This is an easy healthy recipe for a delicious and authentic Lebanese Tabbouleh salad. Serve it alone as a light meal or as a side dish with grilled meats.

Tabbouleh, also commonly spelled Tabouli, is a classic Lebanese vegetarian dish. It’s commonly served as a side salad or as part of mezze (small dishes served as appetizers).

Its main ingredients are fresh parsley, fine bulgur, fresh tomatoes, scallions and mint. Differences in spices used are found depending on which region in Lebanon you are from.

For instance, many will add a pinch of cinnamon or a seven-spice blend. My family uses salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Tabbouleh is dressed with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Though it is commonly available in most grocery stores and delis, making it at home is easy. Just choose the freshest ingredients and follow my step-by-step instructions to be rewarded with a much fresher and better-tasting Tabbouleh than you can ever buy at a store.

Read More

This Mediterranean Pasta Salad made with Greek ingredients and with Penette pasta tastes light and fresh dressed in a lemon juice and olive oil dressing.

It is incredible how many variations of pasta salad recipes you can find on the web. Some include protein by adding pieces of cooked chicken, shrimp, salmon or salami. While others add lettuce and fresh spinach.

With all of these variations, you could easily make a different pasta salad every week of the summer. My favourite combination of ingredients to use in a pasta salad are those typically found in Mediterranean cooking and doesn’t include meat.

Read More

This refreshing Watermelon and Feta Salad is the perfect summertime dish. The combination of sweet, juicy, salty and tangy ingredients makes this salad entirely addictive.

It may seem unusual to combine sweet watermelon with salty cheese and onions, but in fact, it makes for an incredibly delicious and refreshing dish that’s just perfect for hot summer days.

Read More

This quick and easy Strawberry Spinach Salad made with a balsamic vinaigrette is a healthy and light dish perfect for summer entertaining.

I love cooking with seasonal ingredients and the easiest way to incorporate fresh seasonal produce is to include it in a salad. There is nothing like fresh fruit to lighten and freshen up a summer dish. This time I’m using fresh strawberries to make an easy and flavourful salad.

Read More

This easy to make, homemade Lebanese Fattoush Salad is made with simple healthy ingredients and a bright zesty dressing. Serve the salad as a side or as a light main course.

This Fattoush Salad is full of fresh and crispy vegetables, toasted pita chips and aromatic herbs. The bright and fresh dressing is packed with flavour and makes every bite of this salad delicious. This salad is just perfect for those hot summer days when you don’t want anything heavy!

Read More

With a crispy exterior and soft and chewy interior, these Italian Amaretti Cookies also known as amaretti morbidi, are gluten-free and simply irresistible.

These Italian Amaretti Cookies are a favourite at my house. The cookies are quick and easy to make, are made with blanched almond flour and have a delicious marzipan like centre that stays tender and chewy.

Read More

Rich, chewy, fudgy and deeply chocolatey, these easy to make homemade Chocolate Walnut Cookies make a wonderful treat for all chocolate and nut lovers!

These delicious dark chocolate walnut cookies are sure to satisfy your cravings for a dark chocolate treat. These cookies are not overly sweet and have a chewy texture with a fudgy interior. The walnuts add a nice crunch to these soft cookies.

Read More

This simple recipe for a classic Glazed Lemon Loaf Cake yields a refreshing and moist lemon cake. Top it with a simple and tangy lemony glaze for a scrumptious treat!

If you love lemon desserts as much as I do you will want to try this Glazed Lemon Loaf Cake. Similar in texture to a pound cake, this light lemon cake is moist and buttery. Though I top the cake with a simple lemon glaze, this cake is delicious with or without it.

This cake is a perfect way to celebrate the arrival of springtime. It would also make a wonderful addition to Easter and Mother’s Day celebrations.

Read More

These healthy, moist and flavorful Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins are made without refined sugar and include oats, walnuts and turmeric. They are easy to make and are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Whole Wheat and Oat Carrot Muffins

These wholesome Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins are light, moist and tender. At 194 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat per muffin, these are the best healthy carrot muffins I’ve made.

They are made with a combination of whole wheat and oat flour. Walnuts are added for some crunch and their nutritional benefits. Feel free to substitute the walnuts if nut allergies are a concern. You can use shredded unsweetened coconut or raisins as add-ins. Since the muffins are spiced with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and a touch of black pepper they are also super flavourful.  A pinch of black pepper is added to help our bodies absorb the beneficial health properties of turmeric. If you don’t have any turmeric you can leave it and the black pepper out of the recipe.

Read More

Use your favourite high-powered blender to make a comforting, healthy and perfectly foamy Matcha Green Tea Latte in the comfort of your own home.

This post was originally published in February 2017. It has been updated.

I’ve discovered I could make the most delightful lattes and hot drinks in my high-powered blender. What I especially love about using my blender to make hot drinks is all the froth the blender effortlessly makes. So now whenever I want to enjoy a hot foamy drink, all I do is put my ingredients in the blender and let it do all the work for me!

Read More

This easy to make Irish Soda Bread with Dill is a variation of the traditional Irish Soda Bread. Serve it with your favourite Irish stew for a delicious meal!

Since St-Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching I thought it would be fun to try a new Irish recipe and share it with you. I thought about making a traditional Irish lamb stew, but since my true passion is baking I gravitated towards making an Irish Soda Bread.

Read More

Made with good for you ingredients, these delicious Mini Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Cups are a healthier way to satisfy your chocolate cravings. 

I was browsing Tieghan’s recipes on Half Baked Harvest when I saw this recipe for Superfood Chocolate Quinoa Bark. I loved her idea of combining super healthy ingredients with dark chocolate to make a delicious and yet healthy treat. Tieghan has some very creative recipes on her site and if you haven’t seen her blog yet you should definitely check it out. I adapted her recipe, deciding to use mainly seeds in my Mini Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Cups.

Read More

Make a protein-rich Healthy Vegetable Frittata is less than 30 minutes with this easy to follow frittata guide and recipe.

This post was originally published in April 2017. It has been updated.

I love quick and easy meals. And a meal that doesn’t need to be planned ahead of time is even better. Since frittatas can be infinitely varied and customized to your liking by using your favourite add-ins, it’s simple to come up with a delicious frittata with ingredients you have on hand. In fact, frittatas are great for using bits of leftover ingredients (steamed veggies and cooked sausage, for instance, are perfect in frittatas) and cleaning out your refrigerator. Because eggs are rich in protein, healthy and inexpensive it’s a good idea to have a few easy egg dishes that you could make on rotation.

Read More

This Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini appetizer is made with only a few ingredients, can be assembled in minutes and is sure to impress your guests.

Hosting dinner parties can be so much fun. But preparing for them can be challenging when we have very little free time.

If you are trying to figure out something special to serve that is quick and easy to prepare, consider this elegant appetizer made with cold-smoked salmon.

Read More

Making a pot of wholesome Beef Barley Soup from scratch doesn’t have to be a long complicated process. This recipe is easy and in just about an hour you can have a delicious and hearty meal on the table.

Hearty and full of flavour, this Beef Barley Soup is easy to make, delicious and healthy. Barley has a slightly nutty flavour and a chewy consistency. It’s high in protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals (see here for more on its health benefits). This soup can be enjoyed as a meal and has approximately 314 calories in one serving.

To make this soup in just about an hour, I used Pearl barley. Though it’s not considered a whole grain and is less nutritious than hulled barley, it’s still very good for you. If you prefer to use hulled barley to take full advantage of its health benefits, you can do so but will need to increase the cooking time.

Read More

This beautiful Plum Upside-Down Cake features plums in a delicious butterscotch sauce on top of a tender spiced cake. The cake recipe is easy to make and can be used to make a variety of upside-down cakes. Try this recipe with nectarines, peaches, pineapple, and even blueberries.

This Plum Upside-Down Cake is a flavourful dessert with a cake base spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. The cake is tender and moist, and the plums are baked in a mixture of butter and brown sugar and become caramelized, jammy and sweet. This is a cake that will certainly become a favourite in your household.

Read More

If you’re looking for an easy and no-fuss way to make use of excess zucchini this summer try making this delicious Lemon Zucchini Walnut Loaf, you’ll be happy you did!

Baking with zucchini is a wonderful way to make use of all the zucchini growing in your garden. Zucchini adds plenty of moisture to baked goods and helps produce a tender and moist loaf. If you’ve never tried zucchini bread before you may be thinking that zucchini is an odd ingredient to put into a sweet-tasting loaf. But let me tell you that this zucchini walnut loaf is flavourful, tender, and super moist.

Read More

These moist Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins are made with whole grains and unrefined sugar. They’re easy to make and are a delicious kid-friendly snack.

These Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins are a favourite with my kids. They love them because of how tasty they are and all the mini chocolate chips in them. I love them because they’re made with whole grains, are quick to make and are great for using up over-ripe bananas.

Read More

These American style Blackberry Scones spiced with vanilla and just a hint of cinnamon are buttery, tender and flaky. Enjoy them plain, with a dusting of confectioner sugar or drizzled with a simple icing.

Perfect for brunch, afternoon tea or even a light dessert, these Blackberry Scones are one of my favourite treats. Homemade scones are much fresher than store-bought and can be made and ready to eat in under 45 minutes!

Read More

An easy recipe for a healthy White Bean and Tuna Salad loaded with ingredients high in protein and fibre. This salad takes 15 minutes to make, uses pantry staples, fills you up and keeps you satisfied until your next meal.

My favourite salad recipes are those that are quick and easy to make, are filling enough for lunch and can even double as a light main meal. This White Bean and Tuna Salad or even this Mediterranean Kale Salad are excellent examples of such salads. And if you happen to be looking for tasty Mediterranean diet recipes, this salad is full of heart-healthy ingredients that are part of the diet.

