12 Days of Cookies - Shortbread

Shortbread.  Is there a purer cookie out there?  Basic ingredients that lead to a yummy delight.  There are a tonne of shortbread recipes out there, but I am going to post the one my Grandma always used.  Why mess with a true family classic?

The Twelve Days of Cookies

Hard to believe it's already December 1st.  Even more frightening to think Christmas is in 25 days!  With that fast-approaching holiday coming up, you will need to start baking.  Why?  Well, it is an easy and economical way of saying "thanks" to people when you go to a Christmas dinner or party; handy to have around when people stop by; something to bring to work and share with co-workers; a nice treat to give to your mailperson, handyman, teacher or babysitter.  The best part about cookies is that you can make the dough, or bake the cookies and freeze them.


So, for the next 12 days, I will be preparing and posting a different cookie recipe to help inspire you to get into the kitchen and bake.  With all those cookies (and limited freezer space), I will be giving mine away.  I've already decided the exceptional doctors and nurses at the local NICU are receiving a box.  It's a no-brainer for my family as we had to use their services when my son was born.  Even those hard-working doctors and nurses can't eat 12 dozen plus cookies.  So, I would appreciate it if you could help me out and suggest the names of other worthy persons deserving of these cookies.  Your creative and thoughtful comments will be chosen at the end of Dec 12's baking day.

Sweet Georgia Browns

I'm so excited.  I feel like I should be contributing to that "Top Secret Recipes" book.  I have cracked the code to Purdy's Sweet Georgia Browns.  If you do not know what I am referring to, or have never tried one, you are truly missing a sweet treat.


Purdy's is a Western Canadian chocolatier who makes a version of "Turtles" called "Sweet Georgia Browns."  When my friend introduced me to SGB's, she described them as being "way better than a turtle."  That's a bold statement.  Yet, so very true.  Let's just say they are a Turtle kicked up a few notches.

Sausage and Peppers Pizza

We just returned from holidays and I have been busy trying to clean out my pantry and freezer.  Lucky for me I found some uncased breakfast sausage, a Boboli pizza crust and some pizza sauce.  I decided to create a sausage and peppers pizza.  It was delicious and truly easy to make.

Dinner Parties

When I used to host dinner parties, I would plan far in advance.  I would tweak a menu to accomodate everyone's tastes and allergies.  I would plan how everything melded together, and I would spend the whole time in the kitchen ensuring everything was "just so" and missing a large part of the party.


Now that I am a mum, planning tends to be a few days before the actual party, when I have a spare moment to think about it and jot down a list.  Grocery shopping is the night before or day of, and I seem to cram something else last minute into the mix.  Inevitably, it seems to come together because the basics are there - good food, good wine and good company.

Vij's At Home

Vikram Vij, the reknowned chef of Vij's and Rangoli in Vancouver, had a book launch celebration for his latest literary exploit Vij's At Home. 


From the moment we walked in, we were handed a glass of wine, offered delicious appetizers, and met the personable, outgoing and engaging guest of honor. He was not only interesting and fun to meet, but amused all of us with his hilarious stories and shared his genuine love of food.

Pumpkin Brown Butter Sage Cupcakes

With the onset of Fall, I start to crave pumpkin pies and tarts.  I wanted to make something a bit different that did not require an entire pie to be made and came up with these pumpkin brown butter sage cupcakes.  

Marrakesh Curried Stew

In Toronto, there is an amazing restaurant called Fresh  which serves inventive and delicous vegetarian fare.

To be perfectly honest, I have never eaten there.  I tried to go the last time I was in Toronto, but they were closed for the evening.  My husband, however, is the one who has frequented this place often, and bought the cookbook Juice For Life by Ruth Tal Brown.

You might be hard pressed to find this particular cookbook as it is now out of print, however, not to fret for she has created two new cookbooks that contain favorite recipes from the original book.

Chicken Pot Pie

I've never eaten a lot of chicken pot pie, and, quite frankly, the first time I made it was Boxing Day a couple of years ago, using leftover turkey.  It bubbled and browned away in the oven after my holiday guests left, and I took down all the Christmas decorations.  I was so delighted to devour this yummy meal, sitting on the couch under a cozy blanket while watching a Harry Potter movie marathon.  Pure bliss! 

