Sweet and Savoury Pursuits | - Feed

Name: Whole Wheat Apricot and Almond Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 37 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 6 tbsp. unsalted butter (room temperature); 2/3 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 large egg; 1/2 tsp. almond extract; 1 tsp. orange zest; 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour; 1 cup quick-cooking oats; 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 1/4 tsp. salt; 1 cup chopped dried apricots; 1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds; 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:09:06 +0000

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!

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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. …

Mom’s Rolled Baklava Recipe

Sat, 20 Jan 2018 18:30:40 +0000

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

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

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. …

Easy Roast Turkey with Gravy

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 03:43:27 +0000

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.

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With all the preparations already involved with the holidays, cooking a holiday dinner 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 and straightforward it is to have a flavourful, tender and juicy roast turkey.

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Wed, 22 Nov 2017 15:39:11 +0000

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

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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 would make a delicious treat anytime of the year but they are especially wonderful during the holiday season….

Beef Barley Soup

Sat, 11 Nov 2017 17:57:21 +0000

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

Hearty and full of flavour, Beef Barley Soup is delicious and nutritious. 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). To make this soup in just about an hour I used Pearl barley in this recipe. Though it’s not considered a whole grain and is less nutritious than hulled barley, it is still beneficial for your health. If you prefer to use hulled barley and take full advantage of its health benefits, you can do so but will need to increase its cooking time (see recipe for details).

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Maple Pumpkin Roll Cake

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 18:44:18 +0000

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. …

Pear and Blueberry Crumble

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 13:56:19 +0000

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

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There are so many reasons why I like to make crumbles. They’re delicious, easy to make, fuss-free and are adaptable depending on the fruit in season. With so many fruit options and combinations of fruit you can choose from, you can make a different crumble every weekend if you wanted to. But what I look forward to the most in a crumble is the topping that covers the fruit. There are many possibilities, while some prefer to make the topping using only flour, butter and sugar, others will add oats. My preference is to include oats, as it makes the dessert heartier, healthier and adds more texture to the topping. Served warm, crumbles are an excellent choice for a comforting dessert in cooler weather.

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Pear, Date and Walnut Loaf

Sat, 23 Sep 2017 16:24:18 +0000

This easy spiced Pear, Date and Walnut Loaf is studded with sweet dates and crunchy walnuts. It makes a delicious snack or dessert.

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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 bread 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….

No Bake Brownie Energy Bites

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 22:50:11 +0000

These No Bake Brownie Energy Bites 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 and easy energy bites are to grab, they’re one of my favourite ways to get a quick energy boost when I need one. There’s nothing more satisfying than a snack that tastes like an indulgent treat but one 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 superfoods, ingredients that are nutritious and are naturally beneficial to your health….

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Feta Cheese

Sun, 30 Jul 2017 21:22:54 +0000

Make these addictive, quick and easy Baked Sweet Potatoes with Feta Cheese for a nutrient loaded side dish or snack.

These sweet potato wedges are seasoned with a combination of spices and herbs and then baked until perfectly tender and nicely browned. Topped with softened feta cheese they make an addictive dish!

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Thu, 27 Apr 2017 17:52:55 +0000

A layered Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a baking classic and a fabulous way to end a perfect meal.

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I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to post a lemon flavoured dessert on my blog. I love them so much. But truthfully, I haven’t made one that I was excited enough about to put on here. But I finally nailed it and made one that I’m really really happy with. This Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting hits all the musts for me, its moist, tender, perfectly lemony and sweet but not overly so. …

Healthy Vegetable Frittata

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 15:40:22 +0000

Easy, quick and incredibly versatile, this protein-rich Healthy Vegetable Frittata can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

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I love quick and easy meals, and a meal that doesn’t need to be thought of ahead of time or requires a stop at the grocery store on your way home is even better. Frittatas are super versatile and are great for using bits of leftover ingredients (steamed veggies, for instance, are perfect in frittatas) and cleaning out your refrigerator. Frittata is the Italian name of an egg dish that is made up of eggs, vegetables, cheese and can also contain meat. A frittata is started on the stovetop and then transferred to the oven to finish cooking. …

Sun, 05 Feb 2017 17:23:02 +0000

These Spicy Chocolate Brownies are fudgy, rich, full of chocolatey goodness and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and cayenne.

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

Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins

Sat, 21 Jan 2017 17:19:01 +0000

These healthy Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins are lightly sweetened with maple syrup and include turmeric, a spice with anti-inflammatory properties.

