By JAN MAIN Canada Day on July 1 is just around the corner. It marks Canada’s birthday, the beginning of holidays, the beginning of an array of festivities including a parade of just picked crops-strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, peas, beans, melons, plums, peaches – abundance of all sorts. Canada Day deserves a special menu to celebrate […]
By JAN MAIN At last – with warming temperatures, we can look forward to dining outdoors and greater freedom! Perhaps we could have a few friends join us? Safely of course, with social distancing. Almost like the “olden days” when a backyard barbecue was a regular activity. Nothing is taken for granted anymore. The thought […]
By JAN MAIN People are cooking more. They are at home with time on their hands, often with children. Cooking is an engaging activity for children. While making something delicious, they are learning about reading, measurement, and organization. It’s science and play in the kitchen with yummy results. There are many adults out there too, […]
By JAN MAIN A good recipe takes off. My friends Nora and Lynn both received the Hot Cross Bun recipe that appeared in the March 31 edition of Beach Metro News and on the website on March 28. I had also sent it separately to groups of friends who I thought would be interested. One […]
By JAN MAIN This Easter will have a different flavour from all others. A celebration with distance – how does that work? Indeed, we need a celebration more than ever. Something to distract us from the nightmare of this virus and the horrible isolation. However, this Easter will not be the usual large family around […]
By JAN MAIN Winter weary and hoping for spring – any signs are optimistic – the first call of the crow, longer days and the first taste of maple syrup, all herald a new season. For those of you lucky enough to escape to a winter holiday over March Break – enjoy. For those of […]
By JAN MAIN Cooking with love can take many forms. Of course, we assume being Valentine’s month, that it is romantic love. However, with so many cold, bleak days ahead, I believe there is a great need for cozy, nurturing love. The vision that comes to mind is tea by a roaring fire on a […]
By JAN MAIN After the festivities are over, we are faced with cold, bleak January. With three months before the first vestiges of spring, it’s time to savour steaming bowls – soups and stews- warming comfort food of all sorts, that revitalize and give us stamina. These foods help us endure the remaining winter after […]
By JAN MAIN Tourtiere, the traditional meat pie of Quebec served on Christmas Eve can do double duty during the holidays. First, as a tempting main course served throughout the festive season from open house, to Boxing Day and beyond to New Year’s Day. Second, tourtieres make an edible gift especially if accompanied by a […]
By JAN MAIN Soups are the ideal companion for cold, dreary November days. Hot, nourishing and comforting, they can be made with any variety of ingredients including a host of local vegetables. Soup serves well as a main course for an easy dinner accompanied by a salad and crusty bread. Any leftover soup is ideal […]
