Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

by Helen Kain | Jan 23, 2022 | Bread & Scones, Breakfast, Holiday, Home, Recent, Spring Recipes

Remember when muffins were breakfast food? Before they began their Incredible Hulk transformation into a disguised cupcake? These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are old-fashioned, moderately sized and not-too-sweet. No icing. They also contain Greek yoghurt, so they have a...

Winter Sidecar

by Helen Kain | Jan 16, 2022 | Holiday, Home, Libations, Winter Recipes

As promised in the Dreamy Wedgwood Style Fruitcake, here is the recipe for a Winter Sidecar, courtesy of Craft Cocktails by Geoff Dillon and Whitney Rorison of Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers. Dillon’s is in the nearby Niagara region and has captivated...

Gruyere-Stuffed Crusty Bread

by Helen Kain | Jan 5, 2022 | Bread & Scones, Fall Recipes, Holiday, Home, Recent, Winter Recipes

Can anything be more tempting than the aroma of fresh crusty bread? You bet! Add some tantalizingly melted cheese to a spiral mini-loaf and serve it still warm, with a bowl of steaming soup, such as Paris Bistro, Tomato with Dill or Broccoli with Mustard Seeds.  ...

Paris Bistro Soup

by Helen Kain | Jan 5, 2022 | Appetizers, Fall Recipes, Holiday, Recent, Soup, Vegetables, Winter Recipes

A colourful mixture of heirloom beans is the base for this light yet hearty soup. Zursun’s Paris Bistro Blend contains the following beans: pinto, pink, cranberry, black, red, kidney, great northern, baby lima, large lima, blackeye, garbanzo, split peas (yellow...

A Valentine’s Day Table with Chocolate Raspberry Heart Cakes

by Helen Kain | Feb 9, 2021 | Cakes, Holiday, 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...

Phyllo Tart with Chicken, Spinach, Feta and Pine Nuts

by Helen Kain | Jan 30, 2021 | Appetizers, Chicken, Fall Recipes, Holiday, Mains, 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...