Cooking Up A Storm With Christopher

I've also migrated all of my recipes over to a new blog called Cooking Up A Storm With Christopher.

I will still post food photos on this here blog, but I'll link to the cooking blog for the recipe.

Feel free to bookmark or subscribe!

Lemon Meringue Pie

I don't know why, but lemon meringue pie has always been my favourite. And any time I've had the craving, I've always resorted to the neon yellow instant pie version (confession: I've even purchased pre-made crusts - never again!) But this new discovery of homemade lemon meringue pie - from scratch! - has made it so that I may never be able to go back to instant again. This recipe is not for amateurs, but it is completely worth it if you have the time and patience. I will try to make it as easy as possible - in 3 steps. Let's do it!

Read the full recipe after the jump.

Turkish Coffee

For some reason, it's been kind of a coffee week on the blog. So I thought I'd round out the week and show how to make one of my favourite caffeinated beverages, Turkish coffee. After trying Türk kahvesi for the first time on my recent trip to Istanbul, it has become my new morning staple. Besides the fact that I reminisce about my trip every time I sip it, I absolutely love the rich, sweet flavour, and find that it doesn't give me the jitters that espresso or drip coffee can give me. Plus, it's so easy, fast, and comes in a nice, small portion.

Read the full recipe after the jump.

Loot from Grandma

My Grandma is amazing. And very generous. Last week, she sent me home with these 2 gems.

The first her old Polaroid camera (circa 1983?), which just needs film and some new batteries. My talented friend Myles recommended I buy some film from the Impossible Project - I will probably be ordering some this week. But what will I take pictures of...?

And these antique recipe cards (circa 1967) are unbelievable. We're talking 30 stunningly retro recipes (aspics and all) in 30 different categories - that's 900 (!) cards. I have no idea what I am going to do with these - wallpaper my kitchen? Archive them online so everyone can enjoy them? Regardless, I am in vintage heaven. (These cards may look familiar - my friend Frances coincidentally gave me two of them for Christmas this year. Now I have the whole set!)

Thank you Grandma!

Delicious!

Hilariously retro recipe cards from my Christmas stocking this year.

(Thanks Frances!)

Chicken Biryani

Biryani is a Middle-eastern dish that originated in Persia, but has many regional variations. One of our favourites is Iranian-style chicken biryani, often garnished with fruit (cooking dates, raisins, or pomegranates) and roasted nuts (cashews are great). You also have an excuse to use saffron, the world's most expensive spice (by weight). You only live once, right?

Read the full recipe after the jump.

Pumpkin Pie

I love pumpkin pie. And 'tis the season of pumpkins. This is, by far, one of my favourite fall desserts, courtesy of my friend Melanie.

Read the full recipe after the jump.

Butternut Squash Soup

Another fall favourite around here is butternut squash soup. I picked up this giant squash at the St. Lawrence farmer's market last Saturday for $3.00 - makes enough soup to feed a small army. And it's so deliciously buttery and velvety, it nearly passes as a dessert.

Read the full recipe after the jump.

Roasted Veggies

In honour of Thanksgiving and the colours of fall, I'd like to share one of my favourite recipes (a year-round staple in our house): Oven-roasted veggies.

Read the full recipe after the jump.

(This one's for you Steph!)

Carrot Ginger Soup

I couldn't resist buying this 10lb bag of Ontario carrots the other day for the bargain price of $1.47 (yes, $1.47). And as I always say, if life hands you carrots, make carrot soup!

Read the full recipe after the jump.

Red Beef Curry

Inspired by my friend Frances' beautiful food blog and my general love for food, I decided to try a new type of blog entry: Cooking with Christopher! Last night's menu was a new personal favourite: Madhur Jaffrey's Red Beef (or Lamb) Curry.

Read the full recipe after the jump.