Welcome to my Blog! Here you will find chronicles of my day to day life as a Chef. In it you will find pictures from my travels, read anecdotally about my dreams and aspirations, share my excitement on the discovery of a new (to me) recipe, tool or technique, as well as my trials and tribulations as a new entrepreneur, and anything else that strikes me as interesting, odd or just plain cool.

What’s in your pantry?!

I often get asked this question.  I didn't learn this in school although I spent a lot of time in the pantry at school and this list is by no means exhaustive (anyone who has been to my house will verify this), but to me it's the basics.  When I cook, except for fresh ingredients which [...]

What’s in your pantry?!2020-10-12T19:37:57-04:00

Toronto’s got snow… Let’s make some Asian Chicken Vegetable soup!

There I said it!  For all the times I said we don't get snow, we got snow.  Snowmageddon - just kidding.  It's a fair amount and still falling but again, nothing like what some of the snowier parts of the country get on a typical snow day.  So... what are we doing today.  Soup of [...]

Toronto’s got snow… Let’s make some Asian Chicken Vegetable soup!2020-10-12T19:37:57-04:00

Salmon Cakes

I have a very good friend who gave me this recipe.  I've made it many times and it is delicious - Thanks Jim!  As always, my variations are at the bottom of the recipe (so give them a try). 1/2 lb skinless salmon, diced 1/2 cup Panko Crumbs 1/4 cup diced Celery 2 tblsp chopped Cilantro [...]

Salmon Cakes2020-10-12T19:37:58-04:00

Asparagus Gruyere Tart

This recipe is adapted from “Everyday Food” (March/April 2003).  I've made this many times for catered events, family parties etc so it is a nice go-to recipe and can be either an hors d'oeuvre or an appetizer or light lunch if served with a simple salad. Serves 4 Ingredients •  1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed - I use the [...]

Asparagus Gruyere Tart2020-10-12T19:37:58-04:00

My day with a Chef in Tuscany!

As I sit here working on the website, I'm looking out the kitchen window watching the snow fall and cover what was a green/brown yard just a few hours ago.  I can remember when winters in Toronto (I've been here almost 46 years) were really winters with a lot more snow than we have now, but still [...]

My day with a Chef in Tuscany!2020-10-12T19:37:58-04:00

Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery Pecan Sandies

I got this amazing cookbook, “Thomas Keller – Bouchon Bakery”, from my niece Lisa, at Christmas.  She is as much a foodie as I am but I think a bit more adventurous.  She has an “it’s food, don’t fear it” approach to making anything she tries and I must say, unbiased of course, she’s pretty [...]

Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery Pecan Sandies2020-10-12T19:37:58-04:00

Ham and Cheddar Scones

I was walking by the meat section at the grocery store on the weekend and saw this beautiful piece of cooked ham. Thought I would make some savoury scones out of it, simple recipe, easy to make and delicious. As always, I’ve put pictures of the various stages below. Total working time – from start [...]

Ham and Cheddar Scones2020-10-12T19:37:59-04:00

Grandpa makes the best chapatis!

As our kids were growing up, our Sunday's were always spent with the Grandparents. We would have lunch at one parents house and dinner at the other. This would rotate every Sunday, I don't know how we all didn't end up the size of townhouses as both grandma's were good cooks. It was a great [...]

Grandpa makes the best chapatis!2020-10-12T19:37:59-04:00

Coriander Garlic Naan

Naan bread is a really basic staple of any Indian meal. So easy to make at home using just a few ingredients, another "you gotta try this" recipe. I've taken some pictures at different stages in the process. I know you will enjoy these for dinner tonight. Serve it with some Butter Chicken or other curried [...]

Coriander Garlic Naan2020-10-12T19:37:59-04:00

Brownies… You have to make these! Today, now, really super!

My daughter Lauren had a craving for something baked but wasn’t sure what. She just planted the seed, left for work and left it up to me. So I had a craving, I made brownies. This recipe is from Chef Michael Smith and is a super easy, super fantastic, super tasting brownie. Really super, I [...]

Brownies… You have to make these! Today, now, really super!2020-10-12T19:37:59-04:00
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