gotta try...

Almond Joy Popcorn

Brussels Sprouts Bacon and Apple Galette

Coconut Quickbread

Here are a few recipes that I want to try. I'm not really great at pastry so I may go out and get a prepared pastry dough  for the galette...or I may try it from scratch. Really depends on my energy level and my culinary confidence on that particular day. It always benefits me to make it on my own because I can make gluten free variety. I have been very lucky to have a network of great bakers and cooks around me (mom) who have kept me fed over the past year-ish while I've been too unwell to really even care about what I eat. I'm slowly coming out of this and will hopefully be right back in the kitchen enjoying it as much as I always have Fingers crossed.

back to reality...

Both my husband and I come from large families. So it goes without saying that during the holidays we indulge in foods that are not part of our everyday diet.  That's not to say that we follow any strict elimination diets but things like red meat, gluten, sugar, and processed foods are for the most part avoided. Having said that it is time to get  back on the wagon. I'm thinking this yummy risotto for dinner tonight. Courtesy of cupofjo.

gluten free fig tart...

I'm always on the hunt for gluten free recipes. This one is perfect because I love figs. Both millet and buckwheat flour are readily available at most health food stores as well as some (not all) Bulk Barns.

Here is the recipe: apartment34.com

diy latte...

There is very little I love more than pumpkin spiced anything this time of year. Here is a recipe for a healthier pumpkin-spiced latte you can make at home. I know...the kind you get at your favourite coffee house tastes sooo yummy why go to the trouble of making it at home? Well, this version has less sugar and it isn't five dollars a pop (-ish).

photo: theglitterguide.com

good to know...

Here is a great way to nurse a spring cold. And it tastes so good you'll want to fake a cold as an  excuse to make it...

witanddelight

 I always get so excited when I find gluten free snacks that don't taste like sand. These do NOT...

ahouseinthehills

good to know...

 Absolutely love a cat-eye. But, I can't do one. No matter how hard I try...I just can't. The problem is that I can't get both eyes to look the same. So I have sadly come to the inevitable conclusion that I will never wear one...created by by own hand anyway. This variation of the classic cat-eye I am crazy for. It is so retro 60's and still so fresh...here's the link

So there's this closet in my house that is just full of stuff that I think I may have had since...well, a long time. To be fair to myself, I also have a pack-rat husband who hangs on to old sports equipment, jerseys, and especially baseball caps. It's time to purge...and I really like this idea

I can't believe I didn't know this trick for peeling garlic...so many stressful, cursing, garlic-infused fingers 'moments' could have been avoided in my life. Better late than never to learn something new

Meringues - probably the most misunderstood dessert out there. I love, love, love them. So many different ways to enjoy too...few ideas here

good to know...

Out of this world gluten-free coconut lemon cake for those of us dealing with 'gluten issues'...Ugh!!! 

A hot toddy? Whaaat?? Yup...try it before you knock it. Guaranteed to knock the cold right out of you.

Christmas pizelle...

 My favorite Italian tradition at Christmas has always been making pizelle. As a kid I would watch my grandmother whip up batch after batch. I loved them warm when you could bend them into any shape you want. Cone them and fill with a sweet ricotta (simply add honey and lemon zest)...or cool them and sandwich with nutella and ice cream. My most recent experiments have been broiled for just a few seconds with yummy dark chocolate and marshmallows. But...I still prefer them at their delicious best...plain with a cup of camomilla tea. 

Here are a couple of links to what I think are pretty authentic recipes...enjoy!!

foodfanatic.com

cookingwithnonna.com

Cookies...

Christmas baking continues...we made lemon cookies and PB-chocolate chip cookies. Admittedly not traditionally "Christmas-y" but never fail. By the time I post this they'll be gone.

Here are the recipes...PB Chocolate Hazelnut Oatmeal and Lemon Burst cookies