Read More

With less than 10 ingredients, this delicious Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta couldn’t be easier to prepare. Ready in 30 minutes, it makes a fantastic weeknight meal!

Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

Not only is this Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta super easy to make but it’s also quick to prepare, nutritious and delicious.

You can choose to use the recipe as is, or as a guide and adapt it to your liking. For instance, you can substitute the spinach with a different vegetable. My favourites to use are zucchini, mushrooms, peas, or even a combination. You can also add some protein to this dish. Shrimp, chicken strips or ground beef are all great options.

With so many possibilities available, you can easily make this dish regularly and simply change up the protein and veggies to keep from getting tired of it. Any way you decide to make it, this pasta dish makes a fantastic mid-week meal.

Read More

Made with nutritious ingredients, these No-Bake Maple Espresso Bites are refined sugar-free, vegan, and perfect for a quick snack or a much needed energy boost!

With so many energy bite flavour variations possible, it would be easy to make a different kind each time I make a batch. But my favourite always ends up being this recipe that I’m sharing with you today. These No-bake Maple Espresso Bites are flavoured with coffee, cinnamon, maple and vanilla and taste like a delicious latte.

Read More

Moist and flavourful, these savoury Mini Cornbread Muffins with corn kernels and jalapeño make a great side dish and are also delicious as a snack or for breakfast.

These made from scratch Mini Cornbread Muffins combine just the right mix of ingredients for super moist, tender and flavourful cornbread muffins.

Cornbread definitely fits into the comfort food category and is great served alongside a hot bowl of chili, soup or a roast chicken. They are especially scrumptious served warm from the oven with a little dab of butter.

Read More

This Mediterranean Kale Salad is made with fresh baby kale, crisp vegetables and chickpeas dressed in a lemon garlic salad dressing. Topped with a bit of goat or feta cheese, this salad is perfect served as a side for dinner or a main dish for lunch.

The Mediterranean diet is reportedly one of the healthiest diets in the world. It’s becoming increasingly popular and is currently ranked as the best diet.

The Mediterranean diet puts emphasis on eating mainly a plant-based diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Fish and seafood are recommended twice a week, whereas, poultry, eggs and dairy products are prescribed in moderation. The diet recommends that red meat be consumed on occasion. For a more in-depth look at the Mediterranean diet with a list of foods to eat and those to avoid check out this article.

This Mediterranean Kale Salad follows the healthy way of eating touted by the Mediterranean diet. This salad is made with fresh vegetables and includes chickpeas with a homemade dressing made with olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. This salad is healthy, filling and low in calories. It makes a delicious portable lunch to bring to work and is a great side for dinner.

Read More

This is an easy afternoon tea recipe for homemade Irish Scones that rise high every time. Best served freshly baked with butter, jam or honey, these flaky and buttery scones are sure to go quickly.

With St. Patrick’s Day quickly approaching, I thought it would be fun to share an Irish recipe for scones with you. Since I’m not Irish and wanted to share an authentic Irish recipe, I followed a recipe for traditional Irish scones from Gemma Stafford, a professional chef from Ireland. You can find the original recipe for her scones here.

Her scones are easy to make and after you’ve made them once you’ll be able to whip these up in no time.

Her recipe yields scones that rise high, are buttery, soft and flaky. She uses only simple ingredients such as plain flour (same as all-purpose flour), butter, milk, cream, a bit of sugar, baking powder and a pinch of salt to make her scones.

Read More

Made with simple ingredients, this easy and quick to make homemade vegetarian Tomato Orzo Soup is a delicious, hearty and healthy meal.

There’s something so soothing about making a hot pot of soup on a cold stormy day. This Tomato Orzo Soup was just what we needed to warm us and re-energize us after shovelling several feet of snow off our buried steps this past week.

Read More

These made from scratch, Gluten-Free Almond Flour Brownies are easy to make, have a rich chocolatey taste, and are incredibly moist and fudgy.

These have to be the most decadent, fudgiest, ultra-moist brownies I’ve ever baked! For those of you watching your gluten intake, you’ll be happy to know these brownies are made with finely ground almond flour and are grain and gluten-free. They are dangerously delicious and self-control will come in handy for resisting a second piece.

Though you’ll find several delicious brownie recipes on this site, this is the only one which is gluten-free. I adapted this recipe from this one over at Food and Wine.

Read More

Making a big batch of healthy Homemade Muesli is easy, just follow this basic recipe or use it as a guide to create your own favourite muesli.

A bowl of Homemade Muesli is an easy healthy breakfast you can feel good about eating. In fact, this healthy muesli recipe is made with heart-healthy ingredients both high in fibre and antioxidants. This recipe will make a big batch of muesli which you can use for quick and filling breakfasts all week long.

Read More

A perfect option for a quick and easy breakfast, this healthy and filling Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie is an excellent way to start your day.

If you like the taste of oats but haven’t tried them in a smoothie yet, I suggest you give it a try next time you make a smoothie. I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the taste.

The last thing I expected is that it would taste like blueberry pie. But that’s exactly what I thought when I took my first sips of this Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie. The oats and coconut with the addition of vanilla flavoured yogurt, ground cinnamon and nutmeg make this smoothie taste like dessert.

Read More

These roasted Mixed Spiced Nuts make an easy and healthy sweet and savory snack for your next holiday celebration or party.

Whenever I need a quick appetizer, I know a bowl of roasted spiced nuts is the perfect solution. I like to keep my freezer well stocked with a variety of nuts, this way I always have something I can use. These mixed nuts only take twenty minutes to make and you can use whatever unsalted nuts you have on hand. For this recipe, I included pecans, walnuts, cashews, and almonds.

Read More

Soft, tender and deeply chocolatey, these delicious Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies make an excellent holiday treat.

I couldn’t let the holidays pass without sharing this easy and tasty recipe for chocolate sugar cookies. These chocolate cookies are flavoured with a touch of peppermint extract which adds extra flavour and makes them especially suited for the holidays. Made with cocoa powder, these cookies are seriously chocolatey and not overly sweet which gives us room to decorate these cookies with more chocolate, sprinkles and candy. 

Read More

This easy chocolate chip cookie recipe yields deliciously thick, tender and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies that will stay soft and chewy for days.

This is our favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe. I love the way these Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies bake up with beautiful crinkly tops, a slightly crisp exterior and a chewy interior.

My kids often request we make them and they are always appreciated as a sweet treat by friends and family.

Read More

If you are going to make biscotti for the holiday season, let this Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti be the one! It’s the best holiday biscotti!

This recipe for Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti was originally published in December 2014. Here’s an updated the post, recipe remains the same.

This Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti recipe is a holiday family favourite, not only is it beautifully speckled with green and red but it tastes absolutely delicious. What makes this biscotti recipe a winner is that it’s full of crunch without being overly hard, the cookies aren’t dry and remain slightly tender in the middle.

Read More

This easy recipe for a healthy and flavourful Spinach Apple Cranberry Salad combines sweet and savoury ingredients and is proof that simple can be delicious.

Whether it’s for a small family dinner or a large feast, you can impress your guests with this easy and light spinach salad. Perfect as a starter or a side dish, this simple Spinach Apple and Cranberry Salad dressed with an apple cider vinaigrette comes together quickly.  This salad demonstrates that all it takes are a few basic pantry ingredients and a couple of fresh seasonal ingredients to make flavourful salads that aren’t boring.

Read More

This fabulous pumpkin bundt cake combines pumpkin purée, fall spices and melted chocolate to make a scrumptious Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Bundt Cake worthy of special occasions.

If you’re looking for a seasonal cake to wow your guests with at your next fall dinner party without having to spend hours on dessert, this Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Bundt Cake is it! The layer of melted chocolate and crumbly pumpkin spice and brown sugar mixture in this pumpkin cake is sure to make this an unforgettable dessert. This super moist, dense and tender pumpkin cake is spiced with just the right amount and combination of warm spices. The aroma coming out of your oven while this bundt cake bakes will make your mouth water with anticipation of your first bite.

Read More

This easy recipe for Sweet Potato Muffins combines whole grains and sweet potatoes for a wholesome breakfast. A great way to start your day, these muffins have long staying power and will keep you and your family feeling full and satisfied.

This recipe for Sweet Potato Muffins was originally published in May 2014. I’ve updated the post as well as the recipe and included new photos.

The recipe for this post is adapted from this recipe I found on NancyC. The recipe I included in my original post was for 6 muffins. For this updated post, I doubled the recipe to make a dozen. I also made these Sweet Potato Muffins healthier.  Since sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, it was easy to cut back on the sugar without affecting the taste. I also reduced the amount of oil I used and the muffins still came out delicious, tender and moist. I included pecans and spiced these Sweet Potato Muffins with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. They make a lovely fall breakfast, snack or treat.

Read More

Delicious, moist and light, this apple cake recipe made with fresh apples and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg yields six Mini Apple Spice Bundt Cakes or one large bundt cake.

These Mini Apple Spice Bundt Cakes are a delicious way to use some tasty seasonal apples. With Canadian Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to share something that fit the autumn season.

Baked fresh apple desserts are some of my favourite sweets to make during the fall. I love using warm and comforting spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to flavour my baked goods.

Read More

Wondering what to do with all those peaches you couldn’t resist buying at the market? This sumptuous Fresh Peach Sauce comes together in minutes and is perfect for easy summer entertaining.

With us being well into late summer now and fall quickly approaching, I want to make sure I make good use of sweet and juicy seasonal peaches. So I’m taking my extra peaches and turning them into a Fresh Peach Sauce that can be used to top a variety of desserts. In this post, I showcase the peach sauce on top of ice cream, but you can serve it on top of vanilla cheesecake, pound cake, crepes and more.

Read More

Looking for an easy appetizer recipe that is perfect for summer entertaining? This mouthwatering Strawberry Goat Cheese Crostini will delight your guests.

