Cooking with basil 101: Everything there is to know about the tasty herb

 Basil is one of the most popular herbs in use today. It’s a beautiful and brightly-coloured herb that originated in Africa and Southeast Asia but is now used worldwide. It is widespread in Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese cuisines as well as in traditional Italian dishes. You’re probably most familiar with

Add some zing to your summer cooking with ReaLemon

 Must-have summer ingredient: New ReaLemon Flavour Infusions –Garlic! ReaLemon, introduced ReaLemon Flavour Infusions – Garlic. It’s the classic ReaLemon you know and love with a hint of garlic! ReaLemon Flavour Infusions – Garlic will be your perfect cooking companion this summer as it adds an exciting hint of garlic to every

DIY – Infused olive oils at a fraction of the price of gourmet shops

 Herb-infused olive oil is a simple and tasty way to add flavour to any dish. Extremely versatile, it can be used for cooking, salad dressings and marinades as well as a condiment to coat your food with delicious notes of herbs, citrus, garlic or spices. Since these fancy bottles can

Master the Art of Grilling Salmon

 Nothing is better than being outside and grilling on a beautiful summer day. Choose salmon for a light, summertime dinner! First, you need to decide if you want to buy farm raised or wild salmon. The first noticeable difference is the appearance. Wild salmon offers a better taste, texture, and

Time-saving cooking tips for healthy meals

 Between work, family commitments and taking time to relax from it all, it can be hard to find the time to cook healthy meals. But don't reach for the takeout flyer just yet — use these simple tips to prepare wholesome dishes in no time. Chop extra fruit and vegetables. Weeknight

An appetizer for any occasion

 These easy-to-make and delicious zucchini boats are a perfect side, appetizer or snack for any event. Blend mushrooms with meat to cut down on cost, lighten the meal and add an extra serving of veggies. If you aren't a big spice fan, then reduce the heat by removing the chipotle

Deviled Eggs 3 Ways for Spring Brunch

 With spring finally here, and Easter and Passover in full swing, we are all ready for some delicious brunch! Deviled eggs are a staple for this time of year and they are just so aesthetically pleasing when set out on a table spread. Perfect for that food flatlay you’ve been

5 Tips to Avoid the Holiday Weight Gain…and Still Indulge in it All

 Welcome to Day 9 of the 25 Days of Ottawa Life Christmas Calendar. We’ll be updating with a new treat daily so be sure to keep checking under the OLM Tree to see what’s new. Ahhh the holidays. It’s a time when we come together to celebrate joy and family… and inevitably

Connect with your community through a love of food

 Everyone loves friendly and welcoming communities. And there are many benefits of living in a connected neighbourhood ( like feeling safe and providing a good environment for children. But a recent survey from Whirlpool Canada shows that only a third of us actually feel connected to the people closest to

Ottawa’s Food Fusion Serves Up a Delightful Evening

 Photos by Emily Cordonier and Dave DiUbaldo Excellent food and some friendly competition proved to be a winning combination at The United Way’s inaugural Food Fusion event. Ottawa’s Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute hosted the creative fundraiser, which pitted five corporate teams against one other in a “Master Chef-like” competition. In

Easy Holiday Potluck Recipes

 Welcome to Day 14 of our 25 Day Ottawa Life Christmas Calendar.  We’ll be updating with a new treat daily so be sure to keep checking under the OLM Tree to see what’s new. And don’t forget our big Light Up Your Ottawa Life Contest! Do you have a holiday party coming

“All About Fish” Promotes Sustainability with Energy and Zest

 All images courtesy Gusto TV.  Gusto TV wants Canadians to buy and cook sustainable seafood – and love every minute of it.  The Ottawa-based food and lifestyle channel will promote a serious message with their new show, Fish the Dish and its companion website AllAboutFish.ca, two offerings that are as

