Category: Cooking and Baking
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
You can make a VERY creamy mac and cheese simply by roasting some vegetables and making a delicious sauce. It has become a family favourite. Peel and cube a butternut squash. Preheat the oven to 425 F and put foil on a baking tray with a rim. Oil the pan and spread the butternut squash
Gluten Free Apple Cake
I bought some fancy new baking pans over Christmas and so I wanted to try a new recipe. This apple cake is gluten free and still fluffy, moist and full of apple pieces. The spice mix is perfect – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This cake is both delicious and easy. Grease or butter your pain
Chestnuts roasting or simmering?
This Christmas season, we celebrated with our family and returned to many of our favourite foods and snacks. Charles saw an interesting recipe for chestnuts on a video on his phone. They weren’t roasted on an open fire, so it was going to be possible to make it in our kitchen. The chestnuts recipe is
The Christmas Cookie Tray
Every year, you see advertisements for the “Christmas Cookie Tray” on social media. You can order them, pick them up and share them. I choose to make them myself – I always make a lot and they always seem to slowly disappear. Containers sent to neighbours, dessert over the Holidays, a few with your morning
Almond Crescent Cookies
Do you need to whip together a quick batch of cookies for a Christmas party? These are fast and easy and delicious…and easily gluten free (or not). Whip together 1 cup of butter and 2/3 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract. Whisk together 1 – 1/2 cups of almond flour and 1
Gingerbread Cake
Anyone who knows me, know how much I love to bake, especially at Christmas. I jumped in and bought a new baking pan (not that I needed one). It was adorable and I plan to use it a few times this season. I started by finding a Gingerbread Cake recipe and baked some little gingerbread
The Best Gluten Free Shortbread
I have been attempting to make gluten free shortbread for a few years. For some reason, gluten free makes shortbread very difficult – it often looses its shape and you are often adding extra flour or cornstarch. The flavour is ok, but not the buttery, amazing consistency of regular shortbread. This year, I tried whipped
These High-Protein Waffles Are Actually Worth Waking Up For
Look, we all know that feeling when your breakfast fails you by 10 AM and you’re already eyeing the office snack drawer. These waffles? They’re not that breakfast. Packed with protein and fiber, they’ll actually keep you going until lunch without the mid-morning crash. The Protein Situation Let’s talk about what makes these waffles legit.
Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins
Here are some DELICIOUS muffins that are perfect for the Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en season. I started the process by buying 6 pie pumpkin. I cut them in half, scooped out the seeds, greased a baking sheet and then put the pumpkins flesh down on the baking sheet. I baked them for 45 minutes, scooped out
Autumn is Here – Baked Apples for a Treat
Dinner is over and we settle in to watch The Great British Baking Show. They start making cakes or bread or biscuits and all of the sudden you feel hungry. Watching all those delicious desserts and you just want a treat – so, off to the kitchen you go to make some baked apples. Cut
Butternut Squash and Bacon Soup
As the evenings get cooler, we turn to soup as a staple. A bowl of soup is heartwarming and I love to create them with roasted vegetables. Soup is a healthy dinner that pleases everyone. 2 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed2 large onions, peeled and sliced3 large garlic cloves, peeled and sliced1 tablespoon of
The Very Best Gluten Free Lemon Bundt Cake
This is a perfect cake for anytime – it is easy to make and you can’t even tell it is gluten free. This is a real crowd pleaser. I have made it LOTS of times this summer and it is great plain or served with fruit. The lemon glaze is just a fun way to
Tomato-Basil Naan Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella
What do you do with fresh basil and tomatoes from the garden? Make them into a gluten free delight. I used gluten free pita instead of naan bread and I added a little grated pecorino. These were amazing, simple and they baked up nicely in the air fryer. 4 gluten free pita or regular naanCombine
Zucchini, Feta and Dill Cottage Cheese Bake
Zucchini season is upon us – there is more to zucchini than muffins or bread! Try this light, protein-packed casserole made with grated zucchini, creamy cottage cheese, salty feta, and dill (fresh or dried). You can eat this warm or cold!1 cup of cottage cheese1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese3 large eggs (I used 4
Tomato, Chive and Goat Cheese Frittata
We played an amazing round of golf today and then, at 5:30 p.m., we jumped in the car and felt that pangs of hunger. We briefly discussed a restaurant and then when we thought it through, we decided to stick to our plan and go home and make this super simple dinner. We were eating
Moroccan Lamb Flatbread with Pine Nuts, Mint and Ras Al Hanout
This is like eating Mediterranean Pizza. Ras Al Hanout is a North African spice blend that features prominently in Moroccan cooking. A pungent mix of warm spices – cardamom, clove, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, paprika, mace, nutmeg, peppercorn and turmeric – it is particularly suited for rich, meaty lamb. I bought my ras al hanout through
Dates for Dessert!
