Besties of 2012

 I know it's cheesy, and I haven't even had this blog for a full year, but here are MY Besties for the year 2012:

Best Roast:

Thanksgiving Turkey

This Thanksgiving, I had the best turkey I have ever had. We brined it overnight with citrus fruits and peppercorns, and the meat was so flavorful I was freaking about it all night. 

Best Sandwich: 

The Chicken at Bakesale Betty's

Luke and I made an epic trip across Canada and down the western coastline in 2012. En route, we ate some pretty spectacular meals, ranging from duck confit benedict on the train to Burmese pumpkin pork stew and more than a few roadside tacos. But I found this chicken sandwich pretty damn impressive at Bakesale Betty's in Oakland. 

Yet another small shop spawning from protegés of the epic Chez Panisse, BB focuses exclusively on a few fine baked desserts, mouth-watering lemonade and this fine sandwich. The baguette is insanely crusty and the chicken is perfectly tender and crisp on the outside, but it's the slaw that just KILLS IT. Super fresh and crunchy greens with a hint of lime and flecked with spicy jalapenos, this sandwich is a MUST-RECREATE for 2013.

Open Faced Kibbeh

So I made an error. I was so hungry/thrilled at having made this dish, I failed to photograph it. I also don't know the legality of taking other people's recipe images and posting them on my site, so I'll just say you should check this video out to get an idea of my kibbeh.

In order to keep you interested until the recipe, I'll post the picture of Luke's Magnum Opus sandwich:

Alongside this picture of Luke:

Which reminds me a lot of this video:

So on to the Kibbeh. Kibbeh is a dish I tasted by chance at Montréal's street-food-famous Boustain's, a lebanese take-out joint that is frequented by drunk college students and club-hoppers, for the most part. In this form, it was a kind of deep fried meatball, stuffed with cinnamon flavored beef and topped with a thin tahini sauce. It was a total party in my mouth, but I kind of left it to Boustain until I stumbled upon Yotam Ottolenghi and his PLETHORA of free recipes on the Guardian's site.

For anyone not familiar (I wasn't until yesterday!), Ottolenghi has penned some pretty hip and beautiful cookbooks of late (namely Plenty and Jerusalem) and he operates two of London-town's hottest restaurants. His "schtick," if you will, seems to be comfort-food from around the globe, but his taste and choices are absolutely unique. Everything he writes about and makes seem at once completely outside of my creative palette, but totally simple. The ingredients are often very few, but every dish ensures a balance of flavors, creating earthy, rich and subtle combinations. 

Ok, so here you have it. I have fallen in love with this guy in a day. And this is really the first recipe of his I tried, but I made it BECAUSE I had so little in my fridge. The fact is, it was so much more satisfying than if I'd gone to a stock pasta sauce, just as filling and it didn't make me feel bloated or heavy. Why? Because rather than pasta I used millet, and rather than heavy sauce with oil I used tahini and lemon, and the meat was minimally seasoned, but CINNAMON and BEEF are a ridiculous combination. sooooo good.

So try this out sometime. It's probably not new to any of my friends from Lebanon or Israel or areas more exposed to this particular type of comfort food (how did I never realize that bitter herbs were so damn comforting?), but to anyone new to flavors like this, it is worth many a return. 

Open Face Kibbeh

Very Loosely adapted from Ottolenghi's recipe

Around a pound of beef (he used lamb)

one onion

two garlic cloves

one green chili

1 cup millet (he used barley)

1 tsp flour

2 tbs lemon

1/2-3/4 cup tahini

1/4-1/2 cup water

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp allspice

1 tsp coriander

salt and pepper

Notes: His recipe is likely much better, but includes pine nuts and other things I didn't have, but check out the video I linked at the top if you want to give it the real college try. 

Preheat oven to 350 F. 

First, sauté the minced onion, chili and garlic until soft on medium heat. Take off the stove and add in the beef until brown, then add back in the onion mix and all the dry spices, plus salt and pepper to taste. 

As this cooks, put the dry millet on the stove o toast slightly, until you can smell it. Then add two cups of water and cover for 15 minutes until soft. Then mix the millet with the flour and salt and pepper.

Take a bread pan and line the bottom of it with the millet, then layer the beef on top. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Mix together the tahini, water and lemon until it's thick but pourable. take the dish out and pour the tahini on top, then bake for another ten minutes. 

Take out and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. 

