Monday, January 25, 2010

Monday Morning Teabag Wisdom

I have been trying to drink more green tea. Apparently you need to drink 3 to 6 cups a day to reap any of the health benefits but I am nowhere near that amount yet. However, one of the unexpected rewards of this new habit is that the tea brand I have chosen serves up a little dose of inspiration with every cup.

I have been sending these messages daily to my sister in Los Angeles and we both agree that some of the wisdom is a bit dubious. Yet, some do have a sweet, “words to live by” sentiment to them and being Monday morning it can’t hurt to start a busy week with a feeling of gentle optimism. Continue reading →

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Alsatian Tart Recipe

Here is the recipe for the Alsatian tarts that we made at the class last week. It is one of the signature hors d’oeuvres that we serve at many of the events and also works well as an elegant first course when topped with a mâche salad dressed with truffle vinaigrette. It can also be made as one large tart which travels well and is perfect for a picnic. It is based on a recipe by Rob Feenie from his Lumière cookbook.

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be made hours ahead of time, covered and refrigerated and then popped in the oven just before your guests arrive filling the house with the rich scent of bacon and cheese. It pairs beautifully with a Pinot Gris from Alsace. Continue reading →

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Monday, January 18, 2010

Wine Tasting/Cooking Class

I hosted my first ever wine tasting/cooking class on Saturday evening for 7 wonderful, fun and funny women. For years I have put on dinner party/cooking classes but this was the first time of including a wine component and doing hors d’oeuvres instead of a full meal. I really enjoyed the evening and am pretty sure my guests did too.  I am calling this inaugural wine class a success. Continue reading →

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Carrot, Leek and Cardamom Soup

It has been a rainy week. Rain everyday. Some impressive downpours.

Having been born in Vancouver I am pretty used to the amount of rain we get and the fact that a cloudy, dark sky can last for weeks (!) at a time. To survive the rain here you need a good pair of boots, (Hunter Wellingtons are all the rage this year) a rainproof jacket (weirdly Vancouverites aren’t big on umbrellas) and some good comfort food up your sleeve. Continue reading →

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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Garlic Soup and Blogging Etiquette

The last week has been all about learning new things related to the wide world of blogging. I’ve learned how to use my computer for more than looking up online news and sending emails. I’m in the process of re-learning how to use a SLR camera.  Most importantly, I’m learning the ins and outs of blogging etiquette.

Blogging is more than simply lobbing out your poetic thoughts and words of wisdom for all the world to see. Blogging, especially blogging that involves recipes, requires that a few rules be followed. Continue reading →

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Monday, January 4, 2010

Welcome to Kitchen!

cappuccino

For the past couple of years I have adopted the New Year’s tradition of a dear friend who makes a list of her 101 wishes for the coming year. Now, these wishes can be large (live in Paris for a year and learn to speak french) or small (make a perfect cup of coffee).

Alongside last year’s wishes of “open a small gourmet food store”, “talk less, listen more” and “cook 50 new things” was “start a food blog”. The great thing about the 101 wish list is that whatever you didn’t accomplish last year can be transported to the fresh, new, shiny list for the new year.

By starting this blog I am hoping to do more than simply check off one of my 101 wishes. I’m hoping to have a place to talk about and document all the amazing food moments of the year and all the people who make them special.

Here’s to a perfect cup of coffee…

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