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Plum Elderberry Syrup Hand Pies

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Fall has always been my favourite time of the year. From the colours, to the crisp air, to the rustic baking and home cooked meals, it makes me have all the feels.

This is also the time of year the fresh local prune plums are available. We grew up with a prune plum tree or two in our yard and one of my fondest memory every Fall was the Plum Pierogi’s my mom would make. Sometimes I’d try to eat twenty of them in one serving (it’s true). Of course she made other pierogi’s too, but these were and remain my all time favourite.

If you can’t find prune plums, use whatever plums are in season in your local grocery store. Plums are an excellent stone fruit to have around. They are full of antioxidants giving them their colour, they become prunes aka dried plums and are heart healthy and low in calories!

Feel Good Elderberry Syrup
Feel Good Elderberry Syrup

We are in the kitchen working with Feel Good Syrup this month to create another delicious recipe using their Elderberry Syrup. Last month we made No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls just in time for back to school lunches.

You can bake and cook with the Feel Good Syrup or you can take it by the spoonful to help with colds and the flu. We always keep a bottle on hand for those moments well feel the sick coming on as a preventative maintenance!

Plum Hand Pie Preparation
Plum Hand Pie Preparation

I’ve had hand pies in my thoughts lately plus a basket of prune plums in the fridge meant for pierogi. Thinking about the plum flavours inspired me to create these plum hand pies. Our typical hand pie recipe calls for pie dough however these plum hand pies are made using puff pastry, an easier way to go.

Plum Hand Pies
Plum Hand Pies fresh out of the oven

Frozen puff pastry is a kitchen lifesaver and ingredient you can be thaw and use in many recipes making you look like a rock star. It’s buttery, flaky and crispy when baked and an easy solution when you do not want to make pie dough. There are two sheets of puff pastry in a package which will make a total of six decent sized hand pies.

Plum Hand Pies made using Elderberry Syrup
Plum Hand Pies made using Feel Good Elderberry Syrup

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Plum Elderberry Syrup Hand Pies
Author: 
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups prune plums, stone removed and diced
  • ¼ cup Feel Good Elderberry Syrup
  • 2 tbsp plum jam
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 package puff pastry thawed
  • 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
  1. In a bowl mix together plums, syrup, jam, cinnamon, sugar and salt. Once combined mix in cornstarch and set aside.
  2. Unwrap and unroll puff pastry. Lay flat. Cut each sheet into six relatively equal rectangles giving you a total of 12.
  3. Lay 6 puff pastry rectangles on a baking sheet lined with parchment. On each rectangle spoon a good serving of the plum filling. Do this with all six rectangles. Don't worry if the filling spills over the edge.
  4. Place the remaining pieces of puff pastry over each piece to cover. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal in all the filling. Don't worry if it oozes out. Chill the pies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat your oven to 375 F.
  6. Remove hand pies from refrigerator and brush egg on each one. Make two slits on top to allow steam to escape.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
  8. Remove pies from oven and allow to cool in pan. Enjoy immediately or once cool wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for up to five days.

 

Plum Hand Pies
Plum Hand Pies
In Calgary watch for Feel Good Syrup to be launching at all Blush Lane Organic Market locations. If you are not in Alberta, you can buy it online through their website.

We are working in collaboration with Feel Good Syrup on this post. All opinions, views expressed and recipe development are, as always, my own.

No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls

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It’s that time of the year where our summer days are becoming shorter and there is a cool crispness to the evening air you can’t deny. Winter is coming. No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls are full of antioxidants help you to boost your immune system while you enjoy a sweet treat.

Back to school shopping is in full swing for supplies, clothes, backpacks and of course school snacks. It’s amazing how much less my kids eat during summer holidays compared to when they are in school and needing fuel throughout the day. Baking snacks in advance, like these No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls, and freezing is one way we like to get ready for back to school before it arrives.

No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls
No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls

Elderberries are full of antioxidants, vitamins A, B and C plus are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and are the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. When it comes to antioxidant power, elderberry is higher in flavonoids than blueberries, cranberries, goji berries and blackberries. Known as a treatment for cold and flu symptoms, Feel Good Elderberry Syrup can also be used when cooking or baking as a food flavouring.