This simple sweet and savoury appetizer featuring fresh strawberries is just perfect for serving at summer gatherings. You’ll find this recipe especially delicious when you can get your hands on fresh local ripe strawberries.

This colourful appetizer consists of thin slices of toasted baguette topped with creamy tangy goat cheese, sweet juicy strawberries, a drizzle of maple balsamic reduction and finally a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh mint or basil.

Read More

Having a hard time getting enough greens in your diet? Try boosting your vitamin and nutrient intake with this simple green Pineapple Spinach Smoothie.

There are days where finding the time to eat right can be a daunting task. One of the quickest and easiest ways to remedy the situation is to get the essential vitamins and minerals our body needs in a fresh and easy to drink green smoothie.

Read More

An easy recipe for a moist Healthy Carrot Bread made with whole wheat flour and lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup. Serve it plain or top it with a light ricotta icing for a special treat!

I seem to be in a baking mood lately, it must have something to do with me needing to distract myself from the cooler than usual spring weather and what seems like a never ending winter. But in order to feel less guilty about baking yet another treat, I decided I would make it wholesome. And what better way to make a treat healthier than making one that contains a vegetable! Baked carrot desserts are always so popular in the spring so I decided to make a Healthy Carrot Bread. Making a satisfying and healthy carrot bread is easy if you use the right ingredients!

Read More

Silky smooth and elegant, this simple and healthy recipe for Creamy Asparagus Soup requires only basic ingredients and very little effort or time to make!

One of my favourite spring seasonal ingredients is asparagus.  Though it’s available year round in supermarkets, it’s prime harvesting season in North America is from February to June, with April being the peak in the warmer climates and May and June for those of us living in cooler parts. Asparagus tastes best and is most tender when it’s fresh. And since it loses its flavour and nutritional benefits quickly after it’s picked, it’s best to buy local asparagus when possible.

Read More

Looking to make salted caramel brownies without having to make your own caramel? These rich and fudgy Salted Caramel Chip Brownies are made with salted caramel baking chips — a simple way to achieve that sweet and salty taste without the added work of making your own salted caramel.

Deeply chocolaty, moist, chewy and fudgy, these Salted Caramel Chip Brownies make a delicious decadent treat that will satisfy the most serious of chocolate cravings.

Read More

These Healthier Sugar Cookies make a delicious and healthy treat to share with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day or anytime your heart desires!

With Valentine’s Day quickly coming up I decided to spend some time baking something special for the kids. But with all the sweets we consumed over the holidays, I wanted to give them a treat that would be appealing and delicious as well as healthier. So I set out to adapt my favourite sugar cookie recipe into a healthier sugar cookie by substituting some of the ingredients with healthier ones and reducing others.  

Read More

A simple to follow homemade recipe for incredibly delicious walnut stuffed Middle-Eastern rolled baklava.

This post was originally shared when I first stated this blog 4 years ago. This is an updated post with new pictures.

Walnut Baklava

Baklava is a delicious pastry made with phyllo dough, ground nuts, butter and a sweet syrup made of sugar or honey. Many variations of baklava exist and depending on what your preference is, you can make it with ground walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios or even a combination of these nuts. My family’s preference is walnuts, and so the recipe I’m sharing with you is for walnut stuffed baklava.

Read More

Roasting a turkey need not be a stressful affair, all it takes are a few simple steps and some basic aromatic ingredients for a delicious and flavourful Easy Roast Turkey with Gravy.

With all the preparations necessary for the holidays, cooking a holiday feast can be a stressful and needless to say time-consuming affair. However, a roast turkey, the classic holiday table centrepiece, doesn’t have to be complicated. Truth is, while a turkey takes some time to roast, it actually takes very little effort and hands-on time. With this recipe for an Easy Roast Turkey with Gravy, I will show you how simple it is to have a flavourful, tender and juicy roast turkey. 

Read More

Complete your holiday cookie tray with these homemade soft Chewy Ginger Cookies made with molasses as well as ground and crystallized ginger.

These Chewy Ginger Cookies have to be one of our favourite cookie recipes. We have been making them for a few years and they’re always a big hit with adults and children alike.

We look forward to making them every year so that we can include them on our dessert trays during the holiday season. 

Read More

This Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Citrus Tahini Dressing is an elegant, vibrant and gourmet salad just perfect for the holiday season.

Using seasonal ingredients, this Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Citrus Tahini Dressing hits all the rights notes for the holiday season. The combination of textures, flavours and colours in this salad make it one that your guests are sure to remember.

Read More

Melt-in-your-mouth, flavourful and buttery Espresso Cardamom Shortbread Cookies perfect for Christmas and the holiday season.

Shortbread Cookies

Some of my favourite seasonal recipes for this time of the year include shortbread cookies. Shortbread cookies are a timeless treat and can be found on just about every bakers’ must make cookie list for Christmas and the holiday season. With so many options possible, it wouldn’t be difficult to fill a cookie tray with a variety of shortbread cookies. Shortbread cookies can be found plain made with only the essential butter, flour and sugar. Other varieties can include chopped nuts, chocolate or flavouring such as citrus or spices.

Read More

Fill your home with the heavenly aroma of holiday spices and molasses with these easy to make and ultra-flavourful Gingerbread Muffins.

These light, moist and tender Gingerbread Muffins are flavoured with molasses and spiced with my favourite trio of warming spices: ginger, cinnamon and cloves. These muffins make a delicious treat anytime of the year but they are especially wonderful during the holiday season.

Read More

This spiced Maple Pumpkin Roll Cake with a delectable cream cheese filling is the perfect autumn dessert.

Jelly roll cakes have been on my dessert tackle list for a while now. Though they can seem intimidating to make, they are surprisingly easy. Since it’s prime pumpkin goods season, the first roll cake that I’ll be sharing with you is this scrumptious Maple Pumpkin Roll Cake. …

Read More

This Pear and Blueberry Crumble is a simple fruit-based dessert made by combining diced pears with fresh or frozen blueberries and topping it off with a hearty and crunchy oat topping.

There are so many reasons why fruit crumbles are one of my favourite desserts to make. They’re delicious, easy to make, and are adaptable depending on the fruit in season. With so many fruit and fruit combinations you can choose from, you can make a different crumble every weekend! Crumbles are delicious all year round and since they can be served warm, they’re an excellent choice for a comforting dessert in cooler weather.

Read More

Wondering what you could make with ripe pears? How about this easy to make spiced Pear, Date and Walnut Loaf cake. Studded with sweet dates and crunchy walnuts, it’s perfect served as a snack or dessert!

My parents just gave me a bunch of ripe juicy pears from their tree and after enjoying some fresh, I knew I wanted to bake with some of them. So I made this quick loaf cake with pears, dates and walnuts and spiced it with cinnamon and nutmeg. The loaf came out tender and moist, perfectly sweetened and with a nice crunch from the toasted walnuts.

Read More

These No Bake Brownie Energy Bites are like little balls of brownie batter. They make an excellent snack that will fuel your body with energy and provide you with a host of nutrients and anti-oxidants.

I love how portable energy bites are, they’re one of my favourite ways to get a quick energy boost on the go. There’s nothing more satisfying than a snack that tastes like an indulgent treat but that you know is actually good for you. These No Bake Brownie Energy Bites taste like a fudgy dark chocolate brownie but are made by using ingredients that are nutritious and beneficial to our health.

Read More

These spiced oven-baked Sweet Potato Wedges with an optional Feta Cheese topping make a tasty and healthy side dish or snack.

These savoury sweet potato wedges are seasoned with a combination of spices and herbs and then baked in the oven until nicely browned with crispy edges and tender flesh. 

Topped with a mixture of softened and spiced feta cheese, they make an addictive dish perfect for serving on the side of mains.

Read More

A rustic Blueberry Almond Crumble Galette is a delicious way to enjoy fresh blueberries while they’re in season.

My favourite way to enjoy blueberries is when they’re baked in a dessert and become all jammy such as in pies, galettes or in cobblers like this Blueberry Cobbler.

Galettes and pies are perfect for keeping the focus on the fruit itself and are great for using up the abundance of berries we have in the summer.

I usually lean towards making galettes since they are meant to look rustic and there isn’t a need to fuss with the dough to get a perfectly crimped edge. As long as you roll out the dough into a circular looking shape, you’re on your way to a beautiful looking galette.

Read More

Make this easy one-pan recipe for Rainbow Trout Fillets with Roasted Broccoli for a healthy, light and delicious meal that can be ready in 30 minutes.

I’m really happy to be sharing this recipe for Baked Rainbow Trout Fillets with Roasted Broccoli with you today. One of the most popular recipes on this blog is this baked rainbow trout I published last year. And I’m not at all surprised about it, the recipe is quick and easy to make, light, healthy and so delicious!

Read More

These delicious Mini Almond and Matcha Bundt Cakes are tender, moist, and have a wonderful balance of almond and matcha flavours.

Have you noticed the abundance of matcha (green tea) flavoured desserts and drinks on Pinterest?  There are so many ideas for matcha sweets one could choose from.

The beautiful bright green colour of matcha is so well suited for spring and summer desserts. So with summer fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to bake with matcha.

Read More

Cheer on your favourite team and keep your party guests entertained with these scrumptious Baked Thai Chicken Wings with Peanut Sauce!

This post is sponsored by Vitamix — Makers of my favourite high-performance blenders! All opinions expressed are my own.

Are you or someone in your family a big hockey fan? If so, you’ve probably been watching the playoffs cheering your team on. Those who know me well, know that I’m not the biggest sports fan but I am a fan of food, and game time snacks are the best!  I can always get excited about watching a game if there is some good food involved. Chicken wings are my favourite game time appetizer and judging by their popularity, there’s a good chance they’re one of your favourites as well. Wings are a classic game snacking food and with all the flavour possibilities out there you could have a different flavour for every game. My favourite so far has to be these Baked Thai Chicken Wings with Peanut Sauce.

