Author: Blima

Almond and Cranberry Biscotti

Makes about 2 dozen Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 1 cup toasted slivered almonds coarsely chopped, to toast almonds, 350 deg for 8 minutes. 2/3 cup dried cranberries…


Double Chocolate Torte

Cake: 8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 5 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup all purpose flour Mousse: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces 4 large eggs, separated 1 cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 8 ounces bittersweet…


Avocado & Mango Salad

3 medium-size ripe Hass avocados, halved, pitted and cut into medium size chunks 2 ripe Mango, peeled and cut into medium size pieces 1 apple, unpeeled, peeled if desired, cored and cut in small dice 1/2 cup or more to taste freshly squeezed lime juice or lemon juice 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley…


Passover Rolls

if you’re feeding a crowd, you can double the recipe.I made two batches, one plain and one onion. Makes: About 6 – 10 rolls, depending on how big you make them. 1 cup water ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons sugar ½ cup vegetable oil 1 1/3 cups matzo meal 4 eggs *1/2 to 1 cup…


Vegetable Root Soup with Barley and Spinach

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 large onion, thinly sliced 2 leeks, white and tender green parts only, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup pearled barley 8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 4 cups water 1 1/2 pounds celery root, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch…


Sticky Cinnamon Buns

Yield: 12 Ingredients: Sticky Bun Dough · 2 tsp dry active yeast · 4 tbsp warm water · 1/2 cup milk, room temperature · 1 egg, room temperature · 2 tbsp sugar · 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour · 1/2 tsp salt · 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature · 1/2 cup cream cheese…


Mom’s Pickled Salmon

This Pickled Salmon recipe is a family favorite served at a well known Montreal steakhouse. As far as appetizer recipes go, this one is a winner because it is prepared days ahead of time and keeps well in the fridge for at least a week. This dish is tried and true – you will land…


Vanilla Rice Pudding

6 cups Milk, 1 % or 2 % 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup arborio rice ( Italian short grain ) 1 Tablespoon vanilla ( please use Real Vanilla) 1/4 teaspoon salt cinnamon for sprinkling ontop if desired. using a 4 litre saucepan add milk, vanilla and sugar, heat to boiling over medium heat stirring occasionally….


Strawberry Mousse

adapted from Family Circle 1 egg white 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 cups chopped fresh strawberries Fresh fruit for garnish Place egg white in a large bowl of a stand up mixer, full power for 2 minutes until light and foamy. gradually beat in sugar and strawberries on medium speed. Increase speed to high and…


Grilled Honey Chicken

Very good! I used thighs and broiled in the oven, I will make this again in the summer on the BBQ. Be sure to use the glaze. It is rubbed with a easy and fabulous spice paste and then basted with a tangy honey glaze, I am sure on the grill it would give this…


Veggie Balls

this recipe comes from the Meatball Shop 🙂 enjoy! I am not a fan of meatballs but this was fabulous, I even liked it cold 🙂 Makes about 2 dozen 1½ inch meatballs 2 CUPS LENTILS ¼ CUP PLUS 2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL 1 LARGE ONION, CHOPPED 2 CARROTS, CHOPPED 2 CELERY STALKS, CHOPPED 1…


Marble Pound Cake

There are some days, well…most days, when I crave a simple cake, nothing big or fancy, creating something simple shouldn’t require much work. This cake is a classic pound cake, my friend Linda’s favourite, it is moist and delicious the way pound cake should be. adapted from Anna Olson 3/4 cup – unsalted butter –…


Chicken Vegetable and Barley Soup

This soup is delicious, easy and filling, it is comfort food done right. Ingredients: 1/4 cup canola oil 1 1/2 large onions, diced 3 carrots, peeled and diced 1 parsnip, peeled and diced 6 stalks of celery diced 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed 2/3 cup barley 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 10…


Rice Pilaf with Vegetables

ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2/3 cup orzo (rice-shaped pasta) I used soup pasta 1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 cup) 2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup) 2 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch dice (2/3 cup) 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2…


Brownie Bottom Cherry Cheesecake Squares

INGREDIENTS 1 cup 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips (divided) 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup for drizzle after cooled. 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter Nonstick cooking spray 1-1⁄2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened 1…


Chocolate Ripple Orange Cake

My mom has been making this cake for years. 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup plain yogurt 1 3/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon orange rind finely chopped beat eggs in a stand up mixer for a few minutes add sugar, oil and…


