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Outside my comfort zone, fishing and my home shores brought on an inspired dish. Sweet and sour marinade with a crispy Tortilla coating highlights baking fish fillets. By the shores and river dam of Rivière-des-Prairies, Québec... our month of May brings on a slew of amateur and professional fisherman alike. After having lived in this specific area for the last tw
Snacking on nuts by the park highlighted my desire to try making Baklava my way. Flaky pastry phyllo layered with a nut variation, while sweetened with a light citrus syrup. I'll never forget the first time a restaurateur had offered me to try their in-house Greek pastry. Other than getting aggravated with slipping, flaky pastry sheets, I remember falling in
A lightly modified Italian Easter menu based on Grandma’s ‘Pastiera’ di Pasqua. A baked ham came about while my Nonna became more Canadian every passing year. As a child, I remember our ‘Pasqua’ celebration including lots of chocolates ;o) However, later, Easter treat was being hosted at my Nonna’s savoury and sweet spread. Alas, many things have
‘ Panettone ’ meets up with ice cream and a splash of orange flavoured spirit. Any festive event can benefit from this easily created domed decadent delight. Inspiration ...Influence ... Serenity ... The domed 'Zuccotto' ...meaning the little pumpkin in Italian... is erected perfectly just as many domed architectural structures are all over our globe. &nb
Finishing off Heart Healthy month's dedication with sweet potato. A standing denial of making bread no longer scares me from my beating weakness. I love bread...just as much as I do chocolate. If I were to choose between pasta and bread...guess who'd win out? Place cheese and homemade butter next to it...I'll be putty in your hands. To
Embrace a café latté chocolate caramel chilled cake. Indulge with easy made chocolate walnut cookie crackles. Treat yourself to decadent chocolate torrone truffle bites. In the past years, I’ve become an obsessive seeker of fabulous, premium chocolate. I’ll avoid encounters of chocolate with soy lecithin...I just don’t care for this additive. I e
The Italian RISOTTO has become my teacher of lessons learned over the years. Appreciating the pace of slowing down has served my speedy personality well. Our winter not only brings on a time of reflection... it reminds me to mellow out just a little... especially with our winter wonderland Most times, I‘ll be preparing meals in no time at all.
Leftover ingredients used in Holiday desserts were thrilled to be... celebrated once more in MUFFINS baking for a New Years celebration. Time has certainly become my precious commodity... especially with the New Year shining new hope around us. Reflection is certainly knocking at most doors...it certainly hitting darn hard at mine. In the last few months...
Inspired by the colors and textures I chose for this season's tablescape... I was lured into the holiday cooking spirit a little sooner than usual. A small detour from our traditional Festive Italian Menu was born last week. A slightly desperate need to grasp onto some early season spirit was so welcomed. Receiving guests a little earlier was a great practic
Neatly snuggled between an irresistible coffee cake lightened by goat's yogurt; a streusel of chocolate, cranberry and walnuts found themselves into a swirl. Initially, from Maida Heatter's Book of Great Desserts... the 'Budapest' coffee cake got hold of me. When this cake was first tried out for a big gathering...it received favourable reactions.