Read More

This easy recipe for a made from scratch layered Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting yields a delicious, tender and moist lemon cake.

Treat your family and friends and end your meal with this fabulous Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. This lemon cake hits all the musts, it’s moist, tender, perfectly lemony and sweet but not overly so.

Read More

Have a healthy dinner on the table in under 30 minutes with this easy and delicious Thai Baked Salmon with Cilantro-Chili Sauce.

Rich in omega 3 fatty acids and protein, salmon is a healthy option for quick and easy weeknight meals. This Thai Baked Salmon with Cilantro-Chili Sauce is one of the tastiest fish recipes you can make in under 30 minutes.

Read More

Healthy Homemade Coconut and Seed Bars made with nutritious ingredients make a delicious energizing snack or breakfast on the go.

These lightly sweetened Homemade Coconut and Seed Bars are a chewy, wholesome and filling snack. Not only are they delicious, but they are made with ingredients loaded with nutrients that are good for you.

What’s great about this bar recipe is that it is adaptable to suit your taste or dietary restrictions. You can make these entirely nut-free if allergies are a concern in your home. Just be sure to add more seeds, coconut or dried fruit.

Read More

These Double Chocolate Coconut Almond Truffles are tender sweet bites of almond, coconut and white chocolate covered in luscious dark chocolate.

Made with coconut, almonds, light flaky wafers, sweetened condensed milk, and white and dark chocolate, these truffles are irresistible. These ingredients taste so good together it’s no wonder there are so many delectable creations incorporating them. Luckily, these chocolate coconut and almond truffles couldn’t be easier to make at home.

Read More

These made from scratch Spicy Chocolate Brownies are fudgy, rich, super chocolatey and spiced with a hint of cinnamon and cayenne.

Did you know the Mayans and Aztecs commonly added chile peppers to their chocolate drinks? In fact, throughout history, many cultures used chile peppers as an aphrodisiac. So it seems perfectly fitting that for Valentine’s Day you would share a spiced chocolate concoction with your sweetheart!

Read More

These Yogurt Marinated Chicken Breasts are flavourful, tender and moist. Serve with turmeric infused basmati rice and a vibrant cilantro sauce for a delicious dinner.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FoodSaver® Vacuum Sealers. I received the FoodSaver® Wedge with Roll Storage and Fresh Handheld Sealer but opinions are 100% my own.

A couple of months ago, I was offered the chance to try out the FoodSaver® Wedge (FFS005) Vacuum System. Since I’ve always been curious about the FoodSaver® Vacuum Sealing System and I like to buy certain food items in bulk, I thought it would be a great opportunity to see how well it worked. Buying in bulk for my small family helps me save money, however, the problem I have with buying in large quantities is that things can go bad before we have a chance to consume it all. And I hate to throw food out.  
…

Read More

With a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes, this Pistachio Crusted Salmon is both an easy and quick option for a weeknight dinner and also an elegant main for a dinner party.

Pistachio Crusted Salmon — A quick and easy recipe

This recipe for Pistachio Crusted Salmon is one of those simple recipes that produces a beautiful and flavourful dish that is sure to impress your guests. Salmon is a healthy dinner option and this recipe is so easy and quick to prepare. With some basic pantry ingredients you can have this delicious and moist fish on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Read More

This Pomegranate, Pear and Pecan Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is a vibrant and delicious winter salad, perfect for serving during the holidays and special occasions.

This fresh, gorgeous and festive salad, full of ruby red pomegranate seeds, juicy ripe pears, crunchy grapes, and lightly sweetened and spiced pecans is sure to impress your guests. I have been making and serving this salad for several years now and it is always a hit!

Read More

Here’s an easy recipe for a homemade Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Dip that only takes minutes to prepare and is sure to impress your guests.

The combination of smoked salmon, cream cheese, fresh dill and green onions makes this Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Dip super flavourful. This creamy appetizer is a real crowd-pleaser and so delicious that your guests will happily nibble away on this dip all evening long. This easy recipe makes two cups of dip so this is a great appetizer for entertaining larger groups. And since it can be prepared ahead of time, it’s a great recipe for taking to pot luck gatherings.

Read More

These delicious and fragrant Matcha Green Tea Sugar Cookies are a sophisticated twist on the classic vanilla sugar cookie recipe.

Did you know that you can make delicious fragrant sugar cookies by adding matcha powder to your cookie recipe? It’s also a perfect way to add green colour to your Christmas and holiday baked goods without using any artificial colours. Adding matcha powder to sugar cookies is also a great way to add anti-oxidants to a recipe that would otherwise be devoid of any!

Read More

This moist and easy Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake has a delicious swirled streusel filling and topping. Perfect for special occasion brunches or dessert.

The recipe for this cake is one from my childhood. My mom often used to bake it when we would have company. I can remember looking forward to having a slice of this moist and cinnamony cake with the tasty crunchy topping.

For some reason, my mom stopped baking this cake and recently I found myself craving it. I think all the cinnamon flavour in this cake must remind me of Christmas and so I’ve decided that this is the perfect time of the year to be sharing this flavourful bundt cake recipe with you.

Read More

This Hazelnut Chocolate Biscotti is loaded with chunks of chocolate, dried cherries and hazelnut pieces. Keep them plain or dip them in chocolate and chopped hazelnuts for an extra decadent treat!

With so many variations possible for biscotti, it can be difficult to decide which ingredients to choose to flavour my biscotti. It’s become somewhat of a tradition, every year around the holidays I take my favourite Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti recipe and alter the fruit and nut to create a new biscotti as I did with this Apricot and Almond Biscotti.  This year, I opted for hazelnut, dark chocolate and dried cherries. I kept the orange flavouring because it goes so well with chocolate, especially during the holiday season.

Read More

This Easy Black Bean Soup is hearty and healthy. Make it with canned black beans for a quick and easy one-pot meal. You can enjoy the soup chunky or blend it up for a creamy black bean soup!

Some of my favourite go to recipes are those that can be made with staple ingredients. I know that as long as I have some good quality boxed broths, canned beans and a few other staple ingredients, I can get a delicious and healthy meal on the table quickly.

Read More

A simple and quick to make sweet and savoury recipe for delicious Rosemary Spiced Roasted Almonds full of flavour and crunch.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Today I’m sharing another recipe that’s perfect for serving at social gatherings and one that would make a wonderful hostess gift. These spiced almonds are absolutely addictive, they make a great snack and are an excellent accompaniment to drinks and cocktails….

Read More

Are you looking for something pumpkiny and delicious to bake? This Chocolate Swirled Brown Sugar Pumpkin Loaf will do just the trick!

I’m going to get straight to the point and tell you all about this good-looking Chocolate Swirled Brown Sugar Pumpkin Loaf. When I saw the recipe for this loaf in a recent edition of Canadian Living, I knew I was going to have to make it….

Read More

These walnuts get tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze and are then perfectly roasted until golden brown. So easy and quick to make, these Maple Spiced Walnuts make a delicious treat and are sure to be a favourite!

I should start off by warning you that these maple glazed walnuts are addictive. I’m snacking on them as I’m writing this post, and though I was only going to have a few, I can’t stop eating them.  They are absolutely delectable! The nuts are crunchy and slightly sweet with a spicy aftertaste. They definitely make a great gluten-free fall snack food and are perfect for serving at game nights and sophisticated enough for cocktail evenings. They’re delicious as a salad topping, and would also make excellent holiday host or hostess gifts.

Read More

This flavourful and healthy Creamy Leek and Potato Soup with Garlic Parmesan Crostini is the ultimate homemade comfort food.

This post is sponsored by Vitamix — Makers of my favourite high-performance blenders! All opinions expressed are my own.

There’s nothing more comforting than a hot bowl of soup on a cold fall day. This leek and potato soup is a classic that is easy to make, healthy and delicious without a drop of heavy cream.

Contrary to many potato and leek soup recipes, this recipe is filled with veggies such as carrots, celery, leek and potatoes and has tons of flavour.

Read More

Today is officially the first day of autumn, and though it’s hard to say goodbye to the long warm days of summer, I do love so many things that fall brings. On top  of my list is all of the cozy food (bet you didn’t see that one coming), we get to make and eat! For Canadians, it also means that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Last week, I told you about a special celebration that I would be having this year, well that time has arrived and I’m having my first official Friendsgiving! If you didn’t read last week’s post, Friendsgiving is the celebration of Thanksgiving with your friends. Since Thanksgiving is usually reserved for family members, Friendsgiving has become a holiday celebrated with friends, usually a few days before or after Thanksgiving. There are many reasons this trend is becoming more popular. Family members, now more than ever, are dispersed across the country, continent and even the globe, and since it can be difficult and too costly for some to travel, people have come to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends. And even if we are fortunate enough to celebrate with family, there is something to be said about celebrating friendship. Plus, Friendsgiving is usually much less formal than Thanksgiving, with everyone often contributing to the meal, more like a potluck-style mish mash of food. …

Read More

Savoury, creamy and addictive, this Butternut Squash and White Bean Dip is the perfect healthy appetizer to add to your Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving menus.

This post is sponsored by Vitamix — Makers of my favourite high-performance blenders! All opinions expressed are my own.

I love this time of the year, there’s a refreshing crispness to the air, the trees begin to get all beautifully coloured and the markets are bursting with fresh and local produce that I get to transform into delicious meals.

I also love it, because my favourite holidays are quickly approaching and this means that I have plenty of occasions to prepare some fabulous food to share with family and friends.

Canadian Thanksgiving is less than a month away, and this year I’m doing something very special. I’m having a Friendsgiving celebration! Have you heard of Friendsgiving yet?  If you haven’t, it’s the celebration of Thanksgiving with your friends!

