I am back!

It has been a while since my last post but what a year it has been....

We renovated our kitchen from this:

to this:

It was a long long process but it was all worth it. As I ventured into the cooking world, I realized what was wrong with the the old kitchen and now it is a dream to work in it!

And then we also planned a wedding....

Making it official after 13 years together!

Throughout that time I was still cooking, repeating some old recipes but also attempted some interesting ones: 3 failed attempts in macaroons (only 1 perfect one in each batch of over 20), a moose roast, pomegranate parfait, razor clams and Bermudian fish chowder - I wish I had time to write about them!

Now my life is slowly heading back to normal, it is time for more adventures in the kitchen!

Crisp Skinned Salmon with Apple Compote

For a dinner party a couple weeks ago, I had a request to serve salmon as a main course.  I much prefer salmon raw, smoked or cured but I thought what the heck I will give it a shot!

I tested Lucy Waverman's recipe the week before and it went well but it just seemed a little bland.  So I kicked it up a notch for the party and fried the salmon in bacon grease instead of oil and also mixed up some bacon bits into the apple compote.  Apples are in season and there is an abundant supply, I chose granny smith which I will NEVER buy to eat but the compote was a hit!  Maybe everyone just wanted the bacon bits...

Watercress Salad with Sauteed Mushrooms and Truffle Oil

For starter we served a watercress salad.  While we were preparing the watercress we were deeply concerned with the bitterness, but with the sauteed mushrooms and freshly grated Parmagiano, mustard dressing by Julius and a few drops of truffle oil - it was delicious!!

White Chocolate Cream Cheese Mousse

For dessert we had a white chocolate cream cheese mousse with home made raspberry sauce. It was a lot of work with over an hour of preparation and a huge mess in the kitchen. The mousse was not stiff enough to form a nice peak even though the flavours were all there.  I know that because our friend Karen finished off all the leftovers!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/recipes/crisp-skinned-salmon-with-apple-compote/article647259/

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/White-Chocolate-Cream-Cheese-Mousse

Salmon 9/10

Salad 9/10

Mousse 6/10