This is a rendition on a lemon drizzle cake which uses semolina. Semolina is made from durum wheat, and is often used in making pasta, or I use it to dust the baking sheet for pizza. INGREDIENTS 125g softened unsalted butter 125g superfine sugar 2 eggs (large) 2 lemons, zested and juiced 100g semolina 60g plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 pinch of salt Preheat the oven to 340°F. Grease an 8-inch round pan (or […]
Listening to two new artists at the moment, going along with my new found interest in Nordic music. First off is Lisa Ekdahl, a Swedish singer with a incredibly soft, soothing voice. Listening to her latest album, look to your own heart. The second album is A/B from Icelandic rock band KALEO. Their music is an amalgam of differing styles, alternate, blues, indie, garage punk? You name it. Great vocals, love the album.
Tucked away near Prescott, Ontario is the Battle of the Windmill national historic site. Situated alongside the tranquil St. Lawrence river, the Battle of the Windmill took place in 1838, after the Upper Canada Rebellion, when British troops and local militia defeated an invasion force of 250 American hunters, and Canadian rebels. The insurgents first tried to attack Prescott on the morning of November 12, however the attack was repelled, forcing them downriver to Windmill Point where they occupied the hamlet […]
The canelé is a French pastry, which originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It features a thick caramelized sugar crust that gives way to a custard-like interior that’s permeated with the aromas of rum and vanilla. This one is from Blackbird Baking Co. in Kensington Market, Toronto. The outside… the inside… Stay tuned for my first attempt at baking these.
One of the great things about Montreal is that it is one of the oldest cities in North America, and as such abounds in historic things to see. Outside of Montreal and Quebec City, no other large cities have done as good a job in preserving older buildings and sites. This trip we visited a small historic site just outside the downtown called Maison Saint-Gabriel. The building is 300 years old, and exemplifies the traditional […]
Pickling seems to be the way things are going this year. These bread-and-butter pickles are slightly tangy, and not sweet. Firstly, pick smaller, firm cucumbers. Classically, many people use medium-to-small-sized Kirby cucumbers, but it’s hard to know what they are when most green grocers don’t label the variety. Look for cucumbers that aren’t smooth, 3-5″ in length. INGREDIENTS 2½ lb cucumbers ½ lb onions ½ cup kosher salt + ½ tsp 1 cup ice cubes 2 […]
despite the snow 