Content
Step Number TwoFACT: Sweet potatoes are a great source of antioxidants. Hello followers! What a beautiful day!Well, it's been exactly 7 weeks since I started my sweet potato slips and as you can see, they have done very well! The second step in growing sweet potatoes is to pluck the stems off the top of the sweet potato and to put them in water. Now the slips will grow roots, the final step b
Hello followers! Ontario produce is starting to be seen around town! To keep track of which locally grown goodies are in season, make sure to check Foodland Ontario's Availability Guide. Eat local, eat seasonal!Well, Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday and I thought that putting together a simple and seasonal menu was a great idea! The recipes for this three course meals are a col
"The world's favourite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May." Edwin Way TealeHiya followers, are you all enjoying the outdoors this weekend?! If you're in the Burlington area, make sure to head over to the Royal Botanical Gardens for all of their great spring time events!Also, I have started up my own little business! Check out my website and sign up to a cooking lesson
"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." Charles M. Schulz Hello followers, I have exciting news to share! I am starting up my own little business doing insightful and fun cooking demonstrations. I will be at The Carter Farm Market & Café located in Norval, Ontario on Tuesdays evenings, starting on May 7th. I am specializing in hors d'oeuvres&nb
Week Three UpdateFACT: The Maori (indigenous people of New Zealand), have been cultivating the sweet potato, or kumara, since the 14th century A.D. Hiya followers! Enjoying the snow?! As you can see, my sweet potato has really taken off! I'm just so proud! In one week, the slips have really grown and the leaves are getting much bigger. There are even a couple new little slips that have p
Week Two UpdateFACT: Sweet potatoes are extremely high in beta carotene and vitamin C. Hello followers! Did you start your sweet potato yet? Mine has been in water for about two weeks now and it's beginning to sprout! Yay! These sprouts are called 'slips' and they are what will eventually be planted to grow our sweet potatoes. You'll also notice white roots growing out of the bottom of
One of my biggest pet peeves in the kitchen is having a magazine or thin cookbook on the counter while I'm getting ready to make a recipe! They get in the way and chances are that they'll get messy! They are too light to lean up against back of the counter and I really don't want to spend money buying a magazine prop-up-thingy! So, I find it much easier to hang it! Just find a hanger for pant
Step Number OneFACT: Sweet potatoes are actually the roots of a vine that belongs to the morning glory family. Hiya followers, how fun is this?!Growing sweet potatoes are extremely easy and I am going to guide you with each step of the way from start to finish! All you need for today's first step is a jar, some water, perhaps 5 toothpicks and an organically grown sweet potato. I sta
'When you wake up in the morning, Pooh' said Piglet at last' 'what's the first thing you say to yourself?' 'What's for breakfast?' said Pooh. - A. A. Milne, 'The House at Pooh Corner' If you live in the Toronto area, everything you'll need for today's recipe can be found at The Big Carrot health food store. I've been there many times and always enjoy it!Today's recipe is a request f
Happy Easter! Hello followers! If you are in the Toronto area, make sure to head down to the St. Lawrence Market for all of your Easter dinner needs!Easter has arrived early this year and has caught a lot of us off guard! We love celebrating Easter in my family and we start it off by making homemade perogies on Good Friday. Once a year all of the ladies in the family gather to make
"Let them eat cake... Pops!" Hello followers, enjoying spring?Remember when I said last week that I was out of my comfort zone with gluten free baking?! That was nothing compared to this! You see, my cousin Robyn's roommate Lauren recently made a request, et voila, cake pops! I have never attempted anything like it, but with the help of the friendly staff over at the Bulk Barn
"Without bread all is misery." William Cobbett Hello followers! If you live in the Hamilton area, I'm sure you know about the fantastic Horn of Plenty food store. It has everything you need for a healthy lifestyle!Sorry that I did not post a blog last week, I've got a lot on the go these days including a big culinary adventure! I'm not ready to fill you in yet, but I will make my announc
"Homemade is best!"Hello my snowy followers, are you fans of goat milk products? If so, check out River's Edge Goat Dairy located in Arthur, Ontario.Today I am venturing into the realm of Middle Eastern cooking! I absolutely love the colours and flavours of the cuisine and am so excited about today's recipes. Labneh is a traditional yogurt cheese and za'atar is an aromatic and extremely versatile