Read More

This simple and delicious Fresh Peach and Blueberry Cake makes a delightful summer dessert and is perfect for casual entertaining.

It’s already the end of August, and in only a few weeks it will be the end of summer.  But before I say goodbye to summer recipes and start baking fall desserts, I had to share this seriously delicious Fresh Peach and Blueberry Cake. The recipe is an adaptation of Ina Garten’s peach cake. Her version has pecans in it, but since I needed to keep this cake nut-free I used blueberries instead.  I can’t recall the last time I tried one of Ina Garten’s recipes, but if all of her recipes are half as good as this cake, I need to make more of them.

Read More

These healthier Whole Wheat Double Chocolate Banana Muffins are so delicious they can even be enjoyed as a dessert!

I turned my family’s favourite banana chocolate chip muffins recipe into Whole Wheat Double Chocolate Banana Muffins and they turned out fabulous! The muffins are so chocolatey, they’ll satisfy even the most serious of chocolate cravings. In fact, the muffins taste like decadent chocolate cake but are much healthier for you. 

Read More

With a fresh taste and tropical feel, this Pan Fried Rainbow Trout with Pineapple Salsa makes an excellent light summer meal.

I don’t know about you, but the weather in my part of the world has been pretty hot this summer. I love the summer season and because summers are so short, I like to fill them up with as many outdoor activities as I can. This means I want recipes that don’t take too much time to prepare or can be prepared ahead of time.  That’s why I love recipes like this one. Not only is this rainbow trout recipe easy and quick to make, it makes a flavourful, light and refreshing summer dish.

Read More

These easy Whole Wheat Lemon Blueberry Muffins are tender, moist and fluffy. Treat yourself and your family to these healthier, made from scratch muffins in less than 30 minutes!

One bite into these heavenly blueberry muffins will convince you that you can make delicious bakery-style muffins at home. Blueberries, which are also nutritious and high in antioxidants, add pockets of juicy goodness to these lightly sweetened muffins. These easy to make Whole Wheat Blueberry Lemon Muffins bake up beautifully every time.

Read More

Made with simple and healthy ingredients, this Southwestern Grilled Shrimp Salad makes a fantastic meal loaded with lots of flavour. This recipe can be prepared in just about 30 minutes which makes it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

Sometimes it seems like I have a new favourite salad every week. This week it’s definitely this Grilled Shrimp Salad.  I just love the ingredients, spices and herbs used in Southwestern cuisine and if you do too then this salad will surely become one of your favourites as well. 

Read More

Simple, fresh and flavourful ingredients make this Greek salad with Grilled Chicken one you’ll want to make over and over again!

I love eating salads in the summer, and this Greek salad with Grilled Chicken is a favourite of mine. The delicious combination of fresh vegetables, feta cheese and olives, means this healthy low-calorie Greek salad is often on my menu.

Read More

I’m giving a favourite breakfast treat a healthy makeover with these made from scratch Whole Wheat Quinoa Flour Pancakes. Topped with your favourite berries and pure maple syrup they make a delicious and nutritious breakfast.

Pancakes are one of my family’s favourite weekend breakfast treats. But to make sure my kids are getting a wholesome breakfast, I make my pancakes using a combination of whole wheat and quinoa flour. Quinoa flour which is made by grinding raw quinoa seeds into a fine powder is high in protein and fibre and makes a healthy alternative to white flour. Whole wheat flour isn’t bleached or processed like all-purpose flour is and is higher in fibre and vitamins. Mixing both whole wheat and quinoa flour is a great way to make a healthy homemade pancake mix.

Read More

Rainbow trout is a nutritious and delicious fish and cooking it couldn’t be easier. Here’s a healthy and simple recipe for Baked Rainbow Trout Fillet with a side of vegetables that can be prepared and cooked in under 30 minutes!

Even though I love to cook and would be happy to spend all day in the kitchen, the reality is life’s too busy for that. I need delicious and healthy meal options that can be prepared in just about 30 minutes and seafood is a great option for getting nutritious meals on the table quickly.

Best Rainbow Trout Recipe

This Baked Rainbow Trout Fillet with a side of veggies is an easy recipe that can be baked in the oven. This dish is healthy, light, flavourful and simple to make. What’s even better about this meal is that you can cook the fish and a side of vegetables all on the same baking sheet in the oven. It’s perfect for those days when you don’t have much time to cook.

Read More

Make this healthy low-calorie Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup for a quick and easy flavourful meal that is comforting and delicious!

I love taking simple ingredients and transforming them into a flavourful satisfying soup. This curried sweet potato soup incorporates aromatics and spices that can quickly transform bland ingredients into a flavourful dish.

Read More

These Sweet Tahini and Pistachio Cinnamon Rolls make a special breakfast, brunch or dessert treat that will quickly become a favourite!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I can’t tell you how long I have wanted to make cinnamon rolls at home. Unfortunately, I let my apprehension of using yeast get the best of me and always told myself I would try it later. Well, I’m here to say that I have finally put this silly yeast fear out of my head and have successfully made two gorgeous batches of cinnamon rolls!  In just a few simple steps you can have gorgeous, delicious and fluffy sweet tahini and pistachio cinnamon rolls freshly baked at home.  Don’t let the yeasty dough intimidate you these are easy to make even for beginners!…

Read More

Fried egg on avocado toast is a delicious, quick, easy and no fuss meal that can be had for breakfast, lunch and even dinner.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you spend any time on Pinterest looking at all of the food images then you may have noticed that avocado toast, in all its variations, is all the rage at the moment.  So when I recently found a perfectly ripe avocado on my counter, I proceeded to make myself my first fried egg on avocado toast. One bite and I understood what the fuss was all about….

Read More

These simple to make banana chocolate chip muffins are perfect for breakfast on the go or for a mid-afternoon snack.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I’ve made this muffin recipe so many times now and the muffins always bake up beautifully. So I’m going to get straight to the point today and tell you about these whole wheat and quinoa banana chocolate chip muffins. The muffins are light, moist, fluffy, filling and have just the right amount of sweetness….

Read More

Two ingredients in the spice blend of this delicious, Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce recipe make it stand out from the rest and will have your guests asking for more.

This Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce is loaded with fresh vegetables, ground beef, tomato sauce and spices. But so are almost all of the meat sauce recipes out there, so you might be wondering what’s so special about this recipe? Well I believe it’s a couple of the spices that I include when seasoning the sauce.

Read More

These Dukkah-Crusted Lamb Chops with Cauliflower and Potato Purée are so quick and easy to prepare that you could easily serve this elegant dish on a weeknight!

With a Middle-Eastern twist, these Dukkah-crusted lamb chops served on a bed of cauliflower and potato purée make a flavourful and elegant meal that is perfect for this time of year.

Read More

Moist, tender, rich and very chocolatey, this Chocolate Stout Bundt Cake is the perfect addition to your St-Patrick’s Day menu!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you’re looking for a special dessert to celebrate St-Patrick’s Day, and want something with some serious dark chocolate flavour then this is the cake for you! This Chocolate Stout Bundt Cake is as chocolatey as they come. You might think beer is an odd ingredient in a cake, but in fact the toasty chocolate and coffee undertones of stout (such as Guinness) make it an excellent choice for incorporating into chocolate flavoured baked goods….

Read More

This homemade Creamy Chicken Noodle and Vegetable Soup makes the best comforting and filling meal. Get this dinner on the table quickly by using ready-made chicken broth and leftover roast chicken.

This delicious creamy chicken noodle soup is a hearty soup full of savoury vegetables, roasted chicken and noodles. It’s kid-friendly and can be easily made on a weeknight by using rotisserie chicken and ready-made broth.

Read More

These Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies are delicious, tender and light. Your kids will never even know they have chickpeas in them!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I was feeling a bit sneaky when I made these chickpea chocolate chip cookies this past weekend.  I usually like to involve my girls when I bake cookies, but this time I was planning on baking with beans and since I wanted my kids to try the cookies before telling me they didn’t like them, I had to bake them while they were away. Though I’ve seen many recipes that use beans in baked goods, this was my first time giving it a try. I have to say I had my reservations about the way they would turn out, but I was really pleased with the results. And best of all my kids really liked them.  …

Read More

This vibrant Pineapple Spinach Juice with Ginger is delicious, refreshing and best of all full of nutrients and vitamins!

I first tasted green juice when my cousin wanted me to try a kale and pineapple juice she had discovered. I was a bit hesitant at first, the colour wasn’t exactly appealing, but I tasted it anyways and found the drink very enjoyable. Since drinking that glass, I developed a bit of a craving for this green juice, so one day I decided to take my juicer out of the deep dark corner of my cupboard and try my hand at making my own tasty green juice.

Read More

This easy to make, delicious Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa is a hearty meatless meal loaded with flavourful and healthy ingredients.

Quinoa is one of my favourite ingredients to incorporate into my family’s diet. It’s full of complete proteins, a plethora of minerals as well as vitamins and fibre (read here for more on the health benefits of quinoa). Quinoa is incredibly versatile and is delicious with so many different ingredients. I also love using quinoa flour and use it often to bake delicious muffins and cookies.

This savoury dish combines quinoa with aromatic ingredients such as onions, garlic, and jalapeño. Sweet potato and black beans get added to complete the dish and add texture, flavour and nutrition. The result is a delicious, hearty and satisfying vegetarian meal (even vegan if you omit the cheese).

Read More

This nut-free, vegan Healthy Pumpkin Seed Granola is full of good for you ingredients. It comes together quickly and can be eaten for breakfast or as a healthy snack.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had happy holidays, I know mine were filled with family, friends, good food and great times. I’m slowly getting back into the groove of things and prepping for my return back to work and to school for the kids. This means I need quick and healthy breakfasts and snacks. I’m starting off by preparing this nut-free Healthy Pumpkin Seed Granola.