Faith Gorsky from An Edible Mosaic shares over... 100 Middle Eastern recipes in her new cookbook. An Edible Mosaic: Middle Eastern Fare with Extraordinary Flair It's certainly a rarity that I would participate in a book launch...especially since I have not yet quite got my hands on her much anticipated specialized cookbook. However, with conf
Still in the midst of apple picking paradise, cake was enjoyed in two distinct versions. Both, equally competitive, however, one completely satisfies the need to go Gluten-Free. Apple season has brought on countless recipes across our kitchen. Here, I went specifically for the McIntosh apple. Besides, my beloved Red Free apple... the McIntosh fills up my fru
From the Spaniard's 'Berengenas' an aphrodisiac referral of 'the Apple of Love' ... to the Italian's assumed insanity causing 'Mala Insana' a.k.a 'the Mad apple'... the EGGPLANT has become and remains a favourite of ours. A few years ago, here I was in one of Sicily's small town markets...in company of one of my favourite 'Ros
Summer reminds us that BERRY freshness is at times taken for granted. The allure of our last local strawberries brought on this breath of simplicity. As we come to accept the escaping strong grasp of Summer's lingering days... freshly prepared berry delicacies has equally proven difficult to let go of. Admittedly, short
Nutty on nuts, especially in cookies. Simplicity and aromatic ingredients turn these cookies from bland to grand. Here's sharing a little something about friendship...and... a failed attempt to interpret a SIMPLE recipe. Many years ago I was introduced to the original 'Amaretti di Saronno'... a 'classic' macaroon cookie made from almonds, apricot kernels,
The versatile, buttery flavoured CHICK PEA holds its own on the legume circuit. Its delicate, structured consistency complements the adaptability of this 'pulse'. Although, I almost reached for the Ricotta cheese to create this recipe, I resisted. Instead, Cottage cheese and aged Cheddar were going to complement the Chick Pea this time. The additions
Trading places. Baking magic transforms two separate desserts into one. Physics along with Chemistry makes this scrumptious cake flipping unique. If you're looking to add some Latin flair to your sweets table...look no further. Adapting this recipe to an already popular 'ChocoFlan' cake... I loosely modified it as to lighten the texture and taste to su
The sea's underworld and a memorable tiny Island served up this dish interpretation. The smooth sand, dancing corals and sea life inspired the creation of this open-faced crêpe. It wasn't too long ago that Hubby and I travelled to the tiny Caribbean Island of Bonaire. Amongst the natural beauty, its people are what brings the real warmth and character.
St-Patrick's celebration was not based on the symbolic green this time around. Instead, dedicated brothers are honoured with their passion for ice-cream creations. Just how far did I go for my inspiration to please my love of coffee and chocolate? Across the continent to Ireland to grab the formula for a lusciously, delicious, decadent flavour. Recipe in hand,
Don't rush the ONIONS. I really meant for any sumptuous, comforting soup. Awakening our palates and warming our hearts with a... variation of French style ONION soups. Our Quebec winters have been incredibly unpredictable in the last few years. Where there had been a time with tons of snow... the last years have brought on mostly icy surfaces.
Citrus scented celebration from a frugal inspired origin. Juiced LEMON leftovers re-purposed into a delightful bitter-sweet citrus marmalade. Conversely to avoiding the lemon’s pith when making Limoncello... this marmalade invited the full bodied lemon shell and thrived. FEBRUARY is a special month on the FRENCH RIVIERA. There are few certai
An aromatic muffin batter with luscious interiors and a last minute experiment. Desperate attempt to fill cups with excess batter turned into a surprising outcome. Blend and extend surplus batter to double your muffin quantity. Here I go again sharing my innocent baking negligence. A creative double-duty muffin is born and now part of my repertoire.
