Vanilla Shortbread

A holiday favorite

What you need:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 tsps REAL vanilla

* artificial vanilla flavor, will not provide good result

1/2 cups icing sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 cups flour

Whip butter, add vanilla

 Then one at a time; add sugar, cornstarch and flour. 

Beat on low for 1 min, then on high for 3-4 minutes until completely combined.

*Once mixed into butter, I usually remove from mixers and combine by hand to form into a well combined ball. 

Using a teaspoon portion, roll into small balls, place on baking sheet and press down with the tines of a fork.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until bottom edges of cookie are lightly browned.

Cool on rack, store in airtight container.

Should be stored in cool dark area.

1 week stored in dark area on counter,  2 weeks in fridge, do not  freeze. 

Lemon Chip Cookies

Lemon Chip Cookies

If you love lemon, these will hit the spot, 

Delicious with a cup of coffee or tea!  

Preheat oven to 350'

What you need:

2/3 cup unsalted butter

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

3 tsps of True Lemon, crystallized lemon shake or

6 tbsps of fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp baking powder

1 generous cup of lemon baking chips

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then

Beat egg and vanilla into butter mixture & add lemon, if using lemon juice.

Sift flour, baking powder and lemon shake, into wet ingredients

mix well,

Add lemon baking chips, mix until thoroughly combined. 

Bake 12- 15 minutes, when bottom edges of cookies are lightly browned.

Cool on rack. Once cooled, store in air tight container.

Counter storage 2 weeks 

Freeze up to 6 months.

Christmas Baking

                                                 “Figgy pudding”
A funny name for a delicious Christmas desert, smothered in a rum sauce and set on fire. I realize, it is not always a  popular dessert, at least not with many I know. In fact, it seems to fall into the same category, as the traditional Christmas fruit cake, or doorstop to some, which I also love. There are so many wonderful seasonal desserts that get a bad rap, another being mincemeat tarts, again, I love. I think you can see the pattern here.

My husband is not a big dessert eater. He does like chocolate chip cookies, but he likes them thin, crispy, without too many chocolate chips. Both of my boys are similar, they have their favourites, but they can actually take it or leave it altogether. My daughter, she is mom's girl! We could devour a whole cheesecake in one sitting. The problem with our love of desserts is that we both have this really high metabolism thing going and sugar is like pumping in straight caffeine. This, can be a slight problem, considering that creating and pushing the consumption of desserts; and of course other meals, is a passion filled pursuit. This means a true test of will power on a regular basis.
 One " cure" , was the week I made 6 dozen cupcake samples. Let's just say there were requests for something other than cupcakes. Of course, I did accommodate the request with cheesecake. Pumpkin, lime, chocolate &  oreo flavours.

Now the Christmas season is upon us. Baking euphoria!
I have been known to do all of my Christmas baking in one day/night. All of it. Still baking gingerbread at midnight; The house smelling scrumptious. My husband thinking I have lost my mind. To be honest, he quite often makes this consideration. But being the wonderful, intelligent man he is; and with his years of experience with the crazy woman in the kitchen , he is always" supportive".
The official list of Christmas goodies is floating in my brain; including, truffles, gingerbread, pumpkin pound cake, , shortbread, cranberry orange fudge and a superfluous amount of other delights.
I will, as always, try to attempt, to schedule the baking over a span of a few days, rather than a one day marathon. But, I make no promises. Once those Christmas carols start to play, that sampling sugar rush kicks in and lets not forget a few seasonal libations on the side. Who knows.
~ Wishing you happy holiday baking!~

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheese Cake

Rich and Creamy! 

What you need:

3 pkgs of chocolate cream cheese

3 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup organic peanut butter

2 cups of graham crumbs

1/2 cup dark cocoa powder

1/2 cup of butter melted

1/2 cup of melted dark chocolate

Combine the cream cheese and sugar until just mixed, add peanut butter, mix.

