Lately, I have noticed a lot of chatter in the food blogs about the Instant Pot – it’s kind of a modern day old time pressure cooker, meets slow cooker, or crock pot AND doubles as a rice cooker.   I must admit I am curious, but haven’t jumped on that bandwagon… yet. It got me thinking… 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

A few weeks ago I posted a recipe for this fabulous black bean soup, hard to believe that a bag of God-knows-how-old dried beans  could produce such a remarkable bowl of soup.  I thank the crock pot for that. It was so easy that I felt we had to do it again, for  quality control… 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

Last Saturday, we invited a few friends over for dinner.   Naturally, we were really excited and planned a fabulous meal – Asian salmon, sticky rice, steamed baby bok choy with garlic sauce.  We even had fantastic kimchi from the Asian store that’s not even remotely close to home, but so good that I drive there… Continue reading

From my over stuffed pantry I unearthed 3 packages of dried beans while trying to find 2 packages of the same spaghetti for dinner.  To tell you the truth I have no idea how long they have been languishing in there.  Months? Years? The thing about dried beans, ancient in this case I fear,  is… 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

I must admit chicken tenders have never been in my regular dinner rotation, for a couple of reasons. When the kids were young, it was a treat to go to a restaurant, made even more special when ordering something that we normally didn’t cook at home.  Back then anything to get the kids excited about… 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 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

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

Some of the best dishes I have ever made were created, not because I followed the recipe correctly (I am really not good at that) but rather because I didn’t have all the ingredients listed, and had to just wing it.  For all you recipe followers, I know that is a tough concept – just… 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

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