Leek Frittata

Leek Frittata, Kiku Corner

I love leeks. They are cousins of the onions, but they are milder and almost sweet when lightly sauteed. I don’t buy them very often, so I was excited when Meinhilde brought them back from the market. This had to be a dish that would feature the leeks as the main star. I whipped up  this frittata after work on […]

Grilled Nectarines with Cheese

Grilled Nectarines with Cheese, Kiku Corner

I made these when I was kitchen staff at a summer camp in Algonquin Park. At the end of two months of camp, the kids and most of the staff left for home. I stayed to help the chef prepare food for ‘post-camp,’ where head staff would finish up work, maintenance would be done, and […]

Niagara-on-the-Lake: Lunch at Prince of Wales Hotel

Recently we went on a small road trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of my favourite excursions from Toronto. This is such a picturesque town and is stunning in any season, but in the summer, the floral decorations are spectacular.  

Dilly Lentil Salad

Dilly Lentil Salad, Kiku Corner

   Several summers ago, I spent a few weeks at our family friends’ farm north of Toronto. Their Polish grandparents came to visit and brought along a few giant bunches of fresh dill. For the next several days, every meal included dill, much to one grandson’s chagrin. Potatoes, eggs, fish – all covered with dill. […]

Barley Salad with Grilled Chicken, Cranberries, and Dill

After cooking barley for the first time this summer, I was hooked. Barley is so easy to cook and unlike most other salads, this salad keeps a few days in the fridge without getting soggy. It’s a robust salad, great for a picnic or as a weekday lunch. I’ve tried quite a few variations and found that […]