Creating Perfect Cupcakes

Cupcakes are always a popular treat. They are delicate, cute, and can be made in almost any flavour that can be imagined.  Although I usually like to keep the cake flavours pretty basic- vanilla or chocolate are best- the frosting is an excellent vehicle for fun flavours and interesting colours. Basic buttercream can be coloured […]

Jerk Pork Chilli: A Caribbean Twist on a Low-Fat, High Fibre Meal

How has your New Year’s diet been going so far? If you’re anything like me, a successful healthy-eating regimen requires variety and flavour. My jerk pork chilli is inexpensive to make, low in fat, and high in fibre and protein. Best of all, it combines zesty Caribbean flavours in a new and inspired way.  As […]

Portobello Mushroom Caps with Veggies and Tomato Sauce

Now that the fun and festivities of the end of the year are over, it’s time to start a new year with a new, lighter menu. Eating healthier options is far from boring; using wholesome ingredients like vegetables and grains, and lightening up on the use of butter, cream, and cheeses, will make your waistline […]

A Quick and Easy Peach Cobbler

Recently, I had an unexpected out of town visitor. Since I don’t see her very often, I wanted to welcome her with a sweet treat, but only had about an hour to bake something before she arrived. Luckily, my easy, quick peach cobbler came to the rescue. While I used peaches in this recipe because […]

The Perfect Hors d’oeuvres: Mini Crab Cakes with Aioli

During party season, we often find ourselves entertaining friends and family. That being said, we usually try to find quick, easy-to-make, attractive hors d’oeuvres to feed our hungry guests. Crab cakes, before cooking My mini crab cakes pack all the flavourful punch of a full size crab cake, with an elegant twist of coming in […]

French Onion Soup, Done Right!

French onion soup is a classic favourite. It combines all the delicious flavours of hearty beef broth, melted cheese and sweet onions. It is excellent as a starter to a meal, or on its own. What really makes the flavours in French onion soup is the addition of red wine and brandy. If you’ve attempted […]

Gnocchi with Walnut Pesto

As the weather becomes colder, we look to delicious, hearty foods to keep us warm and satisfied through the fall and winter months.  One of my favourite cold weather dishes is gnocchi- an Italian potato-based creation that is deliciously dippable! Gnocchi is traditionally served with marinara sauce, but works well with any sauce. The menu […]

Toronto Raw/Vegan Festival 2011

The Toronto Raw/Vegan Festival held its annual event December 3 and 4, providing a bevy of information and displays on raw food and vegan living.  Vendors, speakers and chefs gathered together to promote the vegan and raw food lifestyle, showcasing vegan foods and products. The festival was well organized, and the vendors were generally friendly […]

Appetizers for a Casual Gathering: Delicious Mini Pizzas

Mini pizzas are the perfect finger food for any casual gathering. Because of their small size, they are a much cuter and more delicate way to serve pizza, adding a level of sophistication while maintaining a laid-back feel. Most importantly, they are generally liked by children and adults, which make them perfect for a kid’s […]

The Gourmet Food and Wine Expo is Back: November 17-20

The Gourmet Food and Wine Expo will be at the Metro Convention Center November 17 to 20, featuring a variety of foods, wines, spirits and beers to sample. Thursday, VIP night, is $40 per person for admission and will feature celebrity and local chef demonstrations, samplings of wines from around the globe (including a limited […]