THANKZZZ

Lately I haven't been feeling as motivated to make posts about my own accomplishments. Blame it on the weather shift or a lack of photographable projects, but I think I have needed some space to soak in what I find awesome about other people. Focusing too narrowly on what I can/might/should be accomplishing over these recent years has had it's ups and downs, but this is everyone's tunnel vision, isn't it?

Don't get me wrong, ambition and self-motivation are necessary; However, I started realizing one of the main pitfalls of losing oneself to ambition is losing sight on the inspiring and beautiful accomplishments of others (or allowing it to make you bitter and self-loathing rather than inspired). So this Thanksgiving, I took stock in all the wonderful things that other people have accomplished and created, and let myself sink into a deep tryptophan-ic slumber.

This is an easy jumping off point to say that I was extremely thankful to my Father and fam down in Vermont for a most glorious Thanksgiving day meal. Namely, the BEST TURKEY I HAVE EVER HAD. Seriously. This was ridiculous. And my pops pulled out all the stops (hohoho).

This 20 pound beast was purchased from our friend and neighboring farmer Theresa. Theresa runs her farm on the four acres she and her husband own, raising select livestock and growing organic veggies. This turkey grew up on a lovely spot of land and my dad actually went down to meet the guy. It was a real pleasure to have a huge part of the thanksgiving day conversation revolve around food systems and eating locally (though bingeing on a 20 pound turkey is probably still well outside of "sustainable" eating).

They then brined the turkey overnight in a combination of citrus fruits, veggies and spices and stuck it in the oven at noon. It was truly the best turkey ever. Perfectly cooked, flavorful and it made for an awesome stock that I brewed up for leftovers. Dad was happy to make the switch to a broth after all the stuffing was gone (in his stomach). 

All this to say....you gotta stop and smell the roses, every dog has it's day, papa's got a brand new bag and that bag is full of clichés.

 Who did it better?

And of all the wonderful things I'm thankful for (the new Dirty Projectors album, discovering Mikhail Bulgakov, this and this and this; the last one is STEVE ALBINI'S FOOD BLOG!) I am very thankful that I can write all these things in this weird format online. It's weird and comforting, everything I like. And here's what I made: Meringue Pumpkin Pie!

Shakshuka for Dinner

It's been awhile since my last post. So long in fact that I think I missed the Fall entirely, at least on the internet. Over the last month (the period over which Fall actually lasts in Montréal) I've made about a million things with butternut squash and pumpkins. We made some bacony butternut squash soup that's too heavy to eat a whole bowl of, pumpkin spice bread with brown sugar crust, kombocha and pork stew from a Burmese recipe and some pumpkin cinnamon buns. I guess I haven't really missed Fall so much as missed blogging about it. missed yoooou bloggg!

I also had some strolls through the squash piles with friends. The above mini-squashes are now being given away at the Jean Talon Market. I guess they were not such a radical hit this year.

I've also been present for some celebrations...friends getting engaged and white-coated (above picture was a champagne brunch for the latter). The band has also been getting their mugs all gussied up for high-class photogs. heyyyooooo

 And I've been doing a bit of historical excavation as well. Check out my parents, circa 1981, right before they got engaged. They were traveling through the Panama Canal on a cruise ship (my dad was the on board performer). YES. Love these.

Finally, I've been taking note of all these little good things and storing 'em up for winter. It's a long-haul in the MTL, but it means I get to do a LOT more cooking indoors.

As for the Shakshuka, a Tunisian dish that is normally served for breakfast, I cannot take credit for the kale, sausage and chickpea addition, but can tell you it was AWESOME. I will direct you to this lovely lady's blog where you can find the recipe and try it yerself.

xoxoxo

Apples and Crafternoons

It's fall and the time is passing quickly into winter. I've already contracted and battled my first cold of the season and I've already consumed hot apple rum cider. I have also said "this is my favorite season" at least a dozen times, and I'm starting to feel predictable. That being said, this is my favorite season probably in part because it is so fleeting. In Montréal, the fall is about 2 weeks before you need to start a four layer system before leaving the house.

So now I have to make a few simple goals before the Fall ends and my Fall-time excitement for shifting weather wears off. I have not yet 1) rolled in mutli-colored leaves 2) baked a delicious pumpkin pie 3) started any of my crafting projects.

