For the last few years I have defaulted to three super easy desserts to serve at dinner parties.  If you entertain you know it’s more than enough work to come up with a menu, shop, cook a fabulous meal, and set a beautiful table.   Last year it was pears that I popped into the oven… Continue reading

Last week one of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen, shared a vegan coconut cake.  Made with just 6 ingredients; one bowl, baked in a round cake pan for just 40 minutes.  Could it really be that simple? I admit, I was skeptical since I’ve had so many epic fails trying to conjure up baked… Continue reading

With this hot summer weather, I think everyone wishes they were on the French Riviera eating moules frites while sipping rosé, am I right?  Not the usual mis en scène here, though.  I often find myself caught in an endless cycle of summer salads, which I rotate depending on mood.  However, I am really proud that I… Continue reading

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

Back when my husband and I were first married, I found a no-knead overnight artisanal bread recipe in our local paper.  What a way to wow your family, or even better dinner guests!  The smell of freshly baked bread has a swoon-worthy effect every time. I forgot about the recipe throughout the years; having kids, moving… 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 have to admit although pasta is certainly in our regular dinner rotation, lasagna is not.  We love it  – of course, but it’s a lot of effort for a weeknight dinner. There is the option of no-boil noodles, sure, that would be a lot easier, however those noodles tend to be gummy, especially when reheated. … 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 picked up a tin of Za’tar Za’tar while traveling a while back, such a while back that I don’t remember where.  It seemed like serendipity when I found a recipe for Socca – a grilled chickpea flatbread made frequently in the south of France. A Middle Eastern spice blend of marjoram or thyme, oregano, dried… Continue reading

Every summer there seems to be a salad that I gravitate to, and tend make again and again.  The criteria is usually that it’s super easy to whip up, no ingredients that are strange or hard to procure. Extra points if it contains local, in season produce, doesn’t need extended refrigeration, can pair well with most… 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

My daughter was home from university last weekend and noticed a small container of ricotta cheese in the fridge.  Lately, I have been spreading it on toast, then showering it with lemon zest and capers, adding few slices of smoked salmon, and finishing with tons of fresh chopped dill for a fabulous and easy lunch…. 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

The hubby and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago.  Normally, you would think that necessitated a evening out in a dimly lit restaurant with a fancy dinner and exorbitantly priced wine. Truth be told, I am usually all over the super expensive restaurant experience.  Banquette seating and thick napkins.  Swoon.  Michelin… Continue reading

I certainly have developed a newfound respect for cornstarch.  It usually hangs out way in the back of that cabinet that houses the baking powder and various exotic spices rarely used – until today that is. Sure, most of us already know it can be used to thicken soups, sauces and stew.  But used alone… Continue reading

As I was putting together these BLT Deviled Eggs for a party last weekend, my daughter noted “very 50’s housewife, mom.”  What?  Since when?  A few years back I made these Kimchi Deviled Eggs for a dinner party – even the kimchi skeptics gobbled them up. I think more often than not, the tried and true… Continue reading