October 1, 2017
Apples I have a bad habit that I must confess. Every year when autumn rolls in I can feel an excitement growing in my bones. The crisp and cool air swirling through the trees is like a siren call that pulls me to the orchard, with no concern for what may follow. Romantic as it sounds, this lust for orchard…
August 1, 2017
The humble potato has had a rough go of things lately. What was once a staple on dinner plates across Canada has now been consigned by many to the “unhealthy” category of foods—and to me, that’s a great shame. Not only are potatoes full of many essential nutrients, they’re a great, cost-effective ingredient that can be enjoyed in so many…
July 1, 2017
Glistening like rubies beneath a canopy of frothy white flowers and verdant foliage, the Island strawberry is the jewel in the crown of a PEI summer. Socials are planned at just about every church hall, and shortcakes start making their way into ovens as these little beauties reach their peak in mid- to late July, and who can blame us?…
June 1, 2017
It’s pretty hard to envision Prince Edward Island without a bright red lobster wiggling its way into the picture. It is a ubiquitous marketing symbol for the province and the lobster industry remains an important one for the Island economy and livelihood of many Islanders. And though we Islanders know it’s right at home as star of the “feed” as…
May 1, 2017
Tart enough to pucker your lips and pink as a blushing cheek, rhubarb is one of my favourite things and is an old staple of spring cooking on Prince Edward Island. From jams and compotes to pies and crumbles, and even a fresh stalk cheerfully dipped in sugar, rhubarb appears in some of the most iconic sweets from the annals…
April 1, 2017
Lamb As the seasons change, so do the foods on my table. The coming of spring never fails to get me excited for all the bright, crisp tastes that arrive alongside those first few crocus blooms bursting through the crusts of ice and snow. So many beautiful foods just feel right on a springtime table and lamb is one of…
March 1, 2017
There’s an old saying that you shouldn’t cook with any wine you wouldn’t happily drink, and in my books the same should definitely go for beer. Luckily, Prince Edward Island is a burgeoning hotspot for the brewing scene. Breweries are dotted across the Island, and are producing a delicious variety of beers, from lagers and witbier to bitters and stouts,…
February 1, 2017
At the risk of disagreeing with Jane Austen, poetry is not the food of love. The truth is far more simple: food is the food of love. We gather around tables and break bread together to do more than fill our bellies. Eating helps us commune and share with each other, creating understanding, friendship, and sometimes romance. This month I’m…
January 1, 2017
January can be a month of deprivation. The New Year’s craze for cleanses and fasting, all in the name of renewal and improvement, is simply not for me. Life is too short to spend at least one month out of twelve trying to convince yourself that you can live happily on green juice and air alone. Isn’t it better to…
December 1, 2016
December is chocolate month here in The Little Island Kitchen, and what fun it was developing these recipes! From the awesome chocolatiers that I was able to source from to the last little spoonful of the final product, every moment has been a joy. I think that is part of the magic of chocolate – its power to delight and…