This Raspberry Cider Vinegar Drink makes me think of the Raspberry Cordial from Anne of Green Gables. It was Summer sometime in the mid 1980s. The sun was shining and the gentle breeze made my dusty rose Venetian blinds sway. I remember the gentle clicking sound the blinds made when they hit my window sill. School was out for Summer, and I was lost in my new favourite book. … [Read more...]
I love to cook and bake, and I love sharing recipes with my readers. For me, food brings people together. I guess this is why I love having friends and family over for dinner and I love hosting dinner parties. I'm all about International Cuisine Nights!
Coming from the city and coming from a family of Spanish, Filipina, Caribbean, Chinese roots, I love 'ethnic' cuisine. Living on an island in Northern Ontario, I need to find ways to create dishes with local produce and tweak recipes so that I can use Island ingredients when so much of the Asian ingredients aren't available where we live.
I'm also a Food Network Canada addict. We don't watch much TV in our house, but my biggest weakness is Food Network!
Coming from the city and coming from a family of Spanish, Filipina, Caribbean, Chinese roots, I love 'ethnic' cuisine. Living on an island in Northern Ontario, I need to find ways to create dishes with local produce and tweak recipes so that I can use Island ingredients when so much of the Asian ingredients aren't available where we live.
I'm also a Food Network Canada addict. We don't watch much TV in our house, but my biggest weakness is Food Network!
Fettucine Alfredo
Korean Beef Bulgogi
Japanese Okonomiyaki
Asparagus and Zucchini Ribbons (modified recipe from Giada de Laurentiis)
Cinnamon and Raisin Buns (Hubby's favourite on a Saturday morning)
Hasselback Potatoes – Another Family Favourite
I married a beef farmer. He loves his meat and potatoes. He really loves his meat and potatoes. This means I've got to pull out all my favourite potato recipes, as well as be on the look out for new recipes to try! I have been seeing Hasselback Potatoes on all of my social media networks. In fact, I'd be pretty hard pressed to go online and not come across photos and … [Read more...]
Super Easy Greek Pita Pockets #FreshBTS
Super Easy Greek Pita Pockets made by a 7 year old? I can hardly believe that Summer is almost over! Say it ain't so! It feels like I just blinked and it's almost time for back to school! I won't lie. The thought of back to school has me thinking of school lunches! I asked Little One to come up with some ideas for lunches, as she isn't really a sandwich kind of kid. … [Read more...]
Summer Entertaining #Snapware
Summer is finally here, and that means it's time for Summer entertaining. One of the things I love most about Summer is enjoying home-cooked meals on the patio and sharing good food, conversation, and laughs with loved ones. Whether you're doing some outdoor dining on the patio, or packing a picnic lunch for a family hike, or going to a potluck BBQ party, it's important to … [Read more...]
Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake
Mmmm...Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake! One of my favourite flavour combinations is lemon and blueberry. Together, they are the perfect marriage of flavours. I love all things lemony and I wanted to use up some of the blueberries I had from last year so I could restock my freezer with blueberries to come this Summer! There's nothing that screams Summer like pulling over on … [Read more...]
How to Cut a Mango
My seven-year old daughter asked me to create a blog post on how to cut a mango, so here it is! This may sound funny, but whenever we eat mango, I always think of my grandparents. My grandfather showed me how to cut a mango (his way) when I was a little girl, and now I always cut it this way for Little One's lunches. When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time at my … [Read more...]
Filipino Spring Roll Bites
The reason I call these Filipino Spring Roll Bites is that these appetizers are bite-sized versions of the Filipino favourite. Lumpia, also known as spring rolls, come in the vegetable version and the meat version. I love the vegetable lumpia and my husband and daughter love the meat version (Lumpia Shanghai). Ever since I was a little girl, experiencing my Mom and her … [Read more...]
The Importance of Eating Dinner Together as a Family #makeitCDNbeef
When I was a child, eating dinner together as a family was very important to us. My parents would come home from work and we would eat dinner together and talk about our day. My Dad would then help us with our homework while my Mom did the dishes. When my brothers and I got older and our schedules did not coincide. Both my brothers played baseball, so practices and games … [Read more...]
Genmaicha: Gen Mai Tea ~ Evoking Memories Through Flavours
I often find it incredible how a certain fragrance, taste, or even a song can evoke memories. Have you ever had that experience where a certain smell can transport you to a particular time in your life? My Dad said that genmaicha does that for him. Dad recently told me about how his Grandmother used to use the leftover rice from meals and roast the grains to use for making … [Read more...]
Macaron Obsession
Le macaron - French merringue-based confection made with egg whites, confectioner's sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder/ground almond, and food colouring. Often confused with the macaroon. Please! I beg you! Do not call a macaron a macaroon! I realize it's trivial, but hearing people use the word macaroon when talking about macarons really is a pet peeve of … [Read more...]
Happy Year of the Monkey 2016! Plus a Beef & Broccoli Recipe!
Gung Hei Fat Choi! Happy New Year! As we welcome the Year of the Monkey, we wish you a happy, healthy New Year. Living on Manitoulin Island, I wanted to make sure that Little One is aware of her cultural heritage and that she embraces her roots. Yes, she was born in Canada and is Canadian, but she also has Filipino, Chinese, Caribbean, Scottish, English and even a bit of … [Read more...]
Lengua Estofada
Though my grandparents on my maternal side have both passed away, I think of them often. Most days, life goes on as it always does, but every now and then, something triggers a memory and I miss my grandparents tremendously. Cooking with my little one reminds me of my childhood and spending lots of time in my grandparents' kitchen. I was always curious about our … [Read more...]
Kitten-Inspired Dinner Rolls
Are you a kitten lover? Are your kids fans of all things kitten-inspired? My seven-year old loved all things Hello Kitty for years. Then she was a fan of all things Pusheen-related. I guess what it comes down to is that she basically loves all things kitten-inspired. The girl loves cats and kittens. Case in point. Print 5.0 from 3 reviews … [Read more...]
Miso Soup
Miso soup for breakfast? Yes, please! When I was living and working in Japan (1998-2000), one of the things that was a bit of a surprise to me was Japanese breakfasts. Traditional Japanese breakfasts often include rice, soup, fish, or egg and natto -- but not limited to those breakfast items. When I had training at my school's headquarters, we stayed at a ryokan … [Read more...]
Chicken Dumpling Stew
On cold Winter days, Little One wants nothing but soups, stews and chili. In fact, our seven-year old is currently obsessed with chicken dumpling stew! If she had it her way, we'd have soup every night of the week! One of her favourites is my Dad's chicken dumpling stew. Grampy's stew is a Trinidadian Dumpling Stew (can use beef instead of chicken) and includes … [Read more...]