My eldest son and I were out for lunch with my elderly mother yesterday, all of us slurping pho at my son’s favourite noodle joint. Mom is recently widowed. “Your father’s mind was like a laser,” she said, “and mine is set on real-time motion.” I glanced at my son with a sudden flash of […] Read more
Trying to learn patience? Make marmalade
First We Eat: The entire process will require varying degrees of this attribute but the final product is well worth it
A freezer is a must-have item on the Prairies
First We Eat: Keeping it well organized will mean there’s always something on hand for a meal idea
There’s no way to avoid having a freezer if you live on the Canadian Prairies, especially if you live rurally. Cooks who live in town have freezers too, but it’s not as urgent as it is for rural residents. Winter in particular makes a freezer an ironic necessity. (I have in some winters used my […] Read more
Feeding our elders
First We Eat: It’s important that seniors eat well and have supports in place to help with meals and groceries when needed
Last month an elderly friend called me, wondering if I could help him and his wife cope with food for a couple of weeks. They were living in assisted living after he’d had a stint in the hospital, but both were anxious to get back into their own home, a move scheduled for several weeks […] Read more
Apple pie for a snowy day
First We Eat: When it’s snowing and blowing outside it’s the perfect time to stay inside and bake
Another grey winter day, with the wind howling from the east and snow drifting across the yard and our long driveway, means we are snowbound. A snow day! Yay! What better thing to do but bake? An apple pie for instance. Apples are the fallback fruit of winter, and a pie is what all apples […] Read more
Shared birthday will always evoke memories
First We Eat: When my parents were stationed in France I was born on Dad’s birthday
I was born on my dad’s 22nd birthday while he and my mom lived in northeastern France. My dad was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and at the time he was stationed at the fighter jet station called 2 Wing, near St. Avold. Mom and Dad waited for many months for Dad’s very junior […] Read more
Pork is king around the world
First We Eat: It’s eaten in a wider variety of styles and shapes than any other meat
Pork has influence far beyond the table. Words invoking pork have made their way into everyday life, from football’s autumn pigskin classic at your favourite stadium to pork-barrelling politicians looking for re-election. Of course, electors will be choosing a pig in a poke, and then must make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. Even […] Read more
Edible holiday gifts from your kitchen
First We Eat: These can be simple to make but your time and effort will be greatly appreciated
Last fall, when we bought a lamb for the freezer from a local shepherd, he tucked some extra livers into our box. “You’re a chef,” he said, “I know you’ll know what to do with them and they won’t go to waste.” He was right. Our gift bags to our friends last year included ramekins […] Read more
When it’s too cold to go outside make soup instead
First We Eat: Some say this comfort food has the power to do everything from curing the sniffles to mending a broken heart
When my sweetie caught a cold recently, he asked me to stop in at our favourite Chinese restaurant and bring home some hot and sour soup. “Are you kidding me?” I said. “No way. I’ll make you some.” Next time you slurp some of this Szechuan soup at your fave joint, look at it closely. […] Read more
Preserving pickles and relishes
First We Eat: Making your own means personalized flavours from ingredients you can trust
Whenever one of my sons visits, he invariably rummages through the fridge, hunting for a jar of beet pickles or dills. When he finds it, he devours half of its contents. It’s been that way for years; I am the Condiment Queen. My pantry — and my sons — are full of preserves. They are […] Read more
Giving up the garden
First We Eat: After a lifetime of successful gardening Mom is now giving it up as it becomes difficult to manage
This spring, I stood in Mom’s backyard with a wheelbarrow and a shovel, digging out all the soil in her raised beds. “Take it all,” she said when I slowed down. “I’m done with it.” “Not even a potful of lettuces?” I asked, thinking of the preceding summer, when she’d grown more lettuces than she […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
