Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

I love biscuits! They are versatile, so simple to make and can be used in either a sweet (think Strawberry Shortcake) or a savoury application. They are perfect slathered with a little peanut butter or honey for breakfast or a little snack and with the addition of some cheddar cheese, they are the perfect accompaniment to chili, soups, salads and stews. If I need a little something to "go along with" the main course. Biscuits are what I usually bake. Did I mention how easy they are to … [Read more...]

Easy to Make Rhubarb Squares

Lately, you may have noticed I have been on a bit of a rhubarb kick! My sister lives in the country and has a big rhubarb patch on her property. She is very generous with her rhubarb and made the mistake of telling me to help myself...so, I have decimated the patch on a regular basis and have been cooking up a storm! I'm kidding...I haven't really decimated the rhubarb patch, I left her a few stocks here and there...lol! Plus, (this is how I justify it!) it's actually good for the plant to … [Read more...]

How to Make Stewed Rhubarb

A few days ago, I posted a recipe for Rhubarb Sour Cream Muffins and talked a little bit about rhubarb. Rhubarb is probably the one advantage to living in a northern climate! If you are not familiar with rhubarb, it’s a cool season perennial vegetable, that’s right…it’s a vegetable! Even though we most often treat it as a fruit in such confections as pies, crisps, squares, ice-cream, compotes and jams, crumbles, coffee cakes, sweet breads and muffins, rhubarb is actually a … [Read more...]

How to Make Rhubarb Sour Cream Muffins

Rhubarb Sour Cream Muffins ~ One advantage to living in a northern climate (there aren't too many...lol) is rhubarb! If you are not familiar with rhubarb, it's a cool season perennial vegetable, that's right...it's a vegetable! Even though we most often treat it as a fruit in such confections as pies, crisps, squares, ice-cream, compotes and jams, crumbles, coffee cakes, sweet breads and muffins, it is actually a vegetable. Rhubarb is a cool season, perennial crop. It requires … [Read more...]

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

If you are looking to re-create Peanut Butter Cookies like your grandmother used to make, you know the cookie; a little crunchy on the outside and totally chewy on the inside, then this is the cookie for you! This is a delicious, peanut buttery, old-fashioned cookie like your Grammie would have made. My hubby is a peanut butter cookie fanatic, so I thought this would be a fun cookie to make for him and hopefully it would bring back lots of great childhood memories. This is a very simple … [Read more...]

19 Innovative Uses for Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Non-stick cooking spray is something that I use almost daily when baking and cooking. Whether to spray cake pans, muffin tins, a loaf pan or pizza pan, it is a staple in our kitchen. But, did you know there are many other uses for that trusty can of cooking spray? In the Kitchen 1.  No mess ~ When spraying do it over the sink or an open dishwasher to prevent any messes. 2. Knives ~ Fresh garlic and dried fruit can stick to your knife like glue. Give both sides of you knife a quick … [Read more...]

How to Make Perfect Meringue

I have topped pies with meringue for as long as I can remember.  At least, since I was a pre-teen.  I remember my mom making Lemon Meringue pies and I would watch intently as she made the meringue.  I found it quite amazing that you could transform egg whites from this slimy gel-like substance to huge billowy clouds! The art of mastering the perfect meringue is something that takes time, patience and practice. Hopefully, though, I can help demystify the process and make it a little easier for … [Read more...]

Pistachio Cupcakes

Pistachio Cupcakes I wanted to make something special for Saint Patrick's Day, but  I didn't want whatever I made to be too Saint Patrick's Day"ish"...I wanted to be able to make the recipe throughout the year. So, what's a girl to do but hit Pinterest! After 583 straight hours of browsing Pinterest, I finally decided on Pistachio Cupcakes. Pistachios are green and the pistachio pudding mix that I have added gives just a hint of green to the batter, but not so much that you couldn't … [Read more...]

Becel® Makes Your Creations Simpler #BecelBlendBar

Blend Bar by Becel® temporarily located in Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens You don't have to know me for long or have visited my site for more than two minutes to know I LOVE to bake and cook. Rarely a day goes by that I'm not cooking up one experiment or another. Like some sort of culinary mad scientist, I'm often showered in flour and will have every inch of space on the counters and the island piled high with ingredients and tools of the kitchen trade.  Could be everything from bowls to … [Read more...]

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

The first time I ever made Whoopie Pies was way..way..way back in time.  So far back that it was practically the Troglodyte Era! This recipe came from a recipe book that the staff at a small community hospital, where I worked, created as a fundraiser. In fact, this hospital is where I had my very first full-time job. Although it has seen far better days, I still have the recipe book. I actually use it quite a bit, so often in fact, that I know many of the recipes from memory.  Good thing … [Read more...]

Keeping the Mom and Daughter Tradition Alive #SeasonsTweetings

One of my favourite activities during the Christmas holiday, or any time of the year for that matter, is baking.  Back when I was first married, my mom and I started a tradition of getting together a couple of days before Christmas for an epic, day long baking session. By the end of the day we would be very tired; but it was well worth it because we would each have tins full of cookies, squares and other holiday treats! In the wee hours of “baking day" morning, I would put on a big pot of … [Read more...]

Six Week Bran Muffins

Have you heard of Six Week Bran Muffins?  I have made them for a hundred years!  They are moist, delicious and so convenient to have in your fridge. This batter can be stored in your refrigerator, unbaked for six weeks. You only need to scoop out the amount you want. Your biggest challenge will be finding bowls and a container large enough to hold this rather large volume of ingredients.  But, trust me, it's worth the search! Over sleep?  Throw a batch in the oven while having your … [Read more...]

Strawberry Jam Filled Muffins & Coffee = “Quality Time” {#CollectiveBias}

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. I have two sisters and even though we live in neighbouring communities, we often feel we don't see each other enough.  I love my entire family, but trust me,  few things compare to the laid back quality time I have with my sisters.  We catch up, unwind and laugh until our cheeks ache! In recent years we have … [Read more...]

Grammie’s Oatmeal Molasses Brown Bread

I mentioned in an earlier post how most of Canada is now in the midst of the "dog days" of winter.  I live on the east coast and we have already been totally pummeled this year and winter has officially, barely begun.  On December 23rd we were entombed in ice more than an inch thick, lost power for days (many for up to 11 days!) had four successive snow storms and are now in the midst of bone chilling, record breaking cold temperatures. What is a girl to do with all of this wild weather but … [Read more...]