Winter is upon us. We yearn for sun, blue skies and warmth. While some of us can make an escape to warmer climates, the rest of us can only create a sunny environment from our kitchens. Last November, I had the pleasure of a first trip to Mexico. The climate, culture and people exceeded my […]
Soups are always on the menu in January because they are hearty, soothing, easy to prepare, tasty and cheap. There’s a soup to suit every taste bud. However, this year there is an additional bonus: they are perfect for the freezing cold temperatures we are having. Cheers for the best winter soups ever – you […]
Choosing Christmas gifts for people, especially those who have specific tastes, can be stressful. Remember, everyone has to eat. When in doubt, give food or a food related product. They are always appreciated. Here is a list of suggestions to make everyone happy, the giver and the receiver: Gifts for the Cook If you have […]
Recipes that can be used a number of ways are a great addition to your Christmas file – their versatility will stand you, as a host, in good stead. These three recipes can be used three ways: as an appetizer – always popular and necessary during the season, especially if easy to prepare and doubly […]
It’s definitely November—cold, grey and dreary. As Canadians, it is the time we start dreaming of an escape to somewhere, anywhere, warm and sunny. You may not be able to fly to the tropics, but you can make a reservation for a warm evening of good fun and even better food. A week ago, a […]
Blue skies, sunlight and the last golden days of autumn beckon to an escape meandering along country roads. Like detectives we investigate the coastal region of Lake Erie from Fletcher to Blenheim rich with farms. Here we discover a farmers market which entices us with local apples galore different from the supermarket: Ambrosia, Crispin, Fuji, […]
Halloween is everywhere – the convenience store, supermarkets, dollar stores and front gardens all sport pumpkins, goblins and ghosts to remind us that Halloween, perhaps one of the most outlandish celebrations, is just around the corner. And just in time, Foodland Ontario has come out with special recipes in readiness for this witching night of […]
Peach pie is one of those irresistible classics of the baking world; the very thought of it gets your salivary glands going! After a recent trip to the St. Lawrence Market, I knew I had to make a peach pie as soon as possible. The abundant peach crop was so seductive, crying out to be […]
It’s not easy to give up the freedom and pleasures of summer. However, one way to make summer linger is to use the fruits of the harvest to prepare easy September dinners. Any leftovers can be packed into lunch bags for the next day. Here are just two edible memories to make the transition from […]
Preserving is part of our Canadian heritage. Of course, during our bicentennial year the topic has more impact as we understand how and why the early settlers preserved to survive the harsh Canadian winters. As a result, Canada became foremost in canning techniques. Preserving or canning, as it is also called, is one way of […]
