Hungry Teeth

The importance of cold butter

Amber — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:46:03 +0000

Pastry is something I used to fear. Just like chicken stock, it initially appears to be an impossible, unapproachable task for the inexperienced cook. Once you know better (and it only takes one try) it's easy to see how this technique was a common kitchen practice only one or two generations ago.

Putting your foot in your biggest pot

Amber — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:31:10 +0000

A family member was recently in the hospital and I brought her a trio of soups - leek and potato, cream of asparagus and spicy sweet potato peanut. The morning of my scheduled visit, I filled my stock pot with chicken bones. I added to this bits and ends of vegetables I had saved for such an occasion, as well as garlic, onion, peppercorns and bay leaf and covered it Continue reading

The persistence of fingernail grit

Amber — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:48:00 +0000

I have two new jobs now and am juggling a hectic schedule, which means the work I am doing here has increased personal relevance. I'm seeing now that it's real easy to talk about how easy it is when you have all the time in the world to make whatever you crave (or whatever you can).

gritty

Now Continue reading

Unemployment stinks

Amber — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:21:00 +0000

The job hunt has left me feeling low at times but it helps to have friends and family around for laughs and words of encouragement.

the gift of cheese

I got the most perfectly thoughtful gift from my old friend Amanda on a particularly crap day - stinky cheese! Continue reading

They’re here!

Amber — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:03:45 +0000

Ramps (or wild leeks) can be found at St Lawrence Market now - $1.99 for a small bunch. These are the first taste of spring(!) and should tide us over while we wait for local asparagus and fiddleheads to start appearing in the markets.

Ramps

The white and green parts are delicious raw or cooked and high in Continue reading

One eye

Amber — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:15:40 +0000

I had a collision with my dog that resulted in quite a good eye injury leaving me horizontal, in a dark room, with an eye patch on, all week.

a nice way to flavour scalded milk

Anyways, it's times like these that comfort foods are in order. Making a bechamel Continue reading

Early April at Wychwood farmers market

Amber — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:18:33 +0000

Wychwood green barn

Found my first ramps of the season Saturday morning (not in the woods, sadly) from Vicki's Veggies at the Artscape Wychwood Barn farmer's market. We got there a couple hours after opening and found lots of fresh and prepared foods even though

Easter egg salad

Amber — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:57:59 +0000

easter eggs

Last weekend was Easter and my heritage dictates time to dye eggs with onion skins. This time, along with the customary dark and dry outer skins of yellow and red onions I collect all year, we used grated turmeric from the fresh rhizome to see if it had any Continue reading

Five Points brings it full circle

Amber — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:32:24 +0000

Enjoying a coffee and cinnamon bun at Five Points Bakery

I went on a pilgrimage to Buffalo last weekend on a found $20 American bill. Why not? I've definitely got the time (and now, the money) and my best friend S Continue reading

Cheap cuts that go a long way: The smoked pork hock

Amber — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:57:35 +0000

smoked pork hock

Smoked pork hocks may look gruesome at first, but they are flavourful, affordable and have a culinary endurance few other ingredients can offer. I bought this one at St. Lawrence Market for about $7 and it weighs just over a pound. Go ahead and get one. Throw it in a Continue reading