carrot cake with whipped cream cheese
The popularity of carrot cake was revived in the United Kingdom because of the rationing during World War II and also because of the promotion of carrots’ consumption operated by the government. According to National Today, many historians believe the cake originated in the Middle Ages when sugar and other sweeteners were scarce (carrots were…
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pickled asparagus – quick & easy!
Asparagus is available year-round but when in season, you’ll find it at local markets and grocery stores. April and May are the peak months for this emerald green beauty. Last week I was at our farmers’ market and was delighted to see local asparagus.
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buttermilk biscuit recipe
Years ago, I watched Chip and Joanna Gaines’s show, Fixer Upper. I always liked Joanna’s style. A few weeks ago I saw an ad on tv for Magnolia Table. Since then I’ve watched about 5 episodes and decided to make her buttermilk biscuits. I was intrigued when she said after months of tinkering with…
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stuffed plantain balls (rellenitos de plátano maduro)
Last week we were in Playa del Carmen for a long-overdue vacation. And, like any vacation, I do the research on places to see and eat. For our last day, we chose to have lunch at Mamita’s Beach Club. The restaurant was on the beach and the views were spectacular. The setting was idyllic. After…
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pasta with roasted tomatoes & garlic
This is one of my favourite, easy-to-make pasta dishes. Roasted tomatoes are the bee’s knees! The heat releases the tomatoes natural sugars resulting in an intense flavor. Throw in a head of garlic and you have the most delicious roasted tomatoes you will ever devour!
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new york sour cocktail
When the pandemic first hit, no one could ever have predicted it would have gone on this long. During the first few months, many were being laid off. Our daughter, Laura, was one of them. I had just posted my first ever video on how to make a breakfast smoothie and she challenged me to…
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pappardelle with potato & brown butter sauce
I recently purchased Pasta Grannies; it’s been a long time since I bought a cookbook. I know, gasp! But to be honest, I have a lovely curated collection of cookbooks. Each has a special meaning for me. So when I saw this book, it spoke to me and to the Italian grandmothers (nonne) who divulged…
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chocolate bark sour gummies
As a kid and even to this day, I have never really had a sweet tooth. Many a Halloween I would pick through the goodies and then begin bartering with my siblings. If there were too many marshmallow treats, milk chocolate candies, etc. those were the first to go. Anything sour, however, was the last…
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chestnut dip
To be honest, I cannot say I was ever a real fan of the chestnut. Perhaps it was the smell of something burning which permeated the air when we lived in Hong Kong. Roasted chestnuts are a beloved winter tradition in Hong Kong. Mobile hawker stalls spring up on sidewalks around the city and outside…
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chicken noodle soup
When it’s cold out, I LOVE making soup. Soup has been around for thousands of years; the earliest dates back to 20,000 BC in Xianrendong Cave China. One does not need a recipe to make soup but for those who like a bit of guidance, my chicken noodle soup is the easiest to make!
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easy to make dhal
Hello, 2022! We are in a deep freeze at the moment and I am craving stick-to-the-ribs comfort food. In place of a soup or stew, I turned my cravings to the Indian subcontinent. Our introduction to dhal was when we first lived in Hong Kong in 1998. Mr. S’ boss invited us to an Indian…
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diy bath bombs
Gift-giving from the heart is always welcomed, IMHO. Back in August, I hosted a baby shower for my daughter, Laura, and one of her requests was for me to make bath bombs as baby shower favors for our guests. I have to admit I was a little apprehensive but as I queried the web, it…
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pumpkin & cream cheese gingersnap tart
Our Thanksgiving has come and gone but this cream cheese gingersnap tart can easily be enjoyed for the upcoming holiday season. While pumpkin pie is not everyone’s favourite, I would hazard a guess that most enjoy cheesecake. This dessert is the perfect marriage between the two.
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