by Helen Kain | Jan 21, 2023 | Cakes, Desserts, Holiday, Home, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Tea, Winter Recipes
Zesty lemony, buttery cake studded with tangy blueberries—a perfect afternoon pick-me-up or dessert. It could even qualify for an indulgent breakfast at a stretch (ok, a large stretch). It would certainly fit the bill for brunch, with perhaps Asparagus, Tomato and...
by Helen Kain | Jan 21, 2023 | Black, Grey and Pewter, Home, Recent, Winter Tablescapes, Yellow
The jumping-off point for this table was a runner I picked up from Williams Sonoma at the end of the season a few years ago. Apparently, the matching napkins had been more popular than the runner because they were all gone, and the runner was in the “get it out...
by Helen Kain | Jan 21, 2023 | Desserts, Holiday, Home, Recent, Spring Recipes, Winter Recipes
A silky smooth, tangy lemon sauce sits below a light-as-air soufflé. What could be more delightful? Easy to make, this is the perfect bright citrus dessert to finish off a rich winter meal. The boxed version doesn’t come close, so whip up those egg whites and...
by Helen Kain | Jan 3, 2023 | Fall Recipes, Holiday, Mains, Pasta & Rice, Recent, Winter Recipes
Who could resist such a gorgeous display of Swiss rainbow chard? Not me! It was in my grocery basket before I had time to think about how to use it. But wait…I’ve got the Paprika app on my phone! So pull up the recipe portion and enter Swiss chard. There...
by Helen Kain | Jan 3, 2023 | Blue, Orange, Pink and Red, Recent, Spring Tablescapes, White, Yellow
It’s back to the workaday world for me this morning; some floral cheer is in order. Thank heaven for tulips. Inexpensive, long-lasting and readily available, they’re the perfect cure for the January blues. And speaking of inexpensive, I bought Pioneer...
by Helen Kain | Jan 3, 2023 | Fall Recipes, Holiday, Recent, Salads, Sides, Winter Recipes
Winter darkness calls for bold flavours. The bitter notes of arugula and radicchio are tempered with the sweet-tart flavour of thin apple slices, all enrobed in a Dijon mustard dressing and topped with salty, rich parmesan crisps. Perfect for a starter or in larger...
by Helen Kain | Dec 30, 2022 | New Year, Recent, White, Winter Tablescapes
Shimmery, sparkling silver and clear, icy glass to ring in the New Year. This table came together from several different directions. First was the bespoke tablecloth from The Enchanted Home. briefly on offer last fall, following the receipt of a shipment of some truly...
by Helen Kain | Dec 30, 2022 | Holiday, Libations
Who doesn’t love a glass of bubbly? This festive cocktail has the rich, fruity flavours of pear and cinnamon, perfect for the holiday season and ringing in the New Year. The Pear Simple mixes up quickly and is delicious with sparkling water, drizzled in a cup of...
by Helen Kain | Dec 16, 2022 | Christmas, Cookies & Bars, Winter Recipes
Cranberries and Christmas are practically synonymous. These buttery, crunchy, nutty bars showcase the tart flavour of fresh (or frozen) cranberries. They freeze beautifully, too. Hands up if you’re too impatient to wait for them to defrost. Yup –...
by Helen Kain | Dec 16, 2022 | Christmas, Cookies & Bars, Fall Recipes, Winter Recipes
A traditional Italian pastry, biscotti owe their dry, crunchy texture to the twice-baked method. First, the dough is shaped into a log and baked. Then, once cooled, it’s cut along the diagonal and baked again until each biscuit is crispy and golden, which makes them...
by Helen Kain | Dec 16, 2022 | Cakes
As a child, when offered the choice between a chocolate and a vanilla cupcake, I’d always go for chocolate. I thought this was pretty much universal among children, but much to my surprise, several of my granddaughters prefer vanilla. In fact, they’re...
by Helen Kain | Dec 16, 2022 | Christmas, White, Winter Tablescapes
Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house,…creatures are in a flurry of activity. My baking partner-in-crime, Leanne, and I got together this week for our annual Christmas baking day. What fun to get caught up with mixers whirring and baking...
by Helen Kain | Dec 11, 2022 | Cakes
This version of Classic Carrot Cake is moist and perfectly spiced. Its light texture and fine crumb come from preparing the carrots in a food processor rather than grating them, as recommended by (sadly no more…) Fine Cooking magazine. Here, it’s all...
by Helen Kain | Dec 11, 2022 | Christmas, Green, Pink and Red, Recent, Winter Tablescapes
From 2013 to 2016, Williams Sonoma gave us this classic combination of rich red berries and winter greenery, Botanical Wreath. I must have been asleep at the switch because it completely passed me by at the time. But when a couple of plates in the pattern swam into...
by Helen Kain | Dec 9, 2022 | Cakes, Christmas, Winter Recipes
What could be more suitable for the holidays than a creamy, rich cheesecake with a crisp gingersnap crust and a tangy cranberry orange filling? The white chocolate ganache topping is garnished with sugared cranberries and white chocolate chips. Not only festive, but...