No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls
No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls

No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls are a protein packed recipe you can freeze and pull out for breakfasts, pop into lunches or enjoy while out hiking or camping. Using only 7 ingredients, they are loaded with nutritional foods like elderberry syrup, chia seeds, nut butter, hazelnuts (also called filberts) and dried cherries. This combination of super foods offer immune boosting antioxidants, protein, fiber and healthy fats.

Ingredients for the no bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls
Ingredients for the no bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls

Teaching our kids to make healthy choices is easy when you have great ingredients to work with. For more inspiring healthy recipes or back to school snacks check out our Date Energy Balls, or Pepperoni Pizza Muffin recipes.

No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls
No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls

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No Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls
Author: 
Serves: 16
 
Ingredients
  • 1¼ cup natural nut butter
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tsp Elderberry Syrup
  • 2 cups oats (combine large flake oats and quick oats)
  • ¼ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
  • ½ cup dried cherries
  • 2 tsp chia seeds
  • salt
Instructions
  1. In a whisk together nut butter, honey and Elderberry Syrup.
  2. Add oats, hazelnuts, dried cherries, chia seeds and a pinch of salt.
  3. Stir to combine. Let rest for 15 minutes.
  4. Pick up a small amount and start forming a ball in your hands. Roll into 1 inch balls. You should get close to 16 power balls.
  5. Keep refrigerated when not using due to the natural nut butter. Or freeze and pull out as needed.

We are working in collaboration with Feel Good Syrup on this post. All opinions, views expressed and recipe development are, as always, my own.

Cranberry Orange Muffins

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The holidays are busy whether you are expecting guests or plan on traveling during the season. One of the best things I can do to prepare my family for an influx of visitors in our house or even our family heading out on a road trip, is to make a batch of muffins to freeze, having them ready to go for any occasion. Muffins tend to freeze well allowing you to pull them out when guests arrive, or for lunches and snacks as needed.

Muffins were not something we ate growing up. In fact it wasn’t until I was a teenager that my mom started to cook more and became really good at cooking. She changed her own diet to eat healthy, incorporate whole wheat flour into her baking and she started eating better, which meant everyone ate better!

When I finished school I moved to Vancouver and can fondly recall many drive buy coffee and muffin trips while en-route to some big adventure. When my children were born I started making their food from scratch. Muffins were an easy way to get a healthy bite into them, especially mini muffins, and so I would make them regularly as they were requested often. One trick I like to use when making muffins is to combine half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour. It makes me feel good knowing I am able to gets some extra nutrients into my family without them knowing. These Blueberry Cardamom Muffins quickly became a family favourite.

My mom recently passed away suddenly and I’ve found myself looking back at many of her recipes including ones we made together. This Cranberry Orange Muffin is reminiscent of our times spent in the kitchen together baking.

 

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Cranberry Orange Muffins
Author: 
Serves: 12
 
Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups frozen cranberries, halved
  • ¼ cup + ¾ cup sugar
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp or rind from one orange
  • ¾ cup white chocolate, chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1½ cup milk
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. In a bowl combine cranberries and ¼ cup sugar. Set aside.
  3. Mix together both flours, ¾ cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in orange rind, white chocolate and cranberries.
  4. In a second larger bowl beat eggs and oil together. Mix in milk and orange juice. Pour flour mixture into egg mixture and stir just until combined. Pour into paper lined muffin tins or use parchment baking cups.
  5. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Baking with whole wheat products has been a part of my life for such a long time. That’s why for this post I’ve partnered with Life’s Simple Ingredients to talk about wheat and why it’s important. The memory of my mom, her switching up her food routine back in the 80’s and 90’s after consulting a dietician to include wheat and whole grains, and sharing those changes with us is something I will always remember and continue doing with my own family.

There are many ways to incorporate wheat and whole grains into your daily diet. Some include having whole wheat bread, buns, bagels or wraps on hand for a quick, easy lunch or dinner when dinner is rushed due to kids activities. One of my favourite quick lunches is a whole wheat wrap with hummus and lots of fresh veggies, feta or goat cheese and hot peppers!

Enjoy whole grain cereals at breakfast. Change up your pasta routine by choosing the whole wheat variety or try making some whole wheat couscous, which essentially is tiny pasta. If using whole wheat products is new to you, start small. Buy some whole wheat flour and the next time you make muffins use half and half like I do. They really do taste better!

