Recipes
Bucatini all’amatriciana by Guest Chef Mario Pingue
Ok- I have to be honest. I don’t know if this recipe comes from Mario Pingue Sr or Jr or even the mother or grandmother of the family. All that I do know is that it is incredible. It’s easy to make and so deliciously rustic and flavorful that you can imagine sitting under a [...]
Niagara Food Specialties- Mario Pingue
There is something almost sexy about peeling that onion paper thin cured meat from the paper that separates the slices. The box of goodies that Mario Pingue Jr. sent me from Niagara Specialty Foods brought through that exact feeling. The quality is obvious and the flavors are almost indescribable in their depth and richness. Theses [...]
Red Onion Jam & A Fig & Walnut Tapenade by Guest Chef Natasha Schooten
As Luck would have it, Guest Chef Natasha Schooten of The Watermark Beach Resort sent me a guest recipe of condiments for a charcuterie plate on the very day that a box of delicious cured meats arrived from Niagara Specialty Foods (more on that goodness in Artisan and Specialty products section) Chef Natasha, who currently [...]
Black & Beck Artisan Foods – Plum Fiesta!
Have you ever wondered what the word “Artisan” means when it comes to food? Well, to be perfectly honest, Mary Ellen Black of Black and Beck is the epitome of Artisan with hand pitted, hand pressed, and made from fruit harvested within 100 miles of their family home. They harvest from the Rossland, Salmo, The [...]
Kid Friendly Meatloaf
I love meatloaf. My mom didn’t cook very often- no family dinners for us- but every now and then she’d whip up a batch of meatloaf and I would be in heaven. This recipe is kid friendly because of it’s presentation rather than it’s ingredient list. Sometimes just making something look a little different, a [...]
Pecan Crusted Sweet Potato Puffs
This recipe comes to me from my neighbour Jennifer and I can say from experience that they’re fan-freaking-tastic. According to her directions this recipe makes about 50-60 small appy sized bites which can easily be frozen and reheated at a later date! Potato Puffs 2 yams or sweet potatoes 5 small potatoes (or 2 large) [...]
Moroccan Beef Kebabs with Fruit & Nut Cous Cous
If you’re looking for something that’s a little different from what you usually serve, but without requiring a whole lot of work, this recipe is definitely for you! Rich Moroccan spiced flavors but oh so easy. Do all the prep in the morning and then just grill the beef kebabs when you’re ready to eat! [...]
Raincoast Crisps
A cracker is a cracker is a cracker, right? Uhm, no. It is not. Lesley Stowe has bumped the little cracker into a whole other universe of flavor with the Raincoast crisps. They’re crispy and crunchy, but not in that “make the roof of your mouth bleed” kind of way. My personal favorite is the [...]
Potatoes Anna with a Twist
Potatoes Anna, a classic french dish, are basically potatoes, salt, pepper & butter. Somehow it’s all transformed into crispy deliciousness in under an hour. My husband loves these almost as much as he loves me. Seriously. I like to add a little lemon and rosemary for a subtle extra zing. This makes enough for 4 [...]
Prosciutto Wrapped Figs & Dates
I like doing this with figs and dates so you get a choice. The dates get creamy warm and the figs have a nice little pop and a sweet crunch. Ingredients 12 large dates pitted 12 large figs trimmed 1 slice prosciutto per date/fig 24 wooden toothpicks Preparation Soak the toothpicks in a dish of [...]
Silicon Strainer & Cutting Board
I LOVE anything that makes my life easier and my best friend Susin always picks me up the coolest/strangest kitchen accessories. She got me this cutting board/strainer combination for my birthday and it rocks! The strainer part pops out to clean and also folds into itself for easy storage. It fits perfectly over my sink [...]
Grilled Balsamic Portobello
Sometimes the most simple things are the most delicious. Portobello mushrooms are easily available, large enough to be served as a side dish, and go really well with fat juicy steaks. Ingredients 1 portobello mushroom per person 1 tbsp balsamic per mushroom 1 tbsp olive oil per mushroom salt & pepper Preparation Wash the mushrooms [...]
Bite Size Caesar Salads
Who ever said Caesar salad couldn’t be finger food? That’s just crazy talk as far as I’m concerned! These are not only ridiculously easy but look great and add a lighter touch for the often heavy appetizer options as well. This makes about 2 dozen bite sized pieces with enough Caesar dressing left over to [...]
Easy Won Ton Appetizers 3 Ways
These little won ton wonders are great for big parties and better yet, it can ALL be made ahead of time, which is great when you want to spend your time visiting. This will make about a dozen of each flavor of won ton bites. Put them all together about 1/2 hour before you need [...]
Braised Fennel
It doesn’t get much more simple or savory than this side dish. I personally think fennel is both under appreciated and under used so give it a try. If you don’t know fennel well, this is a simple and delicious introduction. Ingredients 1 Fennel bulb (the recipe in this picture is doubled because we LOVE [...]