The Yum Yum Factor

Covarrubias demonstrated this whimsical chocolate dessert honouring Cacao , native to Guadalajara  This week has been a crazy week in my world. We don't really celebrate Easter and usually use it as an excuse to visit with friends and family because we are all forced to take a couple of days off but this year, Easter Sunday also happened to be The Kid's 20th birthday. That meant some fine eating occurred. My Friday Sous Weed class at The Depanneur  sold out AGAIN, so we added a second class on Wednesday so I was busy getting everything ready during the week, alongside much tasty eating and celebrating. Fishman's Lobster Clubhouse The highlight of the birthday meals was our first trip, at long last, to Fishmans Lobster Clubhouse in the heart of Scarborough. This iconic Lobster (and crab and lots of other seafood) emporium is so popular that people fly to Toronto just to eat there. With walls lined with tanks that are fully stocked with lobster and crab, ...

It's Good Friday so most people have the day off, they are off hanging with family so I will keep this one light. We were thrilled to have these two visitors all the way from Iceland! I did NOT have the day off, instead, I taught a "That's a Wrap! Wonton Hacks" class as part of the Depanneur's Lunch and Learn series. I guided 12 people through a morning of cooking and eating a bunch of things with dumpling/wonton wrappers. We made a traditional pork dumpling in mushroom broth, deep fried edamame dumplings with spicy togorashi oil, cacio e pepe ravioli, little quiches in a dumpling wrapper crust as well as some baked crisps. If you missed this one, worry not because I have another class coming in on June 21 Get tickets here Other than that, I spent most of the week visiting family out of town because I wasn't going to be able to visit them over the Easter weekend since on Sunday, The Kid is turning TWENTY DAMNED YEARS OLD!!  How in the ...

Every easter, my mom made ham, scalloped potatoes, baked beans and because there were five kids and that means there were A LOT of hard boiled easter eggs, she would always make devilled eggs. Her's were not fancy. She would mash the yolks with a fork and mix in Miracle Whip - YES SHE USED MIRACLE WHIP- a bit of sweet pickle relish, salt and pepper and a bit of finely chopped green onion. There was no piping of the filling either. She just heaped the creamy yolk filling into the hollows of the whites and sprinkled a bit of paprika over the top. I love those simple eggs although I don't use Miracle Whip for anything but I also love the look of these pink eggs. The curry gives a nice balance to the slight tang from the brine but you can totally use your own favourite recipe for the creamy yolks. Unlike my mother, I prefer to using a piping bag (or a sandwich bag if you don't have a piping bag handy) so I can achieve maximum pretty. A bit of parsley (or dill or ...

My final recipe for the upcoming edition of Vitalize Magazine, just under the wire This was a bit of a slow week, as far as exciting new things go. The one highlight was a media preview for Maison Selby , the newest venture from the Oliver & Bonacini factory. This French inspired bistro is housed in the 136 year old C.H. Gooderham House at Bloor and Sherbourne. The beautifully restored mansion is attached to a new rental apartment complex called the Selby. I toured the apartment building as well and, I have to say, it's a beautiful place. Gorgeous, condo living but without the condo fees and downpayment for a mortgage. NEED THIS WALLPAPER STAT NEED THIS CHAIR TOO I only got to sample some passed bite sized versions of what will be served on the menu but Oliver & Bonacini deliver a solid product so I am sure the food is going to be fantastic. If it's half as impressive as the restaurant itself, it will be my new regular haunt. Each room is...

Caffe Un Po di Piu We spirited off for weekend getaway to Montreal to celebrate my birthday. It was pretty last minute and since the weather was going to be terrible whether we went or stayed home in Toronto, we decided we would rather be in a nice hotel in Montreal. Because of the constant rain, we didn't do our usual amount of walking and exploring but we did manage to eat some great food and drink some great cocktails. Snowdon Deli - worth the drive to  Côte-des-neiges Even though I lived in Montreal for five years in my early twenties, I had never been to Snowdon Deli. I was a downtown girl who didn't drive so my life was pretty much bound by Mount Royal and Old Montreal and a trip to Atwater Market felt like a road trip. This time, we hopped in the car and took the trek to  Côte-des-neiges to try out this deli that so many people rave about.  The raving is justified, we all agreed the poutine was one of our favourites to date, the smoked meat was perfec...

Spring is in the air and a young girl's thoughts turn to....... Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla Whipped Yogurt. Okay, pears are not in season here until late summer, I know, but they are still easy to find in the grocery store. As the weather gets warmer, I want lighter treats. My winter pies and molten chocolate things start to feel too heavy and I just want fruity, lighter desserts. Poaching pears in wine (you can totally do this with white wine too but you won't get the fabulous colour) I also really love the tang you get with whipped yogurt - there's enough cream in there to ensure that it's still rich and decadent, don't worry. I also love that this dessert looks incredibly fancy but is so easy to make. You can make the pears a day in advance and store them in the fridge with the poaching liquid and then just bring them to room temperature while you reduce the poaching liquid until it's syrupy. Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla Whipped Yogur...