http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/knezic Natalie Knezic is a Process Development Manager by profession and an avid foodie and wine collector in her spare time. Inspired by daily trips to the market with her grandmother as a child, Natalie loves to explore different community markets and share her love of cooking with family and friends. http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0014.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0014.phpI was always intrigued with fiddleheads, but I was never able to cook them in a manner that was delicious enough to warrant rushing to the market whenever spring came around. All of that changed when I met a woman named Isabelle who runs the Jardins Sauvages stall at Montreal’s Jean-Talon Market. Wed, 16 May 2012 20:19:46 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0013.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0013.phpIt was a blustery day when I decided to make this soup for our latest post. I love the rustic texture and vibrant colour with a kick of heat from the black pepper. There is nothing more comforting from the kitchen than a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day, so sit back and enjoy this one with a nice glass of red Burgundy and some crusty bread. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:27:47 -0600http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/HS0175.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/HS0175.phpI recently ran into Nico Schuermans, Chef and owner of Chambar and Cafe Medina in Vancouver. Both establishments offer exceptional cuisine that eschews formality and puts the focus on tantalizing flavours. In the words of Chef Schuermans, I'm not here to feed you, I'm here to entertain you. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:24:54 -0600http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0011.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0011.phpI have this wonderful memory of my uncle Milenko sitting in the garage with his old paring knife, carefully carving off a piece of his house-smoked prosciutto for me to try. I was only about seven years of age at the time, and little did I know how much I would grow to appreciate the art of what he was doing. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:18:53 -0600http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0010.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0010.phpI never liked lobster as a child. To be fair I never tried lobster as a child, but in my defence I had sound reasons. The mere thought of pulling limbs from a prehistoric-looking creature with seemingly endless jagged parts held little appeal, and eating the creepy thing was simply out of the question. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:11:12 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0009.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0009.phpI love Spain. There are many things to love about it, not the least of which is the passion and extravagance of its people and the intensity with which they gesture, speak and love. One can easily understand that this same intensity and passion finds its way into the food, and I can certainly vouch for that. Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:40:26 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/Lifestyle/NK0008.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/Lifestyle/NK0008.phpHave you pulled out your lawn furniture yet? Have a seat on your porch or balcony and watch the spring flowers bloom as you enjoy this refreshing treat. Thu, 26 May 2011 13:29:42 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/Lifestyle/NK0007.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/Lifestyle/NK0007.phpThe first edible gifts to hit the forest floor are ramps, otherwise known as wild leeks. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:29:32 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0006.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0006.phpAlthough the paella does not follow the tenets of what textbooks say is regionally authentic (i.e. made with rabbit and snails), I call it so because many generations of the women in my friend's family made it just this way. Thu, 26 May 2011 13:29:13 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0005.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/lifestyle/NK0005.phpA slow braise is needed to tenderize the connective tissue in the beef, and your patience is rewarded with melt-in-your-mouth, tender beef that falls apart at the mere sight of a fork. Thu, 26 May 2011 13:29:21 -0500