When I first started to cook there were two, maybe three things that I had been taught (by former boyfriends) we didn't have much opportunity at home as Mom was a full-time kitchen guru - I lie, we were allowed to flatten the oatmeal cookies with a fork...
so there was a great recipe for Spaghetti sauce from someone who drove a red MG and a Chicken recipe from Freddie Moo Young that owed it's allegiance to Jamaican origins
Arriving in Frobisher Bay in 1960 with a Ukrainian Cookbook, from Saskatchewan, our first efforts were dismal - bread that landed like lead, so when John arrived for Christmas - we had bacon & eggs as I'd neglected to thaw the Turkey, and Frobisher had only one restaurant - The Eastie Coastie (run by a South African).
Help arrived in the form of Liddie Johnson the Dutch wife of one of the teachers, she introduced me to the art of the Indonesian Rice Table and it's numerous goodies.
When our posting was to Cape Dorset - we found the 2 volume set of Gourmet left by Alma Houston (Jim Houston's first wife) - and my education began. In those days there was no accommodation in the small settlements so we would act as hotel for whoever was visiting. It also meant we had to cook for them and what if the roast was ruined? Remembering the dishes of the Rice Table I'd search for something no one else had ever eaten hoping they wouldn't know the difference, it worked and thankfully due to Gourmet's great recipes the meal turned out very well.
We left the north after some very successful meals in the Fort Smith in the western Arctic, we landed in Victoria and with help from Auntie Al and my mom was able to accommodate more traditional fare.
The last chapter:
The boys were small and there was no Sesame Street so I'd plunk them down in front of Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet - have a faded photo of them sitting in their little chairs as she tasted and stirred.
Today David makes a mean Cheesecake and wonderful Bread, while Stephen after finishing the Hotel & Restaurant training at Algonquin College went on to do do his Cordon Bleu, finishing at Claridges in London.
And so we keep on learning ... now me from them.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
BLACK FLIES
We started filling the boxes for the Square Foot Garden early
Saturday mixing equal quantities of peat moss, soil and
Vermiculite. The morning was bright and sunny and we were
looking forward to accomplishing the task, our enjoyment
was quickly curtailed when we were discovered by a horde
of black flies.
All the years we spent in the North we never experienced
black flies, in fact were slightly suspicious of their
reputation. Mosquitoes rarely bothered us, while they'd
settle on anyone walking near by.
Heading for the shelter of the cottage, we searched out
a head net and wide brimmed hat. Never having used a net
before we put it on then added the hat, the black flies
soon discovered our mistake and had lunch. We retreated
again and this time got it right with the net over the
hat. Normally we do not go to these lengths but it seemed
necessary as we needed to get the garden boxes filled.
Remembering too from experience at Dog Workshops, that
heavily scented shampoos and soaps make one susceptible
Doing some consultation on Black Flies, discovered that
light coloured clothing is preferable, our unfortunate
Great Dane is black and is constantly being chased by
the hungry flies. We also learned that there are at
least one hundred and ten species in Canada and the
female insect belonging to order Diptera, family
Simuliidae is the one with the damaging toothed stylets
that bite, not the male.
In the forest industry workers in Quebec and British
Columbia ask for black fly control in their contract.
Livestock [like our poor dog] suffer and in 1944-1947
during a bad outbreak of the pests inn Saskatchewan
1100 cattle were killed by a species that carries a
toxin in its saliva.
How to survive? We remember reading in D.B.O.Savile's
book "Collection and Care of Botanical Specimens"
advice to young plant collectors heading into the
Northern regions to "develop a philisophical attitude"
that you would never be sucked dry and to use a
repellent where the protective net met your collar,
tuck your pants into your socks.
Further information on the Black Fly can be found
on Alberta Agriculture's website and in the Canadian
Encyclopedia by R. A. Brust.
The good news: black flies are supposed be more
attentive early in the morning, after a rain or
early in the evening. Best of all we have heard
that black flies are the creature that fertilizes
blueberries.
Saturday mixing equal quantities of peat moss, soil and
Vermiculite. The morning was bright and sunny and we were
looking forward to accomplishing the task, our enjoyment
was quickly curtailed when we were discovered by a horde
of black flies.
All the years we spent in the North we never experienced
black flies, in fact were slightly suspicious of their
reputation. Mosquitoes rarely bothered us, while they'd
settle on anyone walking near by.
Heading for the shelter of the cottage, we searched out
a head net and wide brimmed hat. Never having used a net
before we put it on then added the hat, the black flies
soon discovered our mistake and had lunch. We retreated
again and this time got it right with the net over the
hat. Normally we do not go to these lengths but it seemed
necessary as we needed to get the garden boxes filled.
