I have been everywhere this fall, attending restaurant openings, going to vineyard dinners, attending food and wine events, visiting wineries, eating at inetresting places and taking pictures, pictures and more pictures. We... View Article