My two years in China were full of delicious new discoveries. Tang yuan was one of them. After a two-week holiday trip to Thailand, I had just returned to the small city where I was living and working in northeast China. I had missed the main celebration of Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival, as most Chinese call it), but was delighted when some Chinese colleagues invited me … Continue reading Tang Yuan: Chinese Black Sesame Dumplings
Did you know that tomorrow is Lunar New Year’s Eve? Before I went to China and Vietnam, I was mostly unaware of this major holiday. Yet after spending seven years there, I now find myself wistful at this time of year, as I think of the friends, food, and festivities I left behind. Thankfully, through Facebook, I am still in touch with some of the … Continue reading Tastes of Asia: 14 Lunar New Year Recipes {Gluten Free}
Truly, truly, homemade cookies are the best. And peanut butter makes them too good to resist. These little cookie sandwiches are my Mardi Gras indulgence. And they are held together with my Chocolate Peanut Butter Lentil Frosting. Because leftover frosting prompted me to make cookies–specifically peanut butter cookies. Peanut butter and coconut are go-to items that I eat all the time. I spread peanut butter … Continue reading Chocolate Buttercream Filled Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches {GF}
I adore fresh bread. A restaurant can draw me in just by serving fabulous bread before my main meal arrives. Having warm and flavourful bread to start a meal or round out a buffet table is a treat at home too. For as much as my family enjoys fresh bread sticks made from scratch, I don’t always get around to making a batch because of … Continue reading Lentil Pesto Pizza Waffles
I fell in love with lentils long before I moved north to prairie lands covered with lentil fields. My first memory of eating them was in my aunt’s red lentil soup. I love a good lentil soup (and still make her recipe), but in the years to follow, I began to discover the versatility of these remarkable legumes and started to enjoy them beyond the soup bowl. Lentil … Continue reading 7 Recipes for Lentil Lovers
Tender coconut cupcakes topped with fluffy chocolate peanut butter frosting are the home-baked version of candy aisle bliss. However, unlike candy, these treats have a hidden healthy twist! Chocolate and peanut butter are an inspired match. So are chocolate and coconut. These cupcakes fuse all those crave-worthy flavours together in each tender bite. And the frosting is both sweet and healthy! How can anyone resist … Continue reading Coconut Cupcakes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Lentil Buttercream Frosting
Swirls and Spice 