Here’s something to chew on: it was only within the last 100 years or so that barbecue ribs as we know them gained popularity. Before that – and before refrigeration – pork was primarily packaged in wood barrels, and butchers couldn’t fit the spare ribs. This meant in places where hogs were being packed and processed, ribs were priced incredibly cheap, or completely free of charge. Around the world, the ribs of various animals are also consumed alongside those of pork, and

For Chef Shiv Negi of Your Spot Barbecue in Edmonton, cooking ribs is an art that anyone can master with a few things in mind. “Use a dry rub and let it sit, ideally overnight, so that the flavours soak in,” he begins. “If you’re grilling, use hickory or applewood chips, but if you’re indoors a touch of liquid smoke adds nice depth.” Simple Baby Back Ribs are a great way to get back into grilling this season. “This recipe brings together everything I’ve learned over the ye

The origin of the word ‘breakfast’ is in the word itself: to break one’s fast which occurs while sleeping. Of course, with dishes like the ones here, breakfast for dinner (or any other meal for that matter) could quickly become a trend in your household. Four Alberta chefs bring the sweet and the savoury to the breakfast plate this month, showing us what lies beyond toast and coffee. Rise and shine, folks: the early bird gets fed very, very well! Chef Tony Tipping / Wild

Getting a deal these days anywhere is tough, whether you’re in the market for a good steak or a wine-filled night with friends. But there are bargains to be had, depending on where you look. “The cost of pretty much everything is going up, including but not limited to food,” says Joe Dort, Concorde Group’s Director of Brand and Special Projects in Calgary. “Everyone is searching for value these days.” Here are nine tips on finding deals when you eat out this spring:

Hallyu – The South Korean Wave By Linda Garson A couple of years ago, the most popular food trends for new restaurant openings were pizza, bubble tea, and Korean (when we say ‘Korea’, we are referring to South Korea), and guess what? Nothing has changed! We’ve talked at length about Alberta’s love of pizza as well as bubble tea – and now with so many new Korean restaurants opening, it’s Korea’s turn to shine. But why has it become so prevalent? The culinary traditions ha

Yuksel Gultekin, chef and owner of Edmonton’s Zula, sees cooking as an opportunity to put his own spin on tradition. “Traditional Turkish cooking and my mother's cooking inspire me to reinvent and reinterpret these foods for contemporary food lovers.” When it comes to choosing favourites on Zula’s menu, Chef Yuksel is nostalgic. “Grilled lamb has been my favourite since I was a boy and was the first thing I cooked.” But the menu at Zula is a snapshot of the diversity in M

One of the core values at Edmonton’s RGE RD is to help educate people about the cuisine found in their own region. “We want to connect them to producers that support a more intentional and ethical way of growing food,” says owner and chef Blair Lebsack. In addition to the restaurant, there is also a butchery that focuses on whole animal preparation. Nothing goes to waste, which can make for some pretty interesting dishes, says Chef Blair. “One menu item called The Questio

For Chef Greg Sweeney at Edmonton’s Arbour, cooking is all about quality, seasonal ingredients used in dishes that reflect his travels. “I find the regionality of the countries and diversity of cuisines to be very interesting and inspiring.” The menu at Arbor reflects this global view in one of two ways: front and centre, or cleverly placed. Massaman Braised Chuck, one of Chef’s favourites, is exactly as it sounds. The fried chicken, however, uses Thai curry batter and fre

With access to the freshest produce, best beef, poultry, and pork here in Alberta, Mexican cuisine has been making itself known in the province for the last few years. It’s as diverse as any, with each region in Mexico using what is available while drawing from deeply rooted traditions and culture. This month, our four Alberta chefs share a common thread: they all grew up in kitchens watching the women in their families recreate dishes that were passed down to them. A bue

What is Dim Sum? Dim sum is a collective term for a variety of small traditional Chinese dishes served with tea. The origins of dim sum,...

There’s no arguing that filling the home with the scents of slow cooking adds to the overall eating experience once you do tuck in. Along...

Summer is back, and rumour has it this one will be another scorcher for Alberta. That means that anything that can be done outdoors will...

These days, sustainable cooking is less a trend and more habit, thanks to how easy it is to source local ingredients. A trip to the farmer’s market (or to the producers themselves) often supplements, or even completely replaces, trips to big box grocery stores. In short, we’re good at loving local in Alberta. There’s lots of other sustainable cooking practices that you can adopt, too. Planning your meals, eating seasonally, using all parts of a food item, and eating together,

When the topic of Japanese cuisine is broached, most minds turn to sushi, and to an extent, rice. But as we discovered from speaking with...

Edmonton’s Izakaya Tomo takes its name from owner and chef Tomoya Mutaguchi, and bringing the authentic izakaya experience to Alberta is...

It’s safe to say that Chef Ron Elmaleh of Sherwood Park’s Kobachi takes his inspiration from his environment. Growing up, his family,...