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I’ve been hearing so much about the benefits of turmeric lately. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. What I find especially appealing about curcumin is its ability to enhance the function of the liver to detoxify our bodies. Though I’ve been using turmeric for it’s beneficial health properties in savoury food for years, I’ve only started to use it in baked goods….

Yogurt Marinated Chicken Breasts

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 02:35:40 +0000

Hazelnut Chocolate Biscotti

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 17:44:16 +0000

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!

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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. This year, I opted for hazelnut, dark chocolate and some dried cherries. I kept the orange flavouring because it goes so well with chocolate, especially during the holiday season….

Easy Black Bean Soup

Sun, 13 Nov 2016 15:39:22 +0000

This Southwestern flavoured Easy Black Bean Soup is super delicious, hearty and healthy. Make it with canned black beans for an easy one-pot meal.

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Today I’m sharing one of my favourite soul warming soup recipes. I’m a big fan of soups, I think they’re perfect for lunch and I love making them for dinner as well. I find that as long as I have some good quality boxed broths and a few staple ingredients, I can quickly get a delicious and healthy meal on the table….

Rosemary Spiced Roasted Almonds

Sun, 30 Oct 2016 15:27:44 +0000

These delicious Rosemary Spiced Roasted Almonds are sweet and savoury, full of flavour and crunch. They are also quick and simple to make.

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

Chocolate Swirled Brown Sugar Pumpkin Loaf

Sun, 23 Oct 2016 02:14:43 +0000

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….

Maple Spiced Walnuts

Sat, 15 Oct 2016 20:58:46 +0000

These easy to make, perfectly roasted sweet and savoury Maple Spiced Walnuts are a delicious treat!

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I should start off by telling you that these maple spiced 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 seem to stop eating them! Anyways, these maple spiced walnuts are absolutely delectable! The nuts are crunchy and slightly sweet with a spicy aftertaste. They definitely make a great snack food, would make an excellent salad topping, are perfect for serving at cocktail evenings and would also make excellent holiday host or hostess gifts….

Creamy Leek and Potato Soup with Garlic Parmesan Crostini

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 01:02:35 +0000

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

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There’s nothing more comforting than a hot bowl of soup on a cold fall day. Leek and potato soup is a classic and there are many variations, but however you like yours, this soup is delicious and so easy to make. Since I received my new Vitamix I’ve been using it daily, I’ve made so many delicious things in it. Last week, I posted a recipe for Butternut Squash and White Bean Dip, I’ve also made a marbled butternut squash and chocolate loaf, that one disappeared before I even got to take pictures, so I’ll be making that again soon so I can share it with you. On warmer days, I even made some healthy fruity frozen treats. But this post is about this Creamy Leek and Potato Soup with Garlic Parmesan Crostini….

Friendsgiving Vitamix Recipes and a Vitamix Giveaway

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 10:14:17 +0000

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. …

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 17:43:05 +0000

Sat, 07 May 2016 15:24:25 +0000

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 that can be prepared and cooked in under 30 minutes!

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Though I love cooking and baking and would be happy to spend all day in the kitchen, the reality is life is too busy. I need healthy meal options that I can prepare in just about 30 minutes and seafood is a great option for getting nutritious meals ready quickly. Take this baked rainbow trout fillet, it’s perfect for those busy days when you don’t have much time to cook. It’s healthy, delicious, light, flavourful and simple to make.

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Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup

Sat, 30 Apr 2016 14:58:57 +0000

Make this simple Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup for a quick meal that is full of flavour, nutritious and delicious!

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I didn’t think I would be posting a recipe for soup this week, after all, it is the end of April and hot soup isn’t usually on my mind at this time of the year. But though we’ve had beautiful sunny days, there is still a chill in the air. So in my home, soup is still definitely on the menu….

Sweet Tahini and Pistachio Cinnamon Rolls

Sat, 23 Apr 2016 14:57:07 +0000

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

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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!…

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 16:11:54 +0000

This Healthy Pumpkin Seed Granola is full of good for you pumpkin seeds. It comes together quickly and can be eaten for breakfast or as a healthy snack.

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Sat, 31 Oct 2015 00:08:24 +0000

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 were so delicious I had to share the recipe with you. …

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 14:16:18 +0000

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

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Fall is in full swing here, the trees are beautiful with golden and crimson leaves. I will never get tired 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….

