Every few years, obscure culinary terms or ingredients start popping up on menus. Remember when “pesto” needed an explanation, “chipotles” brought about quizzical looks and you didn’t know if Ponzu was a sauce or a Pokemon character (maybe I still got some of you with Ponzu…)

Well, coming soon to your grocery store shelves - look for all things espellette. I predict that by the new year, we will be seeing Espellette Shrimp Appetizers and espellette-dusted potato chips in the grocery stores. What is espellete, then? It is a dried chili pepper grown in the small village of the same name in the Basque region, used in the production of Bayonne Ham. The peppers are so revered in that part of the world, that it has been designated by the Appellation d’Origine Controllée (the same government board which controls the strictest guidelines for Roquefort cheese, Rhône wines and Champagne) and has a festival devoted to it every year. It’s similar to hot paprika; it carries a medium heat, and is used in the same way. (more…)

At my sister’s place for a summer BBQ, her husband Mark whipped up their signature summer appetizer while we sipped cold beer and prepared a butterflied leg of lamb for the grill.

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It’s September and the kids are back at school. Here are a few ideas to help your kids make healthy eating choices when you’re not around. (more…)

Welcome to the Canadian Living food blog. I’m Christine Picheca, resident blogger and food expert. I am a self-confessed foodie – that person who somehow can always turn a conversation into an opportunity to talk about what’s on the menu this week, who gets called when friends have guests coming to town and need a restaurant recommendation, who fields more how-long-do-I-cook-this-turkey calls than a poultry farm, knows where to find the best dumplings in Chinatown and does it all with relish! I have come to my current state of food- and entertainment-focused lifestyle by a combination of natural inclination and a little effort. (more…)