Simple and elegant, pasta with pesto and red peppers makes an impressive weeknight meal that is blessedly quick. Or serve it to guests and give yourself time to spare for fun and conversation. The green pesto can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. If you are like me and crave colour during these bleak midwinter months, the spritely red and green colours … Continue reading Red Pepper and Green Pesto Pasta
Holiday parties and open houses need something substantial–yet not too filling–that can balance out the all cookies and sweets. Stuff miniature pitas with tangy cranberry chicken salad and watch them go at your next event. This chicken (or turkey) salad actually tastes better after you let it chill for a while, since the flavours are accentuated over time. Hence, cranberry chicken salad is a perfect … Continue reading Cranberry Chicken Salad Mini Pitas
Smoothies and I have an off-and-on relationship. It makes no sense, really, because I continue baking all year long. Meanwhile, my blender, which can deliver healthy results much more rapidly than an oven, gets neglected in the corner of my counter top. Smoothies are something I hope to make a more regular part of my days in the months ahead. Inspiration for a simple smoothie … Continue reading Soothing Spiced Smoothie with Turmeric
Bright bites of sweet-and-salty goodness will beckon hungry party-goers to pick these up from your holiday platter–and then return for more. The green pesto spread features spinach, walnuts, and pecans, but skips the typical fresh basil or cilantro since they are not in season. Happily, I discovered that adding a few artichoke hearts to the mix rounds out the pesto’s taste perfectly. And the sparkling … Continue reading Pomegranate and Green Pesto Bites
As a college student, local coffee houses (that were not national chains) drew me in as an evening hangout spot. It wasn’t about the coffee; my friends and I came for the ambiance. To justify occupying a table, I would order a cup of hot chocolate or steamed milk. However, unlike those artificially tinted cups of warm, frothy sweetness, this homemade version of steamed milk … Continue reading Steamed Milk with Cinnamon and Dates
Once I tasted Jane’s Cranberry Salsa, the possibilities for using it began to multiply. Chicken salad with cranberry salsa? Yes, please. But what I am sharing today is a fresh take on taquitos, which I invented as a way to further enjoy some remaining cranberry salsa. Instead of cheese, creamy mayonnaise ties together the chicken and salsa, creating a delightful, unique filling. The guacamole is … Continue reading Baked Chicken (or Turkey) Taquitos with Cranberry Salsa
Swirls and Spice 