Bannock – European Style

Euro Bannock 1My whole culinary career (such as it is) I’ve been under the mistaken impression that bannock was exclusively a First Nations thing.

It must have been all the outdoor cooking demonstrations on Canada Day; bannock broiling up on cast iron beside staves of smoked salmon, always supervised by the local band elders. Every native cook I knew fried a mean skillet full ‘o bannock and on the occasions that Crystal and I went to Uke to see the extended family you could bet there’d be a lot of fry bread involved.

It turns out that although First Nations people may have been grinding nut and berry flour to make something bannock-like, the bannock recipes we recognize today originate in the Middle East. Most historians agree that the recipe came from ancient Egypt and the modern name came from Celtic England. Read More

Dandelion Omelette with Spring Herbs and Smoked Asiago

Dandelion Omelette 1For some reason, every time I make an omelette I think of Neil Gaimen’s Sandman comic. There is this scene where Morpheus (the titular character) is asked what he wants to eat. He responds: “An omelette, a light salad and a glass of white wine…”

This, to me is the essence of brunch: A couple eggs, something green and restorative and a bit of the ‘ol hair of the dog. The perfect thing for that weird, still-dazed, what the hell am I doing with my day? feeling that comes from waking late and piecing together the night before. Food’s got to be nourishing, light and easy… With bite. Read More

Fried Chicken and Waffles

Chic Waffles1I like to imagine the moment when Chicken and Waffles were first united like this:

It’s 5:30am. The all-night fry-joint is just getting ready to flip over for morning service. The waitress is giving the corner table it’s millionth wipe before putting on coffee. Hasn’t been a customer for two hours, and won’t be for another hour and a half. The lone dude in the kitchen has pre-maturely drained the fryers, and is soaking the flat-top in grease, preparing it for the 7am landslide of eggs and breakfast sausages. He’s completely on autopilot, eyes un-focused. He hates the night shift, and wonders if there’s any coffee left… Then the door bell sounds.

What the hell? Who wants to eat at 5:45am? Read More