Remembering too from experience at Dog Workshops, that
heavily scented shampoos and soaps make one susceptible
Doing some consultation on Black Flies, discovered that
light coloured clothing is preferable, our unfortunate
Great Dane is black and is constantly being chased by
the hungry flies. We also learned that there are at
least one hundred and ten species in Canada and the
female insect belonging to order Diptera, family
Simuliidae is the one with the damaging toothed stylets
that bite, not the male.
In the forest industry workers in Quebec and British
Columbia ask for black fly control in their contract.
Livestock [like our poor dog] suffer and in 1944-1947
during a bad outbreak of the pests inn Saskatchewan
1100 cattle were killed by a species that carries a
toxin in its saliva.
How to survive? We remember reading in D.B.O.Savile's
book "Collection and Care of Botanical Specimens"
advice to young plant collectors heading into the
Northern regions to "develop a philisophical attitude"
that you would never be sucked dry and to use a
repellent where the protective net met your collar,
tuck your pants into your socks.
Further information on the Black Fly can be found
on Alberta Agriculture's website and in the Canadian
Encyclopedia by R. A. Brust.
The good news: black flies are supposed be more
attentive early in the morning, after a rain or
early in the evening. Best of all we have heard
that black flies are the creature that fertilizes
blueberries.
Friday, May 23, 2008
GARDENING
This week's window display in the bookstore is GARDENING and the quotation :
"On every stem, on every leaf,... and at the root of everything that grew,
was a professional specialist in the shape of grub, caterpillar, aphis, or
other expert, whose business it was to devour that particular part."
~Oliver Wendell Holmes
In this part of Canada it has been customary to start planting on the 24th of May, hoping to avoid the late spring frosts, although we've read of starting peas in the snow. Haven't tried,that but do know that planting Peppers too early will produce lovely plants that won't fruit. Peppers are happiest when the air temperature is above 55° and then will fruit.
We are starting this year using Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Garden and have three boxes in preparation, this way we get a jump on the season as the soil in the boxes warms up earlier.
Soon to be sewn:
Radish: Sparkler White Tip are easy-to-grow, tasty and colourful, and ready to harvest in just a few weeks so the packet says, will have to remember to re-sew.
Beets: Detroit Dark Red is described as a Double duty crop, eat the leaves as well as the roots, recommended replanting every three weeks.
Carrots: Touchon are a variety that is new to us but named as 'Heirloom, one of the finest of the Nantes-type carrots, the best for eating out of hand sweet and tender, free from hard fiber. This old French variety is quick-maturing'.
Lettuce: Grand Rapids a popular loose-leafed variety for home gardens, an all time favourite. We have chosen a new variety of Curly Endive: Glory Frisée and will add some Corn Salad for a change.
Beans: Scarlet Runner - we grow these for ourselves and the hummingbirds. Beans should not go in until you can comfortably sit on the soil, where they are to grow. Picked young, they are sweet and a real treat.
The Tomatoes: Early Girl will be cosseted in plastic Kozy-Coats from T & T Seeds in Winnipeg. Tomatoes that have been started early and become leggy may be planted horizontally, and will send out roots along the lengthy stem.
Cucumbers should not be planted before Saint Anthony's Day* the 13th of June according to our French Canadian neighbour - so we will wait. Making a note on the calendar we heed the advice "if your cucumbers are bitter it's because they have not
had enough water. Don't wait till the leaves wilt, make sure they have a good soak."
A good water gauge in the garden is the Sunflower [Helianthus] - they will wilt faster than anything else. Plant them here and there and watch, first sunflower to droop it's time to water. We have three varieties of Sunflower to plant this year, the small black seeded variety for the birds, the mammoth Russian ones for the squirrels and Colour Fashion Mix for us.
* June 13th - birthday Saint Anthony of Padua
"On every stem, on every leaf,... and at the root of everything that grew,
was a professional specialist in the shape of grub, caterpillar, aphis, or
other expert, whose business it was to devour that particular part."
~Oliver Wendell Holmes
In this part of Canada it has been customary to start planting on the 24th of May, hoping to avoid the late spring frosts, although we've read of starting peas in the snow. Haven't tried,that but do know that planting Peppers too early will produce lovely plants that won't fruit. Peppers are happiest when the air temperature is above 55° and then will fruit.
We are starting this year using Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Garden and have three boxes in preparation, this way we get a jump on the season as the soil in the boxes warms up earlier.
Soon to be sewn:
Radish: Sparkler White Tip are easy-to-grow, tasty and colourful, and ready to harvest in just a few weeks so the packet says, will have to remember to re-sew.
Beets: Detroit Dark Red is described as a Double duty crop, eat the leaves as well as the roots, recommended replanting every three weeks.
Carrots: Touchon are a variety that is new to us but named as 'Heirloom, one of the finest of the Nantes-type carrots, the best for eating out of hand sweet and tender, free from hard fiber. This old French variety is quick-maturing'.
Lettuce: Grand Rapids a popular loose-leafed variety for home gardens, an all time favourite. We have chosen a new variety of Curly Endive: Glory Frisée and will add some Corn Salad for a change.