We work very hard to avoid sugar in our house. Too much sugar causes weight gain but, there are many other reasons that it is great to cut back on or avoid sugar. There is naturally occurring sugar is some fruits, like dates and these can work as replacements for refined sugar. Sugar can also
Easy Crustless Rhubarb Custard Pie
All the deliciousness of a creamy rhubarb custard pie without any crust-fussing. This simple blender recipe forms its own crust – a layer of cream over the crust and rhubarb on top. You can use fresh or frozen rhubarb (thawed and drained) and you just need to add a little whip cream or ice cream
Almond Joy Cookies
These cookies are easy and delicious! I baked them for our house and for friends and for a celebration of our neighbour who is celebrating Father’s Day this weekend. I would highly recommend these and they took me about 15 minutes to mix together. I doubled the patch and the worked out perfectly. As a
Flourless Coconut Greek Yogurt Cake
You will love this cake because it is flourless and gluten free – perfect for sensitive diets. It is a high-protein dessert. The Greek yogurt adds creaminess and nutrition. It has a tropical flavour, the coconut flavour is refreshing and fun. It is a moist and tender crumb. It does not taste dry at all,
Rhubarb Cookies
I have several bags of rhubarb left in the freezer from last season and we are not entering rhubarb season once again. I found this recipe last evening when I was “scrolling” through my Facebook and I just spontaneously made them…I thawed the rhubarb for 30 seconds in the microwave and then chopped it up
Breakfast for Dinner – The Frittata
Do you need a quick dinner that is both delicious and healthy? Just look to the simple frittata with a Mediterranean twist. I recently bought a magazine created by Good Housekeeping called “Summer Mediterranean Diet” that will be on display until July 28, 2025. Sometimes, I buy a magazine and I get maybe one great
A Post-Easter Colombian Dinner
Sebastian and Emily came home for a little post-Easter visit. We started the day with a 30 km bike ride to Port Colborne (and an unexpected flat tire) and a Chai Tea. When we got back home, we enjoyed cooking a Colombian dinner together. I had prepared Colombian Beans ahead of time (recipe below) and
What is Hash?
“Hash” can refer to a few different things, including a food dish, a form of cannabis, or a computer science concept. 1. Hash (Food): 2. Hash (Cannabis): 3. Hash (Computer Science): I have made LOTS of different types of hash. Breakfast hash is delicious – eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, cheese, onion, etc. Tonight’s hash started with
The Tradition of the Easter Egg
The tradition of dyeing Easter eggs is deeply rooted in both ancient pagan and Christian symbolism. While egg decorating itself predates Christianity, the specific practice of dyeing eggs for Easter is linked to early Christian traditions in Mesopotamia, where red-dyed eggs symbolized the blood of Christ. Over time, this practice spread through Orthodox churches and then into Western
Planning Meals Every Day!
I love to cook but, I also like to be inspired. We were visiting with friends this weekend and she had purchased a new cookbook, vegetarian. It is called “Two Chefs in the Garden” and it is available on Amazon. It is written by Lynn Crawford and Laura Kirk and is inspired by fresh vegetables
Upside-Down Apple Cake
In the winter, apple desserts are one of my favourites. Apples are a favourite ingredient to add to baking. Apples are a great sweetener (apple sauce in baking), especially when they are heated. This apple cake is great for a dinner party – it looks beautiful and is great for a birthdays or dinner party.
