This refreshing, semi-tart lemonade spices it up with a hint of ginger. You may find this version a tad on the tart side if you have a sweet tooth, so make it as the recipe suggests, sample a bit, and then add extra agave if needed. Be sure to add lemon zest because it contributes important antioxidants, making this lemonade a healthier alternative to commercial products.
Zest of 1 large organic lemon
1/3 cup (80 mL) freshly squeezed organic lemon juice, plus pulp
3 Tbsp (45 mL) agave nectar
1 in (2.5 cm) length of ginger root
2/3 cup (160 mL) cold water
Crushed ice
In a 2 cup (500 mL) measuring cup or small bowl whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice and pulp, and agave nectar. Grate ginger using either a very fine zester or the tiniest blade of your grater or, using the side of a large knife, mash and mince ginger until it is a thick paste (totally worth the effort). Add ginger to lemon mixture. Stir in water. Fill two medium glasses with crushed ice. Equally divide the lemonade between the two glasses and serve. Serves 2.
Each 1/2 cup (125 mL) serving contains:
100 calories; 0 g protein; 0 g total fat; 26 g carbohydrates; 0 g fibre; 0 mg sodium
source: "Summer Drinks", alive #310, August 2008
Tourtière is, for me, the dish that best represents Québec. It can be traced back to the 1600s, and there’s no master recipe; every family has their own twist. Originally, it was made with game birds or game meat, like rabbit, pheasant, or moose; that’s one of the reasons why I prefer it with venison instead of beef or pork. Variation: If you prefer to make single servings, follow our lead at the restaurant, where we make individual tourtières in the form of a dome (pithivier) and fill them with 5 ounces (160 g) of the ground venison mixture. Variation: You can also use a food processor to make the dough. Place the flour, salt, and butter in the food processor and pulse about ten times, until the butter is incorporated—don’t overmix. It should look like wet sand, and a few little pieces of butter here and there is okay. With the motor running, through the feed tube, slowly add ice water until the dough forms a ball—again don’t overmix. Wrap, chill, and roll out as directed above.
My love of artichokes continues with this classic recipe, one of the best ways to eat this interesting, underrated, and strange vegetable. Frozen artichoke hearts are a time-saving substitute, though the flavour and texture of fresh artichokes are, by far, much superior and definitely preferred.
Cervelle de canut is basically the Boursin of France, an herbed fresh farmer’s cheese spread that’s a speciality of Lyon. The name is kind of weird, as it literally means “silk worker’s brain,” named after nineteenth-century Lyonnaise silk workers, who were called canuts. Sadly, the name reflects the low opinion of the people towards these workers. Happily for us, though, it’s delicious—creamy, fragrant, and fresh at the same time. Cervelle de canut is one of my family’s favourite dishes. It’s a great make-ahead appetizer that you can pop out of the fridge once your guests arrive. Use a full-fat cream cheese for the dish, or it will be too runny and less delicious.