Larry

Currently using Donna Hay's collection the most for new ideas. They are quick, easy and beautiful recipes.

Simplest are the best when bought from the best cheese shops: chevre parmesan mozzarella brie

Made a great quiche this summer with pesto, sundried tomatoes and goats cheese. Very simple, but the pesto whisked in with the egg mixture really made it. Served with balsamic sauteed mixed mushrooms

I tell myself everytime that this time the jalapenos will not hurt my fingers, and every time I am wrong. Also, being too anxious in opening the oven that has been closed for an hour at 400 and putting your head right in to remove whatever is in there. Almost thought I had burned my corneas!

Books on my list this season: Donna Hay Classics 2 Paula Wolfert's Mediterranean Kitchen Homebaking by Duguid and Alford Martha Stewart Annual recipes 2004 Aquavit Love getting the pretty picture ones for Christmas. Homebaking is essentially a coffee table book. Favourite book of the year to give is Jamie's Kitchen!

So far I have 126, hoping to get more for Christmas.

I love making latkes with grated sweet potatoes, beets, and regular potatoes and serve them with a dill cumin sour cream. Nice twist on an old favourite.

I have not found them in Canada, but I cannot wait for them! I do love ginger chews though by the ginger people from Australia, very addictive.

Would you consider bringing in Schwartzes smoked meat from Montreal?

Once again, this sounds amazing. When are you thinking of opening? So that I can come .

The cooking classes at Loblaws are fantastic. I'm not sure which Loblaws' here have them but they are a wonderful way to learn new skills in a casual environment. They are also only about 20$ each.

I read that Steingarten uses Giusto's bread flour for perfect results.

Try Zibibbo's in Ottawa, they call themselves an Italian soul kitchen. It's a small intimate restaurant with only about 8 tables. The cooking is very similar to Mario Batali's style and changes frequently.