Caring for our precious HEARTS with Salmon's generous OMEGA-3 fatty acids. In support of our Heart awareness month... here's my anguished history with this fish and a positive outcome for my healthy beating heart. It was throughout a major portion of my childhood where a fish dish was eaten every Friday. Mostly, though, the salmon steak was truly dread
French style crêpes took a back seat to... plumped up North American style pancakes. Flapjack, Griddlecake, Hotcake, Pancake, or all of the above? I remember a time when I thought these were actually four different breakfast menu choices. I was unaware that they were all a similar batter poured onto the griddle - flapped and served. Well, maybe a few variations
Moist Semolina meets water to roll out these precious, rugged pasta pearls into a 'Risotto'. 'Cremini' mushrooms were all too anxious to host Israeli couscous within their home cavities. I'd love to declare these 'pearls' as an Italian creation... however, the accolades mostly go to my Hebrew friends. After all, I do need to give
Shamefully starting the New Year happily with a custard and crunch dessert. A terrific beginning was derived from a declared negligence in my kitchen. Here's my New Year solution to crème brûlée topping. Blowtorch be gone, all I need is a little burnt brittle. Voila, a satisfying, crunchy crust to top a sublime crème custard. The fact that it’s Gluten-fr
Child-like scenes and reflection can hopefully bring this holiday into perspective. Are you feeling happy, contemplative or just overwhelmed with the holidays? During this special time of year, much is celebrated as well as questioned profoundly. Many interpretations are experienced during our tumultuous global complexity. Some amongst
My contribution to our traditional Christmas feast is with a 'Yule log' gone rogue. One bite will make you realize why dessert should be eaten first ;o) While a ceremonial 'Yule log' is burning in the hearth of the fireplace... I'm usually busy working on my edible version of this symbolic log. In European cultures, this 'Yule log' cake {Bûche de Noël} is usually.
A repertoire of CUSTARD cream variations. Smooth, rich, creamy and let’s not forget, absolutely, deliciously sublime. Here’s my small contribution to assist you in your sweet delight preparations. I've made countless desserts with some really wonderful and aromatic fillings. Since I get asked about these recipes all the time... I figured it was tim
Along with welcoming a new squash breed into my cooking, this particular stuffing turned this rolled Pork tenderloin into a special delicacy. I created another recipe which honoured the use of... dried Figs bathing in Port. Recipe in brief: dried figs, Port wine, a cinnamon stick and a little time...that's all. S
Scenic Fall brings me inspiration and a reminder to slow down. It's with this embrace that I'm coaxed into baking cookies again. Nature’s stunning Fall colors, aromas and textures elate me. I actually can become very forgiving of the undesired extra chill in the air. It does quickly remind us that Winter is quickly setting itself up for a roar in our dire
Scenic Fall brings me inspiration and a reminder to slow down. It's within this embrace that I'm coaxed into baking cookies again. Nature’s stunning Fall colors, aromas and textures elate me. I actually can become very forgiving of the undesired extra chill in the air. It does quickly remind us that Winter is quickly setting itself up for a roar in our di
Layers of textures and flavour are no stranger to this delicacy. The marriage of seafood and squash have united in an unforgettable dish. For those who have come to know me... you've hopefully enjoyed my light and joyful heart. For the most part, that is describing me very well indeed. I do, however, have a very serious side which is... opinionated ab
Adorably, elegant offerings found within... apple and chocolate filled pastry parcels. When an impromptu invitation comes your way... do you rush out to buy something... or do you prefer bringing something homemade? If not flowers, a bottle or other welcomed host gifts... I usually have dessert in mind. Isn't that a surprise.
Some of Autumn's ingredients land in this distinctive roasted squash potage. Sweet potato, orange, Cognac jump into the mix and render this soup memorable. A decorative swirl of beet juice with a touch of yogurt was added for effect...Halloween anyone? My appreciation from my younger years frequenting French bistros... have served a great purpose in my kitchen and ongoi
Can you achieve a gluten-free cake with only one flour variety? Well, maybe not the incredibly mile-high cake yet. However, with these four torte cakes, I'm well on my way to finding out. My pursuit of gluten-free baking has been ongoing behind the scenes. Most of this experimental culinary journey took form with simply using... 'sweet SORGHUM white flour'