Add eggs one at a time, on low mix speed, until just mixed.

In a separate bowl, combine graham crumbs and cocoa with melted butter. 

Press crumb mixture into 9 inch press form pan.

Pour cream cheese mixture on top of graham crumbs.

Bake for 40 - 45 minutes until center is almost set. 

Remove from oven and allow to slightly cool, 

Use knife to cut away edges from sides of pan.

Pour melted dark chocolate over top surface of cake,

* melt in microwave 10 seconds at a time, stirring until melted*

spread evenly with pastry brush. 

Allow to cool another 30 minutes on counter

Refrigerate for 3 hours before serving. 

Keep remaining cake refrigerated.

Enjoy! 

Pumpkin Pie Cupcake

Pumpkin pie cupcake, whip cream & Caramel Sauce

Just like a miniature pumpkin pie,

all the yummy center, without the crust.

Hot Chicken Salad Sandwich

Comfort food & Leftovers

Another super simple. light lunch or dinner idea

 2 leftover grilled chicken breasts

Cut into small chunks, combined with real mayonaise, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, chopped red and yellow peppers.

Place a generous scoop of chicken mixture on a slice of your favorite bread, I used whole rye.  Top with sliced tomato and some grated sharp cheddar cheese. 

Broil until lightly browned and cheese starts to bubble. 

Enjoy! 

Grilled Chicken with Spicy Sweet peppers

Grilled Chicken with Spicy Sweet Peppers

Simple, fast & delicious

Grill chicken breast in cast iron skillet with 1 tbsp butter & olive oil add black pepper, and 2 cloves chopped garlic.

Cook thoroughly, until golden brown

Prepare rice as per directions on package.

Slice red & yellow pepper in strips, 

 chop 1 medium white onion, and 4 cloves of garlic.

Saute in 1 tbsp butter and olive oil. 

Add 1 tsp of red pepper flakes, 1-2 tbsp of brown sugar, 1/4 cup  orange juice, 

1 tsp cayenne, black pepper  squeeze of lemon juice.

Continue to saute until caramelized. 

Serve & enjoy! 

Apple Blueberry Cake

Really simple!

 Really delicious!

This is a great recipe to use up any extra apples you may have.

*Preheat oven to 350'

What  you need:

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups brown sugar

2 tsps cinnamon

1/2 cup unsweetened blueberry apple sauce

6 medium apples, peeled and chopped

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine above ingredients in a bowl, making sure apples are coated completely. 

In another bowl, mix the following dry ingredients.

2 cups of flour

2 tsps of baking powder

Add dry ingredients to wet, ensuring that all flour is absorbed by the wet ingredients. Pour into a greased pan.

 Bake  for 55 minutes.

Serve warm with caramel sauce.... and perhaps a cup of earl grey? 

enjoy! 

French Toast with Mixed Berries

Sharing my favorite breakfast! 

French toast with Mixed Berries

 I 

 I had some leftover whole wheat french bread. 

Which meant it was time for some French toast.

Combine:

2 eggs, 1/4 cup of cream, 1/2 tsp of nutmeg, 1 tsp of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of vanilla

whisk

Dip sliced bread into egg mixture.

In a medium heat pan, melt 1/2 tsp of butter to coat pan.

Place dipped bread in frying pan, cook until browned on both sides.

Top with mixed berries, a dollop of whipped cream and of course some  

Canadian organic maple syrup! 

Enjoy! 

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake

A little slice of heaven

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE!

Chocolate Cheesecake with chocolate shortbread crust

 Ameretto bathed Raspberries and dark chocolate drizzle

Thanksgiving~ Pinwheel Pork Loin

Pinwheel Pork loin

Stuffed with cream cheese, spices, spinach and kale

Served with sides of;

 Grilled sweet potato; marinated in cinnamon, sea salt, orange juice and cayenne.

Colorful salad: cucumber,mandarin oranges, red pepper & roma tomato

with a raspberry vinegrette dressing and feta cheese.