Read More

These Holiday Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are the perfect holiday cookie and are a must on your holiday dessert tray.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you are a serious chocolate lover and are still looking for cookie recipes for the holidays, I highly recommend these Holiday Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. They are delicious, easy to make, look pretty, and you probably have all the ingredients already on hand….

Read More

This Classic Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is so flavourful, incredibly moist and so easy to make, you’ll likely find yourself making this more than once during the holiday season!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I know what I’m about to say is bad (especially at this time of the year), but I have to say that I’m loving this non wintry weather we are currently enjoying in Canada’s national capital.  Today is December 5th, there is no snow on the ground, the sun is shining and we are expecting a high of 8 degrees Celsius!  Of course this cannot last long, so I’m thinking that I really must get out there and enjoy this beautiful day. But before I do that, I have tell you about this classic gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting that I recently made. …

Read More

This homemade Apricot and Almond Biscotti with White Chocolate Drizzle has just the right amount of crunchiness and a perfect balance between fruit and nut.

The holiday season is upon us and I just can’t believe that it’s that time of year again, how is it possible for a full year to pass by so quickly? I do love the holiday season and the kids are always so excited and happy to help. My favourite part of the holidays is all the baking we get to do, I love to plan all the cookies and bars that will be part of my annual dessert tray.

Read More

Not only is this Shrimp, Spinach and Goat Cheese Penne an easy and delicious option for a weeknight dinner but it also makes an excellent main for a dinner party.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This is one of my favourite pasta dishes, it combines lemony shrimp with creamy goat cheese, some baby spinach and leeks. Toasted pine nuts are thrown in for some added texture and a bit of crunch to the dish. All of the ingredients come together to create a pasta dish full of delicious flavours….

Read More

These baked Sticky Hoisin-Soy Chicken Drumsticks are so incredibly delicious, easy to make and take so little preparation, that you’ll want to make this dish part of your regular weeknight dinner rotation.

I found the recipe for this baked hoisin chicken on Smitten Kitchen, but she uses the marinade on chicken wings. Though it would be delicious, I’m always searching for new ideas for my kids so I thought drumsticks would be perfect. Though I’m sure you can easily use this marinade on other chicken parts, I prefer dark meat and think drumsticks and thighs are especially delicious glazed this way.

Read More

These delicious Pumpkin Scones with Espresso Glaze are light, tender and buttery just the way scones should be!

Though I just posted a recipe for pumpkin muffins last week, I couldn’t resist making some pumpkin scones and since they’re so delicious I had to share the recipe with you.

Read More

Bake these tender and moist Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins to experience the delicious combination of pumpkin and chocolate.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Autumn is in full swing here, the trees are beautiful with golden and crimson leaves. I will never tire of seeing summer transition into fall, it’s quite a spectacular scene, especially when you are lucky enough to live in an area where an emphasis is placed on preserving as much of nature as possible.

Fall also means an abundance of squash in the markets, pumpkin being the most popular especially as we approach Thanksgiving and Halloween. It also means that bakeries and coffee shops are filled with baked pumpkin goods and pumpkin spiced lattes.  And that’s fine by me, as I always look forward to having my first pumpkin latte of the season and love to bake with pumpkin….

Read More

Turn simple ingredients into a healthy and delicious dinner with this easy recipe for a moist and flavourful One Pan Roast Chicken.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The smell coming out of my kitchen while this chicken was in the oven was so good and so comforting. I’m not sure why, but there is something about the smell of roast chicken that makes me feel so content. Luckily there is nothing simpler than roasting chicken 😉 ….

Read More

Nutritious, delicious and simple to make this Cauliflower, Kale and Leek Soup is perfect for warming you up on those chilly days.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Cauliflower, Kale and Leek Soup is a healthy soup that is both delicious and easy to make. Cauliflower is great for giving soups a creamy texture without actually having to add any cream to it. The kale and leeks add so much flavour and the kale gives this soup such a beautiful green colour. Cauliflower and kale are both part of the cruciferous vegetable family which provide us with antioxidants and other fantastic health benefits. …

Read More

Homemade granola is quick to make and takes little effort. Try this recipe for Homemade Maple Pecan Granola with Dates and you’ll be rewarded with delicious and healthier granola.

Did you know that you could make the healthiest and best tasting granola right in your own kitchen? If you haven’t already made your own granola then let me tell you that it’s incredibly easy and takes very little time. And if you have made your own granola, then you already know that it’s a delicious treat.

Read More

This homemade Cara Cara Orange and Citrus Drink is a healthy juice made without refined sugars. Add a splash of neutral-tasting alcohol to turn it into a delicious cocktail drink.

A few months ago I posted a recipe for Sweet Potato, Parmesan and Rosemary Biscuits. In that post, I talk about my daughter’s interest in helping me with the food styling and photography for my blog and her desire to help me style a post for lemonade.

We never did get around to making a blog post for lemonade, but we did make this delicious citrus drink and my daughter had a great time styling the pictures here.

Read More

These quick and easy to make 5 Ingredient Date Energy Balls are made without refined sugar, make a nutritious snack and are perfect for a quick energy boost!

These 5 Ingredient Date Energy Balls are made with healthy ingredients and are naturally sweetened by dates. Dates are filled with beneficial minerals and dietary fibre that fill you up. Dates also contain natural sugars that satisfy your sweet tooth and give you energy without the negative effects of refined sugars.

Read More

These delicious and easy to make Blueberry Jam and Hazelnut Bars are made with homemade blueberry jam and hazelnuts. Don’t have blueberry jam or hazelnuts? No problem, use your favourite jam and nut and put your own twist on these bars!

I used to think that making homemade jam wasn’t worth the effort. But I realized that if I made small batches that could be consumed within a few weeks, I wouldn’t have to sterilize the jars as long as I stored the jam in the refrigerator. So I made my first batch of jam and I couldn’t believe how easy and delicious it was. You only need three ingredients to make this delicious low-sugar blueberry jam.

I’ve made other jams, but my favourite remains this blueberry jam.  The jam is delicious on fresh bread with a piece of brie or other cheese and is excellent stirred into yogurt or on top of vanilla ice cream.

Read More

Delicious and easy to make, this Blueberry Cobbler is great for weeknight desserts or casual gatherings. Serve the cobbler warm with vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer treat!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This simple Blueberry Cobbler recipe was inspired by my friend’s blog post of a Rhubarb and Raspberry Cobbler. But since I had no rhubarb or raspberries available at home, I decided to make it using fresh blueberries.  …

Read More

Delicious and easy to make, this Chocolate Celebration Cake with chocolate frosting is sure to please all chocolate lovers and is perfect for celebrating any occasion!

Hello and welcome to the newly re-designed Sweet and Savoury Pursuits. I’m afraid this process took much longer than I wanted. I thought I would have the new version of my site up much quicker but it turns out life doesn’t always work the way you want it to.

Regardless, it’s up and running now and though I’m sure I’ll still be tinkering around with the layout, for the most part, this is my new Sweet and Savoury Pursuits!

Read More

An easy, quick and versatile recipe for Roasted Grape Tomatoes. The tomatoes can be used in an appetizer, as a base in a tomato sauce or even served as a side dish.

This is the simplest recipe I have on my blog. Only 5 ingredients are needed to make these delicious Roasted Grape Tomatoes.

Read More

These savoury golden Sweet Potato, Parmesan and Rosemary Biscuits are tender, moist and flavourful. They are easy to make and are an excellent side dish.

These Sweet Potato, Parmesan and Rosemary Biscuits are loaded with flavour. Combining sweet potatoes with rosemary and Parmesan makes these biscuits savoury and irresistible. They are tender and moist, just the way biscuits should be. And the deep golden colour on them is just beautiful!

Read More

If you love almonds and enjoy the taste of almond flavoured baked goods then you’ll love these easy to make Chewy Almond Marzipan Bars!

What is Marzipan?

Marzipan is primarily made of finely ground almonds and sugar. It’s often used to make fruit shaped candy and decorations for cake. It can be readily purchased ready made and can be made from scratch.

I find baked goods made with marzipan paste irresistible and have been wanting to bake with marzipan for some time. So when I saw this recipe for Almond Bars, I knew that I could tweak the recipe and add marzipan and almond flour for even more almond taste.

Read More

This Easy Spanakopita is a version of the classic Greek Spanakopita triangle appetizer made faster and easier by making it into one large pie.

I’m so happy to be posting this spanakopita recipe today.  Not only is it a beautiful dish but it’s also delicious and easy to prepare.

Spanakopita

Spanakopita is a classic Greek dish made with phyllo dough, spinach, onions, dill, eggs and feta cheese. Though I’ve made this recipe several times,  I’ve always shaped them into small triangles. They’re perfect for serving as an appetizer but are also time-consuming to make. This time, I decided to try making it into one large pie, and I’m very happy I did. The process was much quicker and the spanakopita turned out amazing.

Read More

Moist, tender and chocolatey, these Whole Wheat Double Chocolate Zucchini Chai Muffins are a delicious way to start your day.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

A couple of weeks ago, I read the about the difficulties a mother was going through when it came to feeding her picky seven year old son. She wrote about how hard it was on her and how frustrating it was to have him reject the meals she worked hard to prepare.  But then one day, her son wrote her a letter. In it, he wrote which foods he did like and that he didn’t like the foods that his mother was making for him. The mother was heartbroken but then spoke to her son who explained that he didn’t like being picky and didn’t like that he couldn’t eat all the things that his siblings enjoyed. She came to the realization that as hard as it was on her, it was even more difficult for her son (you can read the article here).

That article really resonated with me. My eldest is also a picky eater, she barely eats any veggies unless it’s cucumbers or they are puréed and unrecognizable to her.  But she does like many fruits, meats, pasta, rice, cheese, and some grains. So after reading this article, I too decided that I wouldn’t stress myself out about it anymore.  I’ll keep cooking the meals that she enjoys and will continue to invite her to try new things. But if she doesn’t want to or does try it and doesn’t like it, then that’s fine….

