Spiced Riesling Poached Pears

Poached pears have never really appealed to me. I think I imagined the dish to be mushy and bland, which is crazy because I love both pears and wine. When I recently found some extra homemade Riesling in the basement, the light bulb turned on: why not try my favourite sweet white wine along with some Boscs (my favourite […]

Tsukemono – Japanese Pickles

Pickles are an important part of a Japanese meal. When Meinhilde and I last visited Japan and overstayed our welcome with the very generous mottekurunoda, we ate rice and pickles almost every morning for breakfast. Not your usual North American start of the day! Maybe that’s why I now prefer a savoury breakfast over a sweet […]

Rosemary Paprika Roasted Almonds

Rosemary Paprika Roasted Almonds

One of our aunts loves snacking. Sweet snacks. Savoury snacks. Anything that she can nibble. She doesn’t have a big appetite for meals but she will snack constantly! Our aunt normally has a bowl or two of some moreish treats on her kitchen counter, often including some type of nut. Now, instead of spending oodles […]

Homemade Ginger Syrup

This rich ginger syrup has a very concentrated flavour and a rich golden colour. It’s also so easy to make! Donatello and I made two large mason jars of it and found ourselves adding it to just about everything: tea, cocktails, and even salad dressings.

Savouring New Brunswick Dulse

Savouring New Brunswick Dulse, Kiku Corner

Being half Japanese, I don’t remember ever not eating seaweed. We would have it in soups, in sushi, as a snack. I even ‘invented’ a tasty treat of roast teriyaki-flavoured nori dipped in a cup of milk. It was just like milk and cookies…except it was milk and nori. While visiting friends in New Brunswick in September, […]