A food and entertainment blog for people passionate about cooking, travel, and dining experiences
While on a quick foray to Quebec’s beautiful Eastern Townships in November, we had a chance to stop over in Montreal and visited the popular Garde Manger restaurant. The first thing I will say is that this place is tricky to find, but once you do, you’re in for a real treat!
When my wife first approached me about taking a trip to Ireland to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary I thought, wow, that’s an expensive gift! However, after I got over the initial shock I said to myself, “hey, Ireland has Michelin-starred restaurants“, and I was all in. You see, although we have very high quality restaurants everywhere in Canada, we don’t get to enjoy the cool and prestigious rating system that almost every other place in world has. So, I was thrilled with the idea that I might get finally see what all the fuss was about.
We’ve been thinking about putting this one together for a while now, and with the big game right around the corner we figured why not? Let’s do a “sophisticated” Super Bowl charcuterie specifically geared to sports fans and/or major sporting events. The idea was go beyond the normal pizza, chicken wings, and chips, and pull together a bunch of top shelf finger foods, dips, and sauces (all homemade of course) that your guests will love.
In putting together my list of Essential Kitchen Tools my thoughts turned to some of the next level chef tools that I have in my kitchen. These tend to be “specialty” items that serve very specific purposes, but without which I would be deprived of the ability to take my cooking to the next level.
I’ll cut directly to the chase – tiramisu is my favourite dessert EVER! Not to overstate this too much, but I’ve loved this light, not-too-sweet, boozy dessert from the first moment I tried it more than 20 years ago. So, I’m very happy to share my go-to Tiramisu recipe.
It’s been more than 2 years since we’ve had the opportunity to visit Supply & Demand in Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood and I’m pleased to say that the product has only gotten better with time. Our return visit was outstanding – same great service; innovative menu selections; and a cool vibe.
You’ll fall in love with this Brie, Bacon, Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Pizza. Drizzled with pure maple syrup, it makes for a decadent appetizer or main.
This is definitely something everyone needs to try at home. Create your own “artisanal” or churned butter with little more than a bit of heavy cream and a mixer.
Check out our recipe for Rustic Potato Bread which was picked up from Chef J.P. McMahon of Michelin-starred Aniar restaurant in Galway, Ireland. We’re sure you’re going to love it!
My love of tea parties and fine china teacups began as a six year old aspiring princess, huddled around a make shift table sipping imaginary tea and eating imaginary scones with my friends (the human, stuffed/plastic, and imaginary kind). This was a serious affair. Choosing the friends to invite, and those that would have to watch from the sidelines (my baby brother and dolls with choppy haircuts and missing limbs). Setting the table with hand picked daisies, and risking life and limb to reach the coveted china teacups stored out of reach of my six-year-old hands.Â