Who else loves asparagus? It is probably my favourite springtime vegetable. Even though asparagus is available pretty much all year, spring is the time of year when it is the tastiest and most abundant. We bought a big bunch a few days ago, had some with dinner and I decided to make a tart with the leftover asparagus. I have made a few variations of this tart and while they are all really good, this Asparagus, Bacon, and Gruyere Tart is my favourite so far! I used about 22 … [Read more...]
Turkey Falafel Bites – Appetizer
One of my favourite times of the year, the Christmas holidays are quickly approaching. It’s funny, but when I think about Christmas, my thoughts are never about gifts, either given or received. My memories always centre on things like family gatherings, seeing old friends, the smell of a delicious Christmas dinner cooking. The emotions a special ornament can evoke as you carefully remove it from storage and hold it gently in your hand for the first time since last season. These are the … [Read more...]
APPETIZER ~ Loaded Baked Potato Skins
If you are looking for a high impact appetizer, that is delicious, easy to prepare and doesn't cost a fortune, then you need to make these Loaded Baked Potato Skins. They really couldn't be simpler to make and cost very little. They are very easily customizable too! I often will add some cooked, crumbled bacon, but you could easily add finely diced and seeded tomatoes, peppers or whatever you like to have with your regular baked potatoes. These are the perfect appetizer alone or even … [Read more...]
How to Clean & Cook Fresh Mussels {Recipe}
Our son, who lives in Ontario was recently home for a nice long visit. Although he loves to do lots of fun things while home, such as our trip to the Fundy Trail, one of his favourite things is to have some local seafood, like fresh mussels. If you're not familiar with mussels, it's the common name used for members of several families of bivalve molluscs, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with … [Read more...]
Fiddlehead, Leek and Gruyere Tart
In case you're not familiar with them, a fiddlehead is the curled, edible shoot of the ostrich fern and is considered a seasonal delicacy in many parts of North America. I have not always been one of those people expectantly awaiting each springs fiddlehead harvest. Yes, I do really like fiddleheads and their unique shape and taste. I have eaten them many times, both at home and in restaurants. So what is my issue? Fiddlehead cleaning needs to be meticulous. So, when you're a bit of … [Read more...]
Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Pinwheel Appetizers
Last week I was going to a girls get together with some family and friends. I wanted to take some of the burdens off the host and offered to bring along an appetizer. (Although, that being said...there ended up being enough food on the buffet table to feed a small army for a week...lol, so I don't think I was much help!) A couple of Christmases ago, I made some Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Pinwheel Appetizers...but apparently, we were all quite hungry that evening. As it turned out, they … [Read more...]