When you live abroad, perspective is found equally in the new things you discover and the familiar things you miss. On our first thanksgiving in Australia, we had a heck of a time finding cranberries for the ubiquitous holiday sauce. Persistence paid off that year, and we cheerfully brought home the bright red berries to make this simple staple family heirloom of a recipe. It’s so good, we almost didn’t want to let the recipe out…
‘What is a falafel?’, our travel companion mused as we strolled past our second falafel purveyor in a block in Manhattan’s midtown. For a moment, I wondered if he was joking. Surely everyone had indulged in pita wrapped falafel with tomato, lettuce, and plenty of white & red sauce, whether for a hurried lunch or on the way home from a late night out!
As it turns out, the middle-eastern favorite of vegetarians and time-strapped New Yorkers alike remains new to many. Here, we skip the fryer and introduce you to the recipe for our very favorite healthy variation (more…)
When we’re on the move, one of the first things we like to do is work out which will be our new favorite place to go for a quick drink and appies. This is really part of what makes a city feel like home, and once we know a few favorite landmarks it helps us settle in to new surroundings. This recipe is inspired by the Mexican street corn and margaritas that first welcomed us to Euclid’s patios. (more…)
Dukkah is an aromatic spice blend originating out of Egypt. Walking the streets of Cairo you can find street vendors selling Dukkah out of paper cones along with olive oil and strips of pita bread to dip as a snack. It’s delicious and, being so easy to make, makes a great addition to your repertoire.
Truffle hunting is such a wonderful experience for any food lover. Walking through an oak forest in the autumn, crisp leaves on the ground, a trained dog as your guide, you truly enjoy nature and the enjoyment that comes from finding your own food and digging it from the earth. The best part? Your prize is a sought after delicacy, adding immense flavor to any dish, enjoyed by world renowned chefs, vegetarians, and vegans alike.
Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week. It’s a little pause to enjoy home, family, friends, and good food. I like using the slower Sunday pace to think about the week ahead and get some wholesome food organized. This healthy granola fits the bill and makes a great quick breakfast once your schedule returns to full speed.
Farro is a mighty ancient whole grain. Once serving as fuel to the Roman empire’s troops, it is definitely worth getting to know. Here, it relaxes beautifully into this delicious and hearty warming vegetable soup as the perfect remedy to a chilly afternoon. The best part? A home full of delightful smells and fantastic leftovers for a mid-week lunch.
A well prepared Pasta al Pomodoro, Italian for pasta with tomato sauce, is a timeless and delightfully light dish. Ranking as one the best vegan dishes for beginners, lip-smacking success lies in the absolute simplicity and freshness of the ingredients. Only a little technique and an eye for a ripe juicy tomato is required, and thanks to the whole-grain quinoa pasta it’s delicious, healthy, and gluten free.
This is our go-to recipe for a mid-week meal when we’re short on time and have a handful of farmer’s market tomatoes reaching their peak ripeness.
At one of our favourite Italian restaurants, there is a secret. The food is absolutely stunning. The only problem is that the appetizers and salads are very large and topped with meats or cheeses that we find too heavy to accompany a main course.
One evening, while contemplating a starter the waiter commented “Sir, while not on the menu, perhaps you would enjoy the Secret Salad?”. He described it as perfectly simple. Consisting of the very freshest greens of the day, a super premium olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper, he assured me it would be the perfect light accompaniment to a full main course.
We agree, and have since adopted it as a house-favourite side salad which pairs well alongside pastas, casseroles, and risottos.
Give it a try tonight, and let us know what you think of the secret… but please… don’t tell!
This simple “secret” side salad brings light and fresh citrus and crisp greens as a great accompaniment to a full meal.
Greek lemon potatoes are a truly delicious way to eat your spuds, and the bright citrus notes bring a distinctly tart freshness.