Wheat has been fueling our lives for centuries and is a reliable source of many benefits. So many reasons to include it in your diet and here’s some more facts that may surprise you!

Benefits of Whole Grain Whole Wheat

      • Whole grain wheat provides several grams of protein per serving.
      • The best thing about fibre is it helps you feel full longer which essentially stops the cravings and reaching for a snack. Equally important is how fibre aids digestion keeping bowel movements regular.
      • Sometimes I forget about the minerals in whole grain wheat. There is zinc, iron, magnesium and manganese all important for bones and immune building.
      • Whole grain wheat is high in B vitamins, including niacin, thiamin and riboflavin which help boost metabolism. Folate is another essential vitamin for the body.
      • The buzz word of the century is Antioxidants and for good reason. Phytic acid, lignin and sulfur compounds in whole grain wheat act as antioxidants, which as we’ve all heard are good for your body.

It’s healthy, it’s nutritious and worth learning more about. These Pepperoni Pizza Muffins are one of the most popular recipes here and they include whole wheat!

To learn more about Alberta wheat products, visit the Life’s Simple Ingredients website. You will find delicious recipes and inspiration, information about wheat and features on local Albertans.

This post was sponsored by the Alberta Wheat Commission’s Life’s Simple Ingredient campaign. All opinions and views expressed are, as always, my own.

Hot Chocolate Waffles

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Food hacks are everywhere these days. On food shows and in my social media feeds with captions like “55 food hacks that will change your life”, or “39 food hacks that will change the way you cook”. I’ve never understood why I would need so many but captions sell right?!

Hot Chocolate WafflesI came up with a food hack by accident. One day while making Nanaimo bars, I ran out of cocoa, substituted hot chocolate powder instead. Hot chocolate powder! It worked. So well in fact I used it again in these delicious hot chocolate waffles.

The kids poured maple syrup, chocolate syrup, whipping cream and powdered sugar on these bad boys. Spring Break Food.

Super Cool Food Hack: Use hot chocolate in place of cocoa powder for all the things. Or at least two.

 

 

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Hot Chocolate Waffles
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, brunch
Serves: 10
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup hot chocolate powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 3 eggs, separated
  • ⅓ cup oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 6 ounces of semi sweet chocolate, rough chopped
  • Nonstick spray oil
  • Equipment needed: waffle maker
Instructions
  1. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Set aside.
  2. Turn waffler maker on to preheat.
  3. In a large bowl whisk together flour, hot chocolate powder, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar and salt.
  4. In a second bowl add buttermilk, egg yolks, oil and vanilla. Do not mix. Pour wet ingredients into into dry mixture along with chopped chocolate and mix until combined (do not over mix).
  5. Carefully fold egg whites into batter in two batches.
  6. When waffle maker is ready coat with spray oil. This is important otherwise your waffles will stick (talking from experience).
  7. Using a ½ cup measuring scoop add your batter to waffle maker and cook until ready. Transfer to a dish and keep warm in oven until all waffles made and ready to eat.
  8. Serve with maple syrup, icing sugar, chocolate syrup and fresh berries.

 

Baked Apple Pancake

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The first time we had this baked apple pancake we were hanging out in the Okanogan in B.C. The people we were staying with made breakfast and this was one of the items they served. It was so good I immediately asked for the recipe, wrote it on a recipe card (over 10 years ago people, internet was still blooming) and tucked it away into my little black recipe box.

The little black recipe box made an appearance recently over the holidays, the Baked Apple Pie remade and much to my surprise absolutely adored and inhaled by my two little kids. I added a few of my own touches to the recipe and will be making it again soon using other fruits like pears, plums, summer stone fruit, even grapes.

The really cool thing about this pie is it puffs up while baking and settles back down once it comes out of the oven. Let everyone see it as it comes out of the oven for the ooohs and aaahs. Serve it with a sprinkle of icing sugar and some maple syrup.

Baked Apple Pancake

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Baked Apple Pancake
Author: 
Recipe type: brunch, breakfast, lunch
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cup apples (approximately 4) peeled, cored, sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 3 eggs beaten
  • ¾ cup flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • Pam
  • icing sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425F.
  2. Spray a 9inch vessel (baking dish, pie plate, cast iron pan) with cooking spray.
  3. Heat over medium heat and add butter and sugar. Once sugar has dissolved add apples, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook for about 5 minutes.
  4. In a medium sized bowl lightly beat your eggs. Whisk in milk, flour, salt and vanilla. Sprinkle on a little more cinnamon and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until puffed and the edges are golden. Remove from heat and serve immediately with a sprinkling of icing sugar and drizzle of maple syrup.

