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Category: Our Columns
An aperitif to whet your appetite
Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on June 25, 2011. An aperitif is usually an alcohol-based drink that is served before meals to whet the appetite. Although this is more of a Latin tradition with no exact equivalent in English, the concept of ‘Happy Hour’ in the US is rather similar to this pre-dinner […]
Happy Philippines Independence Day!
Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on June 11, 2011. June 12 is a national holiday in the Philippines, as its people celebrate the end of Spanish colonialism that occurred on June 12, 1898 following a popular uprising. So tomorrow will be a day of huge festivities not only in the archipelago of 7,100 […]
Discover Tamarind
The fruit from the tamarind tree is consumed in practically all the cuisines of the tropical regions, where it is appreciated for its acidulous taste and its refreshing effect. It is also used as a laxative in medicine.
Making the most of local asparagus
Here is a vegetable that wins over gourmets and nutritionists alike, because, in addition to its refined flavor, the asparagus abounds with a great quantity and variety of antioxidants. It is also rich in minerals, folate and vitamin K. Low in calories, with a 90% water content, it is known for its re-mineralizing and diuretic […]
A Healthy Barbecue
Do you enjoy grilling but are afraid of the risks associated to the fats that flow from the meat and catch fire, leading to the creation of certain carcinogenic compounds? Here are some tips to help you almost totally eliminate this:
Discover lamb
Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on July 1, 2006. In the Quebec of days gone by, lamb was mostly reared for its wool, and was therefore only slaughtered at an advanced age for consumption, which resulted in flesh that was tough and leathery with a distinct flavour.
Let’s Celebrate Spring with Fiddleheads
The fiddlehead, also known as crosier, is the vegetable that announces the advent of spring in the nordic countries, because it is the first to grow in the forests and along the riverside, during the month of May. It is actually a young fern rolled up in a tight spiral, which has to be picked […]
A Chinese fondue that’s half Japanese
Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on December 16, 2006. This dish originated during the times when nomads had to simplify their meals as much as possible. Even now, the equipment consists of a simple fondue pot with burner, one dipping fork per guest (colour coded if possible) and small plates.
Happy Mother’s Day
The figure of the ‘mother goddess’ held a very prominent and sacred position in ancient times and was linked primarily to the veneration of fertility and motherhood. The Greeks had a spring festival for worshipping Cybele, the mother of the gods.
Peking duck sauce
Hoisin sauce is one of the most popular of all Chinese sauces and it is used all over South-East Asia. The word ‘Hoisin’ is the Romanization of the Cantonese pronunciation of the Chinese word for seafood. And yet, this thick reddish-brown sauce does not contain any product from the sea, as it is prepared from […]
Easter, the feast of spring
Since 325 A.D., Christian churches in the Occident have been celebrating Easter according to the Gregorian calendar, that is, on the first Sunday after the full moon, following the spring equinox.
Easter Lamb
Lamb is a well-established, traditional Easter meal all over the Christian world. In fact, it is an important symbol of Christianity, because it perfectly represents the notions of innocence and obedience that are linked to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. What’s more, Hebrews were already eating lamb during the Jewish Easter (Passover), in this case […]
