Eggplant Milanese: Crispy Cutlets Without the Veal
Golden, crunchy, and crisp. These eggplant cutlets take their cue from classic veal Milanese, but swap the meat for something lighter (and honestly, more fun to make).
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…
mushroom pâté
Now that November is here, I start looking for easy-to-make snacks, appetizers, and finger food for the upcoming holiday season. Everyone has their favorites and one of mine is pâté. The thing is, it’s rich and calorie laden. An easy solution without compromising taste is to use the mighty mushroom. Not only are delicious, they’re…
warm barley salad
Barley is one of those staple grains that sit in my pantry for the longest time and then, without rhyme or reason, I go on a barley binge! I usually throw barley in soups or stews but recent years have seen me use it as a substitute for rice, mixed in with roasted vegetables and…
homemade apple chips
Apples are in abundance this time of the year. I love autumn for all the delicious fruit and vegetables that leave the farmers’ fields and are readily available in food shops and markets. One fruit I eagerly await their arrival is the humble apple. It’s hard to imagine there are over 7,000 varieties! With so…
split pea soup
Have you heard of the nursery rhyme about peas porridge? If not, here it is: peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old. This nursery rhyme is a reflection of a time when fireplaces not only heated homes but were used as the main source for cooking. A large…