A while ago, I had the good fortune to prepare a plant-based meal for a group of professional women who love to travel and to cook and to eat and to drink wine occasionally. This was a delicious project end to end. The host was newly retired lawyer Gerene, and she was hosting their travel club dinner where the attendees…
The power is out
I am sitting outside on the back patio with the low morning sun creating much humidity already. It’s autumn, but it feels like summer. I have my first coffee since I arrived. We’ve been sharing maté. It’s a blend of tea including Yerba maté, served in a maté (yes, a special cup that has the same name as the tea)…
What the hallelujah!
Friday night, I got a call from my dearest friend. Her husband had a health crisis last year. It came to a head when his doctor would not allow him to go back to work in Saudi Arabia. His prognosis was short-term disability, and then to prepare for long-term disability, based on the diagnosis of fatty liver disease. It was…
Are you ready to feel better?
When I first began this plant-based journey, I discovered that when I cooked for friends / family that after three days, they noticed a significant change in how they felt. Some of the ‘side effects’ of eating plant-based for three days include a sensation of feeling lighter / freer, weight loss, improved clarity of thought, and an increased sense of…
Messing up Someone Else’s Kitchen
My sister Colleen is legendary (like, Clint Eastwood is to movies legendary) as the ultimate family cook, chef, and baker. My first recollection of her kitchen prowess was the first-prize ribbon she received for a delightful peach pie she entered into a cooking contest. She was only 16 and was likely competing with some heavy pie-hitters given the large rural…
Memories of Dresses Past
When I was 8 years old, I went to spend the summer with my grandparents in Tompkins, Saskatchewan. They lived in town but still had their homestead not far away. My grandfather was a mechanic and my grandmother was a seamstress and a bit of a fashion plate. At Christmas time, she and Grandpa would arrive with the perfect outfits…
Bean + Barley Cassoulet
A surprising combination of ingredients ooze umami to make this a winner for dinner. Warm and satisfying, it has hearty and beefy flavour without the meat. Serve along side oven-roasted carrots and parsnips and / or a fresh, bright green salad. It’s quite delicious leftover plus it freezes well (up to three months). It’s a cool weather winner.
Cauliflower Soup for Breakfast?
This cauliflower soup is / was so good, I couldn’t wait for lunch. Here is an estimate of how it came together: 1 medium head of cauliflower, rough chop 3 cloves garlic, smashed 1 small onion, chopped 1/2 cup white beans, pre-cooked, navy beans or similar ~ 1/3 cup oatmeal 1 bay leaf (remove before blending) 1 kaffir lime leaf* (remove before blending) ~ 1/4…
Raw Mexican Chocolate + Mango Mousse Parfait
Decadent and easy – raw chocolate has super powers unlike its processed kin. It’s a knock-your-socks off dessert that is certain to wow your guests.