entertaining
grilled zucchini roll-ups – a summer snack
The farmers’ markets these days are showing off the bounty of the harvest. It’s a favourite time of the year for me and for all who enjoy eating locally produced food. The market is a perfect way to re-engage with the farmers, to ask questions about their produce, meat or fish and leave with a…
Read Moregarlic scapes hummus
Garlic scapes are the flower bud of the garlic plant and are cut to force the garlic bulbs to grow bigger. Some gardeners throw these away! The flavour is less pungent than a garlic clove and has a subtle scallion flavour. How to use? Think of how you would cook a green vegetable (stir-fry, sauté,…
Read Moreroasted peppers and gorgonzola crostini
Crostini (little crusts in Italian) are the easiest appetizers one can make. There are oodles and oodles of variations and limited only by one’s imagination. Creative ones such as smashed avocado topped with thinly sliced cucumber seasoned with chili flakes and a splash of extra-virgin olive oil or mashed fresh peas with sea salt, extra-virgin…
Read Moreorange jelly slices
According to What’s Cooking America, gelatin was once considered a sign of wealth, before the commercial version appeared, only members of the elite classes could afford it. It took hours to render gelatin, clarify it, and turn it into fancy aspics, molded salads, desserts. etc. The use of gelatin was a sign that the host…
Read Moreartichoke pesto
Making use of what’s in your cupboard before expiration date always feels good. I am guilty, at times, of having to throw food out. According to Second Harvest, Canadians waste $31 billion of food every year of which 47% is wasted in the home. Over 30% of fruits and vegetables are rejected by supermarkets because…
Read Morepizza smoked mozzarella and lemon slices
If I were to take a poll to find out what toppings people like to see on their pizza, I’ll bet tomato sauce, cheese, and some sort of meat would be at the top of the list. Pizza is a centuries old snack although 2,000 years ago it looked more like a flatbread with olive…
Read Moreprosciutto rolls – an easy snack to make
Easy to make; my three favorite words. In my culinary world, nothing pleases me more than to whip up an elegant-looking appetizer using only 3 ingredients. Our friends, Ralph and Michelle, stayed with us last weekend and Thursday was the only night we were eating at home. My head was spinning with food ideas I…
Read Morefried olives stuffed with cheese
What is your favorite snack? Do you go back to the same one time after time or do you like to venture out and try new ones? If you have not tried fried olives, you must! They are a crunchy flavor bomb! I’ve made these a few times now and each time it’s with a…
Read Moreantipasto salad – a cinch to make
Antipasto (Italian – before the meal) simply refers to the dish that precedes all the others to come. It should be colorful allowing the senses to awaken and gets the palate ready for the meal that follows. It is there to whet the appetite and not be too filling. A typical antipasto dish consists of…
Read Morepork belly bites – one helluva snack!
.Well, hello 2016! Whatever the days or weeks ahead have in store for me, I’m ready! Mr. S and I spent Christmas in Calgary. Over the holiday period I cooked in other peoples homes; one being my daughter’s (a first for me!), one at my cousin’s (in Edmonton) and the other at my daughter’s employers…
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