Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
From Ancient Remedy to Beloved Dessert – A Spice Route Treasure – Rhubarb’s roots stretch back thousands of years to the mountainous regions of northern and central Asia (China, Mongolia, and Siberia), where it was cultivated primarily for medicinal purposes. The Chinese prized it as a digestive tonic and laxative,
How To Cook Fresh Peas
I love recreating a food memory. I grew up in the country where my parents had enough land to grow their own vegetables along with 2 pigs and 6 hens. We didn’t have a farm per se, it was more of a hobby farm. Looking back it was an interesting learning experience for me but…
Kale and Orange Salad
Kale may not be a favorite for everyone, but this recipe might just change the way you view kale. The orange segments soften any bitter taste you may experience and look how gorgeous the red onion looks once its bathed in lime juice!
Duck Ragu
The origin of ragù sauce can be traced back to Bologna, Italy. Duck ragu is a Venetian dish where the focus is more on the meat and herbs rather than the tomatoes. This slow-cooked sauce can also be made with beef, pork, veal, lamb or boar.
Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax
Friendship, elegance and gallantry are a few of the words to describe the worldwide epicurean phenomenon that is about to take over Halifax’s public space for the first time this summer on August 23. Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax is a 4-hour très chic picnic for 1,000 people. Le Dîner en Blanc, launched in…
Grilled Peppers
We grill all year round but when the weather is warmer we use the barbecue weekly. We grill anything – bread, cheese, veggies, meat, fish, fruit, you name it we’ve most probably grilled it. A couple of years ago John and I were on a cruise around the Adriatic Sea and one of the ports…
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Pop-up shops (temporary retail spaces that sell merchandise of any kind) have been around for a while and not limited to art or fashion. Farmers’ markets are getting on the band wagon and showing up in places you wouldn’t have thought. And why not? Last week I dropped my daughter off at Mic Mac Mall…
Grilled Guacamole
There are oodles of recipes incorporating an avocado but the most familiar is guacamole and everyone has their own version. Grilled guacamole is a slight spin on an old favorite. The avocado has been around for thousands of years and is rich in potassium (helps regulate blood pressure) and vitamin A (helps your eyes). Avocado…
Asparagus Vichyssoise
I am a huge fan of supporting anything local; it just makes sense to me to do so. A few years ago I read The 100 Mile Diet – A Year Of Eating local. Big kudos to Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon for their one year journey of only eating what was available to them within…
Aussie Meat Pies
Meat pies in Australia and New Zealand are what apple pie is to North America – iconic. Years ago John and I visited Australia and everyone kept telling us to try the Aussie meat pies. Not one to turn down an opportunity to see what all the fuss was, we tried our very first meat…
Strawberry Pavlova
It’s officially Summer (yay!) although it still feels like Spring here in the Maritimes. A good indicator that we might be leaving the cold behind is the sighting of fresh, local strawberries. I spotted them at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, Pete’s and other grocery retailers over the weekend. I grew up in the country…
Crudités with Blue Cheese Dip
Out of all the menu planning, food prep, and cooking I do, the one thing I enjoy the most is the presentation. It’s so easy to take simple ingredients and show them off. Look around your home for interesting containers that tend to only be used for certain things or special occasions. Crudités (raw…
Grilled Pineapple
This is such an easy, no fuss, and delicious dessert to make. Grilled pineapple can be served on its own, with ice cream or a dollop of yogurt. I’ve been grilling pineapple for years and it’s always a crowd pleaser. I have been asked before how to pick a ripe pineapple. When we lived in…