Sugar Rush

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Deborah

Seeing as yesterday’s post was disappointing in the fact that it didn’t include a sweet, yummy dessert recipe….I have decided to make it up to you and include one. Aren’t I nice? By the way – for those looking for a waist-line friendly recipe….look elsewhere!

This one is aptly named in the post title too.

Sugar Rush indeed. These little beauties will make your teeth scream from all the sugar. Hands down, probably my hubby’s favourite dessert item. This recipe comes from his Aunt Eileen, who made the best Butter Tarts….EVER.

Aunt Eileen’s Butter Tarts

Ingredients

2 Eggs

1 Cup … Read more...

Healthy Blueberry Muffins?

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Deborah

Believe me, it is possible to make healthy, low fat, low sugar muffins. I know you may love your Timmy’s Muffin in the morning, but they are so full of fat (even the so-called ‘low-fat’ ones are not what they are cracked up to be) and sugar, you can literally watch the scale move up after you eat one. After eating one every day for a week, you are pretty much guaranteed to see the ‘Wide Load’ appear on your backside….

I must admit, I had a good time this past summer. Lots of fun in the sun, good food … Read more...

Tomatoes by the BOATLOAD….

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Deborah

I think. Just maybe. I planted too many tomato plants. For one person. Me.

NAH……Impossible….

I have just cleaned off everything from all the plants (both regular and cherry toms) and sorted them by level of ripeness…..

A nice, pretty rainbow of tomatoes gracing my countertop.

The Cherry Tomatoes are representing the colours of Italy…or Mexico even.

I now have lots, and lots, and lots of tomato recipes to look through…. and use.

First up, roasting some more cherry tomatoes for the freezer (they are great as a topping on pizza, or tossed into an omelet).

Once the larger tomatoes … Read more...

A Biscotti Tutorial

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Deborah

Apparently, there is a rumour going around that some people are actually AFRAID to make these wonderful Italian Cookies… Pfft! The word “Biscotti” need not strike fear into the heart of a fledgling or even seasoned Baker. These luscious cookies are so easy to make you will be on your way to becoming a Biscotti Queen (or King) in no time.

The actual making of biscotti cookies is only just a wee bit more time consuming than making regular cookies, and believe me, I have made plenty of “regular cookies” that are HARDER to make than Biscotti (Belgian Cookies come … Read more...

MMMMMM…..Cookies….

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Deborah

With the exception of home-made bread or an apple pie baking in the oven, one of the most wonderful aromas to come out of the kitchen are that of fresh baked cookies. Does not matter the kind either. Although I imagine home-made dog cookies don’t quite cut it…

The smell of buttery, ooey-gooey cookies makes your mouth water instantly at the first whiff.

Here in our household we have a large repertoire of cookie recipes, but we are really partial to a few standby’s that are easy to throw together and bake when we are pressed for time.

Chocolate Chip … Read more...

Fall is Around The Corner…

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Deborah

I love Summer and hate to see it come to an end. I know my days of roaming around in flipflops and shorts are almost over. My wild flowers are fading and the flower heads are getting ready to scatter their seeds for next years re-birth. Even the leaves of a few Maples are already showing their Fall colours…way too early for my liking….they are pretty though.

The past couple weeks have seen the nights cool considerably here on the Homestead. I even had to break out the sweaters on a couple days last week, much to my dismay…. and … Read more...

I Can’t Believe He Ate The Whole Thing…

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Deborah

We had the pleasure of our Daughter and her Husband up to the Homestead for 9 days (they left yesterday). While here, they enjoyed the sun, the stars, the wildlife and kayaking on the lake.

Our son-in-law is also a great cook, and I sincerely appreciated the help in cooking duties giving me some much needed breaks from the kitchen. As their time with us was winding down, there was a mish-mash of ingredients and leftovers to do something with. A little of this and that but not enough to make full meals out of.

So what to do them?… Read more...

Vegetarian Italian Meatballs

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Deborah

My daughter is a Vegetarian. Which can be challenging at times. I think she decided to be one just to make life difficult for her husband (the cook of their family) and myself. Maybe. OK, maybe not. But it sure seems like it at times.

She is a VERY picky Vegetarian too. Any dish prepared for her can NOT have any mushrooms in it, and believe me, there are tons of recipes that use mushrooms as a base of vegetarian meals. She hates the fungi. She refers to them as ‘that dark chicken’ from leftovers I gave her of a … Read more...

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies….

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Deborah

Is there anything more annoying than a cloud of fruit flies swarming your kitchen? Unless you consider your husband and his buddies swarming your kitchen searching for Super Bowl noshes just as annoying, but I can’t help you there.

I hate Fruit Flies. Yes, they have a purpose in this world and that is to feed upon rotting fruit and be Mother Nature’s garbage disposal (along with ants…but that’s another column for later).

So how do you get rid of these teeny, fast-flying, prolific little buggers?

2 ingredients and a shot glass is all you need. HA! I am sure … Read more...

The Farmer in the…… Market

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Deborah

Nope, the Farmer isn’t in the Dell…he/she/they are at my local Farmer’s Market. I just love going to the market. Nothing screams summer like a Farmer’s Market chock full of fresh produce with Vendor’s hawking everything from cut flowers to ice cream… yes… ice cream and if it wasn’t for it being 8:10 in the morning when I arrived, I would have had an ice cream cone.

But I already had breakfast and was busy scarfing down some very yummy free samples of Smoked Salmon Paté on crackers. SO DEE-LISH…. and of course, I had to buy a small tub … Read more...