Cottage Cheese – The New (old) Protein
Lately, we have been eating a lot of cottage cheese – not straight but, rather mixed into baking and things like pancakes, etc. There are many delicious ways to eat cottage cheese. Cottage cheese helps fight cancer and diabetes, strengthens bones and boosts digestive health, boosts immunity and helps with weight loss and can even
A Sweet Idea for Valentine’s Day
Do you want to give your friends a neighbours a fun little Valentine treat? Do you have a heart-shaped cookie cutter? Bake some cookies…add some cloth to the top of a jar (tie some yarn or use an elastic to secure the cloth on the jar) and serve… IngredientsFor the Cookies… InstructionsInto a stand mixer
The Gingerbread Man
Getting in the Christmas spirit usually means a batch of “Gingerbread Men”. This year, I made quite a few for a nursery school decorating party for Charlotte and I was kind of “done” with them by the time we had baked a pile of them for the children. On Friday, I went to Vermeer’s (our
Getting Ready for the Holidays….Bone Broth
It is 5 days until Christmas Eve and in our house, that means that the broth must be prepared for the French Onion Soup. Yes, you can purchase beef broth but, there is really nothing that warms your heart (or smells better) than homemade broth being created in your kitchen. Tonight, I picked up beef
Cabbage Roll Casserole
Sometimes, you just need a simple little dinner that hits the spot. Making cabbage rolls is time consuming and so, creating this quick little casserole gives you the flavours, without the work. In your food processor (or with a shredder or knife) cut up a small head of cabbage. I also added 2 carrots and
Oil and Vanilla
Every year at about this time, I make some homemade vanilla. I order vanilla beans from Amazon, find some sealable bottles at the Dollar Store and buy a big bottle of vodka. That is literally it, you put 5 vanilla beans in the jar, fill it up with vodka and leave it for at least
Better Than Take-Out Cashew Chicken
This dinner takes 20 minutes to prepare. It is great for a busy day and you can use thighs or breasts. You can serve it with rice or just in a bowl. It is REALLY delicious! Cut up 4 boneless chicken thighs or 2 boneless chicken breasts. Put them in a large ziploc bag with
Healthy Applesauce Muffins
These muffins have NO sugar or eggs and they are “flexible” – you can add apple pieces, nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, oatmeal or whatever you want to add to customize them according to what you love in a good muffin. I actually love baking muffins because you can take the basic recipe and just make
The Barbequed Turkey
This year, we barbequed our Thanksgiving turkey. We were so grateful to be able to spend a couple of days as a family – riding bikes, going for a walk, talking, eating and just being together – the real meaning of Thanksgiving. This year, we roasted a 16 lb turkey. We heated the BBQ to
Caramelized Onions
Every year, I buy a couple of large bags of onions, slice them up, add some balsamic vinegar and a bit of sugar and salt and pepper and create some caramelized onions that I can use all winter on pizza or charcuterie boards (they are great with cheese). This year, I found an EVEN easier
Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
Welcome to Fall! Pumpkins everywhere! 3 weeks until Thanksgiving! Leaves are changing colour, evening are cooler…sweater weather! This simple recipe makes a great morning breakfast for anyone who is “on the run” or a mid-morning pick up. Today, I had the help of my little friend, Charlotte who loved dumping and mixing and tasting. These
Beef and Broccoli
For a quick meal that is healthy and delicious, throw together this dish in about 20 minutes. 1 lb of steak, cut into thin strips1/2 teaspoon of ground white pepper Season the meat with the white pepper and set it aside. Combine 1/3 cup of soya sauce and 1/3 cup of water and 1 tablespoon
Grilled Peach Halloumi Salad with Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
Hello, halloumi…this salty, creamy grilling cheese tastes great with just about anything but especially when nestled in a salad alongside sweet grilled peaches, plenty of greens and fresh balsamic dressing. This salad is SO easy to put together and is a wonderful addition to any summer BBQ. Dressing 1/4 cup of olive oil1/4 cup fresh
Moroccan-Spiced Carrot and Chickpea Salad
Satisfying and delicious and a perfect compliment to any dinner – winter, spring, summer or fall. Easy to make and can be kept for several days. You can make a batch and then eat it for lunch or dinner as a side dish all week. This side dish will really spice up your mealtime –
Healthy Summer Eating – Burgers and Fries
Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers1 – 1/4 lbs of lean ground turkey1 – 1/2 cups of finely chopped fresh spinach4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese2 cloves of minced garlice1/4 cup of bread crumbs (I use gluten free)1 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning1 large egg2 teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce (I use gluten free)1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
What’s Chayote? Everything you need to know about this sweet, green squash.
