Every year around this time, I get the urge to bake.  It seems like ages since I last turned the oven on.  Lately, it has been too hot to even contemplate any form of baked good; that is until this week.  Yippee! This endeavor dovetailed nicely with the banner crop we have of zucchini this… Continue reading

This week, I have been experimenting in the kitchen with a grain free-gluten free-dairy free-nut free muffin.  So far, this darn muffin troubles me.  Sure, I have come across a few recipes online with fabulous pictures of such muffins, which makes me wonder why mine won’t work?  They look good, but the middle of the… Continue reading

I first heard the word “Vegan”  about 30 years ago, back then I thought if you were a vegan you lived off of alfalfa sprouts, avocado and brown rice.  And, the baked goods they consumed certainly contained carob. Things have changed hugely in the kitchen since then.  Baking vegan solves a lot of food allergy issues… Continue reading

My husband who happily eats everything without compliant, recently pointed out that I tend to gravitate to cheesecake when making dessert for dinner parties or holidays.  “just an observation, that’s all” he said, which is code for please make more, he does really love any type of dessert. When entertaining, any steps you can accomplish… Continue reading

My daughter regularly texts me obscure grocery items that she wants purchased – by me of course.  Last month it was: matcha powder, cocoa nibs, jackfruit and cardamon pods.  All with the intention of creating something she most likely has seen on Pinterest. Most of the time these specialty items are used once, then languish in the… Continue reading

Although fall has arrived, I feel it is not my job to bombard you with all things pumpkin.  We can thank Starbucks for starting the Pumpkin Latte craze.  Although it certainly doesn’t stop there, at the grocery store today I spotted Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal, Pumpkin Spice Cheerio’s, Lucy’s Pumpkin Patch Cookies, I draw the… Continue reading

I have posted a lot of cheesecake here – mainly because I love them,  also because you can adapt them to so many occasions.  Dinner party?  This Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake or Key Lime Cheesecake marry well with any menu. Holiday? Try this Pumpkin Pie Ricotta Cheesecake or equally as festive Pumpkin Cheesecake with Candied Nut… Continue reading

I have to admit by this time in the summer I long for a cooler day.  Though, not as a respite to the heat, more for the opportunity to turn on the oven and bake.  The thought of twisting that dial, and indadvertedly heating the kitchen, when it’s so hot outside doesn’t seem right With… Continue reading

I am not going to pretend that I haven’t posted these muffins previously, I have.  The reason to share them with you again is because they are so versatile.  I made them the first time because I was traveling and needed them to be hearty enough to last in my carryon without being squashed too… Continue reading

My daughter and I travelled to Toronto last week, a little girls getaway (along with educational excursions, of course).  When we arrived at our hotel in the very late afternoon (around high tea time), we were delighted to find a lovely plate of cookies waiting in our room.  As you know, I wouldn’t even dream… Continue reading

My daughter made a request yesterday for Lemon Bars, I had made them awhile back and they were such a huge hit that they were gone in one day.  Only hitch was that I had no lemons, with the rain pelting down and wind howling, getting into the car and driving all the way to the store just… Continue reading

Well I’ve gone and done it!  Made the best gluten free Oatmeal Cookie – ever.  The thing is, I wasn’t really trying for a best in the baking department, I was trying to use up some of the 20 or so half bags of flour I have accumulated, I swear they procreate in the dark… Continue reading

  Today, I had planned on sharing a chicken and wild rice soup recipe, however I didn’t love the picture I captured at all – that happens, quite a bit judging by all the snaps sitting on my desktop screen that probably won’t get imported.   Instead, seeing that it’s well into the new year,… Continue reading

I am in the fortunate situation of celebrating Thanksgiving twice every year.  Once in October with my Canadian side, and again in November with all my American friends and family. Some years it is exactly the same dinner both times.  Other years, we vary it slightly to reflect the food allergies or aversions of our… Continue reading

I have been spoiled this last year, with the kids off at university I wasn’t called on for breakfast duty. I could leisurely sip coffee with a few sections of the newspaper, glance at the today show now and then, and enjoy whatever I deemed acceptable for breakfast. Now, with them both home for the… Continue reading

If we were to poll dessert lovers about their summer favorites, strawberry shortcake would rank right up there—probably in first place. But anyone who’s enjoyed key lime pie on a hot summer night is likely to place this dessert first. It’s certainly my preference. The cool creaminess of this pie that packs a delightful citrus… Continue reading

Here in this house we are firmly divided when it comes to cookies, which can be a bit of an issue when I want to please everyone with a single batch. Some of us are lovers of oatmeal raisin, and the remainder swear by chocolate chip. My chocolate chip fanatics are easier, because they’re not… Continue reading

Usually, I have this crazy notion that the baked goods I post here should be over the top, drool worthy, confections. When really, sometimes you just want a nice little loaf.  A basic recipe that doesn’t involve sourcing hard to find ingredients, especially those you have to order online, and then wait for delivery. Nope, this… Continue reading

This Coconut Banana Loaf today is for my friend Lynda.  Her son was recently diagnosed with many food allergies, and she is feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the restrictions. Baking without gluten, eggs, milk, nuts, almond flour (which I love to bake with), also no corn or soy. Phew!  That’s hard. However, I do… Continue reading

There are a few gluten-free baked items that really intimidate me.  Croissants, Angle Food Cake and Cinnamon Rolls, for some reason they have always seemed daunting to me.  And, today I have finally ticked one off the list. Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns –  as it turns out, not very hard to make at all.  In fact… Continue reading

When Holiday baking, don’t you feel you have to raise the bar a bit? Everyday oatmeal craisin cookies, while good, feel like a Monday morning snack. banana bread, a great accompaniment to a bagged lunch. Even my best lemon ricotta cheesecake, which is a favorite for dinner parties, just doesn’t feel special enough. So, I made… Continue reading