One Pan Roast Chicken

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:00:45 +0000

A delicious, quick and easy recipe for a One Pan Roast Chicken dinner.

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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 😉 ….

Cauliflower, Kale and Leek Soup

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:19:54 +0000

This Cauliflower, Kale and Leek Soup is nutritious, delicious and simple to make. It’s excellent for warming you up on those chilly days.

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This Cauliflower, Kale and Leek Soup is a warming and nutritious soup that is both delicious and simple 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 give 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. …

Homemade Maple Pecan Granola with Dates

Sat, 12 Sep 2015 14:17:18 +0000

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

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Did you know that you could make the healthiest and best tasting granola right in your own kitchen? This recipe for homemade maple pecan granola with dates is so much better than most granola that comes out of a box. If you haven’t already made your own granola then let me tell you that it’s incredibly easy and takes very little time or effort. It’s also the best way for you to control how much sugar and fat you are consuming with your granola. If you have made granola at home then you already know that it’s a delicious treat. …

Cara Cara Orange and Citrus Drink

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 21:46:44 +0000

This Cara Cara Orange and Citrus Drink is refreshing on a hot day. A splash of neutral tasting alcohol turns into a delicious cocktail drink.

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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 Cara Cara Orange and Citrus Drink and my daughter had a great time styling the pictures here.

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5 Ingredient Date Energy Balls

Tue, 04 Aug 2015 19:24:43 +0000

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!

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

Thu, 19 Feb 2015 02:49:41 +0000

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

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I’ve been looking for some delicious new ways to incorporate peanut butter into my baked goods. After doing some research on the internet, I found this recipe for bread that uses a whole cup of peanut butter. Finally, I thought, there should be some real peanut butter flavour in this. The recipe I found was on the blog She Wears Many Hats. What I found interesting about her recipe is that she mixes her ingredients in the blender. Though the idea intrigued me, I’m afraid my blender quit on me and I haven’t gotten around to replacing it. So I decided that I would make this bread using my mixer….

Roasted Beet and Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 03:59:16 +0000

This delicious Roasted Beet and Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette makes a wonderful addition to a special meal.

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I hope everyone has had a good week. I’m afraid mine was challenging and frustrating blog wise, first I spent last weekend making two recipes that didn’t turn out well, one was a real disappointment, the other after having spent considerable time making it was just so-so. Then after having successfully made something delicious and when I was just about finished with writing this post, I somehow managed to erase everything but the pictures and had to start the writing all over again. I’m thinking I may need a real nice holiday in a warm place (enough of the -30C already, yesterday it was -40C with the windchill!). I need some sunshine and warmth! Anyways, enough with my cold weather rant, let’s talk about this amazing salad. …

Pear, Pomegranate and Pecan Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:42:37 +0000

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 incredibly tasty and healthy Pear, Pomegranate and Pecan Quinoa Breakfast Bowls.

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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….

Nutella and Hazelnut Brownies

Sun, 01 Feb 2015 05:37:35 +0000

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

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If you’re looking for an insanely delicious and easy homemade brownie recipe that can be put together quickly, then look no further because this is the one for you! …

Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini

Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:13:12 +0000

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

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Appetizers made with smoked salmon have always been a favourite with my family and friends and so today I’m sharing this amazingly delicious yet so easy and quick to make Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini….

Browned Butter Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 02:11:10 +0000

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 their lunch boxes. 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.

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Soup

Sun, 04 Jan 2015 15:12:26 +0000

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

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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.
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Espresso Gingerbread Bundt Cake

Sat, 20 Dec 2014 16:17:27 +0000

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

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The holidays are fast approaching and one of my favourite recipes for this time of the year is this Espresso Gingerbread Bundt Cake. Made with fragrant spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg, it’s the cake that I keep craving every year during the holiday season. …

Powdered Sugar Almond Cookies

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:23:55 +0000

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!

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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.
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Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti

Sun, 14 Dec 2014 04:13:46 +0000

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

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

Pumpkin Walnut Loaf

Sun, 30 Nov 2014 15:04:31 +0000

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….

Pear and Brie Crostini

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 18:11:57 +0000

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

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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….

Spiced Apple Galettes

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 01:52:31 +0000

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

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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. …

Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 01:21:09 +0000

A delicious, quick and easy recipe for chewy Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies.