"Enjoy a sweet Valentine's Day!"If you are a fan of chocolate, make sure to visit Soma Chocolatemaker in Toronto, Ontario! You will love it!Hello followers, have you got your Valentine's Day cards ready to hand out?!As I was looking through my blog archive yesterday I realized that I haven't done a chocolate dessert for Valentine's Day! Terrible, I know! So to make up for lost
"The difference between good and bad tempura is the batter-" Chef Shirley ChengHiya followers! Have you heard of Farmers Feed Cities?!Well, this week I am back and blogging another recipe request! This one goes out to an old friend I met in kindergarten. How cool is that? Ryan asked for something Asian. He wasn't specific as to which region, citing that he loves everything from Thai to Chinese, J
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth..." Edith SitwellHello followers, old and new alike! Before we get started, may I ask you take a couple of minutes to watch this video. It's about buying locally grown goods and how by speaking up we can give much needed support to our Canadian farmers and their farmlands! Today's recipe is the result of a request to make somethin
Look familiar?This has happened to me so many times! I have a recipe that calls for brown sugar but when I go to scoop, it's as hard as a rock! Well, several years ago my good friend and fellow Chef Cheryl told me to use to sliced bread. "Sliced bread?!" I asked. "Yes!" she replied. Cheryl told me to put the hard sugar into an airtight container with a slice of bread, to leave a fe
"The proof of the pudding is in the eating." Miguel de CervantesHiya followers! Have you ever tried Ontario's Woolwich Diary Goat Brie? I suggest you do! Yum!Well, I recently asked for some recipe requests and the first response I got was from my friend Caroline for rice pudding. I know what you're thinking! Rice pudding is one of those things that people either love or hate. I have my r
"Loving the holiday sweets!"Hello followers! Well, the countdown to Christmas is on and it's time to get swept up in that festive mood and get down to some delicious holiday baking! Cookies, squares, bars and cakes are just some of those good old holiday treats that get made but once a year. I must admit that I am not too keen on sweets, but during this time of year, I treat myself.
??"Pass the veggies!"Hello followers, hope you all had a great weekend!Before we know it Christmas will be here and the family will be gathered around the dinner table, ready for their holiday feast! The highlight of the meal is of course the succulent roasted turkey, but the feast would not be complete without a selection of wonderful side dishes. Here are three great ideas th
"Go ahead, indulge yourself!"Good day my followers! Well, I cannot believe it's December already and the holidays are just a few weeks away! So, to get you all ready for those fun Christmas parties that I'm sure are on your calendar, I have decided to feature three delicious appetizers. These recipes I developed and photographed for my 'Sideroads of Halton Hills' holiday articles, over t
"Food... has that ability to comfort." Norman KolpasHello my followers! How are you all today?First of all, I'd like to say thank you! Since I last looked at my blog count, it seems like I have had more than 20,000 views! How amazing is that?!Today I am going to share with you my favourite meal that our Nanny would make for us as children. My Nanny was from England, so needless
Edith May Evans died peacefully in her sleep on October 28 2012. She will always be our wonderful Nanny and today I would like to share some of my favourite memories and stories she told me over the years. Nanny was born in Wallasey, Cheshire, England. She had loving parents and three older sisters. As a young girl, the Second World War began. Nanny was taken out of school, away fro
"In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October..." Alexander SmithHiya my followers! What a lovely autumn day!Here in our neck of the woods, we're enjoying some of those fall days that make you want to get outside and do something! You know, perhaps go to a farmer's market, buy some locally grown apples, pick out a Halloween pumpkin... Well,
?"Good soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living." Louis P. De GouyHiya my fab followers!Well, I woke up this morning feeling a tad under the weather and I now have a hankering for a hot bowl of homemade soup. Luckily for me, it looks like I don't even have to leave the house to shop for any ingredients. And thank goodness, since it looks rather dreary outside! Last week my swe
