Martin Zibauer

Cottage Feast

Edible experiments from Martin Zibauer, Cottage Life's food editor

About Martin Zibauer »

What Roger’s doing for Valentine’s

February 14, 2012

I've known photographer Roger Yip for years, but I had no idea he was such a romantic. Here's what he's making for his wife today: Doesn't look so impressive, does it? But wait till you see what these eggs turn into, after the jump. Amazing! Instructions here.

Read »
Menu reading dispute

Menu reading dispute

February 8, 2012

A new study of eye movement coming out of San Francisco State University suggests people read menus like books—left to right, down one page and then the other. This counters an earlier study that claimed readers bop around, with a lot of eyeball attention on the menu "sweet...

Read »

Pop Chart Lab’s cocktail poster mixup

February 6, 2012

What's it called when a bartender mixes a drink incorrectly? The folks at Pop Chart Lab have produced another stunning beverage poster which should help. This one is a guide to classic cocktail recipes; they’ve also designed a taxonomy of beer, plus several other intricate,...

Read »
How ouarka is made

How ouarka is made

February 2, 2012

Of all the days in the Polka Dot Door week, my favourite was always Finding Out Day. That was the day we saw video footage, usually from a factory, showing how something was made. I love finding out stuff! No wonder I was so excited to see how ouarka (pronounced "warka") is made...

Read »
How to make preserved lemons

How to make preserved lemons

January 31, 2012

I like the analogy on Hunter Angler Gardener Cook: Preserved lemons are to fresh as salami is to fresh meat. One isn't better than the other; they’re both very good and very different things. As the lemon cures in salt, the rind (the only part you eat) loses the sharp,...

Read »

Garam Masala Spiced Nuts recipe

November 26, 2011

This easy spiced nut recipe is inspired by one from Vij's restaurant in Vancouver, with an idea (using egg white as a binding agent) I picked up from Oprah and Martha. As in Vij's recipe, this uses garam masala with mango powder, which is dried and ground green mangoes. It's...

Read »
Black Cardamom Garam Masala recipe

Black Cardamom Garam Masala recipe

November 26, 2011

Black cardamom is related to the more familiar green cardamom, but is dried over an open fire, so it has a rich smoky scent. You can find black cardamom in South Asian grocery stores; while you're there comb the spice aisle for many other interesting flavourings. This spice...

Read »
Herbes de Provence recipe

Herbes de Provence recipe

November 26, 2011

I'm at the Great Outdoors and Do-It-Yourself Show this weekend. Here's one of the blends I'm featuring in my cooking demos. I use herbes de Provence on roasted vegetables and lamb, or in shortbread cookies. It's a versatile, easily made mix—the only unusual ingredient is...

Read »
Braised Red Cabbage with Star Anise Recipe

Braised Red Cabbage with Star Anise Recipe

November 21, 2011

Braised red cabbage is a terrific cold-weather side dish—warm comfort food that goes very well with wintry roasts, such as pork, beef, or duck. It's also a natural next to spaetzle, the delicious German cross between dumpling and pasta. (I'm working on a spaetzle idea. Stay...

Read »

How to peel a head of garlic in 10 seconds

October 19, 2011

Just in time to ward off Halloween vampires, Saveur magazine has a fantastic tip for peeling garlic fast--and without stinking up your hands. By the way, if you do get garlic stink on your hands, just rub your hands with a stainless steel spoon or other utensil under...

Read »

MOST POPULAR

POLL

What's your favourite winter activity?

Results »
Loading ... Loading ...
facebook

Cottage Life on Facebook