How To Make Your Own Croutons

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Deborah

Making your own croutons takes about as much time to make a pot of coffee…and just as easy. Trust me, once you make your own croutons, you will never go back to store bought again. With the use of heart healthy Olive Oil, they are much better for you than the butter/transfat laden commercial variety too. These are made from day or two old fresh bread. Not the packaged, preservative laden stuff either, because no matter how long you leave it out, it just doesn’t get stale enough to be used as croutons.

Grab a fresh baguette (preferably whole wheat … Read more...

GangUp Challenge Results are IN!

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Deborah

As promised, today is the day. The day I showcase the results of the ‘Cooking Challenge’ that I threw out 10 days ago…. And boy, did the 10 days flew by fast. Doesn’t help that there was a holiday (Canadian) shoved in the middle of it to make it that much more harried for us in the Great White North.

BUT…

Here we are and let me just say, I am thrilled with the results. There are some extremely talented ‘Home Chefs’ out there that were not at all intimidated by the list of ingredients. This round was one of … Read more...

The GangUp Challenge

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Deborah

Last week when I sent out a post about the site being down for a day or two, I alluded to a surprise for when I was back up on-line.

Today is the DAY!

Well, it was supposed to be last Friday…but hey, sometimes you just can’t help delays…

Over the last couple years, I was an active part of a cooking website and ended up being the chosen ‘ringleader’ for showcasing a recurring cooking challenge (something about good writing ability..pfft…no one else wanted the ‘job’ me thinks). But, I did have an added quartet of gals that I have … Read more...

Easy as Apple Pie

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Deborah

One of the best things about Fall are Apples. Apple season is now in full swing with lots and lots and lots of fresh, crisp apples ready for picking, eating, canning, juicing and baking. I am an Apple Snob though, only liking a few specific varieties to eat fresh. I do venture into other varieties for baking, as long as they stand up well to the cooking process.

Canadian Thanksgiving is approaching quickly and I am usually pressed for time in getting dessert ready in the days leading up to the annual food-a-thon. So this year I decided to venture … Read more...

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...