Whipped pea feta with crispy gnocchi and tomato
and a summer sojourn in Montreal and Toronto
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I’ve just returned from road tripping in Canada, coming home to the inescapable feeling that Summer will soon be over. The kids receiving their class schedules, the knowledge that there are school supply lists that are begging to be fulfilled, and the stark realization that stone fruit is losing their peak summer perkiness, are reminders that there is change on the horizon.
I don’t fear change, I crave it.
A disruption to routine is unsettling but the discomfort always leads to new directions and a renewed motivation to create. A new season is always a good time to imagine differently.
I am, however, comforted by the fact that the tomatoes are still good, and will remain so for a few weeks yet in the East. Late summer varieties are ripe with tartness and tang. I’ve been appreciating the golf-ball sized ‘magic mountain’ tomatoes from my coop this week. They are firm in texture, with a smooth sweetness that continues to bring liveliness to my meals.
Montreal and Toronto, you’re fun
While in Canada last week, we ate well. Montreal, in particular, has my heart. It feels both far-away and familiar. It’s friendly, and live-able. The public transport is excellent. The city is still quite new to me, I’ve been 3 times, once 20 years ago, and twice this year. Our visits have only been brief, and I’m still building my list of favourite places to eat but a few highlights from last week:
Montreal: a stunning vegan curry and excellent hojicha latte at Osmo x Marusan, creamy vegan ice cream at Della Rossa, memorable fried chili paneer, crispy potato filled puri and dosa at Le Super Qualite. I tried my first vegan pogo (corndog) at the bustling La Banquise (they also have vegan / vegetarian poutine). I revisited Elena (for the kale caesar, of course!), took the boys to carb-load with gnocchi at Drogheria Fine, and grabbed a whole Kouing Amman from Au Kouing-Amann for the road. And I finally got to visit my friends at Appetite for Books where I signed copies of Tenderheart and To Asia, With Love.
Ottawa: A quick stopover where I unexpectedly experienced one of the best veggie ramens of my life. We chose to eat at Sansotei because it was around the corner from our hotel. There was a line, and when we got inside, we understood why. The spicy vegetarian mazemen with eggplant and corn blew me away; I’m actually still thinking about it. You might see a mazemen recipe coming to this newsletter soon.
Toronto: It was our first time to Toronto, it actually reminded us a lot of Sydney. Like Sydney, there is excellent Asian food. At Sunny’s Chinese, the flavours were rich and assertive. The veganized dan dan noodles were excellent, and the chiu chow green beans, grilled broccoli with mock XO and silver needle noodles were all super tasty veg dishes. The not-too-sweet desserts are unmissable - I thought the black sesame Hong Kong French toast would be too heavy but had I known how good it is, I would have ordered 2! The soy milk soft serve was also very, very good. We devoured the dim sum (yum cha) at Rol San. The veggie dumplings and Cheung fun, a highlight. The mango pudding and fried pumpkin-shaped glutinous balls were unbelievable. We also enjoyed Pai (though we waited an hour, and I usually don’t do lines). Also if you come across a boba tea chain called Tiger Sugar, order the boba tofu soy milk (I like it with 50% sugar, not too sweet ;) - it’s like a drink version of dou fu faa, Chinese sweet tofu pudding.
Niagara Falls: we stopped at Niagara Falls on the way home and ate at WTF (We are The Finest) Burger Company. The vegetarian option was a fried mozzarella burger and I was dubious, but it was soooo good. If you ever find yourself at the Falls, give it a try. It was one of the better veggie “patties” I've eaten at a restaurant.
This week
Cook lobster-less rolls! This recipe published during the Australian summer earlier this year so for those who may be looking to extend that summer feeling in the Northern hemisphere, give these lobster-less artichoke rolls a go! Or if you are drowning in corn, zucchini and tomatoes, bask in this summer lasagna. If you’re in cooler climes, I’m recommending this cheese mazesoba or this pasta with broccoli, feta and walnuts.
Eat corn…this sook mei faan (Cantonese creamed corn with silken tofu) is an excellent summery dish that still feels hearty. Or perhaps give this soy-butter corn ramen, cold sesame noodles with cucumber, corn and basil, or this corn salad with mango and halloumi a go (these are all gift links, no subscription necessary).