Beet Soup with Chinese Spices

My first memory of beets was at one of my Aunt Laura’s epic Sunday lunches.  She would serve many different vegetables, along with the Sunday “joint”.  This was what we used to call a large piece of meat with a big bone in it.  It would be cooked on the old oil stove.  There would…

Pear & Ginger Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

What is it that makes something a comfort food?  It needs to be something that triggers good memories in your taste buds, and doesn’t take you to strange places flavour-wise.  I think bread pudding is one of the most wonderful desserts ever devised.  It’s such a simple dish, the basic version using day old breads,…

Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce

Thanks to Steamy Kitchen for the original recipe. (brassica oleracea / Chinese broccoli / kai lan) – or you could use any of these other brassicas – broccoli, broccolini (a cross between broccoli & gai lan), or rapini / rabé  / broccoletti Gai Lan’s bittersweet taste becomes more bitter the older the vegetable.  Look for tight,…