Lemon Drop Martini
Some cocktails have a way of taking you back to a particular place and time. For me, the Lemon Drop Martini will always be Hong Kong. I first made one in 2004, when we were living there. Hong Kong nightlife was buzzing.
Apple Pie Egg Rolls with Cardamom Whipped Cream
In this recipe, the humble apple pie gets a make over…finger-food style! These were so easy to whip up and I absolutely love the warm, lemony flavor of cardamom. It can be the predominant spice or as a background note. Cardamom goes well with cinnamon, ginger, clove combinations and is the third-most expensive spice in…
Roasted Bell Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa
A colorful plate of food usually means it’s a nutritional one and such is the case with this dish. Bell peppers are the Christmas ornaments of the vegetable world. Beautifully shaped glossy exterior with a wide array of vivid colors ranging from green, red, yellow, orange, purple, brown to black. Red peppers are high in…
Zucchini and Broccoli Hummus
Looking for an alternative, healthy dip? This raw spin on the bean version of hummus is eye-catching and nutritious. Tahini is the ground paste of sesame seeds. It looks like a smooth peanut butter and has a nutty flavor with slight bitter notes. It is very easy to digest and many of its nutrients find…
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup with Maple Syrup
This was served last month at TIBS Family Dinners. Two If By Sea Cafe (TIBS) opened its doors over 2 years ago in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The young dynamic duo of Zane Kelsall, master barista and Tara MacDonald, baker extraordinaire paired up to share the love of their products and voilà a unique cafe was born. …
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Gruyère Tartlets
Who doesn’t enjoy a savory tartlet? They’re tiny, delicate, delicious and the perfect party food. Cook the onion and mushroom mixture ahead of time so you are not rushing to pop these in the oven. I like that this recipe doesn’t call for any tart pans leaving less to clean up – yay! Be creative…
Avocado with Bell Pepper and Tomatoes
I enjoy combining raw vegetables and using them as an appetizer…fresh and pure instantly come to mind. Plus there’s no need to worry about nutritional loss due to cooking. This is such an easy recipe and looks wonderful on a plate! Your family and friends will definitely take notice. The avocado has been around for…
Grilled Artichokes
I love artichokes of any form but have always steered clear when it comes to cooking them at home or should I say prepping them at home. The first time I prepared an artichoke was last year – roasted artichoke bottoms with shrimp and herbed mayonnaise. I was happy with the results but like anything…
Quinoa Salad in Endive Spears
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) was an ancient food staple for the Inca civilization and has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. Its health benefits are huge. Quinoa contains more proteins than any other grain, is a good source of dietary fiber, gluten free and easy to digest, is high in magnesium, potassium and iron and…
Tapenade
This dish originates in the south of France where the word caper in French means tapenas. The recipe I have doesn’t use capers but that doesn’t mean you can’t add them (try a tablespoon, first). I was never a fan of olives until I ate a Kalamata olive. I found the flavor more robust and…
Roasted Chicken Breasts with Haloumi and Honey
Fresh, Fast, Simple. That’s name of Donna Hay’s latest cookbook and it certainly is for those looking for easy weeknight meals when timing is everything. I’ve made a few dishes from her book and two words always come to mind – fresh and flavorsome. Halloumi (haloumi) is a traditional Cypriot cheese and is now made…
Fennel, Celery Root, Parsely & Red Onion Salad with Lemon & Olive Oil
The electronic world is vastly different from what it was say, even five years ago. My husband and I are intrigued by what this electronic era has to offer and usually embrace the changes. And with these changes often comes a bit of debate as to whether or not the change is positive. Let’s take…