Raspberry Mango Swirl Smoothie Bowl

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The smoothie bowl breakfast trend continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. They are still all over instagram and this trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. The best thing about a smoothie bowl or smoothie in general is almost anything goes. Your favourite fruit, pick a healthy liquid (juice, cold tea, milk), bananas help thicken, vegetables like avocado and spinach, nuts, spices (we put cinnamon in every smoothie), chocolate – yes chocolate! The combinations are endless and you could have a smoothie a day plus get in several servings of much needed fruits and vegetables.

This raspberry mango swirl smoothie bowl combines two simple and easy to make smoothies. Frozen raspberry with orange juice and banana and frozen mango with orange juice and banana. Each have some added ice for thickness and some cinnamon for the antioxidants.

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Raspberry Mango Swirl Smoothie Bowl
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, lunch, snack
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1 cup orange juice, divided
  • 1 banana, cut in half
  • 2 tsp cinnamon, divided
  • ½ cup ice, divided
  • additional mango or raspberries cut up
Instructions
  1. Add raspberries, ½ cup orange juice, ½ banana, 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ cup ice to your blender. Puree until smooth and pour into measuring cup or cup with spout.
  2. Add mango, ½ cup orange juice, ½ banana, 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ cup ice to your blender. Puree until smooth and pour into second measuring cup or cup with spout.
  3. Get your Smoothie Bowl ready.
  4. With one smoothie in each hand pour both into the bowl at the same time, consistently and keeping pace.
  5. Top with additional raspberries or mango

 

Yogurt Drop Scones

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Since I was small child I have loved cookbooks. Most likely because my mom had cookbooks I could peek at (Joy of Cooking, Five Roses Cookbook) and secondly because I’d been watching PBS Cooking Shows on Saturdays since the 70’s. When I moved away from home and to Vancouver, I would always fly home for Christmas. It was then my mom always had some cookbook or cooking wares item under the tree for me. My suitcase went home full of inspiration and my cookbook collection slowly increasing in size.

This year I joined in on a cookbook of the month club. I have been enjoying discovering new cookbooks through this club and trying new recipes, several I will make again. The cookbook for September is Mamushka, A Cookbook by Olia Hercules. This book shares recipes from Ukraine & Eastern Europe and is a cookbook I would have never found on my own. I’ve enjoyed several recipes from this book and will be sharing a few on the blog.

Olia’s scones recipe is what we would call small pancakes. This recipe makes a small batch so you will need to double it if you are feeding a family of four. Or a teenager. I’ve never played with Kefir before and was thrilled to find it locally for this recipe. These scones/pancakes were simply delicious and with only five ingredients in this recipe, one I will make again.

Olia calls these one of her most favourite recipes of all time, ones he makes for her son often as her mom did for her.

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Yogurt Drop Scones
Author: 
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: 2
 
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup plain yogurt or kefir
  • 1 egg lightly beaten with a pinch of sea salt
  • ¾ cup flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 2 tbsp oil
Instructions
  1. Mix all of the ingredients except the oil together in a bowl with a fork. The batter should be a soft dropping consistency.
  2. Brush a frying pan over medium heat lightly with the oil, then drop separate large tablespoonfuls of batter into the pan and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Repeat with the remaining batter and add more oil if necessary. Serve warm with Greek yogurt or jam.

 

Cherry Bomb Smoothie

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Here’s a quick smoothie so simple you’ll read the recipe and say geesh why didn’t I think of that. Or maybe you already have. It’s these simple recipes that require very little thought or prep that are so enjoyable.

Why is this smoothie called cherry bomb you ask? Well cayenne. If you like heat then you can add more affer your first sprinkle. Keep adding until you get the buzz in the back of your throat. Omit all together if you would like to avoid heat. It’s delicious with or without but the cayenne is essentially what gives this smoothie it’s name: Cherry Bomb. Plus cayenne is good for you.

