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,
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…
chicken stew with olives
Four weeks ago today we were cruising the Bosphorus River, listening to the historical commentary about Turkey and how this river has influenced its shores. As I sit here reminiscing of our trip, it feels as though it was eons ago. All the planning, research, initial deposit to final payment, and the excitement leading up…
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner
I’ve lived in five different countries with my husband and daughter and one of the least favorites about living in different countries is the move. No matter how clean a place looks when first inspected, you find hidden dirt. I wouldn’t say I’m a clean freak but what I would say is this: kitchens and…
vacation time
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”– Gustave Flaubert The Culinary Chase’s Note: I’m off to explore new parts of the world. I shall return with a treasure trove of exotic food memories, sights and sounds of ancient cities. Until then…
macaroni and cheese – with a slight twist
I grew up on macaroni and cheese both in the homemade version and the boxed one. Both are comfort foods but it’s been years since I had the boxed one. Every cook has their own version but is it possible to improve on a classic dish? At first thought, no way, but after considering the…
pasta salad with roasted chickpeas
I’ve had this package of multicolor farfalle (Italian for butterfly) pasta for weeks now and every time I open the pantry door, there it is, waiting for me to do something with it. The colors of the butterfly pasta are all natural using beetroot, spinach, turmeric, paprika and black squid ink. I wanted something special…
wild rice salad
A rice salad is so versatile and using wild rice is a healthier option. Wild rice is a grass and can be as long as one-inch and range in color from brown to black. I prefer a wild rice mix which is a combination of brown basmati and wild rice. A salad of your own…
curried lentils – an easy dish to make
It was wet and humid yesterday. I was hoping the rain would have stopped late in the afternoon so we could use the barbeque but windy conditions prevented that idea from happening. I was feeling a bit nostalgic about our time overseas and a simple curry was the remedy needed to help us reminisce about…
pork scaloppine sandwich
Before I chat about this insanely delicious pork scaloppine sandwich, I want to give a high five to the farm-to-table experience in Nova Scotia that’s been brewing here for years. Farm-to-table movement isn’t new nor is it unique to this corner of the world. But what I will say is this; it’s the reason I…