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...]
Back to School Lunches with Snapware
Summer seems to be ending just as fast as it arrived. I'm a glass half full kind of girl, and I know that we still have a few weeks left of Summer vacation to enjoy. This said, it does feel like I just blinked and we're already in August! August is close to September, and September is back to school! That means it's time to think about back to school lunches again! I … [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...]
Getting My Child to Eat her Food: The Truth Is…I Have No Tricks!
Several friends have asked me countless times how I get Little One to eat her school lunches every day. The truth is, I have no tricks or tips. We've just been very lucky that Little One happens to have an adventurous palate and a voracious appetite. Seriously. That is all. I was thinking about how all kids are different and have different tastes. What works for one … [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...]
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...]
Specialty Cheeses & More at Quintina’s in Spring Bay #Manitoulin
Living on Manitoulin Island brings new experiences every day. Whether it be finding a new fishing spot or secluded place to swim in the summertime, you'll be surprised at some of the hidden gems this special island is home to. One of those hidden gems is Quintina's and we love them for their specialty cheeses! We recently discovered Quintina's specialty cheeses at the … [Read more...]
Creamy Earl Grey & Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Do you love tea? Have you used tea in some of your cooking or baking before? I made some Creamy Earl Grey & Lavender Shortbread Cookies that go perfectly with afternoon tea! My friends like to joke that I'm a "Tea Granny". If you come into my kitchen, you will notice my tea collection. I love a good cup of tea. I also love being creative in the kitchen and lately … [Read more...]
Holiday Roasting #makeitCDNbeef Twitter Party
When we think of the Holidays, many of us think turkey and stuffing or ham with festive fixings. I have to tell you that in our family, a roast is also one of the main attractions. Holiday roasting is always a good thing! Who doesn't love roasted veggies or potatoes...and a roast beef? We're a beef farming family and a roast is a great way to feed a large group of people … [Read more...]
Grilled Persimon® Crostini w/ Manchego & Wine Reduction
Last Christmas, I introduced persimmon to our holiday dinner menu. I made a Persimon®, Blueberry and Pomegranate Salad, and it was a huge hit with my family. It was such a refreshing salad and the flavours were incredible together. I think it's safe to say that my family really enjoys the sweetness of persimmon. I really love the versatility of the fruit. I love it in … [Read more...]
Thinking about my culinary roots with TVO’s The Food Chain: Girl Eat World
Some of my earliest memories involved spending lots of time in my grandparents' kitchen, observing them prepare food from their culture. Back then, it wasn't food from their culture -- it was soul food. It was food that nourished our family and brought loved ones together. When I think about food, and its important role it plays, it is not just for sustenance, but there … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake
I can feel it. The air is getting cooler. The days are getting shorter. Fall is absolutely, 100%, undeniably here. That's not a bad thing though! To be honest, I'm excited! I love Fall. I love the changing of the seasons. I love the beautiful Fall colours, wearing warm, fuzzy sweaters, and most of all, I love the Fall harvest! One word: PUMPKIN! I'm a fan of … [Read more...]
Thai Mango Salad Dressing
One of my absolute favourite salads is a good Thai Mango Salad. Of course, living on Manitoulin Island, I try to use mostly ingredients that are found locally and that we grow on our farm. Sadly, we obviously just don't have the temperature to grow tropical fruit. Not only are we in Canada, but we're also in Northern Ontario. Our temperature and climate just aren't … [Read more...]
Soupe aux Petits Pois
My six year old is an unusual child. She has a refined palate for someone so young. She's not shy to tell me whether she thinks a dish needs more seasoning or whether it needs more acidity. How she knows this, I have no clue! She certainly loves flavours from all over the globe and asks me to make dishes from the Philippines, Korea, Thailand, Japan, the Caribbean, … [Read more...]
Best Ribs Ever!
For those who grew up in Montreal, I'm sure you've enjoyed many a meal at Bar-B-Barn. I remember going to Bar-B-Barn as a kid. It was near my Mom's work, so we sometimes went there for dinner on a Friday night. Years ago, a friend e-mailed me a recipe similar to the one for Bar-B-Barn's ribs. In college, another friend e-mailed me a similar recipe. Over the years, I have … [Read more...]