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Cherry Bomb
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, snack
Serves: 1
 
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup coconut milk
  • ½ banana
  • 1 cup frozen cherries (pitted)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of cayenne
  • coconut chips (optional)
Instructions
  1. Add coconut milk, banana, frozen cherries, cinnamon and cayenne into your blender. Whiz away until all happy. Grab a spoon and taste.
  2. If you don't feel the heat of the cayenne add another sprinkle and whiz. Do this until you are happy with the level of heat. Sprinkle with coconut chips and enjoy.

 

Cherry Bomb Smoothie
Cherry Bomb Smoothie

Homemade Sausage Patties

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I remember my sister in law serving up sausage patties while we were all out camping one summer. They were these perfectly formed sausage shaped coins (twoonie sized for my Canadian readers) purchased from the local Costco as an easy to cook main to accompany breakfast eggs or a dinner salad. I thought they were pretty cool and was left wondering why I didn’t think to bring something so convenient and easy.

These patties have the delicious addition of roasted garlic. If you can roast your garlic the night before or earlier in the day so it’s ready to go. They are an easy dinner served with green apple & jicama slaw, eggs, a light pasta or a salad. If you have time prep the ingredients the night before allowing the pork to infuse the flavours overnight.

A simple and healthy meal you can have on the table in less than 30 minutes.

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Pork Sausage Patties
Author: 
Recipe type: dinner, lunch
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs ground pork
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 entire head roasted garlic (removed from shells)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground pepper
  • oil
Instructions
  1. Combine the pork, sage, rosemary, thyme, fennel seeds, dijon mustard, red pepper flakes and roasted garlic.
  2. If you have time to cover the bowl and let it sit in the fridge, the flavours improve. If not form into 12 equal patties.
  3. In a cast iron pan over medium high heat, add your oil.Depending on the size of your pan you will need to cook the patties in batches. Do not over crowd the pan. Fry the patties until completely cooked through and golden brown about 3-4 minutes per side. If you are not sure, your internal temperature should read 165F.
  4. Remove from grill, lightly tent and let sit a few minutes until ready to serve.
  5. We enjoy these patties with green apple & jicama slaw.

 

Homemade Sausage Patties
Homemade Sausage Patties

Berry Orange Smoothie Bowl

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Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and this year it falls on a Sunday. We created this Berry Orange Smoothie Bowl a couple months ago and thought it would be perfect for Valentine’s Day! It’s loaded with healthy goodness and has some extra zing with added orange zest and fresh mint. The kids love this combination.

We tend to celebrate Valentine’s Day with food and as a family. I’ve never been caught up in the day, and the need for romantic things, but I enjoy more the time spent together (with all electronics off), watching the kids delight in making up cards for their friends and baking some delicious treats. After all food is love or is that love is food?

Our favourite thing to do on Valentine’s Day is to fondue. Some people think fondue went away and make a big deal about it coming back. Actually it never left the building. Back in the 90’s I would swap ideas with friends out East who put on big fondue parties. I picked up lots of great tips and tricks for dips and still have the email print out of her recipes!

The next decade I started blogging and hearing about different ways to fondue. Back in the day it was more oil fondues but we’ve been doing broth for the past 14 years. So from what I’ve seen, it’s never stopped or slowed down. We love it and make it a tradition to fondue on Valentine’s Day. Now the kids are older and we don’t have to worry so much about  them burning themselves or getting tangled in all the cords. This year we have invited over my single mom friend and her two kids. Our International Student from China will also get to experience fondue for the first time. We do broth, cheese and chocolate. I’m getting quite excited thinking about it.

Valentines Blog Hop
Valentines Blog Hop

This year I’m participating in a Valentine’s Day Blog Hop Recipe round up with local food bloggers. Be sure to check out their blogs to see what’s cooking in their kitchen this Valentine’s Day and Family Day Long Weekend here in Alberta. They are Merry About Town, Food Mamma, Dish N The Kitchen, and Edible Life in YYC.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you, however you choose to celebrate!

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Berry Orange Smoothie Bowl.
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, lunch, snack
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen berries
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • Zest & juice of 1 medium sized orange
  • ¼ cup mint leaves, fresh
  • 1 tbsp frozen raspberries
  • Chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp toasted, slivered almonds
Instructions
  1. In a blender add frozen berries, avocado, spinach, coconut milk, orange juice and mint. Cover and blend until smooth.
  2. Pour into bowl and sprinkle on your chia seeds, orange zest, frozen raspberries and toasted almonds. Serve immediately.

