Boursin & Prosciutto Pastry Bites
There’s something irresistible about an easy appetizer that looks impressive but asks very little of the cook. This Boursin cheese and prosciutto puff pastry is exactly that. Salty prosciutto and creamy Boursin are tucked beneath golden,
almond and sunflower seed butter
but·ter (noun) – a solid yellow substance made by churning cream and used as a spread or in cooking; a food made from cooked fruit or roasted nuts that have been ground up. We’re all familiar with butter made with cream but over the last few years there’s a burgeoning market using nuts and seeds. …
squash and parsnip soup
Soup has been around for centuries and previous generations did not use a recipe. They simply dumped various ingredients into a pot to boil. And each culture adopted its own variation with whatever was on hand. For my readers who feel more comfortable using a list of ingredients, throw caution to the wind and be…
pork 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…
linguine with clams (linguine alle vongole)
This is a busy time of the year with most of us running around doing last minute errands in preparation for the holidays. When I’m short for time, pasta is my savior and the time it takes to cook it I can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes! Toss in some clams and…
maple glazed nuts – an edible gift
Another edible gift from yours truly! Maple glazed nuts are super easy to make and a delectable hostess gift. They’re perfect for casual entertaining or tossed in a salad. Homemade edible gifts are always well received especially for those who are hard to buy for (i.e. teachers, employers).
DIY ferrero rocher
I’ve mentioned it before. I don’t really have a sweet tooth but if there’s one chocolate that halts me in my footsteps, it’s ferrero rocher. While I am not a fan of milk chocolate the combination of hazelnuts wrapped in what reminds me of nutella (yum) along with a crisp wafer…I’m salivating just thinking about…
hot cocoa mix – a cinch to make!
Ah, the annual holiday gift giving is upon us. Our brains go into overdrive thinking of things to buy and our bank accounts take a beating. I sometimes think we’re much too over-the-top with our purchases; the needs vs. wants dilemma. In the past few years I’ve adopted gift giving from the heart which means…
broccoli affogato crostini
Affogato in Italian means drowned. Most are familiar with the dessert version using a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with a shot of hot espresso; simple and really quite scrumptious. Broccoli affagato is a simple Sicilian recipe that can be used on toast (crostini), in pasta or on its own as a side. …
prosciutto wrapped tomato
The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s that time of the year when we’re out socializing and entertaining at home. The thought of entertaining can be intimidating for both the novice and the experienced. When I know I am having friends over, I generate a plan, cook ahead, stay within my limits…
savory palmiers
These delicate, but easy-to-make French pastries can be sweet or savory. Palmiers, named so because they look like palm trees or the shape of an elephant’s ear, uses puff pastry for its base. Traditionally, simple ingredients such as sugar and cinnamon are sprinkled over the pastry then folded, rolled, sliced and baked in the oven. …
overnight pancakes
According to The Plate, ancient Greeks and Romans ate pancakes, sweetened with honey; the Elizabethans ate them flavored with spices, rosewater, sherry, and apples. We’ve all, at one time or another, taken part in pancake day also known as Shrove Tuesday – a centuries-old tradition of making and eating pancakes before Ash Wednesday. Historically, pancake…
poached pears – an easy dessert
It’s been a while since I last poached pears. A super easy dessert to make and one where you don’t need any special ingredients. Poached pears make the best use of unripe fruit and heightens the flavor of firm but ripe pears. This light and delicate dessert is perfect for entertaining; the pears stay in…