Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Chèvre and Mint

by Helen Kain | Jun 9, 2021 | Appetizers, Starters, Summer Recipes, Vegetables

The cool crispness of watermelon is one of the highlights of summer. There is nothing like sitting on the porch steps on a hot day, munching a slice of watermelon. With the new seedless varieties, the pleasure is untainted by the need to fish out slippery black seeds....

Phyllo Tart with Chicken, Spinach, Feta and Pine Nuts

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

Roasted Beet and Squash Salad with Gorgonzola Cheese

by Helen Kain | Oct 11, 2020 | Appetizers, Fall Recipes, Sides, Vegetables

Squash and pumpkins abound. They’re piled up everywhere in farmer’s markets, a sure sign of fall. Technically, they are fruits, not vegetables, because the seeds are inside, I was solemnly informed by Maddie and Juliana this week. However they’re...

A Scottish Themed Tea with Paisley and Spode

by Helen Kain | Jan 6, 2019 | Appetizers, Pink and Red, Sweets, Tea, Vintage china, White, Winter Recipes, Winter Tablescapes

For the Scots, Hogmanay, or New Year, is a much bigger celebration than Christmas and is marked by much feasting, often over several days. I thought it would be fun to pay homage to this tradition with a Scottish themed tea. Daughter Kirsten, son Adam and Papa...

Deconstructed Scotch Eggs

by Helen Kain | Jan 6, 2019 | Appetizers, Breakfast, Starters, Tea, Winter Recipes

This healthier version of Scotch eggs is a marvellous “proteinious” snack. Traditional Scotch eggs are a soft-boiled egg surrounded by sausage meat, breaded and fried. Delicious picnic food or bar snack, they are wonderful, but heavy. This version packs...

Spinach, Fennel, Leek and Pine Nut Pinwheels

by Helen Kain | Jan 6, 2019 | Appetizers, Fall Recipes, Starters, Vegetables, Winter Recipes

These pinwheels make a wonderful canapé for a dinner party or one of the savoury pieces of a hearty afternoon tea. They’re popular with young and old alike; children are enchanted with the roly-poly appearance and your older guests will be amused to see the...