bacon and gruyère egg bites – breakfast on the go!
Eleven days ago our daughter, Laura, became a missus. It was an intimate affair and not at all what was initially planned. Having said that, there’s something even more special when surrounded by immediate family. The morning of the wedding, Laura came to our room to get her makeup done. She had stopped to pick…
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pasta with olive sauce and pangrattato
As a kid and for that matter a young adult, I despised olives! To me, they just tasted like salt with a whole lot of bitterness. That food memory stayed with me for a very long time. It was only 20 years ago that I began to enjoy these fruits. My first bite was a…
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butterscotch custard with salted caramel sauce
Whoa! Hold onto your sweet tooth ’cause this dessert will have you asking for more! It has been ages, well I mean years since I last made a custard. On occasion, I have made custards but truthfully, I favour more of a fresh fruit kind of dessert. Having said that, my sweet tooth does show…
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simple syrup (delicious in cocktails & desserts)
Making simple syrup is just that, simple! All you need is equal parts of sugar and water. This liquid sweetener is commonly used to sweeten cocktails, iced tea, iced coffee, lemonade, and other cold drinks. You can buy simple syrup from specialty grocery stores but it is much more economical to make your own at…
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homemade grenadine – so easy to make!
When I was younger, a treat for me and my siblings was when our parents would take us out to dinner. Unlike today, that didn’t happen regularly when I was growing up. But when it did, it was a special event as I knew I would get treated to a Shirley Temple drink.
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blueberry breakfast drink
What time do you go to bed? It varies for me but somewhere between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm. Sleep allows our bodies to take a break from the day and recharge/repair overnight. At that time we are fasting from when we first fall asleep until we awake. That can be anywhere from six to…
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edamame hummus
The first time I snacked on an edamame pod was when we lived in Asia (gosh, that’s over 11 years now!). Mr. S and I were dining at a Japanese restaurant and while we waited for our food, the waiter brought us a bowl of cool, salted edamame pods. We had heard this snack was…
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pecan pie bars with semi-sweet chocolate
Do you recall eating your first pecan pie? I sure do! I was a young kid traveling with my siblings and parents en route to see my grandparents in Florida (an annual winter vacation pilgrimage). The trip down wasn’t idyllic with 4 kids in the back of a station wagon along with two and a…
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escargot stuffed mushrooms
Escargot (ehs-kahr-GOH) is the French word for snail. This little mollusk is famously served baked in a shell with a bubbling sauce of garlic, shallots, parsley, and butter. As good as this sounds, there are other ways to utilize this humble mollusk. Use in a stir-fry with oyster sauce, soy sauce, red pepper. Or, toss…
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poppy seed pappardelle with sage & prosciutto
If you have eaten herbed laced pappardelle, then you’re gonna love it with poppy seeds. Making pasta is easier than you think and therapeutic, too! Kneading the dough helps to unwind from the day and acts as a vehicle to vent any frustration. From the time it takes to mix, knead and let the dough…
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pesto trapanese (pesto with almonds & tomatoes)
Pesto is such a versatile sauce and although perfectly suited for pasta, it’s also delicious with meat, vegetables or fish. For more uses click here. It also reminds me of summer which is a good thing as this winter seems to be unending and it’s only the middle of February! But I digress. Most are…
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sticky date pudding with salted caramel sauce
When serving dessert at a dinner party, the last thing I want is a complicated dish. Years of entertaining has me yearning for simpler recipes. If you come to our home for dinner, dessert can sometimes consist of fresh fruit with assorted cheeses and nuts. I have on occasion, purchased dessert from our local bakery. …
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tortellini bolognese soup
Do you own a cookbook and if so, what was the first one you bought or were given? The first one I purchased was the Fannie Farmer back in 1980 before I was married. My paternal grandmother gave me The Joy of Cooking as a shower gift for my wedding. Another I cherish is the…
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