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 […]
Category: The Main Menu
The Main Menu: Crepes and maple syrup are on the agenda for March Break
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 […]
The Main Menu: There are many ways to cook with love
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 […]
The Main Menu: Welcome winter 2020 with steaming bowls of soup
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 […]
The Main Menu: Tourtiere can do double duty over the holiday season
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 […]
The Main Menu: Soups are the perfect call for November’s cold and dreary days
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 […]
The Main Menu: The pumpkin is the prince from October on
By JAN MAIN The pumpkin is prince from October through the winter months. Pumpkins, a member of the squash family, are rich in carotene, fiber and vitamin C. Their rich flavour and creamy texture makes them ideal for both savory and dessert recipes. With Halloween around the corner and perhaps leftover pumpkin, sweet potato or […]
The Main Menu: Time to transition from picnic bag to school lunch bag
By JAN MAIN A whole summer of picnics: at the beach, at the campsite, on road trips and now – now summer is over. It’s back to routine and the lunch bag. However, let the inspiration of the summer picnic linger for the weekday lunch and extend your summer as long as possible. Here are […]
The Main Menu: August and September are prime time for preserves
By JAN MAIN Preserving means preparing foods so that it can be kept for long periods of time without spoiling or deteriorating. Originally preserving would have been done by salting or dehydrating, later various methods of pickling were used and modern methods include refrigeration and freezing. In all cases, you are preparing food to make […]
The Main Menu: Some summer recipes to minimize kitchen time
By JAN MAIN Summer! That treasured season flashes by so quickly, you want to maximize your time enjoying the out of doors and minimize your time in the kitchen preparing meals. Here are a selection of sauces with sizzle, each with a myriad of uses. Keep a jar in the refrigerator to transform the simplest […]