Read More

Enjoy delicious slices of this easy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Loaf plain, toasted with butter and honey, jelly or for a more decadent treat Nutella.

This delicious peanut butter and chocolate chip bread recipe is for all the peanut butter lovers looking for a different way to incorporate peanut butter into their baked goods. Though there are already so many recipes that combine these two ingredients, there’s always room for one extra easy peanut butter and chocolate recipe in our repertoire.

Read More

This delicious Roasted Beet and Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette makes a wonderful fall or winter salad. Serve this salad at special occasions for the perfect starter.

This Roasted Beet and Orange Salad is full of fresh ingredients that are vibrant and colourful. The sweet and tangy citrus vinaigrette used to dress the salad complements the earthy taste of the beets perfectly.

The contrasting flavours between the sweet and savoury ingredients make this salad so addictive. And the creaminess of the goat cheese and the crunchiness of the toasted hazelnuts give this salad so much texture. 

Read More

Have you tried quinoa for breakfast yet? If you’re looking for a delicious, filling and healthy breakfast to start your mornings off right, consider making these tasty and healthy Quinoa Breakfast Bowls.

Did you know that quinoa is rather well suited for breakfast? Its naturally nutty and slightly sweet taste makes it a great alternative to the same old bowl of oatmeal, cereal, or granola in the morning.

Read More

These scrumptious, made from scratch, Nutella and Hazelnut Brownies are gooey, chewy, fudgy, and loaded with delicious toasted hazelnut pieces.

This recipe for Nutella and Hazelnut Brownies is a slight adaptation from the recipe for Nutella Brownies on the Ricardocuisine.com website. The brownies bake up perfectly gooey, chewy and fudgy with a rich chocolate flavour. So if you’re looking for an insanely delicious and easy homemade brownie recipe that can be put together quickly, this is the recipe for you!

Read More

These Browned Butter Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Muffins make a delicious and wholesome breakfast.

Looks like my girls are developing a taste for baking, so when they asked if we could bake something together I thought it would be a good idea to make some muffins. For me, this meant the muffins would have to be healthy, for my girls, it meant that there would have to be some chocolate chips in them.

Read More

This delicious, healthy and easy to make Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Soup is silky and creamy without the addition of any cream.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Happy New Year everyone! I thought I would start off 2015 by posting something healthy on my blog. Since it’s so cold outside, I wanted something hot that would warm me up, so I decided on making this Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Soup. I just love the bright colour of this soup and how smooth and creamy it is.
…

Read More

This Espresso Gingerbread Bundt Cake smells just like Christmas. Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg, it’s the perfect cake for celebrating the holidays.

The holidays are fast approaching and one of my favourite recipes to make during the holiday season is this Espresso Gingerbread Bundt Cake. Made with molasses and fragrant spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg, it’s a classic gingerbread cake with a twist. The espresso added to this cake gives it even greater depth of flavour and reminds me of a gingerbread flavoured coffee drink.

Read More

If you are planning on preparing a cookie tray for this holiday season, then you’ll want to include these Powdered Sugar Almond Cookies.  Nut cookies covered in powdered sugar are a holiday classic and are guaranteed to make your cookie tray look festive!

These Powdered Sugar Almond Cookies are made with ground and toasted almonds. They’re a classic and delicate cookie, and though they’re covered in icing sugar, they’re not  overly sweet.  You can often find a variation of these cookies served during the holidays.
…

Read More

This Pumpkin Walnut Loaf is incredibly moist, scrumptious and so easy to make. Baking it will fill your home with the comforting aromas of fall spices.

Yesterday was my one year blog anniversary, so to celebrate I made my favourite Pumpkin Walnut Loaf.  I’ve made this recipe several times and it always comes out delicious. So today I’m sharing it with you. This Pumpkin Walnut Loaf is incredibly moist, scrumptious and so easy to make. Best of all, baking it will fill your home with the comforting aromas of fall spices.

Read More

Built on the classic combination of fruit, cheese and nuts, this Pear and Brie Crostini is a delicious, elegant and simple to make appetizer.

Have you ever been to a dinner party where all they served were appetizers? Well I love such parties. I think it’s so much fun to be able to sample so many different nibbles and experience all the various flavours and textures. Some of my favourite appetizers are those that combine both sweet and savoury elements in the same bite. This Pear and Brie Crostini does exactly that. 

Read More

These rustic Spiced Apple Galettes makes a perfect fall dessert, they’re light, not overly sweet and are delicately spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.

I love the fall, to celebrate its arrival my family and I went apple picking at a beautiful orchard not far from our home. Apple picking is a really great activity to do with the kids, my daughters and I had so much fun. Some of our favourite desserts to bake and eat are those made with apples, pumpkins and pears. Such treats are abundant this time of the year, and that makes us quite happy.

Read More

These quick and easy Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft and chewy interior are made with quinoa flour.

These cookies are a favourite at my house. They hit all of the musts in a cookie. They’re sweet, but not overly so, soft and tender but with a crispy exterior. And I personally love their beautiful crinkly top.

So if you have a craving for chocolate chip cookies or want to make a sweet treat for someone special, I recommend you bake them a batch of these Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Read More

These Triple Chocolate Brownies are not overly sweet and have a wonderful chewy texture. Delicious served warm with a scoop of ice cream!

This Triple Chocolate Brownie recipe is for all of the chocolate addicts out there.  If you are looking for something to satisfy your chocolate craving then I recommend a batch of these brownies! These brownies are a cross between a chewy and a cakey brownie and have an intense chocolate flavour.

Read More

This made from scratch Raspberry Buttermilk Cake is easy and quick to make, moist and light. It’s perfect for casual entertaining and makes a delicious summer dessert.

Raspberries are my daughter’s absolute favourite berry. She loves to help me pick them and eat them while still warm from the sun. I couldn’t be happier that she loves them so much since raspberries are a great source of dietary fibre, antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Read More

This easy and delicious moist Cherry Almond Cake has a delicate almond flavour and is studded with fresh, juicy and sweet cherries.

My favourite fruit is the cherry. I just can’t resist sweet fresh cherries and when I’m at the market I always end up buying way too much. Since I couldn’t eat them all, I thought it would be nice to bake something with the remaining cherries.

I knew that I wanted something almond flavoured since almonds and cherries complement each other so well. I also wanted something easy like a coffee cake that could be enjoyed as a snack or a simple dessert.

Read More

Tender, moist and lemony, these scrumptious Blueberry and Lemon Scones are perfect for afternoon tea or a weekend treat for you and your loved ones!

There is something about blueberries and lemon, they just go so well together, so when I came upon this recipe from the Pastry Affair blog, I just had to try it. I’m so happy to have had a small break today so that I could make these incredibly delicious Blueberry and Lemon Scones.

Read More

Use leftover roast chicken to easily and quickly create a new dish by making these simple and delicious Chicken and Vegetable Lettuce Bundles.

With the weather getting warmer I’ve been craving lighter meals with lots of crispy and refreshing vegetables.  Being short on time, I used some leftover roast chicken to make these delicious Chicken and Vegetable Lettuce Bundles.

Read More

This easy Avocado and Chocolate Smoothie made with dairy-free milk is so chocolatey and creamy, it’s hard to believe it’s actually good for you!

Start your day right by enjoying this delicious nutrient boosting Avocado and Chocolate Smoothie with your breakfast. Did you know that avocado is a nutrient booster? Eating avocados actually helps your body absorb more of the nutrients of the foods that you eat at the same time.

Avocados are also a great source of dietary fibre and per gram, contain more potassium than bananas (California Avocado Commission, Live Science).

Read More

This sunshine in a glass Pineapple, Mango and Orange Smoothie is refreshing, filling, loaded with vitamins and can be ready in less than 5 minutes.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

We’re having yet another cloudy and rainy day here, and I’m really in the need of some serious sunshine. I decided the best way to get it would be to create it in a drink.  So after looking in the freezer and finding some frozen pineapple and mango chunks, I decided to make a Pineapple, Mango and Orange Juice Smoothie. So delicious and refreshing! …

Read More

The combination of flavours and textures in this recipe will have you craving this Asian Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing full of crunchy and healthy vegetables over and over again!

The peanut butter dressing in this Asian style salad is sweet, salty, sour and just slightly spicy. It makes this dish so delicious and addictive you’ll want to have this salad every day of the week! 

This salad can be enjoyed as a light meal or you can add some protein like grilled chicken, shrimp or even tofu to make this a more substantial dish.

Read More

This quick and easy recipe for a delicious and healthy coffee smoothie will help you get your day started right!

If there’s one thing I love about smoothies is how quick and easy they are. To be honest, smoothies are not my favourite way to get my breakfast but there are days when all I have time for is a smoothie. And if I can incorporate my coffee into a smoothie then I’m a happy woman.  

Read More

This moist and dense Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is one of the best carrot cakes you will ever taste, the cream cheese icing is simply amazing!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This is my favourite recipe for Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting. It is by far the most delicious carrot cake I’ve ever tasted.  The cake is moist and dense and the cream cheese frosting has a nice tang to it which makes this cake taste so absolutely amazing!

This recipe deviates very little from the original recipe entitled Canada’s Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing from Canadian Living.  I have made the carrot cake from Canadian Living several times just the way it is and always get so many compliments for it. I think sometimes a recipe is so good that there really is no need to change it.

…

Read More

This Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheesecake combines two favourite flavours to create one incredibly delicious cheesecake recipe.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Cheesecakes are definitely one of my favourite desserts. I have tried many varieties and as of yet I don’t think I have a favourite, but this Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheesecake is definitely a strong contender. The thing about cheesecakes is you don’t make them unless you have a large group of people you can share it with so it’s really a perfect dessert for a party!