Offerings from a no-dough foundation to a glorious crown of tortilla corn chips. A distinctive quiche to honour the two most influential women in my life. There had always been a very robust triangular symbol in our family. It had reflected the three generations of strong minded women. At the head of our Italian family was my very endearing, '
Big, bold and beautiful was this newly created ice-cream concoction.Later to be re-purposed into a blend for muffins?!? ...Ice-cream parfait served alongside with millet puffs... Yes...muffins. I just couldn't file this story away and not share all my culinary emotions with you.It was a merry-go-round of feeling...exhilaration turned disheartened and right back to enchanted.All
Beat the blues with bright BEET roasted Almond Basil Pesto.Some call this radical. I call it ridiculously delicious. For a few minutes, I had put my ‘Foodie’ hat aside.As an Interior Designer...I would have been more inclined to keep admiring the stunning color this pesto turned out. I was also very tempted to dip my paintbrush and make a magnificent ‘tableau’ with it. Alright, b
Juicy PLUMS almost didn’t make it into what turned out to be a delicious unique JAM. How could it not be unique? Amaretto -- Cinnamon -- Orange -- Vanilla. Need I say more? Just imagine these flavours coming together as the tart and sweetness find their perfect balance. The plum itself was also like no other I had seen before. The incredible array of c
SIMPLE go-to SUMMER comfort food with...POLENTA slices and MARKET fresh ingredients. The viably respectable, ready-made POLENTA filled TUBE...came to the rescue towards some unplanned Summer day meals. Polenta is very versatile...especially when already pre-cooked and neatly packaged in a tube. Yes, I very often use this delightfully ready-made preparation. Don't be sho
Every Summer has proven to be special in its own way...and this particular one was certainly no exception. As most of you can imagine...my home and office move was not without challenge and certainly not uneventful. What else is new? Nothing worth having comes easy...does it? I continually remind myself to keep my patience and appreciation cap on ;o) I'll be thoug
Enjoyment from a granted wish realized through...a GIVEAWAY fairy along with a no-bake fresh dessert. Layering PEACHES and PINEAPPLE with a...COOKIE crunch into a creamy indulgence.Through the years, I've made several versions of this scrumptious light dessert.This is one of the easiest and most accessible at any time of the year. More on the recipe coming towards the end of the
Sharing two of my favourite guiltless COOL pleasures. Some creative ingredients were used to establish these deliciously light BERRY desserts. Last year at about this time I had written about my...'Search for Strawberry Fields'. Thankfully, this year has been slightly more fruitful.However, once more, not yet to my satisfaction. I still didn't get the
An addictively popular pasta CARBONARA meets with extended pairings. A shot of my homemade LIMONCELLO was also added for an especially unique dish. After several attempts and many returning, satisfied guests...this one pasta dish I'll be sharing might just sway you away from the classic ‘Carbonara‘. Since I've been asked for my recipe several times...I've finally decided to
MANGO cold MOUSSE as well as a 'soft-serve' MANGO frozen SORBET Many luscious refreshing treats will be joined by this superb dual-purpose dessert. Three ingredients is all that's required to get remarkable results from this tropical fruit. Ripe MANGO...a touch of SWEETENER...and a pre-frozen EGG WHITE is all there is to it. Of course, since you won't be creamin
The shorelines of the Gulf Coast brought ona craving for baked Coconut Shrimp. Not any of the classic coconut breaded dishes of course.Only my baked and succulent Maple syrup flavoured crustaceans. As most of you must have figured out from my last post...my unexpected and very unplanned time-out led me mostly to the Gulf of Mexico, Florida. A short while ago, my g
Sharing our latest escape with you until...I'm back to posting culinary experiences.Enjoy and flavourful wishes,Claudia
This lusciously creamy and decadent LEMON TiraMiSù gets an added 'pick-me-up' from the smooth and aromatic spirited GALLIANO liquor. A forward thinking Italian once called this... delectable, refreshing dessert a 'pick me up' as well as 'pull me away'. I never imagined how pertinent it had become for this following post today. After demanding schedules and gene
Fellow Canadians provided insight on the PUFF in Choux PASTRY. BAKING from the perspective of SCIENCE to get the perfect pastry puff. I had once succeeded in 'poofing’ the puff to later fail by roofing the puff.Here's the journey of a once upon a time baker with misplaced pride. Canadian raised Anne Gardiner and Sue Wilson also known as the 'Inquisitive cooks'