Beans: Scarlet Runner - we grow these for ourselves and the hummingbirds. Beans should not go in until you can comfortably sit on the soil, where they are to grow. Picked young, they are sweet and a real treat.
The Tomatoes: Early Girl will be cosseted in plastic Kozy-Coats from T & T Seeds in Winnipeg. Tomatoes that have been started early and become leggy may be planted horizontally, and will send out roots along the lengthy stem.
Cucumbers should not be planted before Saint Anthony's Day* the 13th of June according to our French Canadian neighbour - so we will wait. Making a note on the calendar we heed the advice "if your cucumbers are bitter it's because they have not
had enough water. Don't wait till the leaves wilt, make sure they have a good soak."
A good water gauge in the garden is the Sunflower [Helianthus] - they will wilt faster than anything else. Plant them here and there and watch, first sunflower to droop it's time to water. We have three varieties of Sunflower to plant this year, the small black seeded variety for the birds, the mammoth Russian ones for the squirrels and Colour Fashion Mix for us.
* June 13th - birthday Saint Anthony of Padua
Friday, May 9, 2008
COLOUR & Rabbits
We got into something of a discussion this morning over breakfast, won't say argument, just a subtle difference of opinion. There used to be an expression regarding fashion "blue and green should never be seen, except when one is in-between", it went along with not wearing red and purple together, or white shoes after September…
The conversation all started when we were showing off a new pair of CROCS, they are brilliant Lime Green and at the time we were wearing a pair of bright pink ones.
It all started about five years ago when we saw a display of CROCS in the Sunday Style edition of the New York Times, they looked so colourful that I ordered a pair of bright red ones immediately - there’s something special about red shoes. To our delight they were so comfortable, like walking in moccasins that we decided to wear them to the Montreal Book Fair as something of a fashion statement, where we’d be standing for two days Some days we can do no wrong, and the Fair as well as the shoes were a success.
You might think the family were used to this display, but apparently not. The comments started, "’Why not wear one green one and one pink one?" which brought to mind the ditty about blue and green.
We have started knitting, recommended for relaxation and the first project was a rabbit for Savannah who is just learning to walk. Previous attempts at knitting have involved mice that were stuffed with catnip. The first rabbit was a challenge, he was pale yellow with turqoise button eyes and a blue/ green waistcoat; having completed it and finding a source of inexpensive wool, have started on a second one. He is a mixture of blue, green and pink, with pink button eyes and a mauve waistcoat. These rabbits are small enough to fit in your pocket and can come in as many different colours as wool is available
Why rabbits? In the Chinese horoscope we are a rabbit. At our first visit to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto we fell in love with Rex rabbits, a breed with dense soft fur - very much like Dürer’s rabbit, the original Velveteen Rabbit
As a result we purchased a pair ‘Claudius’ and ‘Livia’, beautiful bunnies who had several litters, we soon became expert at rabbit casseroles, rabbit roasted with Rosemary and rabbit sandwiches. But best of all they produced lovely rabbit ‘litter’ that was wonderful in the garden. Surprisingly good for the rose hedge that we’d planted.
The conversation all started when we were showing off a new pair of CROCS, they are brilliant Lime Green and at the time we were wearing a pair of bright pink ones.
It all started about five years ago when we saw a display of CROCS in the Sunday Style edition of the New York Times, they looked so colourful that I ordered a pair of bright red ones immediately - there’s something special about red shoes. To our delight they were so comfortable, like walking in moccasins that we decided to wear them to the Montreal Book Fair as something of a fashion statement, where we’d be standing for two days Some days we can do no wrong, and the Fair as well as the shoes were a success.
You might think the family were used to this display, but apparently not. The comments started, "’Why not wear one green one and one pink one?" which brought to mind the ditty about blue and green.
We have started knitting, recommended for relaxation and the first project was a rabbit for Savannah who is just learning to walk. Previous attempts at knitting have involved mice that were stuffed with catnip. The first rabbit was a challenge, he was pale yellow with turqoise button eyes and a blue/ green waistcoat; having completed it and finding a source of inexpensive wool, have started on a second one. He is a mixture of blue, green and pink, with pink button eyes and a mauve waistcoat. These rabbits are small enough to fit in your pocket and can come in as many different colours as wool is available
Why rabbits? In the Chinese horoscope we are a rabbit. At our first visit to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto we fell in love with Rex rabbits, a breed with dense soft fur - very much like Dürer’s rabbit, the original Velveteen Rabbit
As a result we purchased a pair ‘Claudius’ and ‘Livia’, beautiful bunnies who had several litters, we soon became expert at rabbit casseroles, rabbit roasted with Rosemary and rabbit sandwiches. But best of all they produced lovely rabbit ‘litter’ that was wonderful in the garden. Surprisingly good for the rose hedge that we’d planted.
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