When life gets complicated, I think we all have the tendency to go back to the foods of our childhood: simple, easy, indulgent—in a word, comforting. We all have a favourite dish that takes us back, at least for a few minutes, to a more carefree time. As a kid, I subsisted for one entire… Continue reading This is a knife-and-fork sandwich

Fresh figs are a bit of a rarity here in Vancouver, so finding some at the grocery store is always an occasion for me to give thanks. I love their delicate flavour and firm, blue-black skin that gives way to crunchy softness. I bought a pound of fresh figs this week, and by happy coincidence… Continue reading Prelude to Thanksgiving: Fig Compote

This weekend I found some gorgeous red bell peppers at my local greengrocer’s. Roasting red peppers brings out their smokey sweetness – that’s why I call it candy. I bet you’ll find yourself eating them as fast as you can peel them. Keep them packed in olive oil in the fridge and add them to… Continue reading Red Pepper Candy

I’ve been on an Asian food kick for the past few weeks – maybe because I’ve been working on a feature article about a woman who grew up during the Cultural Revolution, and we’ve had several lunch meetings at her favourite Chinese restaurant. Anyway. I’ve just polished off the last of a jar of (homemade)… Continue reading Asian Pesto

A friend of mine is fond of reminding me that “good things come to those who wait.” I’m realizing anew that this is oh, so true as I make pomodori al forno – plum tomatoes roasted ever so slowly in barely bubbling, golden olive oil until they’re tender and a rich, dark red, then packed… Continue reading The best things in life take time

It’s August now and after a prolonged heatwave in July, the weather has suddenly turned cool and nippy. Night is falling remorselessly earlier every day, and the first leaves are starting to turn. But instead of mourning summer, I’ve decided to try and capture a little bit of its sunshine…by making preserved lemons. Nothing says… Continue reading Preserving lemons