One thing I have done is make a Tarte Tatin. Twice! Tarte Tatin is one of the simplest desserts I have ever made, but it is SO delicious. Caramel Apple pie! Except I like this even better because I tend to find the texture of apples and lots of crust in a regular apple pie sort of cloying and overwhelming. Here you just use a puff pastry, caramelize butter, sugar and apples, and then invert it after it's baked. It is heavenly.

This is Mike! He took me on a wild adventure to an outlet strip mall not too far North of my apartment. He got money from work to buy a bunch of art supplies, so I went along with him to my favorite Omerre de Serres. 

We went a little wild.

I also got some supplies to start CROSS-STITCHING again! This is a past-time I kept up for about 2 months some years ago and then retired because I just couldn't be bothered to get more supplies. Now that I have tons of pretty threads I cannot WAIT to start up again. Below is my prized cross-stitch from some years back:

I plan to make an accompanying tableau. Any guesses as to the content?

Tarte Tatin

Preheat oven to 425 F

5-7 large apples, preferably green and slightly sour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

squeeze lemon

puff pastry

Peel the apples, core them and cut them in two. lightly sprinkle with lemon juice and put them into the fridge for 24 hours, or just a few if you need to. 

When ready to use, put the softened butter in a oven proof skillet and sprinkle the sugar over it. Cook over medium heat until the sugar has melted, and then place all the apples cut side up in the skillet. cook for around 10-15 minutes and then place a circle of the puff pastry on top of the apples, tucking in the sides inside the edges. 

Place the skillet in the oven till the top turns golden brown, around 20-30 minutes, then take out and immeditaly flip onto a plate. Be CAREFUL. it's really hot. 

let cool slightly but serve warm!!!!

Happy Belated Can-Day!

I spent a weekend not too long ago buying a bunch of mason jars, boiling a vinegar brine and sticking my hands deep into some cored tomatoes: Oh yea, Canning Day has arrived.

This canning day was something special. Not only did I have Kristen's stellar equipment, and four hands in the kitchen, but we made not one, not two, but THREE different types of salsa! JUST SALSA. In addition to our roasted pepper, tomatillo and chipotle salsas, we managed to can 12 jars of stewed tomatoes, pickled carrots and dilly beans, and a few cans of rosemary caramelized onions. 

Not to get cheesy y'all, but canning is a great way to make new friends! There is some serious bonding in the act of canning! Think about it:

You have to handle scalding hot liquids, so there's an element of danger involved (girl scouts, hellooo). 

You're working in the age-old traditions of our supermarket-less ancestors, forging ahead into the long-cold winter with aplomb, and occasionally style, so there's definitely an element of fashion.

Finally, you get to eat and share awesome shit! And then make everyone else feel downright negligent for not having a pantry full of tomatoes. Therefore, you can share in the camaraderie of being better than everyone else. High fives, my canning elite!

Thanks to Amanda, Kristen and Jasper! For my next post, I will disclose the secrets of the following tasty meatball dish.

 If you're in the market to do some canning, do NOT miss this amazing site!!! This woman is absolutely obsessed with canning, and man is she ever good at it. Make sure to follow instructions about pickled veggies (I always make them refrigerator style because I am always going to be scared of botulism). 

And here is a perplexing photo of me with a massive can floating next to my head!!!

Vacate Me

Well, hey again everybody.

My last Friday in Montreal, the day we left on our Adventure out west, the week before this miraculous picture above was taken, that was the Friday when I:

1. got a 444$ fine for our band bus in the mail
2. got a 287$ bill from the CRA
3. got yelled at by the Emploi QC lady for not having a job
4. got turned down for a job I was sure I had
5. got on a bus to leave the city for 2 weeks...with no plans for my future and no $ in my pockets.

Money money oh money. It inspires so much stress. My departure from Montreal was fraught with fears of my return and of the disaster I was leaving behind. Then we got on...

THE TRAIN
+++++++++++++++++

I spent the first 3 days on the train in a fog of money stress. The paradox of living like a prince and inwardly dreading my poor reality. These are the weird attractions of being a musician I suppose.

 It wasn't until Jasper, into the far reaches of the Okanagan, that I realized there wasn't a thing I could do in Montreal to change my situation. And screw it.

So I feted with the silverline travelers and played them some Neil Young and we ate our duck confit eggs benny and blazed a trail through the wintry passes of the North into the low plains of wheat and straight through the majestic majesty of the Rocky mountains. Oh Canada, indeed.