Chayote (rhymes with “coyote”) is a type of squash with the taste and texture of summer squash and the harvest season (late summer to early fall) and extended storage of winter squash . Native to Central America, chayote was a staple food for the Aztecs when European explorers encountered it. Its cultivation spread throughout the
Summer Salad Time!
What does it mean to eat healthy? For us, it is lots of fruit and vegetables, protein and finding foods that increase polyphenols in my diet. Adding polyphenols to your diet improves blood sugar levels and helps your gut, skin, and cognitive health. Polyphenols are present in the rich, green Mediterranean diet as well as
Are You Looking for a New Cookbook?
I often find recipes on Pinterest or during a google search, but I still like putting my hands on a “real” cookbook. I used to have several shelves (4 to be exact) and I have reduced my collection to 2 shelves. I have often celebrated the Mediterranean diet – it is full of great, salty,
Enchilada “One Pot” Casserole
I love a meal that you can throw in a pot and enjoy. This can be served with nachos but, it has lots of “carbs” so you probably don’t need any other carbs….but, this is a great meal for dipping a nacho into…lol 1 tablespoon of olive oil I package of chicken thighs (4 full
The Gluten Free Dilemma
As anyone who knows our family or anyone who has checked out any recipes on my blog, you will know that my husband, Charles is celiac – we discovered this around 16 years ago and we eat gluten free. When we first started on this journey, it was very difficult. It has since become much
Little Hearts for Valentine’s Day
If you do a little research, you can find all kinds of information about the origins of Valentine’s Day. https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2I take it all with a grain of salt as for me, Valentine’s day (like every other holiday) is just an opportunity to celebrate friendship, kindness and thinking about other people ahead of yourself. Having an
Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw
This meal is a family favourite – easy to make and delicious both the day of and the next day. It can be made with turkey or chicken and it can be served on lettuce or in lettuce leaf “cups” made from Boston Bib lettuce. Mango SlawThinly slice 2 mangoes and shred 2 cups of
Banana Breakfast Cookies
My life is made richer by the time I spend with the little people in my life. I am so blessed to be able to spend time each week with my little friends and I cherish and treasure every single moment. They are now 2 and 4 years old but, they are growing so fast
Happy New Year 2024! Gluten Free Olie-Bollen
We were fortunate to have our family together on the first day of 2024 – a long walk (with some snow) and a traditional New Year’s ham dinner. Charles also made some New Year Cookies or Olie-Bollen – delicious fritters with raisins, currants, or apples. I shared some with our neighbours and started the new
Cranberry Chutney
What looks great in a Christmas basket that you are giving to a friend? How about a little cranberry chutney? A basket of homemade goodies will always go over well with friends and neighbours and family. This recipe is easy to make and will go perfect with the turkey at Christmas dinner. This recipe makes
Friendship Soup in a Jar
This year, I tried something new – yes, I love trying new things. I found this recipe for “Soup in a Jar” and I thought it would make great Christmas gifts. I went off to Bulk Barn and carefully chose the ingredients – making sure that they were gluten free and vegetarian (the soup makers
Mango Chicken Curry
I can’t believe that I haven’t shared this recipe before – it is THE BEST meal – make a bit of rice and serve. Tomatoes were my own addition because I had fresh tomatoes in the garden just waiting to be picked and added. You can sprinkle a little cilantro on it when serving. You
It is Mediterranean Week…
Every once in awhile, I choose a theme for our week of eating. Sometimes, when we have eaten a lot of heavy meals, I choose recipes from my cookbook, “The Mediterranean Table” – available on Amazon. I have written about the Mediterranean diet before and I have found it to be the easiest diet to
Have you ever grown a cucamelon?
