Melon Carpaccio with Burrata and Crispy Sage
Growing up, I was never much of a melon fan. Watermelon, absolutely, but the others I could happily leave behind. Somewhere along the way, that changed. These days, when summer is in full swing, I can’t get enough of a perfectly ripe melon.
roasted vegetable stacks with goat cheese
I am in veggie heaven with these roasted vegetable stacks and in one recipe I get the daily recommended servings of vegetables; my kind of dish. Although the end of Summer means goodbye to warmer days (sigh), its departure signals the bounty of the harvest (yay!). It’s the perfect time of the year to grab…
blueberry-blackberry fool
Blueberry-blackberry fool has to be one of the easiest desserts to make. Not everyone is a fan of blackberries but mixed with blueberries and cream, it’s guaranteed to be a hit at the dinner table. Both blueberries and blackberries are in season so look for fruit that’s plump but not mushy to touch.
grilled radicchio with bagna càuda
Sometimes less is more and in cooking terms it’s spot on. Simple ingredients can make any dish shine. Bagna càuda is an Italian sauce made with butter, olive oil, garlic and anchovies. The Italians eat it with fennel, peppers, carrots, cauliflower. Fresh bread dipped in this sauce is simply scrumptious! Or, give your taste buds…
pita bread pizza
Summer allows us to use our barbeque nearly every day. It also saves me from using the oven or stove top especially when it’s hot outside. One staple I like to have on hand is pita bread. This ancient flatbread has been around since 2500 BC and its uses are numerous. I love it in…
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…
baked eggs with salsa – perfect brunch food
If I’ve had a big lunch, dinner gets pared down to a lighter fare. Baked eggs are simple to make and you can add just about anything to the dish that suits your fancy. Or for something super duper easy chop up fresh tomatoes, add eggs, and pop into the oven. There are oodles of…
garlic 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,…
rhubarb cake – so easy your kids can make it
My mother in law, Aida, is visiting from England and has been with us for the past 12 days. It’s been a whirlwind visit with us trying to fit in every day with something to see, do or eat. At 92 you’d think we would be home more than usual but not with Aida. She’s…
open-face sandwich with poached egg
Sandwiches have been around for centuries. The term sandwich is believed to have been named after John Montagu who was the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it that in 1762 he asked for meat (most probably salted beef) to be served between slices of bread to avoid interrupting a gambling game. I love a…
Lemon Tart – a bit of sunshine
The weather here has been grey, wet and cooler than our usual Spring. We were in Paris for a week and it either rained or was overcast with periods of rain showers throughout the day. We came home and had a repeat of Paris weather. It’s been so wet mushrooms are sprouting up in our…
Gnocchi mac n’ cheese
Mac n’ cheese (aka macaroni and cheese) has been around since the 1930’s and I grew up with it; both the boxed version and homemade. The afternoon my daughter was born I ate a whole box for lunch…no wonder she likes it. It’s been years since consuming the all-too-orangey-looking commercial stuff.
Paris (La Ville-Lumière)
Mr. S and I recently returned home from a trip to Paris. La Ville-Lumière (city of light) was the center of education and ideas during the Age of Enlightenment. In 1828, Paris began lighting the Champs-Elysées with gas lamps and earned the nickname “La Ville–Lumière”. Paris is a walkable city and you’ll see far more…