Lady Fat

Liquorice or Licorice January, 2012

A box of chocolates can sit for weeks untouched in my apartment, tubs of ice cream wither in my freezer, but liquorice calls out to me begging to be eaten. Should I feel guilty about liking liquorice? No, and I don’t, but I am ashamed of my addiction to British liquorice allsorts, full of sugar and food colouring that always gives me a headache.

A Luddite’s Choice November, 2011

Sometimes I deny that I’m living in the twenty first century. Yes, I am writing this on my Macbookpro, not my typewriter, but I still keep my beloved machine in the cupboard and often think about resurrecting it. Also I’m a member of that endangered species in North America, citizens without cell phones. In the kitchen too, I have to admit I am somewhat of a Luddite.

Pumpkin or Squash, Savory not Sweet October, 2011

It was October when I first arrived in Canada. I remember the clear blue skies and crisp autumnal days. I was invited to a cottage north of Toronto where the intensity of the colors of the leaves astonished me. It was a perfect Indian summer and the time of pumpkins.

Of course I had to try my hand at pumpkin pie, a novelty to me. Much to the surprise of my friends I rejected their can of pumpkin pie filling. I grew up with pumpkin, I may not have made pie, but I did know how to cook it.

Slip Some Lamb on the Barbie July, 2011

From 1984 to 1990 The Australian Tourism Commission ran a popular advertising campaign encouraging Americans to visit Australia. The friendly Australian in these ads was an unknown, actor Paul Hogan. Later, owing to the popularity of his Crocodile Dundee films, he became a celebrity Australian in the USA.

Salad Days June, 2011

“My salad days, when I was green in judgment, cold in blood..."

Anthony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare act 1, sc. 5

White Asparagus May, 2011

I never knew the charm of spring, till April in Paris

(lyrics by E.Y. Harburg)

Although April in Paris inspires songs I prefer to be there in May. Every May, you’ll find me scouring the Paris markets for the biggest, fattest, white asparagus.

The Egg April, 2011

With eggs in your kitchen you’ll never go hungry - you can boil them, fry them; make an omelette, a soufflé, mayonnaise, hollandaise, the list is endless. Eggs are the basic building blocks of numerous recipes from quiche to cake.

One of my favourite meals when I’m home alone is a soft-boiled egg, fast, simple and comforting.

Cosy Up to Collards March, 2011

I hate March. When I first arrived in Toronto, I never understood why everyone fled the city during the month of March. Some go to the snow but most fly south to find the sun, to feel its warmth and enjoy being outside, preferably on a beach in the company of a cocktail. March is the cruelest month. After many years of winter I now comprehend this mass exodus. By this of the year time, even if you love winter and I don’t, you’ve had enough of the cold, the snow, the ice, the shoveling, and the slush.

My Favorite New Product is Salt February, 2011

Salt is essential for life and for cooking. It has the mysterious power to improve the flavor of any food, savory or sweet. While salt is simply sodium chloride, not all salts are equal and each salt has its own character. Some are clean tasting, others have definite mineral overtones, and some, like sel gris, can transport you to the seaside. Sel gris, a gray unrefined sea salt with coarse damp irregular crystals is my choice as a cooking salt.

French Onion Soup January, 2011

“Who would not give all else for two pennyworth only of beautiful soup?”

Mock Turtle in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

While the Mock Turtle was referring to turtle soup, his words ring true for almost any soup. Soup, especially in January, is warming, fortifying and delicious. It can be an opening act for a dinner or complete meal in itself. Best of all, soup is simple to make and one of my favourites is onion soup.

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