Butternut squashes can be a bit intimidating! They are generally large in size and have a very tough skin. Trying to tackle one without a game plan can be a stressful experience, but with my step by step instructions, you might find it a bit easier. But, before we begin, make sure your knife is sharp and that your cutting board is secure!1. Cut the squash into smaller pieces, so it is more managea
"Only the pure of heart can make soup." Ludwig Van BeethovenHello followers! I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!Now, I'm sure that all of you have had your fill of turkey sandwiches by now and are ready to warm up to a bowl of homemade turkey soup! So, today I have posted my turkey stock recipe and my recipe for turkey soup. Both very easy to make and not only will you enjoy
"Only two things that money can't buy, that's true love and home grown tomatoes." John DenverHello followers, hope you're enjoying this lovely day!Busy, busy, busy... That's the best way to describe our lives around here lately! Not only is work a bit hectic, but we are off to Cuba on Wednesday for my brother Jordan's wedding at the end of the week! Amazing! So, with all of the planning, laun
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." Lewis GrizzardIsn't that quote the truth, my followers?When I think of homegrown tomatoes I think of my Dad and our neighbour Nina. Every summer the competition was on for the biggest and best beefsteak tomatoes on the block! I swear, some of them were so huge they could barely fit in my hands! I loved t
"What is more refreshing than salads..." Alexis SoyerHello my fave followers!Well, today's blog is going to be short but sweet, as I am getting ready to spend a relaxing day at the beach with my two best friends! We are packing picnic lunch and it's my job to make the salad. Since my sweetie and I have had quite the busy weekend and did not get a chance to do any grocery shopping, I'm limited
"Between soup and love, the first is better." Old Spanish sayingHow do you like today's quote, my followers? I certainly don't agree, but I do find it funny!Well, once again I am back after being absent for a little while... Making the most of summer has been been top priority and since I was here last, I have been on a road trip to Ottawa and on a camping trip. Both were great times and don't fre
Hello my lovely followers! Enjoying your summer?Well, my title explains it all! Today I am sharing my Five Summer Favourites. They are a collection of recipes that I have featured over the past couple of years right here on my culinary blog. With summer here and Ontario produce filling the market tables and grocery store shelves, it's the perfect time to give you all some great summer re
"Celebrate Summer! Sun drenched days and starlit nights..." Gooseberry PatchHiya my summer loving followers, it's been a while!Yes, it's been a busy summer so far full of camping, time spent at our 10 acres in Norfolk County, Ontario, days at the beach and family barbecues. The quintessential summer activities, I suppose! Today I finally have the chance to sit down for a bit and do my blog, e
Hello my happy followers, ready for the long weekend?! This photo was taken 5 years ago up at our 10 acres in Norfolk County and it is one of my all time favourites! It was our first Canada Day camp out and as a result of too much lighter fluid, our newly purchased Hibachi's nearly exploded, almost taking the picnic tables along with them in a flaming mess! Ha! I love how my Dad and brother J
Happy Monday, followers! Hope you all had a great weekend!Since I have been back at work full time, I have been finding it a bit difficult to set aside the time to 'create' in the kitchen at home. Quick and easy meals are reality these days and I must admit that grocery store convenience has been helpful. For instance, those large bins of pre-washed greens. We love salad and I&
"A dinner which ends without cheese is like a beautiful woman with only one eye." Jean Anthelme Brillat-SavarinGood morning, my fun loving followers! Doesn't today's quote make you laugh?! I find it so funny!So, today we are talking about cheese. Homemade cheese, to be more exact! Yesterday I had quite the culinary adventure and made fresh cheese right here in our tiny apartment. Yum! I'd been wan
"Oh herbs... How I love thee!" MeHello followers, hope you're ready for the heat! So, how's your herb garden doing these days? Ours is alive and thriving and it makes me so happy! I love having herbs just outside the door and I must admit that I use them in just about everything I make. Fresh herbs fill your home with the most inviting fragrance when being cooked, liven up any dip o
The bottom of an asparagus stalk is tough and the easiest way to remove it is a snap! Simply hold a stalk in the middle and at the end. Bend it until it naturally breaks. This is where the not so tasty tough end of the asparagus begins. Once you're done, collect the ends, rinse, freeze and add them to your next vegetable stock! Hmm, two 'Kitchen Tips' for the price of one... Not too shabby!
