Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I never enjoyed Brussels sprouts when I was a kid but thankfully my taste buds grew up and became educated!  Perhaps they were a bit too soft for my liking or maybe I just didn’t like the taste.  After experimenting with different ways to enjoy this cruciferous veggie, Brussels sprouts are amazingly good for your…

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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with Cumin

I was making a center piece for the table on Sunday which involved removing the seeds from a pumpkin.  As I was doing this, I thought I would roast the seeds.  I’ve heard their nutritional content as being very good.  I pulled out the seeds along with the attached fleshy strings of the pumpkin.  This…

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Fried Fingerling Potatoes with Tarragon Sauce

The humble potato shines in this dish!  It originated in South America (on the border between Bolivia and Peru) along the slopes of the central Andes nearly 8,000 years ago. What’s more amazing is that “what we know as the potato contains just a fragment of the genetic diversity found in the seven recognized potato…

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Beer Deep-Fried Avocado

I first started following Sweet Paul (blog) a few years ago before his on-line magazine came to life. His style is fresh and easy which are two schools of thought I try to use whenever I cook. So you could imagine how delighted I was when I read Paul was going to have his first…

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Beet Salad

I love creative salads.  Simple ingredients but when mixed together – a taste sensation!   Beets are an excellent source of folate (produces and maintains new cells) and manganese (keeps your bones strong and healthy) and a good source of potassium (helps muscles and nerves), dietary fiber and vitamin C.  This dish excites all the…

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Oven-Dried Tomato and Oregano Tartlets

Holiday entertaining is just around the corner and this simple, yet elegant recipe is perfect for finger food.  They are delicate and small enough to eat without too much fuss or mess. Makes 24adapted from Australian Vogue Entertaining 12 large cherry tomatoesolive oil, to brush3 sprigs oregano, leaves removed375g frozen puff pastry, thawed2 tablespoons freshly…

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Grilled Eggplant with Mint

John and I use our barbecue all year round. When it snows, the driveway, front door and back deck get cleared of snow. There’s always a clear path from the kitchen door to the barbie and we use it no matter what the weather! Eggplants are the nightshade family of vegetables which grow much like…

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Roasted Pepper Piedmontese

Bell peppers (green, red, yellow and orange) are an excellent source of vitamin C and A as well as a good source of dietary fiber.  They are also a rich source of lycopene (may help reduce the risk of cancers of the prostate, bladder, cervix and pancreas). Chèvre is a light, often fluffy, mild-flavored cheese…

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Rosemary and Olive Bread

As much as I enjoy making bread, I don’t make it on a regular basis not like my Mom or grandmother used to. I don’t think my grandfather even knew what store-bought bread was! This recipe is from a friend of mine who absolutely loves to cook and bread making is a ritual for her.…

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