The Cupid’s Cup
Autumn is officially here, and the weather lately has been stellar. I am saluting the change of seasons with this flirty riff on a classic Pisco Sour. Pisco is a grape brandy that can only be produced in Peru or Chile.
Winter Caesar Salad
What happens when potato salad meets Caesar salad? Answer: a delight to the senses! This is one of those recipes where the sauce is the crowing glory of the salad. It brings all the ingredients together and makes a statement – hey look at us! Making your own dressing is so easy there’s no reason…
Stuffed Chicken Pockets with Red Pesto and Ricotta
This dish screams flavor and it’s so easy to make. Making the pocket in the chicken breast isn’t hard and I’ve attached a link here for those who would like to see a demonstration. When purchasing chicken breasts, look for ones that have a solid, plump and round shape. The color of the chicken’s skin,…
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…