The Knotty Pine Cinnamon Bun

Knotty Pine Cinnamon Bun; Back in the 80’s I was shown by Jill Jacques this treasured recipe for the restaurants most delicious Cinnamon Buns. Now years later I still remember these pillow soft secret caramelized Cinnamon Bun as being a quintessential Knotty Pine experience. In the early 1950’s, the Kofe-Bar changed owners from the Graham’s to the Jacques and after a few years went from baking a couple dozen to a staggering amount per day as the bakery’s reputation grew in popularity and became one of a Mrs. J’s signature bake shop...

Creole Surf and Turf Gumbo w/ Hush Puppi...

  Creole Surf and Turf Gumbo w/ Hush Puppies; I have wowed a lot of people with these abilities to create some great Cajun recipes. I would fry up big batches of fresh caught seafood for shore lunches and back yard parties. Gathering the fresh ingredients for a good Seafood Gumbo is using what fits your personal tastes. I like using all kinds of available seafood and adding in some good artisan smoked sausages. I use a Wok or a steamer Pot to get all the flavours to be added and times for the proper cooking. Once the Gumbo is on it’s time to make the star of...

Berries are Good! K

Ever wonder why there are so many birds that like to eat berries? A bears survival cravings are the same as humans and love the taste and the energy from eating the fresh picked berry fruits. The main reason for the birds take on a seasonal berry feeding frenzies is to build fat cells and immune system. Fat Cells actually up-regulates gene expression for fat oxidation (fat burning) and down-regulates gene expression for fat storage. The oxidation of fatty acids increases further, directly through the release of adiponectin. The overall effect is that fat cells begin to...

Winter Melon Soup (Duong Qua Tong)

Eight Precious Jewels Winter Melon Soup; (Duong Qua Tong) One of my favourite restaurants was a corner diner in White Rock next to my Deli. I used to dine out for my weekly fix of contemporary Asian soups. I’ve have tried many versions of this great prized Cantonese winter melon soup. These large oval or round melon globes are found in the Chinatown markets and are usually recognizable by the dusty, “frosted” white coating found on the green exterior shell of the melon. My chef friend loved his Winter melon and was seen as nourishing and cleansing to the...

Roasted Lemon Thyme Chicken

Roasted Lemon Thyme Chicken. The best and quickest way to make a great home cooked meal. I prefer to use a utility grade small organic fryer chicken and after washing rubbed the skin with lots of fresh thyme leaves, lemon zest, sea salt and tucked a tablespoon of butter under the breast skin. I used the juices from two lemons and placed the zested rinds into the birds cavity with some more thyme and salt. I preheated the oven to 350 while letting the chicken rest while getting my rice dish together. I minced some crispy bacon with a strip of red and green bell pepper,...