It probably could go without saying — so much has changed in our world over such a short period of time. While the way I work towards writing cookbook reviews hasn’t changed (I do all my cooking at home, and all of the writing too), I’ve taken a pause Continue reading “Book Club Tuesday: Open Kitchen”→
“Poilâne has always had a profound respect for tradition, and it is filled with remarkable talent and knowledge — and it is, above all, a deeply humane place.” (14) — Alice Waters
Cookbooks make our world smaller. How can I know the distance between my quiet home kitchen in Halifax and, the world-famous Poilâne bakery in Paris, France? As I open the cover of the cookbook of the same name, I can tell you that the distance is almost imperceptible. Looking at the gorgeous photography of bakery and its wares and, reading through the story of this (almost) hundred-year-old bakery written by the founder’s granddaughter, Apollonia Poilâne, I can almost smell the freshly baked sourdough. One day I’ll travel to Paris so I can enjoy one of their beautiful loaves baked fresh from their wood-fired oven. But, until then, I will content myself with enjoying the recipes from the Poilâne cookbook.
Anytime my mom comes to Halifax for a visit, I love to cook for her. Since she spent years of her life cooking for us, I just want her to sit back, relax, and let me handle the meal. So, on this most recent visit with us I handed her my copy Continue reading “Book Club Tuesday: Start Simple”→
When I was a kid, I came to realize that there were two types of baking. All year long I would look forward to the plane ride east to visit my maternal grandmother and her family. Auntie Grace’s pies were one reason for my high-level of anticipation. She would always bake our favourites: raspberry for me and lemon meringue for my sister. Thinking back on it, I doubt if she ever used a recipe. Like many of my elderly relatives, baking was a tradition passed along from parent to child. My mom baked us cookies and made cereal squares but never pie and nothing too elaborate (except for the whipped cream and chocolate drizzle delight she made for my sister’s birthday).
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich is a powerhouse — successful restaurateur, best-selling author, acclaimed television host — all these things happen through hard work, dedication, and passion. I find her to be such an inspiration! When her latest book, Felidia, arrived for review I was excited because Continue reading “Book Club Tuesday: Felidia”→
There’s nothing as comforting as the smell of a cake baking when you walk into a home. It smells like love. (1)
Some reviews write themselves. Last weekend I had a cookbook club meeting. It was early Sunday morning and I was sitting with a cookbook in my favourite chair by the window. I had inwardly rejoiced at the prospect of Continue reading “Book Club Tuesday: Simple Cake”→
Nothing makes me happier than celebrating the good things that come from Edmonton, Alberta. It always seemed to me that growing up in Edmonton, I spent much of my time yearning for all the exciting things — clothes, food, concerts, etc. — that other bigger cities had to offer. Which is why I looked Continue reading “Book Club Tuesday: Duchess at Home”→
The only reasons I ever watch YouTube are for clippets of the Graham Norton Show or anything from the Bon Appetit test kitchen. And, while I’m not big into watching television I can quite happily while away an evening watching delightful interviews or people cook. I find watching people cook Continue reading “Book Club Tuesday: Indian(-ish)”→