There’s something about a fresh fruit salad in a jar that feels like a little treat waiting for you in the fridge. Instead of browning apple slices or soggy grapes hiding in the crisper, you’ve got bright layers of fruit sealed in glass, still juicy and crisp days later. It’s the best way I’ve found to…
This Summer Fruit Fool with Mango and Nectarine is one of the easiest desserts to enjoy during hot summer days. Juicy fresh fruit is folded into an orange cream mixture, creating a spoonable dessert with summery flavor. It’s a great recipe to serve at brunches and casual gatherings or to pack for picnics in small…
These pumpkin thumbprint cookies are soft, lightly spiced cookies with a cake-like texture and a sweet filled center. They aren’t the traditional crumbly shortbread-style thumbprint cookie. Pumpkin puree and baking powder give these cookies a slight rise and a softer bite. I tested the cookies with both apple butter and Nutella, and both work nicely…
These apple crisp cookies start with a thick brown sugar cookie base and are topped with finely diced cinnamon apples and a buttery oat crumble. They are large, bakery-style cookies that bake to about ½ inch thick with golden brown bottoms and a soft apple centre. The cookies have the caramel flavour of my butterscotch…
When ripe summer tomatoes are inexpensive by the case, abundant at the farmers’ market, or your garden suddenly gives you more than you can reasonably eat fresh, making sauce is one way to preserve the harvest for later. This homemade roasted tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes starts with 25 pounds of Roma tomatoes and turns…
There have been different times in my life when stretching food wasn’t just a way to save a little money. Growing up in a lower-income household taught me some of it, and later there were years when my own family was living on Employment Insurance (EI) or provincial social assistance—what we generally called welfare—and the…
Desserts & Baking Indulge your sweet tooth with homemade dessert recipes ranging from rich cupcakes and cookies to fruity dumplings, crisps, bars, and quick no-bake treats. Whether you are baking for holidays, birthdays, potlucks, or everyday cravings, you’ll find easy dessert ideas made with comforting ingredients and approachable techniques. Explore seasonal fruit desserts, chocolate treats, chilled desserts, and simple baked sweets for every…
Mango bread pudding probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you discover a loaf of bread going stale on the counter, but it should be. This tropical twist on classic bread pudding transforms leftover bread into a lightly sweetened breakfast casserole with bright mango flavor, toasted coconut, and a rich coconut milk…
Looking for easy Canada Day potluck recipes? Whether you’re celebrating July 1st with a backyard BBQ, neighbourhood gathering, cottage weekend, family reunion, or community picnic, these delicious recipes are perfect for sharing. From creamy potato salads and pasta salads to crowd-pleasing appetizers and sweet treats, these Canada Day food ideas help make entertaining easy. The…
If you’ve ever wanted a classic scoop of snowy white vanilla ice cream without paying premium prices for vanilla bean paste, this Ninja Creami vanilla ice cream with clear vanilla extract is for you. The flavor is rich, creamy, and unmistakably vanilla, while the clear vanilla extract helps keep the finished ice cream bright white…
When fresh cherries finally start showing up in stores, one of the easiest ways to enjoy them is by turning them into a simple homemade sauce. This easy cherry sauce recipe can be spooned over pancakes, waffles, scones, cheesecake, vanilla ice cream, or other favorite desserts. It also makes a perfect topping for breakfast treats…
This homemade lime salad dressing is an easy vinaigrette made with fresh lime juice, olive oil, celery seed, and a touch of sweetness. It comes together in minutes and adds bright tangy flavor to everything from a bed of greens and taco salads to black bean salads and grilled shrimp skewers. When I want a…