The Best Brine and Gravy For Your Next Turkey

 Just in time for Thanksgiving, Weber serves up another great recipe. Didn’t think a turkey could be cooked on the grill? Think again! Why not try something new this Thanksgiving and treat your loved ones to a brined and barbecued turkey? Once you taste a turkey that’s been grilled, you’ll never

Let Chef’s Plate Pamper your Palate

 When it comes to eating, life has gotten complicated. Let’s be honest and say that finding healthy food with correct portions that’s delicious and easy to prepare can be tricky business. What if you could just choose gourmet meals online, order all the ingredients to show up on your doorstep,

Logan Guleff Wants to Get Kids Cooking!

 All images courtesy of Uncle Ben's and CNW group. Now carrying the prestigious title of MasterChef Junior, 13-year-old Logan Guleff has humble culinary roots. His introduction to the kitchen came at age two, when Guleff started spooning grounds into his mother’s coffee maker each morning. “I would take two scoops

What Exactly is a Mustard Sommelier?

 OLM chats with Maille mustard sommelier, Harry Lalousis “Sommelier comes from the ancient Gaelic word for ‘someone who knows’ or ‘someone who has knowledge of,’” explains Harry Lalousis, Maille’s mustard sommelier. Although we usually associate the word with wine, Lalousis explains that the term can apply to a variety of

Exploring Beauty at the National Women’s Show

 You cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of curiosity and a burst of adrenaline rush through your veins when you walk into a room filled with over 250 exhibitors and thousands of excited women looking to discover the next best thing. The aisles are crowded, the discounted goods are

Italian Retreat

 When we think of Italy urban centres like Florence, Rome and Milan probably spring to mind. But leave the hustle and bustle behind, slow down and soak up life and the beauty and tranquility of Italian village life. Tranquil Tuscany Located 15 minutes from the medieval city of Siena, there’s

The Executive Mom Must-Have Kitchen List

 It’s really no secret that I am about as talented in the kitchen as the Grinch Who Stole Christmas is with his emotions. To illustrate my point, feel free to watch the kitchen segment of Daytime Ottawa where Derick and I feature the Egg Farmers of Ontario. That being said,

Maple Cinnamon French Toast

 Recipe created by author Kathy Smart, North America’s Gluten Free Expert, courtesy of Udi’s Gluten-Free. Coconut milk gives this Cinnamon French toast with Canadian maple syrup an unexpected twist. Gluten free, and perfect for a cozy breakfast. Serves 1. Ingredients: 2 pieces of Udi’s Whole Grain Bread or Millet and

Food Frenzy in the Capital

 When the average Canadian thinks of Ottawa, they think of the national hub of power and politics. However, our great city is more than just that. Don Chow and Jennifer Lim’s new book Ottawa Food: A Hungry Capital is a feast for your eyes. In it, they explore all things

The DIY Backsplash

 There are several affordable ways you can incorporate some design wow into your interior space. One of those ways is with the kitchen backsplash. Not only will this protect your walls and add visual appeal, but it will also add architectural depth to the space. I still remember the completion

Creating a Community: Cohousing at Terra Firma

 On Canada Day, Valerie Gapp baked strawberry and rhubarb muffins. Valerie, her husband Thomas and their 14-month-old twins Audrey and Alexis joined their neighbours across the street for a potluck brunch. They celebrated two birthdays: Canada’s and Terra Firma's cohousing community. Terra Firma residents have lived together for 17 years,

Festival of India

 Over 4,000 attendees took in the sounds, smells and tastes of India at the third annual festival this weekend. The festival took place in front of City Hall and the grounds were complete with a stage, vendors, food tents, a cooling tent, picnic tables and an area where various workshops

Sides: The Supporting Role

 While the protein is generally the star of your BBQ dish, sides are just as important to complete a well-rounded and delicious meal. Can you imagine going to a restaurant and ordering a burger … just a burger? No way! You want fries, salad, slaw, veggies—the options are endless! Side