August 1, 2012
Here is a pretty dish to make where you want a little more elegant presentation of a rustic dish. Any combinations of root vegetables works. I bake them in a ceramic baking pan and then cut into squares. To get the height I stack two squares one on top of the other, it looks more interesting that way. Alternatively, bake them in a deep pan and stack them up to the top. This is the... View Article
July 29, 2012
I had a few people over last night for an open house. Thankfully it was a beautiful evening and we could sit on the patio and enjoy a gorgeous summer evening here in Kelowna. We had wine and Hors d’Oeuvres that I set out partly in the dining room and partly on the patio with coffee and dessert “station” on a wrought iron trolley also on the patio. I tried to have the small event... View Article
July 29, 2012
I first posted this recipe as part of a panini recipe and I find that I keep linking to it. I use roasted peppers often in my cooking so I thought it deserves its own post. Invariably, I have roasted red peppers in my fridge marinating in olive oil with garlic, salt, pepper and a couple of herbs. It’s easy to make, versatile and adds so much flavour to many foods. I also keep jars... View Article
July 26, 2012
Barley is a good base for grain salads and you can incorporate seasonal vegetables and a simple dressing to make your own variations. I tend to cook the barley a day in advance, let it sit in the fridge overnight to recompose itself, and use it in a salad the next day. Today I had sweet green grapes, crisp radishes and sweet and tangy apples that joined to make this fruity grain salad for lunch.... View Article
July 22, 2012
When I cut up fruits and do not use them all I place the leftover portion in a freezer bag and freeze them for making smoothies later on. Last time I made fruits on a stick (see here) I had a few fruits left over that I froze so this morning I made them into a smoothie for breakfast to serve with cooked Irish steel cut oats. If you don’t have your own then use... View Article
July 18, 2012
We are settled in our Kelowna abode for a few weeks and I am going to the local markets each day searching for beautiful produce to prepare at home. These market forays are special and I venture with anticipation to see what’s new, what’s fabulous and what’s going to make it home with me to be prepared for lunch or dinner. Spring and summer vegetables are one of the most exciting things for a foodie... View Article
July 17, 2012
Spanish in origin, this refreshing chilled soup is lovely in the summer when tomatoes are ripe and sweet and vegetables are crisp and tender. I serve it on hot days and even the skeptics and the less adventurous fall for it every time. Gazpacho is easy to make, there is no cooking involved and the ingredient list is quite flexible. Today I made this with vine riped tomatoes from the local market, small cucumbers, tender... View Article
July 14, 2012
Vegetarian burgers are standard on the menu here in the summer. I make a recipe and if not using all the burgers immediately I freeze them individually, well wrapped in plastic bags and pull them out as I need them. They reheat beautifully in a 375℉ oven or on a grill. I make them with cooked lentils and whatever vegetables I have on hand. For these burgers you need brown or greenish lentils that cook... View Article
July 12, 2012
I intend to post a few recipes using peas in the next few weeks so I thought I’d talk a little about peas first. Indulge me. Fresh green peas begin to appear in the market in late spring and remain until mid summer. If you have only eaten frozen peas up to now I hope I can persuade you to venture to your local farmers market, pick up fresh peas in their pods, return home... View Article
July 6, 2012
Not to be rude or anything but “stick it” in culinary terms is not so bad. I tend to “stick” foods on skewers for presentation, grilling, and ease of serving. Why not? I am fairly adventurous and like the unexpected. Don’t these fruits look more special on a stick then on a plate? I made them this morning, expecting a couple of friends to drop by our place at the end of their morning walk... View Article
July 2, 2012
On the flight to Kelowna this weekend I was of course thinking about what I may be cooking in the next few days. Kelowna is wonderful for fresh seasonal produce. There are farm-direct produce, a good size farmers market on Wednesdays and weekends with excellent local produce and countless fruit stands everywhere. Heaven for vegetarian cooks. As it happened we were invited out every day so I didn’t get to do as much cooking as... View Article
June 27, 2012
Here is a simple to make salad that creates its own dressing and is delicious on its own or alongside other foods. It’s a typical salad in Israel and each family has its special way of cutting the vegetables and adding this or that to personalize the outcome. Many take pride in cutting the vegetables into very small cubes that blend together into a lovely fine salad that you could almost eat with a spoon.... View Article
