french

Basic Mayonnaise

October 12, 2015 by Ariel 4 Comments

When I became nomad, almost a year ago, I knew my kitchen habits had to chance. Done with the luxury of being able to buy a big pot of mayonnaise without worrying if it would be done in time. Since we have been renting fully furnished apartments and we’ve been living in our suitcases, being able to store items in the fridge for weeks/months on end isn’t an option anymore.

You obviously don’t need to be nomad to make your own mayo. You should have the desire to do so already because of the simple fact that you’ll feel extremely accomplished making this basic commodity that we’re so used to buy and you’ll be able to customize it exactly the way you want. What I’m giving you today is a base, feel free to jazz it up by adding your favourite spices to make it your own.

…

Graines a Roussir

April 12, 2014 by Ariel 3 Comments

Here’s an easy recipe for an amazing and versatile spice blend that comes from the Caribbean! My step dad has a lot of family in Guadeloupe and this is where I was exposed to the delicious French Caribbean cuisine. I’m a sucker for a good chicken colombo and I always have some roucou in my fridge.

The only name I know for this blend is in French and it’s called: graines à roussir. If I was to give you a quick French course, the word “graines” means seeds and “roussir” means burn lightly, roast, turn brown.. you get the idea? I guess the best way to translate this would be: seeds to burn lightly.

That’s what you will want to do with these before either use them whole or in powder form, grill them gently on the stove top till they start smelling good and make sure not to burn them.

I usually make a bunch in advance, roast the pack, process it to powder and keep the powder for easier use. Although I’m sure doing it right on the spot is a much better option if you want maximum flavour.

Personally, I enjoy the simplicity of always having some already grounded in a small container. Mainly used as rubs for red meats, chicken or fish but you can also use them for a ton of other things like sauces and even bread!

…

Classic Potato Candy

June 22, 2013 by Ariel 5 Comments

…and it’s that time of the year again! 🙂 For many of you around the world, the long week end of the St-Jean Baptiste might be something you never heard of but here is Quebec, it’s a national holiday and it’s this week end! yoohoo! On June 24, everybody in the province of Quebec is going to take it easy and relax because they are going to be on vacation and hopefully remember why we celebrate this holiday. What will most probably be the reason of this relaxing mood, will be because the day before, they partied like CRAZY and they are super hung over LOL … That’s probably what I’m gonna be doing anyways 😛

To celebrate this long week end and our national holiday, I thought a classic Quebec recipe was in order… Now to be honest, I had problems choosing witch one I was going to share with you because there is a LOT of delicious and easy recipes that have been invented here (but again, I’m from Quebec so I’m sure everybody says the same thing from their roots).

…since it’s for a celebration, why not sharing a sweet candy recipe right?! Plus Max had never tasted potato candy before and I thought it was the perfect occasion to make him taste this easy and decadent desert or snack. If you have a sweet tooth, these are for you but watch out because the recipe I’m giving you is making 40+ candy!

The potato candy was first invented back at the beginning of the colonization in Quebec and like many other recipes of that era, they were made around 3 basic ingredients (potatoes, ground beef and carrots) because they were easy to found around that time. Good thing our gran-gran-gran-gran mothers had a lot of imagination because during the holiday, most people were too pore to buy candies for their kids so instead, they tried to make some with what they had around the kitchen and this is how the potato candy was born. Pretty sweet story right?

I remember my sister and I being so anxious while looking at my mom preparing these candy once in a while. It really was a special treat that we didn’t see often so it made them so special. Because of the insane amount of sugar content, it’s not something you want to be making every weeks but everybody needs a treat once in a while!

Hope you enjoy this classic Quebec recipe and don’t forget to visit the Quebec category on the side bar to check out other classic Quebec goodness 🙂 Bon appetit!

…