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My eldest daughter loves chocolate chip cookies, and I love baking them for her so whenever I have a bit of extra time I like to make a batch of these Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies for her.

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheesecake

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 03:25:00 +0000

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

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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!

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Mascarpone Espresso Cream and Amaretti Parfaits

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:07:21 +0000

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

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Growing up, one of my favourite cakes was a vanilla cake with a coffee flavoured icing that my mother would make for special occasions such as birthdays. This Mascarpone Espresso Cream and Amaretti Parfaits dessert reminds me of that cake. Though these parfaits are more like cheesecake in texture, they are delicious and an easy solution to my cravings for that cake. …

Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 04:15:47 +0000

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….

Banana Maple Walnut Muffins

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:03:37 +0000

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.

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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!…

Cakey Oat, Fruit and Seed Bars

Sun, 23 Mar 2014 02:58:12 +0000

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.

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Cakey Oat, Fruit and Seed Bars

" data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.sweetandsavourypursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/cakey-oat-fruit-and-seed-bars-3.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.sweetandsavourypursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/cakey-oat-fruit-and-seed-bars-3.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1" class="alignnone wp-image-1581 size-full" title="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." src="https://i1.wp.com/www.sweetandsavourypursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/cakey-oat-fruit-and-seed-bars-3.jpg?resize=3024%2C3024" alt="Cakey Oat, Fruit and Seed Bars" width="3024" height="3024" data-recalc-dims="1" />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….

Spinach and Clementine Salad

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

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I just love this Spinach and Clementine Salad. In fact, I have become somewhat addicted to it and have had it at least 4 times in the last 10 days! What’s really great about it is that it is made up of complementing flavours and contrasting textures. The baby spinach with the soft goat cheese and the crunchy almonds, the sweet clementines and the sharp flavour of the red onions all come together to make a simple yet yummy spinach salad….

Date and Walnut Coffee Cake

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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.

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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.
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Whole Wheat Apricot and Almond Bars

Sun, 02 Mar 2014 02:48:09 +0000

Made with whole grains, nuts and dried fruit, these Whole Wheat Apricot and Almond Bars are great for breakfast on the go.

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These Whole Wheat Apricot and Almond Bars are great for breakfast on the go. Made with whole wheat pastry flour, oats, apricots, almonds and coconut, they are healthy and delicious. The chopped apricots make them chewy and sweet and the pieces of almonds gives them a nice crunch. The flavours and textures come together nicely to create an excellent bar that is quick and easy to make, perfect on its own and even better with a good cup of coffee.

A couple of notes about this recipe: The author in the original recipe calls for a 9×9 baking pan, but when I came to make this I could not find my 9×9 pan, so I ended up using my 8×8. The bars still came out great but a bit to thick in my opinion, so a 9×9 baking pan is ideal for this recipe. In an 8×8, the bars took 25 minutes to bake up nicely, I think that in a 9×9, 20 to 22 minutes would be enough time for them. I also recommend cutting the bars while they are still slightly warm. I found them to be a little crumbly and more difficult to slice after they cooled.

Enjoy!

4.34 from 3 votes

Whole Wheat Apricot and Almond Bars

Made with whole grains, nuts and dried fruit, these Whole Wheat Apricot and Almond Bars are great for breakfast on the go.

Course Dessert/ snack

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 22 minutes

Total Time 37 minutes

Servings 16

Calories 169 kcal

Author Adapted from Woman’s Day Kitchen

Ingredients

6 tbsp. unsalted butter room temperature
2/3 cup brown sugar packed
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. orange zest
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds
1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Instructions

Place a rack in the centre of your oven and preheat oven to 350ºF.
Line a 9×9-in baking pan with parchment paper and lightly butter the paper.
In the bowl of your mixer, combine butter and sugar and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add egg, almond extract and orange zest. Beat until well mixed.
Add in flour, oats, salt and baking soda. Beat until combined.
Add apricots, almonds and coconut. Beat until thoroughly mixed.
Spread the dough into the pan and bake for approximately 22 minutes, until top is light golden brown.
Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, and then using the ends of the paper liner, lift out of the pan and transfer on a wire rack to cool a bit more.
While still slightly warm cut bars into desired size and let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Whole Wheat Apricot and Almond Bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 169 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 22mg 7%

Sodium 87mg 4%

Potassium 185mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 22g 7%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 13g

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 10.2%

Vitamin C 0.6%

Calcium 4.1%

Iron 9.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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