Road Trip Nibble and a Nip!

I love road trips and checking out all the off the beat and track eateries especially this trip to Ucluelet. Tried some of the Hanks best Smoked Five Spice Duck Wings, Panko Crusted Rock Fish, Crispy Halibut and Albacore Street Tacos. The best of the day was a six pack of Effingham Fresh Shucked Oysters from the Raven Lady. Life is to short to eat mediocre fare!

Dim Sum

Life without Dim Sum would be a boring weekend for me. I love to have other chefs feed me. Dim Sum Brunches have become very affordable and busy. A good selection with tea and dessert will set you back 25 bucks. Check out what I had New Years Day. Started with a bowl of chicken corn chowder and a bowl of hot and sour soup. The veggie spring rolls with in-house made plum sauce were deluxe. The pork and mushroom wonton, wok fried in a chili pea-nutty sauce topped with steamed spinach tops. The main event was the seafood chow mien, the crispy noodle foundation with plump...

Ruby Red Grapefruit Cake and Cream Chees...

Ruby Red Grapefruit Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting. My dad being a chef had lots of his pre 1950’s retro recipes that were handed over to me as I mastered them to his specs. He was more concerned about the quality flavours obtained and not …as finicky in the way it’s final presentation. I like to describe my way of being taught baking by my dad as colonial style. Now don’t get me wrong, my father was a very tolerant baker and over his 40 years as a Hotel Chef taught lots of lady bakers to be personal when it comes to making a cake. The fancier you like if you have...

Knotty Pine Butter Tarts

            Knotty Pine Butter Tarts One of my first priorities with the Knotty Pine was to get Waterloo up and running. Wes and Debbi Moore along with Jim Jaques. Great team. The restaurant was one of the most stunning in Waterloo looking out over the undeveloped Willow Wells property. In my estimation Debbi made the best butter tarts at both Preston and Waterloo. She had her way with these flaky, sugary tarts dotted with plump sultanna’s. Debbi and Wes later opened their own restaurant in St Jacobs. Butter and Maple Butte Tarts still...

Beef Rouladen with Pan Fried Spaetzle

Beef Rouladen with Pan Fried Spaetzle; A good friend once invited me to his parents for a traditional German dinner. His mother was a very good cook and was handed down recipes from her mother and was very proud to make a few traditional German  for me over the years.  With lots of years since gone by, I have perfected the Rouladen and Spaetzle recipe so if your feeling like some German fare than give this kitchchenman recipe a try.   Recipe Ingredients: 6 slices top round beef with some marble. 3 slices lean double smoke bacon 1 cooking onion, sliced 3 German...