…

Read More

These delicious Mascarpone Espresso Cream and Amaretti Parfaits taste like coffee flavoured cheesecake but take very little time and work to prepare!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Growing up, one of my favourite cakes was a vanilla cake with a coffee flavoured icing that my mother would make for special occasions. This Mascarpone Espresso Cream and Amaretti Parfaits reminds me of that cake.

Though this mascarpone parfait dessert is more similar to cheesecake in texture, it’s an easy and quick solution to my cravings for that coffee flavoured cake. …

Read More

Ready in less than 30 minutes, this Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta makes a great weeknight meal that everyone will love!

This Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta is a delicious simple dish with only a few ingredients and is perfect when you need something in a hurry. It makes a great weeknight dinner that can be ready in less than 30 minutes. If you have picky eaters in your household then you know how important it is to have good recipes that are easily adaptable, this recipe is perfect for that….

Read More

Made with whole wheat pastry flour, these Banana Maple Walnut Muffins are delicious, moist and tender. They’re perfect for breakfast or a quick snack on the go.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

My favourite way to make use of overripe bananas is to make banana muffins or quick breads with them. Muffins are great because they’re already individually portioned, stay fresh for a few days and can easily be frozen for consumption later on. I love to treat myself to a muffin still warm from the oven with a dab of butter on it, yum!…

Read More

Made with whole grains, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, these delicious Cakey Oat, Fruit and Seed Bars make a great breakfast or snack on the go.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

My weekday mornings are usually so rushed that I rarely have time for a sit down breakfast.  I usually pack one to go, usually boiled eggs, fruit or granola and yogurt. Problem is that by the time I’ve dropped the kids off at school and get to the office I’m super hungry. Not so easy eating granola and yogurt while driving! No worries, I’ve never actually attempted it, I know my limits!  So I like to grab something I can eat on the go, but really dislike eating dry granola bars filled with sugar and not so good for you ingredients. So this weekend, I decided to make a version of granola bars that would be made with wholesome ingredients….

Read More

Baby spinach, crunchy almonds, red onions, and clementines bursting with sweet juice are combined to make this refreshing, easy and nutritious Spinach and Clementine Salad.

I just love this Spinach and Clementine Salad.  In fact, I have become addicted to it and make it as much as I can when fresh clementines are in season. The baby spinach combined with the soft goat cheese, the crunchy almonds, the sweet clementines (or mandarins) and the sharp flavour of the red onions make this salad extra tasty. And since clementines are popular during the holiday period, I find this salad perfect for serving during the winter and holiday season.

Read More

This old fashion Date and Walnut Coffee Cake is filled with dates and walnuts and is spiced with cinnamon. It makes a perfect treat for tea time.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This old fashion Date and Walnut Coffee Cake reminds me of something that would be served in the Middle East. It’s filled with dates and walnuts and perfumed with cinnamon. It’s a simple cake, yet sophisticated at the same time and is a perfect treat for tea time.
…

Read More

Made with whole grain flour, oatmeal, nuts and dried fruit, these healthy Apricot Almond Bars are great for breakfast on the go.

Apricots and almonds are really a match made in heaven. Whether it’s in a bar, a cookie such as this Apricot and Almond Biscotti, in a scone or cake, the combination of almonds and dried apricots is always delicious.

These Apricot Almond Bars are lightly sweetened and flavoured with orange zest and almond extract to enhance the flavour of almonds.

The bars are studded with pieces of chopped dried apricots which sweetens them and makes them chewy. Both the almonds and dried coconut add a nutty taste and texture to these bars.

I love that these bars give me both crunchiness and chewiness all in the same bite. The flavours and textures of this bar come together nicely to create a wholesome bar that is quick and easy to make.

Read More

These Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Phyllo Tartelettes are filled with caramelized onions and then topped with a savoury goat cheese filling. They make a fantastic appetizer!

Are you looking for something to serve as an appetizer for an upcoming party?  If you enjoy the taste of goat cheese and caramelized onions then you will love these tartlets!

Read More

Treat yourself and your loved ones with these delicious soft and tender melt-in-your-mouth Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe 

These Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies are just what I needed today. Soft and tender with that melt in your mouth texture, these peanut butter cookies are hard to resist. Though I’ve always enjoyed peanut butter cookies I’ve never really had serious cravings for them, well at least not until I made these. …

Read More

Surprise your loved ones with these decadent Chocolate Beet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing, they’re moist, fluffy and so very chocolatey!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Happy Valentine’s Day!  This post is very last-minute, but I’m sure you can all agree that sometimes life can get a little crazy. It’s been one of those weeks, but it’s all ok, because these Chocolate Beet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing are simply the best chocolate cupcakes ever.  I know it’s a bold statement but I simply can’t help myself, they are that good!…

Read More

This Caramelized Onion Hummus dip is savoury, creamy and delicious. Serve it with pita chips, tortilla chips or vegetables for a delicious appetizer or snack!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Are you planning a Super Bowl party?  Or maybe you are attending one and are looking for something to bring.  If you are looking for a healthy snack to serve then you will want to try this Caramelized Onion Hummus. This recipe is already party sized so no need to double it.  If you want to make a smaller batch then I recommend dividing the ingredients in half.  …

Read More

This flavour-packed vegetarian Southwestern Quinoa Salad is loaded with black beans, veggies and feta cheese. Dressed with a zesty lime and lemon dressing this salad is perfect as a main for lunch or side for dinner!

This healthy Southwestern Quinoa Salad has a great combination of textures, as well as sweet and salty flavours. It can be enjoyed as an accompaniment to another dish, like this Pan Fried Rainbow Trout or as a main for lunch. 

It lasts three to five days in the refrigerator so you can easily make it on the weekend and keep some for your lunches. It’s also a great vegetarian dish as quinoa is an excellent source of protein. This salad also provides you with a good amount of fibre and is gluten-free.

Read More

This easy and delicious pureed Red Lentil and Cauliflower Soup is flavourful, nutritious and perfect for warming you up on a cold day.

I’ve been wanting to make this Red Lentil and Cauliflower Soup for a couple of days now. I decided today was the perfect day for it and I’m glad I did.  It was just what I needed to warm me up and satisfy my craving for something curry-ish. I love the combination of spices such as curry, cumin and coriander and what better way to savour them then in a warming soup on a cold day.  The aroma that filled my kitchen when I made this soup was so enticing that I couldn’t wait to sit down for dinner.

Read More

These easy, no-bake Cocoa Quinoa Puffs and Peanut Butter Squares are chewy, chocolatey, peanut buttery and gluten-free. They make a delicious afternoon snack!

Originally my plans for today involved me getting out to run some errands.  But then I opened the door, and quickly changed my mind.  You see where I live it felt like -35°C (with the wind chill) this morning.  Nothing I have to do is that pressing, so I decided to stay indoors and try this recipe for Cocoa Quinoa Puffs and Peanut Butter Squares that I’ve been thinking about making.

Read More

These delicious Mini Nutella Swirl Cheesecakes with a hazelnut and chocolate cookie crumb crust are creamy, smooth and chocolatey.

Happy New Year everyone! My family and I are starting this year off with some cheesecake.  It’s a family favourite and often gets requested when we have a gathering for a special occasion.  For this New Year’s day family celebration I decided to try a Nutella cheesecake recipe from Fine Cooking magazine.

Read More

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts make a wonderful appetizer, perfect for cocktail evenings and parties.

This post comes with a warning: These nuts are incredibly addictive!  They’re sweet, salty and spicy so if you like that combination then you will love these nuts! 

Read More

The addition of a Reese’s peanut butter miniature cup in the middle of each cookie makes these Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies a real treat.

If you are a fan of peanut butter and chocolate then you will love these cookies! They are definitely one of the best peanut butter cookies I’ve ever tasted!

Read More

These Vanilla Sugar Cookies make a great holiday cookie, they’re perfect for adding icing and candy but are also delicious plain.

I only started making cut-out cookies a few years ago.  The kids look forward to using the cookie cutters and then decorating the baked cookies with a variety of candy.  And for my youngest, it’s an opportunity to eat more candy, which is really her favourite part!

Read More

For a fabulous treat, add these delicious soft and chewy Pecan and Lime Sugar Cookies to your baking list!

I love citrus desserts, and on most days, given the choice I will most readily choose a citrus dessert over a chocolate one. I also love adding nuts to sweets, and pecans, because of their inherent subtle sweetness, are an excellent choice for adding some crunchiness to baked goods.

Read More

A holiday cookie classic, these Hazelnut and Almond Crescent cookies rolled in confectioners’ sugar just melt in your mouth.

This is definitely a special occasions type of sweet.  Crescents are a holiday classic for many and they are one of my family’s favorites.  They are rich and buttery, delicious on their own or served with a good cup of tea or coffee.  This particular recipe combines freshly toasted and ground almonds and hazelnuts.  But you can use just about any nut or nut combination you fancy.  If you prefer you can also roll the dough into balls instead of shaping into crescents.  You can roll them into the powdered sugar once you have finished baking them.

Read More

Molten Chocolate Cake is the ultimate homemade dessert for lovers of ooey-gooey chocolatey goodness. Luckily this little cake is so easy to make!

This Molten Chocolate Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream dessert. This cake has been on my list of recipes to try but for some reason, I hadn’t yet gotten around to it.  Now that I finally have made it, I can’t believe how incredibly easy and quick it is to make this chocolate cake.

Read More

These delicious Carrot Muffins are flavourful, tender and moist. They make a great breakfast on the go or a nice light snack.

These Carrot Muffins are an adaptation of a bread recipe which called for pumpkin purée. The idea came about from having too many baby carrots in my fridge and the need for me to do something with them before I would have to toss them into my compost bin. The mix of spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg used in the original pumpkin bread recipe is a classic one also used with most carrot cake and muffin recipes so it was a natural substitution.

Read More