Berry Yogurt Pie

MAKES ONE 9-INCH PIE INGREDIENTS For the crust 1 1/2 cups crushed graham wafers 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 6 tablespoons melted butter or margarine For the yogurt filling 1 cup thick greek yogurt, 1 cup cream cheese, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the topping raspberries and blueberries, or any fruit you…


Peach Blueberry Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie Crust: 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar ¾ teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter 2 teaspoons white vinegar 3 tablespoons ice-cold water Peach Filling: 3 lbs fresh ripe peaches, halved, pitted and cut into 3/4-inch wedges 1 cup blueberries ¾ cup granulated sugar…


Sour Cherry Pie with Lattice Crust

ingredients Crust: 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 5 tablespoons ice water Filling: 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 5 cups whole pitted sour cherries 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract…


Blueberry Streusel Bars with Lemon-Cream Filling

Blueberry Streusel Bars with Lemon-Cream Filling 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; more for the pan 3 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats) 1-1/3 cups packed light brown sugar 1 tsp. table salt 1 tsp. baking powder 1 large egg, separated 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice…


Double Chocolate Layer Cake

If you love chocolate as much as I do, this is the cake to make. My niece Lisa will love this. from the Epicurious website. For cake layers 3 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut 1 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee 3 cups sugar ( I used 2 1/2 cups sugar) 2 1/2 cups…


Dangerously Delicious Jumbo Brownies

There are brownies and then there are these Jumbo Brownies. I found this recipe in Food & Wine a few weeks ago and knew I was going to make them. The idea of jumbo brownies was way too good to be ignored. They really are twice as thick and dense are regular brownies! Dangerously Delicious…


Flourless Chocolate Cake

Flourless Chocolate Cake: 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate 1/3 cup water 5 large eggs ½ granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 2/3 cup heavy cream Chocolate Glaze: 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/3 cup heavy cream ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Milk Chocolate Drizzle: 2 ounces milk chocolate, chopped Make the cake: 1. Position a rack in…


Maple and Chipotle Broiler-Barbecued Chicken Thighs

When it’s too cold to grill outside, you can mimic the flavor of barbecued chicken with your oven broiler. Between the smoky spice rub and the sweet-hot barbecue sauce, you’ll never miss the grill. Serves 4 For the sauce 1/2 cup ketchup 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 2 Tbs. mild unsulfured molasses 2 Tbs. cider…


Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

This soup is delicious, easy to make, and looks beautiful in the bowl. Doesn’t it? The grilled cheese croutons just make it even more delicious. Would genius be too strong a word for creating croutons out of a grilled cheese sandwich? Another winning recipe from The Barefoot Contessa. Tomato Soup Recipe Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive…


Lemon Garlic Chicken with Potatoes

This is one of the easiest recipes to make, and very good. Adjust the garlic down if it’s not a favorite, and the classic tastes of lemon and oregano will make this dish mouth watering Greek. 3 pounds chicken, cut into 6 or 8 pices 3 large potatoes juice from 2 medium lemons 2 teaspoons…


Cherry-Almond Coffee Cake

This is a light, moist cake that’s delicious with any fruit, but cherries are a family favorite! 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt…


Enjoying my dogs Enjoying

We spent the day in the country and the dogs had a blast running through the woods chasing each other. As you all might know by now one of my favorite things is to watch my dogs enjoying themselves, it really brings me so much joy. I could watch them having fun for hours.


Raspberry Cheese Coffee Cake with pecans & chocolate drizzle

Cake 16 tablespoons or 2 sticks unsalted butter softened 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 3 large eggs at room temperature 2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup sour cream Cheese Filling 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature 1/4 cup sugar 1 large…


Vegetable Soup. A bowl of warmth for the winter table.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 cups diced carrots 2 cups diced onions 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano 1/2 cup pearl barley 1 quart=4cups vegetable or chicken broth 1 1/2 cups prepared marinara sauce 2 cups quartered mushrooms 2 cups diced zucchini Salt and pepper 1. Heat a medium, heavy-bottom pot…


movie time October 2012

closing the sprinkler system through the woods we go poodle play time


Chocolate Swirl Coffee Cake

Chocolate Streusel Filling and Topping 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 cup pecans 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 oz bitter sweet chocolate chopped or 1/4 cup chocolate chips 1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1) Place sugar, pecans and cinnamon in food processor. Cover and pulse until…


Lemon Macadamia Biscotti

Biscotti are long and hard cookies that many enjoy by dipping into coffee, hot chocolate, or wine. As fancy coffee shops become more and more popular, biscotti have also become more fashionable and expensive. The name “biscotti” is Italian and literally means twice baked – which is exactly how I prepared it. This is another…


Weekend with Four Loves

Sept 29 2012 Happy Birthday Jeff. I love dogs, but you must know that by now, I say to Mike daily, Look How Cute She or He Is, and smile knowing I probably say that 100 times a week. It is hard for me to Not talk about my dogs and if you mention Jacks…


Great Fall Colour

Great Fall Colour in the Country today. My Happy Boy Brie thought she was playing Hide and Seek 🙂 Its A Ruff Life.