Happy Victoria Day long weekend, my loyal followers!Well, the weather is beautiful and one can't help but want to be outdoors on days like today! We were lucky earlier on this week when my parent's and I headed out to Norfolk County to visit our 10 acres of land. With a cloudless blue sky above, we got down to work. Without wasting any time, I jumped on the John Deere and got a
Sorry followers, no blog today! I'm getting out of the city and heading out to our 10 acres of land with my Mum and Dad (seen above on our beloved John Deere!). Yee ha! We're gonna do some mowing, planting out and a bit of garden up keep. But, what I'm most excited about is picking some of our homegrown asparagus and cooking it up! Heck, I've only been waiting three years for a taste! Yum! So
Good day, followers! Well, I must admit that today's culinary blog has been put together in haste! You see, I had my blog already planned out but I decided to change it last minute. Let me tell you what happened... At the grocery store this morning, I spotted something in the produce department. Artichokes! These unique vegetables are synonymous with Spring and h
Hello my loyal followers! Hope you all had a great weekend and are enjoying the rainy springtime weather!Well, as some of you might know, I have left the freelance cheffing world and joined the full-time workforce once again! The first time Kevin and I went to the Spirit Tree Estate Cidery was purely by chance. Out on a Sunday drive, we passed by a sandwich board on Mississauga Rd that read&n
Hiya followers, I hope you like today's quote! It put a smile on my face and I couldn't help but use it, considering I just saw snow flurries! Also, I have exciting news but I will wait until the end of my blog to share! Ha! I love asparagus. For me, asparagus is so much more than just a vegetable, it encompasses Spring! When I see it's bright green colour and realise
Good day my happy followers! How was your weekend?Rarely do my sweetie Kevin and I both have a weekend off, so I am happy to say that we just spent two lovely, lazy Spring days together! We took advantage of the mild weather and went for a leisurely stroll and had all of the windows wide open. I love the smell of fresh, rainy air. I picked some flowers and also did a bit of work in our garden
Ahhh, Spring is here in all her glory! I hope you are enjoying this lovely Easter weekend, my fun loving followers!I always know that winter is over when the Spring Cottage Life Show is on and I am doing cooking demonstrations with Jane Rodmell. The show was last weekend and I must say, it was a success! If you haven't been out to the International Centre for a Cottage Life Show, you sho
Hello followers! Yes it's true, today marks the two year anniversary of my culinary blog! Hurrah!In the past two years, I have posted 155 blogs, 132 recipes and have had over 13,500 views! Wow! There have been quite a few happy moments in the last couple of years and also some incredibly sad. But, through support and being together, those sad and gloomy places aren't
Number One: The Cutting Board TrickOne thing that I have seen way too much in my cooking days is a sliding cutting board. Having your board get away from you while using a sharp knife can easily result in nasty cuts and bruises. Nobody wants that, right?! There are fancy rubber mats and other store bought devices to keep your cutting board firmly on the counter, but I have a simple trick that does
Hello followers! Hope you're loving the snow!?!So, here we are... The final blog for Homebrew Month. I really hope you have all enjoyed it, I know I certainly have! Cooking with beer has been quite interesting in itself. It's something I hadn't had much experience doing, but it's been a pleasure.Last weekend the family got together for a 'Homebrew Feast' at my Aunt and Uncle's house in w
Hello followers! Our new season is here and I'd like to wish you all a happy Springtime!Well, last week we looked at the step by step homebrewing method. Pretty simple and straightforward, wouldn't you agree? Today we will finish the process...One week after the initial brew, the beer is moved from it's fermentation bucket into a large glass vessel called a 'carboy'. In th
Hello my fun loving followers, I hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day!So, here we are, the third week of Homebrew Month! I think we're ready to get down to the nitty gritty and start making our brew! There is a recipe of course and just like in baking, exact measurements, temperature and timing are all extremely important. I was surprised to find how simple the beermaking set up wa
