If you travel as much as I do, you quickly get used to doing without when it comes to kitchen utensils and appliances. Every time I arrive somewhere new I do a “back-of-the-envelope” analysis of what equipment I have and therefore, what recipes I can cook. I never leave home without my chef’s knife and … Continue reading
Category Archives: Food
Chicken Enchiladas
Arriba! I’m back and so is my appetite! In keeping with the change of scenery and the local ingredients, we’re eating a lot of Mexican food – simple, fresh salsa, guacamole, tortillas and crunchy tostadas, chicken tortilla soup and easy enchiladas. I was always intimidated by the enchilada and assumed it was a laborious process, … Continue reading
Blog on hold while “The Sprout” is under construction
It’s been a while since I’ve posted any recipes but I have a very good reason – I’m pregnant! It’s all very exciting as I’m just about to reach the 12-week mark. However, this first trimester I’ve spent the majority of my time in bed or throwing up and trying to stay as far away … Continue reading
Fermented Ketchup (a source of Probiotics, too!)
I have to say that this was a lot of work to end up with 2 (16-ounce) jars of ketchup. I texted a picture of the completed product to a couple friends and one friend replied “Oohh, save me one!” To which I replied “No way, I’m going to trade it for a kidney or … Continue reading
Crème Fraiche Withdrawal
I miss the gooey Crème Fraiche that we could buy straight from the Cremerie or Farmer’s Market stalls in Normandy. It had a marshmallowy consistency and a slightly yellow tinge, due to the use of unpasteurized milk. Unless we decide to do some ‘clandestine cow-milking’ under the cover of night, we won’t be able to … Continue reading
Homemade Tomato Paste
After a lengthy absence, stranded in the French countryside “sans internet” I’m back! Back in the land of unlimited (well almost) wifi, data packages and reality TV. So there’s no excuse for not blogging and I have a bunch of posts saved up and ready to share with you… That is if I can stay … Continue reading
The Last Supper: Chicken Cordon Bleu
Although this dish touts the name of the “most famous cooking school in the world” they don’t claim credit and think it probably came from Germany. Side note: it’s a true irony that when you tell anyone French about Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School, they cock their heads to the side and say “Le Quoi”? … Continue reading
Filet de Boeuf Bourguignon
As we prepare to leave the Chateau, I’m busy trying to savour every little bit. I’ve been noticing all the architectural details, the ancient stone walls (3 feet thick!) and we took some time to sit out on the lawn in les transats, enjoy the sun and drink chilled rose. Keeping with the theme, I … Continue reading
Pink & Green Spring Menu, 2-for-1 (Borscht & Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake)
I inadvertently made these two recipes the other day and so we had a pink & green Spring Borscht for dinner and a pink & green Rhubabrd Upside-Down Cake for dessert. While unintended, the effect was fun and put a smile on my face. Spring Borscht I love borscht but it can be laborious, especially … Continue reading
Chef in a Suitcase Cookbook
Chef in a suitcase: My grandmother taught me to cook and compiled a handwritten book of her favourite recipes for my birthday one year. Since then, I’ve added over a hundred more recipes from my travels and I’m busy compiling them all into a book (cliche, I know, but the original book is about to … Continue reading