Otto’s Russian-Style Hearty Cabbag...

                Russian-Style Hearty Cabbage Soup When I was living in Invermere BC I did lots of sightseeing into the mountainous back country adjacent the Purcell, Selkirk and the Rockies mountain ranges. I remember being shown the many off the beat and track valley rivers and trails that were once transportation routes for the many mines that were situated all through this area. Some of the mines had natural hot springs and gardens that flourished to bath and feed the hungry miners. This one particular backwoods mine still had a...

Dill Pickled Beets

Dill Pickled Beets My Aunt Marie was a founding church member that helped raise money by selling her home preserves. She was one very serious canner. I remember many visits to her house and smelling the delicious cooking aromas that lingered in the air. This next recipes was one of her best offerings and she would produce several batches which were presold each season. I remember as a lad helping her pick, clean and peel several baskets of fruit and vegetables for this purpose. She taught me lots of things about canning that I later found very useful in my career as a...

Table Hopping with thekitchenman.

Table Hopping with thekitchenman. When I get to visit a new area eatery that I’ve been told about or just happen find and old diner or golf course  or resort restaurant of interest. It’s super finding so many family run stores with hand crafted food items and pantry items while checking out the back roads here in Woodstock and the surrounding farming counties. The great drives over the open county roads is pleasant and sets you up to get a destination well rested and ready to explore. So far taking the old highways and back roads in to Ayr, Guelph, Cambridge,...

Back Yard BBQ Thanksgiving

When the BBQ kitchenman is doing his thing at a back yard alfresco party, it is always important to make the food as exciting and unique tasting as possible. When I put together a menu for a party, I like to hear Gourmand feedback! One of thekitchenman’s sure hit back yard chow downs is this menu.  Now this meal started with a BBQ grill full of fresh caught prawns, some spicy wings, sided with garden fresh salad and a cold watermelon spritzer too start. Main course, New Orleans Creole rubbed seasoned Chicken Legs. Cherry Smoke Honey Garlic Ribs, Slow Smoked Pulled...

Coal Fired Shovel Breakfasts

Coal Fired Shovel Breakfasts My chef dad Con was only five foot three inches but he was solid built like a bull dog. He boxed as a teenager but later realized that all his yelling and acting real angry got the message across better and without battle scars. My dad was incapable of driving and thing on wheels. If you were the person who stopped to help my dad who was always carrying grocery items, he would promise them some of his prepared food at the end of the day which also meant he would bag a ride to the station or better yet home. I remember there were a lot of...