Thanks to my friend, Melissa, I have grown cucamelons for a couple of years. They are also known as “mouse melons” or Mexican miniature watermelons. They taste like a cucumber and you can literally stand in the garden and eat them, raw, from the vine. Yesterday, I picked a bowl full of cucamelons and today,
Summer is for Salads
Several weeks this summer, we have had “supper salads” for dinner. These hearty, mealtime creations can really include anything fresh and delicious. I have done a Thai Chicken Salad with napa cabbage, carrots and mangos…Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with bacon and avocado, an apple, pear, dried cranberry, hard boiled egg chopped salad – all served
Easy Vegetable Biryani Recipe
This recipe is delicious. You can really put any vegetables at all into it – I thought I might put asparagus but, than I changed my mind. I love “one pot” meals – you can make sheet pan meals or skillet meals or a dutch oven. The flavour is bold because of the spice mixture
Canadian Living Gingerbread Roll Cake – Adapted to Gluten Free without the Roll
Fancy gluten free bakeries can do it but, it is VERY difficult to “roll” gluten free cake. Instead of going crazy (because I was taking this cake to a party) and I didn’t want to bring “cracked” rolls, I just created “sandwich” cakes with the cream cheese icing in between. They were absolutely perfect and
Egg Bites – Easy and Just Like Starbucks
I am always looking for an easy breakfast treat. If I am rushing off somewhere in the morning or if I am having friends in for coffee, I love serving something nutritious, tasty and fun. These egg “muffins” are just the thing – serve them with muffins or scones, or breakfast cookies…bacon or sausage…and a
When You Buy a New Spice Rack….
I bought a new spice rack and it came with a list of spices…more spices than I even knew existed. If you know me, you know that I use a lot of spices but, this list was exhaustive. So, let’s have a little fun. Review this list of spices and identify whether you have heard
Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad
The Mediterranean Diet is celebrated as both healthy and anti – inflammatory. This salad is bold in its flavours and both acidic and sweet. I use some of my Moroccan Lemons to add some zest to it. It is perfect paired with salmon or chicken and keeps in the fridge for at least 5 days
Flourless Apple Oatmeal Muffins
We leave in a celiac household – we have to be innovative and careful to make sure that Charles (my husband) does not end up sick. I am always on the lookout for something that is both delicious and gluten free. This recipe has the bonus of being sugar free as well – and it
Charles’ Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns3/
Mix 3/4 cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar and 2 Tablespoons of yeast In mixer with paddle, whisk together….1 tablespoon of sugar1/2 cup of skim milk powder1/4 cup of White rice flour1 cup of sweet rice flour1/2 cup of potato starch1/4 cup of psyllium husk1 cup of tapioca starch1 cup of arrowroot
French Onion Soup – A Christmas Eve Tradition
I actually am not particularly found of traditions. I think sometimes we get “stuck” in them. Is Christmas only Christmas if it is celebrated on December 24th or 25th? When children grow up and have spouses and children can we move Christmas celebrations to their houses and try to be flexible about their timelines and
Tuscan White Bean and Squash Soup
This is a hearty winter soup that can easily be made in an instant pot – or on the stove top. Serve it with parmesan cheese and chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley on top. Garlic bread or crusty bread will complete this meal perfectly. Thinly slice 2 small red onions and 2 carrots (or use a
Tis’ the Season – Gluten Free Holiday Baking
I usually bake something (and freeze it) every week until the Holidays. I try to focus on low sugar recipes (or adapt them) and I give away far more than I eat or serve in my own house. We have some family favourites and I always start with Christmas cake in October and soak it
Fall is Here – How about Soup Sunday?
A few years ago, when I was working fulltime, I started the Soup Sunday tradition. Each Saturday, I would make a batch of homemade soup and then on Sunday, instead of cooking a big meal, we would have soup and crackers or soup and homemade biscuits or bread. It is SO relaxing to just have
Old Fashioned Tomato Jam
This is SUCH a fun recipe! We use it with cheese or on any kind of meat. I do a lot of preserving because I use them as gifts throughout the year. This batch made 24 – 1 1/2 cup jars of jam. I am almost at the end of canning season – I have
Green Tomato Chutney
10 pounds of chopped green tomatoes5 cups of brown sugar4 cups of chopped red onion2 cups of raisins2 cups of currants4 cups of apple cider vinegar4 tablespoons of candied ginger, chopped4 tablespoons of fresh ginger, chopped4 tablespoons of mustard seed4 teaspoons of chile pepper flakes4 teaspoons of fennel seed4 teaspoons of salt2 teaspoons of allspice1