 

Mango Coconut Smoothie

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January is typically about smoothies for me. Trying to eat better following December’s eating palooza of treats, fatty foods and alcoholic beverages. By the time New Years comes around I’m feeling it and need a healthy kick. Enter smoothies.

Versatile and delicious, anything goes right. You don’t have to put a lot of thought into them. Juice, coconut milk, even water can be the liquid that loosens it all up. Keep some frozen berries or fruit on hand. Add in cinnamon, or not. Play a little and find a combo that works for you.

I was low on supplies when I made this. I alway try to have coconut milk on hand and some form of frozen fruit. Every thing else is bygones.

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Mango Coconut Smoothie
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, snack, lunch
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • ½ avocado
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • ½ cup pineapple or mango juice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Toppings: toasted coconut flakes, chia seeds
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth.
  2. Pour into glass, sprinkle on your toppings, add a straw, and serve.

 

Tropical Salsa Smoothie Bowl

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Most of you know I adore smoothies and have been making them since as far as I can remember…the 90’s…80’s? Don’t judge me, my memory is not the best at times! My kids love them and I have even managed to get my husband drinking them (and hiding all kinds of goodies inside).

I admittedly am not a leader and never have been. I don’t jump on band wagons to be the first to do, try or make things…nor do I have to get the latest and greatest item. I choose to take a different approach rather, and that is observe. I’m a huge people watcher and love to watch how things play out. I’ve been observing the smoothie bowl trend for awhile now and never had any interest in making one since I prefer to drink my smoothies vs scooping them up with a spoon.

But sometimes curiously gets the best of me and I bite. So I bit, twice for a magazine. This is the first of two recipes I created for an article. I’ve seen pictures of smoothie bowls come through my feeds and honestly never liked the looks of many of them – the lines of toppings across the smoothie – not my thing. So I tried a different approach with mine and topped it with a quick fruit salsa, making it pretty and simple.

When it came time to test them after all the photographing was done, I spooned, I scooped and honestly I quite enjoyed the experience. I even strawed this party in a bowl, for one.

I may or may not be converted now. Which do you prefer, smoothie bowls or smoothies in a glass/cup?

 

Tropical Salsa Smoothie Bowl
Tropical Salsa Smoothie Bowl

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Tropical Salsa Smoothie Bowl
Author: 
Recipe type: Smoothie Bowl, Smoothie, Breakfast, snack
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • ¼ cup fresh cut pineapple
  • 1 banana
  • ½ avocado
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice
  • Chia seeds
  • Organic coconut flakes, lightly toasted
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • 1 tbsp fresh mango, diced
  • 1 tbsp fresh pineapple, diced
  • ½ kiwi, diced
  • Blackberries
Instructions
  1. To make salsa lightly mix together 1 tbsp mango, 1 tbsp pineapple, 1 tbsp kiwi and 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds. Set aside.
  2. Add mango, ¼ cup pineapple, banana, avocado, coconut milk and pineapple juice to blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl, add your tropical salsa and toppings. Use a spoon or straw to scoop up the deliciousness. Serve immediately.

 

Blueberry Mango Smoothie Bowl

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I’m not one to jump on a bandwagon. Never have been, never will be. Instead I view myself as an observer. I like to sit back, watch and see how it all unfolds. Over time. Cautious. Curious. Quiet. Discrete. A people watcher. Have always loved the bars for that very thing.

The smoothie bowl craze has been going on for a while now. And I’ve never really got it. I’ve been making smoothies since the 1990’s (yes it’s true) and the kids simply adore making them. What a great way to get extra good stuff into them. And then it hit me. Why not give it a go. Pour your damn smoothie into a bowl and add toppers to make it all pretty. Can’t be hard. Sounds pretty simple really. But I kept thinking about why would I want to eat my smoothie with a spoon when I’m a straw gal? So curious got to me and I did it. Made 3 of them in 6 days actually and ate my way through that damn bowl.

You know what I liked about it? Well it was a normal smoothie first off, but it had texture, chewy texture from the toppers and I found this uber cool. And I kind of liked eating it with a spoon. Who knew?! I might be a smoothie bowl convert. Maybe.

