The Halloween decorations are coming down, the cookbook pile is getting taller, and November is already here. This week’s Sunday Edit brings together a simple Italian recipe, a rather luxurious SUV, a little theatre and everything we’ve been writing about.
November 1 was National Buy a Cookbook Day, which is as good an excuse as any to reorganize the bookshelves and revisit a few favourites. In between restaurant news, Halloween outings and work on our B.C. cider guide, I’ve been finding reasons to spend more time in the kitchen.
On the cookbook pile: Marcella Hazan
This week I’m returning to Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan, one of the books in my 40 Essential Cookbooks That Changed How We Cook. Born in Italy in 1924, Hazan moved to New York in the 1950s and became one of the most influential teachers of Italian home cooking. Her famous tomato sauce, made with just tomatoes, butter, onion and salt, sums up her philosophy: let good ingredients do the work. The onion gently sweetens the tomatoes, while the butter gives the sauce its rich, silky finish. It’s a classic because it’s so simple, reliable and delicious.
Her tomato sauce with onion and butter is a perfect example. Sometimes three ingredients and a little patience are all you need.
Recipe of the week: Tomato sauce with onion and butter
This is an adaptation of Marcella Hazan’s famous minimalist tomato sauce. Serve it with pasta and plenty of time to enjoy dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 can (796 mL / 28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, with their juices
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in half
- Salt, to taste
- Cooked pasta, to serve
Method
- Place the tomatoes, butter and onion halves in a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat.
- Cook uncovered for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes.
- Discard the onion halves and season to taste.
- Toss with freshly cooked pasta and serve.
Adapted from Marcella Hazan’s tomato sauce with onion and butter. For more inspiration, see Where to Buy Cookbooks in BC.
In the driveway: Infiniti QX65 Autograph
I’ve driven some remarkably expensive vehicles, so the word luxury alone doesn’t necessarily win me over. The Infiniti QX65 Autograph did get my attention, though, with comfortable seating, thoughtful details and speakers integrated into the front headrests. There is plenty of room in the back, too. I’ll share more in a closer look at the vehicle.
A little Halloween theatre
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at the Arts Club Theatre offered big laughs, wonderful costumes and a few cheeky local references. There’s no reason to stop enjoying a good spooky comedy once October is over.
Coming up in November
The month is already filling up. On November 5, I’ll be at the COOL AF Expo representing Sea Cider’s alcohol-free Temperance collection and discovering what else is happening in the world of sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks. I’m also watching new Vancouver restaurant openings and looking ahead to food and wine experiences in San Antonio and Fredericksburg, Texas.
Published this week: October 26–November 1
It was a particularly busy week at Good Life Vancouver. Here is everything that went live during the reporting week, grouped so you can dip into whichever topics catch your eye.
Cookbooks
- 40 Essential Cookbooks That Changed How We Cook
- Where to Buy Cookbooks in BC
- 2026 Taste Canada Award Winners
Restaurants, food and drink
- Three Sailor Jerry Cocktails for a Halloween Movie Night
- Botanist Celebrates Día de los Muertos
- Pumpkin: The Seasonal Bacon
- Things I Found on Granville Island
- Bar Tifo Is Coming to Commercial Drive as Pax Romana Returns
- Beaucoup Creamery’s New Dessert Bar Menu
- Desi Indian Lounge’s Diwali Dinner
- Gregory Gourdet’s Special B.C. Dinners
- Autumn at Burdock & Co
Wellness and entertainment
Elsewhere in my bylines
For Vancouver Is Awesome, I covered ARC Restaurant’s Oak & Smoke menu, including its standout sablefish dish. I’m also keeping tabs on new restaurant coverage in VITA’s recent Vancouver restaurant openings roundup, published October 20.
Whether November means checking out a new restaurant, opening a bottle from a local producer or finally cooking a recipe you’ve bookmarked, I hope there’s something delicious on your calendar.