Beef Vegetable Stew

Enjoying the fruits of fall bounty

This delicious crock pot meal was made 

with fresh vegetables from my neighbors garden: 

4 large chopped potatoes, 2 cups sliced carrots, 1 large onion & 2 cups chopped zucchini

 as well as  purchased, 1 large peeled sweet potato, 2 cups mushrooms,  

1 medium red pepper, 2 stalks  celery, 4 cloves of garlic

 2 kg sirloin grilling steak.

In a skillet:

 Brown sliced meat with 1 tbsp of olive oil,  chopped onion, chopped garlic, several shakes of Worchestershire sauce

 2 tsps black pepper, 2 tsps cayenne pepper 

Once browned and onions are clear, add 1/4 cup of flour to coat meat. 

Chop all remaining  vegetables and put into crock pot.

Add 1 container of beef broth.

Add browned meat from skillet to contents of crock pot. 

Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  

Stirring occasionally. 

Serve with garlic french bread

Enjoy! 

Salmon with Mango and Sweet Chili Thai

Salmon!! 

Another, no leftover meal, that is really fast & Simple.

6 Wild salmon fillets~ grilled with lemon, black pepper and garlic.

1 Large mango sliced

Jasmine rice

Steamed peas, corn and baby carrots.

Sweet Chili Thai sauce.  

Prepare rice according to pkg.

Season salmon and grill until it turns bright pink and starts to flake.

Steam vegetables just until they turn bright in color.

Season veg with a bit of butter and dill.

Place salmon fillet on about 1 cup of rice, add sliced mango,

drizzle on sweet chili thai sauce. 

Accompany with steamed vegetables. 

Enjoy! 

Fall & Apple Raisin Pie

                                                 

 Fall is officially here. 

In fact, where we live, it has been a much colder than normal.

 We woke up to frost and -2 c, or 28' f. 

The hat and mitten bins are open again. The fireplace is going and we are all craving those stick to your ribs comfort foods, that fall and winter promise.

For me that also means my favorite fall beverage, pumpkin spice latte! 

Off to the freezer for the leftover carcass of a roast chicken to make a lovely, vegetable soup and into the apple bin to make an apple raisin pie! 

No leftovers! 

Wishing you colorful, warm fall wishes! 

Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Muffins

A delicious simple muffin. 

Great relaxing with a coffee,

or getting kids out the door in the morning.

A sweet treat, if you top it off with cream cheese icing!  

What you need:

*preheat oven to 400'~ makes 12 muffins

2 2/3 cups of flour

1 1/2 cups of steel cut oats

* I used steel cut oats, with flax & bran 

2/3 cup sugar

4 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp of salt

2 tsps of cinnamon

2 tsps of brown sugar

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients. 

In another bowl combine:

2 eggs~ beaten

1 1/2 cups skim, or unsweetened almond milk

1/2 cup oil 

1 cup chopped cranberries

* I used frozen, unsweetened

3 tbsps frozen concentrated orange juice

Combine wet ingredients, then pour in well of dry ingredients.

Mix all ingredients together until just combined. 

Scoop into a lightly oiled muffin tin. 

Bake for 18 minutes. 

Allow to cool completely, top with cream cheese icing.

Enjoy!  

 

Grilled Chicken with Garlic and Red Pepper Sauce with Gnocchi

Sharing another by the seat of my pants meals. 

I have to admit, I could not get enough of this one and I really over indulged! 

Here is what I did:

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled with extra virgin olive oil &  red pepper and garlic shake.

In a skillet, with 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil & 2 tbsps of butter.

 Saute 1 medium white onion & 3 cloves of chopped garlic. 

Add 2 tsps of black pepper, 2 tsp of cayenne pepper, 1 tsp of brown sugar. 

Add  1/2 cup of chopped red pepper.

Saute until onions are clear.

 Add 2 cups of half and half cream, simmer for 3-5 minutes.

