The book is a celebration of food and music made during the band’s latest album, “In Our Nature” (Which I also recommend.  They just kicked off their tour in Vancouver and they are as good as ever.  It must be the food they’ve been eating).  Apparently chef Boothman was responsible for feeding the band while they recorded at one of the musician’s country studio in Ontario.  Reading the book it is clear that food is a critical part of their creative process and I love the sneak peak it provides into how it all comes together.  They seem like regular people who enjoy un-fussy good food and the company of old friends.

Whether you’re a fan of Blue Rodeo’s music or not, the recipes are straightforward, down-to-earth and with the odd twist, like the Maple Cookie Pumpkin Pie.  It could be great for anyone who’s just discovering an interest in (or need for) cooking.  Check out the Olive Oil Roasted Potatoes.  Seriously addictive.  I’m always looking for a new way to serve this crowd pleasing side dish.

Every once in awhile we need a reminder that cooking for others is supposed to be an act of love.  It doesn’t matter if the napkins match or if things aren’t ready at the same time.  At my Christmas dinner this year we were so short of chairs one guest sat on the counter.  “Sing For Your Supper” is a reminder of what’s important. 

Oh yeah, and Blue Rodeo’s profits from book sales will be donated to The Daily Bread Food Bank.

More photos of Dar Les Cigognes:

The Lobby

One of the  bedrooms

The unassuming entrance

Filming overlooking the courtyard

The fountain again. Its beauty changed throughout the day!

Pots, pans, kitchen tools, appliances, plates. Nothing goes unsullied on an A&K Kitchen Day! For The Babbo Cookbook, we used almost everything available!

There was flour everywhere after cooking from the Artisanal Gluten-Free cookbook.

The My Pizza episode was one of those rare episodes where we actually had a little time to tidy up the kitchen before the chef arrived!

For our test of The Family Meal, we got to mess up someone else’s kitchen! (Thanks again, Hawksworth Restaurant!) How the heck do you clean a tilt pan, anyway? 

From The Family Meal, a close-up of our marinating veal cheeks (with 37 cups of wine!) in the commercial grade tilt pan at Hawksworth Restaurant. Really though, how DO you clean it?

We were full of chocolatey goodness for the taste test of Absolutely Chocolate with Chef Bruno Feldeisen. Those leftovers disappeared quickly!

The orange loaf got a bit burnt, but it still tasted pretty good for our taste test of Treasury of Newfoundland Dishes with Chef Jeremy Charles. Anyone for lima bean loaf leftovers?

We’re all ears for some cooking advice from guest chef Park Heffelfinger after taste testing Trisha Yearwod’s Home Cooking.  Who doesn’t like red velvet cake and waffle leftovers?

And we’re joking! The Grocery Bag crew really does get fed (luckily by someone else) during the day.

-Anna

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And on kitchen day, we definitely keep our designer clothes far away from our cooking! Here we are with guest chef Fabio Viviani. 

Tell us who you’d love to cook for in the comments below!

What about you? What’s your favourite cuisine from around the world?

Photo: madlyinlovewithlife/flickr

My Father’s Daughter

by Gwyneth Paltrow

We have to hand it to Gwyneth. She’s definitely a triple threat! This is not just a cookbook that’s endorsed by a celebrity, it’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s personal collection of family favourites. We definitely think My Father’s Daughter is worth your money.

Available in Canada at:

Chapters-Indigo
Amazon.ca

Available in the USA at:

Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble 

The Joy of Cooking (75th Anniversary Edition) By Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, and Ethan Becker Joy of Cooking is a must-have cookbook and reference guide for anyone who cooks. If you already have an earlier edition, you may want to stick with it. But if you don’t have Joy of Cooking yet, you should!
Available in Canada at: Chapters-Indigo Amazon.ca	Available in the USA at: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble

Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver Cook With Jamie unquestionably gets our A&K Stamp of Approval. Jamie’s cooking and food philosophies, as well as his instructional lessons, make this book a definite buy for a wide range of skill levels.
Available in Canada at: Amazon.ca  Chapters-Indigo	Available in the USA at:  Amazon.com Barnes & Noble

Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics by Ina Garten This is one cookbook we strongly recommend for beginners and advanced cooks alike. We are in love with this book!
Available in Canada at: Chapters-Indigo  Amazon.ca	Available in the USA at: Amazon.com  Barnes & Noble

Plus, another Barefoot Contessa cookbook is

our Favourite Product for March!

by Ina Garten The newly-released Foolproof is bound to take its place among our favourites.  In this cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten takes things up a notch, offering easy to follow recipes that promise to wow your guests. Another A&K Stamp of Approval for the Barefoot Contessa!
In Canada Chapters-Indigo Amazon.ca	In the US Amazon.com  Barnes & Noble
		Above: Nick & Toni’s Penne Alla Vecchia Bettola Below: Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Photos: Barefoot Contessa
Photographer: Quentin Bacon