Appetizers

Pickled Fried Green Tomatoes (with Old Bay)

August 7, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Pickled fried green tomatoes are the perfect way to use an early or late tomato harvest. Pull out your trusty cast-iron skillet and get ready to make this super simple (and flavourful) recipe.

pickled fried green tomatoes with sriracha mayo dip

MAKING PICKLED FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Maybe you have an abundance of green tomatoes in your garden that need to get used up, or maybe you just have a hankering for this classic Southern side.

In any case, pickling the tomatoes before frying them really gives them an extra punch and imparts them with incredible flavour.

Here’s what we’ll need.

…

German Potato Pancakes Recipe (Kartoffelpfannkuchen)

May 29, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Kartoffelpfannkuchen, or, German potato pancakes, is a simple traditional dish that makes for an easy meal. All you need are a handful of ingredients, a food processor and hot skillet!

plate of german potato pancakes Kartoffelpfannkuchen

WHAT ARE GERMAN POTATO PANCAKES?

Growing up, German potato pancakes were a special treat on our table. Of course, we just called them potato pancakes, but when I asked my mom for her recipe, she looked at me blankly.

“Do you mean latkes?” she asked.

“When have you ever called them latkes, Mom? You’ve always called them potato pancakes.”

…

Easy Duck Prosciutto (a nitrate-free recipe)

May 8, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 8 Comments

This easy duck prosciutto recipe will leave you wondering why you haven’t made this before now. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about slicing up charcuterie you cured yourself!

THE PERFECT CURING PROJECT FOR BEGINNERS

Before making this easy duck prosciutto recipe for the first time, I thought curing meat was a complicated process best left to the pros.

Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn, the authors of Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Curing, showed me I was wrong.

Their recipe, which is the one I’ll be sharing with you today, calls for three simple ingredients: kosher salt, a duck breast, and white pepper.

Other than that, you’ll need a non-reactive container (like glass), cheesecloth and kitchen string.

Oh, and a bit of time and a cool spot for curing.

You might not want to hear this, but you’ll need a minimum of eight days from start to finish.

…

Asparagus and Cherry Tomato Sesame Salad

April 24, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

This asparagus and cherry tomato sesame salad is as striking as it is flavourful. Tossed in an Asian-inspired vinaigrette, this summery salad aims to please.

THE BEST ASPARAGUS SALAD EVER

The idea for this salad probably would have slipped by me completely had I not worked in pastry.

For a couple of years, I worked for a boulangerie that not only sold bread and pastries, but also breakfast, lunch and dinner. This included hot meals, sandwiches, soups and salads.

One of these salads was this asparagus and cherry tomato salad with an Asian-inspired dressing that always knocked my socks off.

It was (and still is) my favourite salad in the whole wide world, but despite working there for two years, would you believe I never got the recipe?

…

Pan-Fried Chicken Caesar Salad (the BEST caesar salad ever)

March 20, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 9 Comments

This chicken caesar salad is going to make all other caesar salads pale in comparison once you take your first bite. Flavourful panko-crusted chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, garlicky homemade dressing and the easiest croutons you will ever make. You won’t want to go back!

PAN-FRIED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD: A GAME CHANGER

Congratulations, you have just struck Caesar salad gold!

I have no idea how many chicken caesar salads I have eaten in my life, but this pan-fried chicken version is to-die-for.

I must warn you: there are a lot of steps involved.

You’ll have to clarify butter, make your own caesar dressing, and fry up some croutons.

I’m telling you…it’s WORTH the extra work.

I hope you love it as much as I do!

…

How to Make a Cheese Board for Your Next Wine & Cheese

December 3, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 5 Comments

Cheese plates are a classic element at any French dinner table. Traditionally served after the meal, they’re the perfect way to wind down. Learn how to build a simple cheese board that will have your guests diving in with gusto.

LIFE IS BETTER WITH CHEESE

I didn’t grow up with cheese boards.

I was a small town girl, so there was nary a cheese shop in sight. All we had was what we got from the grocery store. The standard was processed cheese slices, havarti, and the occasional brick of Black Diamond.

The fanciest it got was a wheel of camembert and limburger cheese.

It’s not that we weren’t cheese people, we loved cheese, but we just didn’t know anything about it. That changed when I met my husband’s family.

Out of respect for their privacy, I won’t say much about my in-laws, but when it comes to food and wine, they have exquisite taste.

The first real cheese board I encountered was at their table, which comes out every time I’m there for an evening meal.

Usually, a cheese plate counts as the dessert course, but having a terrible sweet tooth, if I was given the option between cheese and cake, I’d be reaching for the cake fork!

I’m so thankful that they don’t make me choose between the two, because we have both… And so can you!

A VIDEO ABOUT MAKING A CHEESE PLATTER

…