 Slowly, while whisking  add 1 tbsp of sifted flour, to thicken.

*Prepare gnocchi according to pkg, directions.*

Slice grilled chicken and arrange on top of prepared gnocchi.

 Top with garlic and red pepper sauce.

* Some shredded sharp cheddar cheese goes along perfect with this one*

Enjoy! 

Wild Sole with Curried Chick Peas & Spinach, Mixed Greens Salad

Light and Simple

Grilled Wild Sole

 1Tbsp of butter, 12 pieces of fillet wild sole grilled with

~Herbes De Provence~

 basil, oregano, thyme, tarragon, parsley, lavender, fennel, rosemary, majoram, sage

Sprinkle sole with Lemon

Curried Chick Peas with Spinach

1 can of chick peas rinsed and drained 

2 cups of organic baby spinach rinsed and chopped

2 tsps Garlic powder 

1 cup of cream

Combine ingredients and allow to simmer until chick peas begin to soften.

Mixed Green Salad

Chopped romaine, spinach & kale

sliced tomato, cucumber, mushrooms, celery & carrots.

*serve with favorite dressing

* A few dates on the side for an added taste of sweetness.*

Enjoy! 

Stuffed Pork Loin Chops with Broccoli & Mushroom Cream Sauce

Hello! 

Sharing another by the seat of my pants meal.

My family said one thing about this meal...

MORE!

Here is what I did:

Preheat oven with skillet inside at 375'

Slice 3, thick cut, boneless, pork chops down the centre to open in half.

Inside, place, by the teaspoon, cream cheese to cover surface.

Top with chopped spinach and black pepper.

Roll and tie with string

 Season with red pepper and garlic shake. 

Pour 2  tbsps of olive oil on a preheated 375' skillet.

Place rolled pork on skillet.

Return to oven and bake for 12 minutes per side. 

In another skillet melt 1 tbsp of butter with 1 tbsp of olive oil.

Add 3 cloves chopped garlic,  black pepper, 8 oz of sliced mushrooms

Saute until mushrooms are brown.

 In a measuring cup combine 1 can of condensed broccoli soup.

and measure of soup can of cream. 

Add to mushrooms and simmer on low heat stirring frequently.

 Sauce will begin to thicken

When pork is cooked, remove from oven. 

Remove string and slice, you will see the melted cheese and spinach. 

Serve with Cream sauce,  Dill potatoes and steamed carrots.

Enjoy! 

Farmers Sausage Hash With Black Bean & Corn Salsa

Hello!

Sharing a meal that is great for a rainy day. 

What you need:

8 medium white potatoes chopped & partially cooked in microwave for 10 minutes.

3 tbsps oil

Red pepper and garlic shake

2 farmers sausage sliced

1/2 each red, orange, yellow pepper chopped

1 medium onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic chopped

2 tbsps oil

 1 jar of black bean and corn salsa

Continue to fry partially cooked potatoes in a large skillet, 

with olive oil, red pepper and garlic spice, until golden.

In a separate skillet, add 2 tbsps olive oil. 

Cook onions, garlic, peppers  & Sausage,

 until onions are clear & sausage is cooked through. 

Combine meat mixture with potatoes.

Add jar of salsa, mix well.

Cover skillet with lid and bake at 300' for 20 minutes.

Serve with coleslaw, raw fruit and vegetables.

Enjoy! 

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Oh yes! YUM!!!!!!

Grilled Asparagus & Sweet Potato Salad

The ultimate in leftover's if I do say so myself.

I had some leftover grilled asparagus & baked sweet potato.

 I chopped & added them to:

 fresh romaine, strawberries, English cucumber & some grated marble cheese. 

Served with creamy poppy seed dressing.

DELICIOUS! 

Gnocchi with Chicken, Spicy Red Pepper Sauce and Asparagus

Gnocchi with Chicken, Spicy Red Pepper Sauce and Asparagus