by Helen Kain | Jul 24, 2016 | Appetizers, Recipes By Type, Salads, Sides, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes
Grain salads are a wonderful option for summer meals, and this one is bursting with flavour and nutrition. I served it with pork tenderloin that I seared in a cast iron skillet and then roasted in the oven. Delicious! Print clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag...
by Helen Kain | Jun 30, 2016 | Antiques, Ballgown, Blue, Summer Tablescapes, White
I was enchanted by this antique Royal Worcester dessert service, particularly attracted to the unusual shade of blue. I call it Eau de Nil, others might arguably call it plain old Robins’ Egg Blue. Whatever its name, when I discovered the perfectly...
by Helen Kain | Jun 2, 2016 | Antiques, Green, Pink and Red, Spring Tablescapes, Terracotta, Winter Tablescapes
Castle plates. How exciting! A new (to me) set of series ware by Royal Doulton, these vividly coloured square plates are charming and versatile. They are from Elise Abrams Antiques. The twelve plates feature four castles: Arundel, Harlech, Cawdor and Dryburgh Abbey....
by Helen Kain | May 3, 2016 | Antiques, Ballgown, Spring Tablescapes, Summer Tablescapes
Several years ago I came across this set of hand-painted Moser goblets, champagne cups and bowls. The soft pastel shades and delicately wrought flowers intrigued me. Each piece is slightly different, in size, shape and the execution of the painting itself. The...
by Helen Kain | Mar 25, 2016 | Purple, Spring Tablescapes, Yellow
It’s that shoulder period where winter seems reluctant to release its icy grip and spring’s arrival seems tentative at best. Fluffy pastels are too ethereal, deeper colours seem out of step. And yet… Deep purple. Gorgeous,...
by Helen Kain | Mar 15, 2016 | Spring Tablescapes, Yellow
I seem to have a bird thing going these days, combined with a passion for series-ware. This peculiar combination had a very happy outcome, however: Gien’s Grand Ouiseaux set. Such a fun table to set! Pewter Rooster Salt & Pepper Grand Ouiseaux, Gien,...
by Helen Kain | Feb 28, 2016 | Blue, Cobalt, Winter Tablescapes
We love to walk and spend a lot of time doing it, especially when travelling. Whilst in New York recently, we had spent a couple of hours in Central Park and were strolling down Madison Avenue on the way back to our hotel when we spotted La Terrine, a shop with an...
by Helen Kain | Feb 25, 2016 | Antiques, Pink and Red, Simply Done, White, Winter Tablescapes
On the same day I snagged the Aynsley St. Clair set at The Elegant Garage Sale, a thrift store on Bayview in Toronto, I picked up an almost complete set of Baronesse White by Tirschenreuth. It’s white porcelain, so has its characteristic slightly grey...
by Helen Kain | Feb 21, 2016 | Antiques, Black, Spring Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes
Metier de Vieux or loosely translated, old professions or trades, is a wonderful subject for a series of plates, don’t you think? First the ladies, whose occupations centre around food and drink – milk, cream, nuts, legumes and pears: Laitiere...
by Helen Kain | Feb 17, 2016 | Blue, Spring Tablescapes, Summer Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes
I enjoy tableware of all ilks, from “serious” antiques to more light-hearted, fun pieces. This Peacock Garden set by 222 Fifth is in the latter category. I had not heard of their wares before discovering the Adelaide Green & White toile...
by Helen Kain | Feb 10, 2016 | Family & Friends, Green, Spring Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes, Yellow
Some time ago I purchased some handmade stoneware ceramic bowls and a Cassoulet pot from Clay Coyote Pottery. The bowls are a wonderful size for a main course braised dish or even a hearty soup, and were the perfect thing for our Cassoulet dinner. The yellow...
by Helen Kain | Feb 9, 2016 | Fall Recipes, Mains, Poultry, Recipes By Type, Winter Recipes
Cassoulet is an incredibly rich and flavourful dish, and one of my favourites when we go to Le Select Bistro in Toronto. It’s long been an ambition of mine to make one; I went so far as to order a special cassoulet ceramic pot and eight...
by Helen Kain | Feb 4, 2016 | Fall Recipes, Mains, Poultry, Winter Recipes
Duck confit is probably my favourite preparation of le canard, but it involves a lot of fiddling around with copious quantities of duck fat, which is messy, expensive and can be difficult to procure—better to just have it when dining at a great French bistro. This...
by Helen Kain | Feb 4, 2016 | Antique china, Blue, Spring Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes
Once I’d wrestled the Saga of the Gibson Girl Plates to a close, I began planning the menu at which they would have their debut. We started with Cucumber Rounds with Hummus and Yoghurt and Wild Mushroom Toasts, both recipes from Fine Cooking. I confess to buying the...
by Helen Kain | Feb 2, 2016 | Desserts, Fall Recipes, Recipes By Type, Winter Recipes
Since the kids were babies, our family birthday cake of choice has been Devil’s Food cake with French Vanilla Icing and Smarties. Yes, cake mix from a box, with icing in a plastic container, pre-made. Every year I would send enough cupcakes for the entire...