Picnic….Give A Dog A Bone.

I did it, I gave my dogs a raw bone, Jackson wasn’t impressed but Brie gave me that I cannot believe this look. These were beef rib bones, I cut off the extra bone piece before giving it to them. They do eat some of the bone but it is soft because they are Raw….


schmaltz and gribenes

from The Second Ave Deli in New York. This recipe uses the fat and skin from about 4 chickens. You can save it up in your freezer over the course of time. For even more flavorful schmaltz, add a few cloves of garlic. Makes about 2 cups. 4 cups chicken fat and skin, cut into…


Honey-Crisp Oven-Fried Chicken

Glazed with honey, coated in crushed cornflakes, then baked to crisp golden perfection—this is your fried chicken craving satisfied. Serves 4 4 bone-in chicken thighs 2/3 cup low-fat buttermilk or a soaking brine over night 4 cups cornflakes cereal 1/2 tsp. paprika 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper…


Autumn in the air

Driving to the country today the leaves are starting to turn colors and some are falling, the wind was warm and blowing, and the smell of rain was in the air. The dogs ran for 3 hours through wet grass and I had such pleasure watching them.


Creamy Lemon Squares

From one of my favorite chef’s Anna Olsen Makes 1 8-inch square pan Cuts into squares Ingredients: Base: 1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces Filling: ½ pkg (4 oz) Kraft Philadelphia™ hard cream cheese, at room temperature . Brick 1 ½ cups sugar ¼ cup all-purpose…


Peach Coffee Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks- cut into 1/2 inch pieces) 1/3 cup slivered almond 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups peeled and chopped peaches (about 6 medium size.) • 1 1/2 cups…


Roasted Tomato Salad

2 pounds ( a mix of small & cherry tomatoes), halved I used 1 yellow and 1 orange tomato fresh for colour. 1/4 cup / extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon Kosher salt 1/3 cup toasted almond slices 6 oz good mozzarella, torn into chunks or goat cheese a handful of torn…


Signs July 15 2012

I smile every day looking at these two new signs I bought.The first sign I nailed to a tree in my backyard. This one is on my car and I see people driving and smiling at me. and today in the country


Honey Barbecued Chicken

This chicken was fabulous, baste the glaze on the chicken 5 minutes before it is done, the honey in the glaze will burn quickly. we ate it all before I remember to take a picture :)) 2 Tbs. olive oil 2-1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. sweet paprika, preferably Hungarian 1…


For Unconditional Loyalty, Your Best Bet is a Dog

Loyalty is having a constant shadow, where I go my dogs go. They are always there to do everything with me. Dogs are loyal and loyalty should go both ways, I am so lucky to share my life with my dogs.


Almond Cookie Thins

4 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 cup whole almonds beat all ingredients well except almonds, fold in almonds, bake in a greased loaf pan at 350 degs for 35 – 40 min let cool on wire rack, wrap in tin foil till cold or over night, this…


Berry Buttermilk Cake

For the crumb topping: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled For the cake: 3 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, or a mix 3 cups all-purpose flour more for the pan and for the berries 4 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda…


Better BBQ Sauce Than Yours # 2

Red Wine Barbecue Sauce: Bobby Flay does it again. • 1 1/4 cups ketchup • 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder • 2 tablespoons honey • 2 tablespoons molasses • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar • 1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon paprika • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce…


Fresh Mango with Mango Mousse and Coconut Crust

Ingredients Crust 2 large egg whites 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups unsweetened coconut, medium shred Mousse 1 cup cream cheese 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 cup mango pulp (about ½ large mango) Garnish 3 mango diced or berries of your choice Directions To Assemble…


Chicken Cacciatore

Recipe Bobby Flay 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 (3-pound) chicken cut into eighths Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced 1 large yellow or red bell pepper, thinly julienned 1 jalapeno chile, finely diced ( optional ) for me. 3 cloves…