Scallion Yogurt Rigatoni with Citrus Cured Egg Yolks

Scallion Yogurt Rigatoni with Citrus Cured Egg Yolks

Not all my ideas start out as good ones. Take this Scallion Yogurt Rigatoni for instance. Looks good, doesn’t it? Kind of classy even. I mean, it certainly wouldn’t be out of place in a date night scenario. Do you want to know how it started life? You probably don’t but I’m going to tell you anyway. This semi-elegant, all-over delicious pasta dish was originally a sorry substitute for sour cream and onion potato chips. I had a craving but I couldn’t justify caving. So, I did the next best thing, I channeled that craving into something equally cravable but a little more dinner appropriate: pasta.

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Sweet Pea Tuna Lasagna

Sweet Pea Tuna Lasagna

There are many things in the world I choose to be snobby about but lasagna is not one. I may be picky about my scotch, my cheese plates, and my saltwater fishes. But lasagna? Naw! High brow, low brow, traditional or trendy – it doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never had a lasagna I deemed “inedible”. Anything with that much cheese and pasta is hard to hate. Now, of course, I know enough to know a truly outstanding lasagna when I’m fortunate enough to eat one. But do I care if it is a classic bolognese, béchamel affair or some outlandish combination? Nope! So, with my opinions on lasagna firmly established, allow me to introduce you to my Sweet Pea Tuna Lasagna. A spring-friendly lasagna seemingly filled with every “blasphemous” ingredient I could think of. Look away, lasagna purists. Look away!

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Thai Basil Chicken Spring Rolls with Mango Sweet Chili Sauce

Thai Basil Chicken Spring Rolls with Mango Sweet Chili Sauce

Spring rolls are one of those delights of life that most of us encounter at a very early age. They are included on almost every Chinese food menu and combo. In fact, around these parts, I’d say the spring roll is far more ubiquitous than the egg roll. Perhaps it is because the spring roll, or some variation of it, has a place in countless Asian cuisines most of which are well represented in Toronto. But in spite of their ubiquity, they are left relatively untouched. The fillings remain largely cabbage and ground pork affairs. I find this strange because the spring roll is a near perfect, crispy vessel for just about anything. So, with this in mind, I bring you these Thai Basil Chicken Spring Rolls with Mango Sweet Chili Sauce. While the concept isn’t exactly groundbreaking, the spring rolls themselves are delicious.

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Tonkatsu Sandos with Shaved Cabbage

Tonkatsu Sando with Shaved Cabbage

The first thing I ask a person upon meeting them is what’s your favorite meal and what’s your favorite pie. I’m not proud of this. I’m not proud of this because, for me, this would be an impossible line of questioning. It’d be right up there with what’s your favorite movie or your favorite song. How the hell could anyone narrow cinema and music down to a pat response? But still, I ask. Not because I wish to be annoying but because I like to make people happy. If I ever ask you either of these questions, it means I’m a fan. I asked Bae both of these questions shortly after meeting him and he answered without hesitation – tonkatsu. Ever since then, I’ve been finding ways to sneak the treat onto our dinner table whenever I can. Today’s Tonkatsu Sandos is just my most recent effort.

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