A Valentine’s Day Table with Chocolate Raspberry Heart Cakes

by Helen Kain | Feb 9, 2021 | Sweets, Valentine's Day, Winter Recipes

Chocolate and roses are traditional Valentine’s Day fare. Combining them in a cake is the best of all possible worlds – served with tea, and augmented with pink champagne, of course! Add in pretty pink china and we have a lovely (albeit chilly) setting for...

In an English Garden

by Helen Kain | Feb 6, 2021 | Green, Pink and Red, Spring Tablescapes, Yellow

Soft pastel shades and fresh flowers are an instant cure for the winter doldrums. English Garden by Certified International was new for 2020. The trellis pattern on the soft green, scallop-edged dinner plate was an instant hit with me. I can see styling it a dozen...

Phyllo Tart with Chicken, Spinach, Feta and Pine Nuts

by Helen Kain | Jan 30, 2021 | Appetizers, Fall Recipes, Home, Mains, Recent, Winter Recipes

Spanakopita was a mainstay at neighbourhood get-togethers back in the day, and the offerings ran the gamut from soggy mess to succulently, crisply delicious. Elena’s were the gold standard to which we all aspired. One year, just before Christmas, Elena got a...

An Army of Feathered Combatants

by Helen Kain | Jan 27, 2021 | Grey and Pewter, Pink and Red, Spring Tablescapes, Vintage china, Winter Tablescapes

You can’t beat antique French Faience for weird and whimsical tableware, and this colourful collection is one of my very favourites.  At the head of this feathered army, we have Le Roi or The King. Rather haughty, isn’t he? These plates seem to have...

Cranberry, Pistachio & Orange Biscotti

by Helen Kain | Jan 13, 2021 | Breakfast, Fall Recipes, Food Gifting, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Sweets, Winter Recipes

Our virtual baking session just before Christmas produced more than Orange Chocolate Cake. My friend Leanne had assured me her recipe for biscotti was quick and easy, and she was right. We whipped it up in no time. Biscotti means “twice-baked” in...