EAST OAKLAND
++++++++++++++++++++

A few rideshares and one great game of golf later (thanks Maggie and Jeff!) we ended up in East Oakland, a land I had yet to explore. In seattle we ate some fine charcuterie provided by our lovely hosts, including the BEST TUNA MELT I HAVE EVER SEEN/EATEN. If you make a tuna melt, go buy some pickle chips. Put them on the Tuna Melt. Seriously.

Anyway, once in Oakland we were swept away on a whirlwind food tour of the city, a tour which very happily focused on tacos! I tried Lengua tacos for the first time, that is cow tongue, and I discovered that not only was it a dollar well spent, but Lengua is an EXCELLENT choice in taco country. It absorbs all that delicious salsa and makes for some crazy tender meat.

LOS ANGELES
++++++++++++++++++++

The taco craze continued. We could not get enough taco after Oakland, and after a terrifying rideshare down the coast to LA, we felt we needed to pack in some tacos to soothe our bruised nerves.

Combine Tacos+records+a bright sunny day. This is an explosive combination and could lead to you believing you should stay in LA forever. Then you go to the beach and you surf and you think, yea I shoudl definitely stay here forever. Never leave.

Then you walk down the beach in the sand and look up and hear lots of noise, you walk over and realize it's muscle beach and they're having a bikini contest and everyone on stage looks unreal and confused and you feel nauseous and take a picture and think ok...it's time to go home now.

The Dark Knight Takes a Nap...

Hi again blogosphere! It has been basically the entire summer since I last checked in with y'all, and I blame this on the fact that I have been emotionally and physically fatigued for the past month and now I haven't EVEN SEEN BATMAN YET. WHAT? IS? WRONG? WITH? ME?

Specifically: I moved apartments in July and then started a new job the day after which has consumed my life like a black hole vortex that smells like teenager B.O.

But through the help of friends and one wonderful apartment co-habitant, the apartment has taken some shape. I promised my Mother I would post pictures of some of our successes, so here they are, in no particular order:

Pictures: (1) One can now physically sit at the desk, rather than all usable desk space either being crammed with excess electronics or used as a mantlepiece for plants. (2) I made my friend's brown butter chocolate bread pudding recipe. DO IT. OMG. (3) Sometimes the bedroom feels like an opium den (4) We still need more shelves, but not more plants!

And the final big perk of this new pad is the abundance of absolutely AMAZING food options in the area. The Jean Talon market, if you haven't heard of it, is the best open air, year round market in Montreal, and showcases local producers of all sorts, including CHEESE. mmm. Therefore, it will be weighing in heavily in my upcoming posts.

In addition, there is a much more diverse population in this area, so we have access to lots of tasty vietnamese (Banh Mi!), Salvadoran (pupusa!), Indian (Thali!) and so much more. omg guys, as long as I can stay awake long enough to eat, this is gonna be a fantastic year.

BAIII GUYZZZZZZ!!!!

Sweet Potato Chicken Enchilada Pie

Lately my life has gone from relative peace and steady progress to forever flux and the sensation that I'm dragging my feet through heavy mud. This I believe is in direct correlation with the fact that I just moved. I think the older you get, moving feels less fun and adventurous and more terrible. 

But let's stay optimistic. My above pictured buds are now all living within 3 minutes of us (kewties!) and moving gave me the excuse to use up all our perishables to make an enormous pre-moving feast for  friends in the park. See below for quinoa radish and lime salad, grilled pork spring rolls, homemade pesto pasta salad and Shandies!!!!

I also got to be super creative with the last bits and pieces, and came up with this sweet potato enchilada chicken pie! It was awesome and soooo easy. 

As I'm slowly settling in to my new apartment, I'm discovering all it's wonderful potential, but until I figure it out I will wait to post about my new abode. In the meantime, enjoy this pie. It is a great way to fill your belly and your potential.

1 sweet potato
2 chicken breasts
cheddar cheese
bits of stale tortilla

Preheat oven to 375. rub breasts with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast in oven for 45 minutes. Also roast the sweet potato. Take them out when done and shred meat and take out the insides of the potato. arrange in casserole.

*Enchilada sauce
1 dried ancho chile
1 dried poblano chile
1 dried red chili
2 cloves garlic
2 tomatos
2 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper

Toast the dried chilies, put them in a blender with tomatos and garlic. Put into a saucepan and cook to a paste, then slowl add broth till it becomes like a sauce.

Assemble all together and add cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes.