Tapas is on the menu in our galley tonight. Simple, no-fuss tapas. GARLIC ROASTED MUSHROOMS what you will need 8 oz button mushrooms 2 tbsp capers 3 garlic cloves, smashed and minced 2 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp butter 1/2 cup fresh minced parsley 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice throwing it all together Mix mushrooms, capers, garlic and olive oil together. Spread on a heat proof dish. I used a small ceramic pan that can be used on a…
Quite often on the boat appetizers amount to opening up a can of something or tearing open a box of crackers or chips or opening a jar of olives. …still, when presented in an attractive fashion, you can make even the simplest look appealing. But when time allows, provisions are available and special guests expected, it’s so much fun putting in a little extra effort. These next little treats were surprisingly easy to make. Encouraged by the success of my…
It’s Friday Galley Peeps! Time to kick back and enjoy a little post week Happy Hour. Before I retired I designated Friday as a no-cook-zone. It was the one day I didn’t have to prepare anything elaborate. I allowed myself pre-prep time but when 5:00 hit it was fill your plate with yummy things and pour those drinks. Even now we take great pleasure in the tradition. Sometimes we loose track of what day it is, but when ‘Friday’ is…
One of the very best parts of a boating life is the people we meet. After spending several years living in a large city and now after three seasons of boating adventures I can’t help but compare the two existances. I can walk down the street here in Montreal, pass by dozens of people and no one will speak, or offer a greeting, or sometimes not even smile. When I first moved here from the east coast, François took me…
Working with puff pastry isn’t something I would normally undertake in my little galley but I have been curious about homemade cheese straws. Recipes I’ve seen make them look so simple to ‘just throw together’. So today I gave them a try. They are indeed simple to make. But ‘just throw together’? Still not convinced. SWEET and SAVOURY CHEESE STRAWS what you will need 1 package of puff pastry sheets (2 sheets per package) 1 cup grated Parmesan 1 package of…
Want to add a touch of the exotic North Africa to your next party? Try this mildy sweet with a touch of spicy dip. MOROCCAN ROASTED CARROT HUMMUS what you will need 1 lb carrots, cut into 1″ pieces 3-4 cloves garlic (skins left on) 4 tbsp olive oil, divided 1/4 cup tahini 1 tbsp Harissa 1 1/2 cups chick peas 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp…
When you don’t want messy drippy chicken wing fingers try these little cocktail meatballs. Very easy to make ahead, then simply reheat when ready to serve. BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS what you will need 1 lb ground chicken 1 cup panko (or your fave bread crumbs) 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup very finely minced onion 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 tsp ground pepper oil for cooking 1/2 – 3/4 cups of…
With all the wonderful produce available in the local markets it’s difficult to choose which to bring onboard. Afterall, I can’t have it all no matter what with limited space and refrigeration This week I chose zucchini. Two large zucchini and a couple of green onions formed the base. Grating them gave me about 4 cups of zucchini. Treating it to a good sprinkling of sea salt, then squeezing as much juice out as possible considerably cut down on the…
Blue cheese and dark chocolate pairing? Heavenly! Add to that some crisp bacon and figs… …is there a beyond heaven? Put that chardonnay on ice baby, we’re dining tonight! BACON-WRAPPED POACHED FIGS 12 figs 2 tbsp chocolate balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup blue cheese 12 slices bacon Cook bacon until almost done but not crispy. Set aside to drain on paper towelling Poach figs in a small amount of water until soft and swollen. Remover from liquid and set aside until…
Here in Frenchland an ‘entree’ is a first course… which now makes perfect sense to me… entrée… a derivative of ‘to enter’.. ‘to introduce or make a beginning’… Now that I have become accustomed to this meaning of the word, it’s difficult for me to revert to it’s more common North American meaning of ‘main dish’. At any rate, while picking up some weekend supplies at our favourite market, the in-store chef was preparing and offering samples of his latest…