Knotty Pine Willow Tree Hot Seafood Sala...

Hot Seafood Salad From The Knotty Pine Willow Tree Restaurant. Only a working chef knows how difficult it is to make good food consistently. Working at the New Knotty Pine Willow Tree Restaurant in Waterloo gave me the a most beautiful dinning room managed by Jim and Debbie Jacques. I had a very eager and talented team and the chance to show off some of my contemporary style of cooking.  Interesting food items that everyone would enjoy, handcrafted with passion and made to look and taste delectable. Here is one of the most ordered recipes for my famous mouth-watering Hot...

Spinach and Cheese Cannelloni with Roast...

Spinach and Cheese Cannelloni with Roasted Tomato Sauce. I like to cook Italian and making good spinach cannelloni is one of my favourites. When making a good pasta recipe it can be very simple or very complex especially if you make your own noodles. I like making the pasta sauce and filling from scratch. I find it very convenient when using a good packaged lasagna noodle like DeCecco because when they are par blanched they are easy to work with and have an acceptable taste like home made after being baked in a tomato sauce. Your time then can be spent on making a tasty...

Razor Clams in Wok Fried Green Pepper Bl...

Razor Clams in Wok Fried Green Pepper Black Bean Sauce. The Pacific North West Coast has a lot of clam gathering shore line. Blaine Washington is right next door to White Rock BC. We share the same Semiahmoo Bay sandy beaches that yield several varieties during the DOF regulated seasons. Portland  Oregon has a yearly clam festival and over the years attracts thousands of clam diggers. The beaches up and down the coast become an active hunting ground for these Bi-Valves. Next to fried frog legs, razor clams are my next fav! After cleaning the clams, a plastic freezer bag...

Classic Quebec Torchiere.

Classic Quebec Torchiere. My dad once worked along side a hotel chef from Quebec City. He once came to visit one December for dinner at our house. With emotional pride he brought an offering of his Grand mothers French Canadian holiday favourite meat pie. This torchière pastry crust was made using suet a trans fat lard and was had a texture that made this meat pie a classic. You’ll need; 1 lb. ground pork 1 ½ lb. ground beef 1 cup onion, minced 2 cloves russian garlic, minced 2 bay leaves 1 tsp celery salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ tsp fresh ground...

Steamer Clams Fresh Oysters and Caviar w...

Meeting Dennis Hopper! I just finished my last shift before some holidays working at the Hotel Vancouver.  I covered lots of shifts from early am till after midnight. It was time for a break and this spring time was mine to do whatever I wished and I figured about a months of traveling in B.C. and eating someone else’s cooking was all I would need to build up my cooking spirits and strengths again. I made it back to Ontario for a quick visit but couldn’t wait to get back to Beach Ave: 1976 I took on a chef position at the Kettle of Fish on Pacific Blvd. My bbq grill...

Roasted Heirloom Vegetables Bouquet Garn...

Roasted Heirloom Vegetables Bouquet Garni. The flavorings used refers to sprigs of herbs, usually rosemary parsley and thyme, and bay leaves tied together for roasting, steeping simmering with juices to flavor it. A bouquet can also contain a stalk of celery or a leek top; black peppercorns or other whole spices may be included as well. I just add the herbs and spices that will enhance the olive oil and go well with the chosen vegetables. I simply toss the cut vegetables in a bowl with the seasonings. Kosher salt, pepper and cider vinegar to intensify the taste. Roast on...