Lime Seared Shrimp with Mint and Cilantro Chutney

This was such a fun recipe to make.  Fun because I got to use new ingredients (for me).  Fun because the flavours were amazing.  And fun because my son gobbled up the whole plate! 

Easy Cinnamon Buns

Here is an easy cinnamon bun recipe, courtesy of Ina Garten - The Barefoot Contessa.  It can be made in less than an hour, using store bought frozen puff pastry.  No need to make a yeast dough and let it rise.  This is a simple and easy treat to make. 

Marmalade

I find marmalade is an acquired taste.  Some store bought marmalades tend to have too much of a bitter punch that my palate dislikes.  Fortunately, I have found an amazing marmalade that is so very tasty and addictive.  

Canning Preserves 101

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  The trees turning colour and the crispness in the air all lend to a cozy feeling.  It is the time of year when we make stews and pies and root vegetables take centre stage.


It is also the time of year that I start canning.  Growing up, my mum always canned fruit and made pickles. I always remembered it to be this laborious ordeal where pots were bubbling and boiling on the stove, mason jars were strewn to and fro, and the windows were constantly built up with steam.  We'd have jars upon jars stacked in our cold room of pickles, canned peaches, canned cherries, pickled beets, pickled carrots, and, of course, jam.

Feast of Fields

Slow Food Calgary  hosted it's 9th Annual Feast of Fields this afternoon.  It took place in the backyard of Rouge Restaurant  where tables were set up where we could taste and drink wonderful items prepared by 20 chefs, using local ingredients from over 50 producers.

Get Crackin'

That is a motto that I need to live up to.  I have been so absent from my food blog lately that I must apologize.  I have people ask me what I have done all summer, and all I can say is "nothing."  But, I have done something, and that is sit inside listening to the rain and watch the mudpit rise in my backyard.  We moved into a new subdivision last year, and, as everything is still under construction, I have spent my summer dealing with construction workers working on my and adjoining houses.  I did manage to landscape and plant trees, etc, and it's amazing to me how the summer flew by and I did not get out to the mountains, nor frequent the Farmers Markets as much as I intended, or try new restaurants like I wanted.

So, a thousand apologies.  Now that it is September, I am starting to crave food and baking again.  Root vegetables speak to me and I love their look and taste and addition to any meal or sweet. And, as we begin to move indoors again, there are a lot of food events occurring which I am attending with much excitement.  So, please stay tuned for write ups on new recipes, new food events, and exciting ventures.

Lemon Ricotta Donuts

I need to preface this by stating that I have never made donuts before.  It's not that I don't appreciate a good Timbit once in a while (especially on a good 'ol road trip), it's just that I'm not a donut fanatic like some people are.  I guess I need to clarify.  Leonard's malasadas in the red stripe truck in Oahu, or freshly made mini-donuts at the Stampede.  So, "fresh" is key for me.

Spelt

Just to let everyone know that Costco now sells Spelt Flour!  2.5 kg bag for $7.00.  They already sell organic Quinoa, so go buy either or both and start creating some healthier recipes!

Chile Rellenos

Chile Relleno's is a New Mexican/Tex-Mexican dish that takes a roasted Green Chile, or Poblano Pepper, stuffs it and the deep fries it.  I cheated and baked this, making it healthier.  This is so much like a stuffed pepper dish, and, again, I deviated from traditional and added more vegetables.  

Sweet Potato Biscuits

My in-laws were here for a visit and mentioned they had watched a cooking show that made sweet potato biscuits.  As we were having fried chicken, I thought these would be a perfect accompaniment.  They were.  So much so that I made them the following night with leftover butternut squash puree mixed with sweet potato as well as whole grain flour.  Again, outstanding, and probably even more so.  Because the vegetable puree is so liquidy, I honestly needed little, if any milk.


These are from Paula Deen, and who doesn't love Paula Deen?


(and since my husband made the first batch to go with his fried chicken, he used his favorite cookie cutters - pirate ship and skull and crossbones).


Sweet Potato Bisquits 

Blue Corn Pancakes With Green Chile Chutney