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.
Spinach and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
The idea of stuffing a mushroom has been around in North America since the mid 1950’s when Italian-Americans began utilizing the ample supply of white button mushrooms. Italians from the south of Italy already knew how to stuff tomatoes, zucchini flowers and peppers. When they emigrated to America, zucchini flowers weren’t in abundance like they…
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Honey-Cinnamon Frosting
Ah Saint Valentine…how ever did your martyrdom end up being associated with romantic love? One account dates back to the Roman Emperor Claudius II. He decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families and outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine (a priest), realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius…
The Ninjamatics’ 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards Winners!
Last year I volunteered to judge Canadian blogs which covered a vast genre. Forty-six of us were given an allotted group of blogs to critique and what I liked most is that the sites I had been given were not all from a food group. The first round was quite extensive…I think I had almost…
Red Lentil, Red Pepper and Coconut Soup
I had returned home late in the afternoon after having spent the night in NYC and really didn’t fancy spending too much time in the kitchen. I recently bought a new UK magazine from Barnes & Noble and it’s full of delicious-looking meals and this soup was one of them. Lentils are part of legume…
Stilton and Pear Gnocchi
This dish could easily convert me to becoming a vegetarian! Its simplistic ingredients, easy prep time and short cooking time (about the time it takes the water to boil)…doesn’t get any better than this! Ok, so not all are fond of blue cheese with its delicate blue veins radiating from the center but if you…
Super Bowl Food!
For those who love football, the Super Bowl XLVI seems to have drummed up more excitement than before. Perhaps it’s due in part to the Giants making a comeback or the media obsession with Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. Whatever the case may be, it’s gonna be a good one. Here’s a bit of football…
Pound Cake with Candied Grapefruit Peel
There’s a basic principle in our house that we adhere to for everyday living and that is the 80/20 rule. Our goal is to maintain a balanced lifestyle 80 percent of the time and 20 percent goes to treating ourselves and this dessert falls into the 20 percent rule. In the 1700’s the pound cake…
Candied Grapefruit Peel
Another candied recipe for you to try! It’s an easy one as well and the results are delicious! Candied fruit (aka crystallized fruit or Glacé fruit) has been around since the 14th century. Back then, using honey (later sugar) was the only way to preserve fruit in the winter months. Candied fruit at that time…
Glacéed Orange Slices Dipped in Chocolate
This is the first time I have ever made glacéed orange slices and I have to say I was more than happy with the way this recipe turned out. Mind you, it’s not the first time I have cooked with glacéed fruit. I’ve used them in fruit cake and cookies but they can also be…
Baked Shells with Broccoli, Ham and Cheesey Cauliflower Sauce
What is it about baked pasta cooking in the oven that appeals to most people? For me, it has to be one of best comfort foods out there. Childhood memories are resuscitated in an instant and the anticipation of sinking your teeth into the ooey-gooey cheese sauce all the while hoping the dish is cool…
Ma Po Tofu
This is one of my favorite Chinese dishes which originates from the Chinese province of Sichuan. Sichuanese cuisine is well known for its spiciness due to its geographical proximity to Southeast Asia. Thai, Burmese and Indian cuisines are responsible for the hot and spicy cuisines of this region. Chili and pepper flavored food stimulates sweating…
Roasted Winter Vegetables with Cannellini Beans
My husband and I enjoy roasted vegetables and this recipe is chock-full of nutrients. According to Whole Living, eating more plant-based meals has been proven to lower your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Brussels sprouts contain compounds that trigger the production of detoxifying enzymes in the liver. So many veggies in one meal has to…