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Blueberry Mango Smoothie Bowl
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, snack, lunch
Serves: 1
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ avocado
  • Toppers: cut up avocado, banana, chia seeds, sprinkle of cinnamon and frozen blueberries
Instructions
  1. Toss blueberries, mango, banana, coconut milk, cinnamon and avocado into a blender and whiz away until all blended.
  2. Pour into a bowl, add toppers to make pretty, insert straw and spoon and you are good to go.

 

 

 

Banana Orange Honey Muffins

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Did you know you could replace sugar in muffins with honey??!! As I learn more about white sugar I am trying to use less of it in baking. It’s not easy but I try. With these banana orange honey muffins I wanted to try either maple syrup or honey to replace the sugar. I had some leftover orange honey (was a Christmas gift) on  hand and thought I would add some to my banana muffins instead of sugar. They turned out really good with just a hint of orange, and now I’m not so afraid to replace sugar with honey in certain recipes! If you don’t have honey or maple syrup on hand, use 1/2 cup white sugar instead.

Here we go…

4.0 from 1 reviews
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Banana Orange Honey Muffins
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, snack, lunch,
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12
 
Ingredients
  • 4-5 mashed bananas
  • ⅓ cup canola oil
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ½ tsp orange zest
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 1½ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare muffin tins with liners or coat with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl beat together bananas, oil, honey, orange zest and orange juice.
  3. In a second medium sized bowl sift together your flour, baking soda, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Add chocolate chips and toss lightly.
  4. Pour dry ingredients into wet and stir until just combined. Spoon into muffin cups about ¾ of the way full.
  5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on racks and keep in container with a lid.

 

Berry Lentil Smoothie

2 · · 20 Comments

Smoothies and lentils are not two words you would normally find together. I’d never heard of a smoothie being made with lentils before so when a Canadian Lentils Contest came round for Canadian Food Bloggers, I decided to make smoothie made with lentils and enter the contest.

I didn’t win the contest but I won my kids over as they had no clue their smoothies were made with lentils!

It’s important to use cooked lentils in this recipe as they are soft and puree easily. I add everything into my blender or container at once. We enjoy our smoothies thick like milkshakes as they tend to melt quick. Adding smoothies is a great way to get an added protein boost.

5.0 from 1 reviews
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Berry Lentil Smoothie
Author: 
Recipe type: snack, breakfast, lunch
Serves: 2
 
Ingredients
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled & sliced into coins
  • ½ cup apple, peeled & diced
  • ½ banana
  • ½ cup cooked green lentils
  • 1 cup frozen berries
  • ½ cup fresh spinach
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup coconut milk
Instructions
  1. Add everything into your blender or mixer container and blend until smooth.
  2. Serve immediately.

 

Orange Waffles

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Recently these orange waffles have become one of our favourites for breakie. We go through stages. We’re crazy like that. We’ve been on a waffle kick for a couple months now. The waffle maker has been taking up permanent residence on the counter. Might need to move and dust under it soon.

A while back I attempted for the first time ever, chicken & waffles. Surprised everyone, as it was a huge hit. I’ve had requests to make it again. Now that I can cook on the BBQ and not smoke up the house with the chicken, I’m excited to cook up another batch of chicken and waffles. Mmmmm.

The orange flavour in these waffles is light but memorable. We almost always have to have them with maple syrup, whipping cream and a little orange zest for good measure. Important to note this recipe only makes 6 individual waffles and if you end up loving them as much as we do, you will need to double the recipe. Just sayin.

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Orange Waffles
Author: 
Recipe type: Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Dinner
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cup flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp orange juice
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • maple syrup
  • whipping cream, whipped
Instructions
  1. Preheat waffle maker.
  2. In a bowl whisk together eggs, milk, sour cream, butter, vanilla, orange zest and orange juice. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pinch of salt and brown sugar. Add wet ingredients and stir to combine.
  4. Turn waffle maker to your desired setting (we use medium) and pour in about 1 cup of the batter per batch spreading evenly all over the waffle maker. Cook until done.
  5. Using a spatula remove waffles and serve immediately. Or keep in oven on low temp until ready to serve.

 

Grilled Cheese Wafflewich

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You won’t believe how easy these Grilled Cheese Wafflewich’s are to make. We experiment a lot with our pie irons when we go camping and are assembling quite a collection of these fantastic camping cooking tools. One of my favourite things right now to make with them is pie using canned pie filling and some dough I bring along and mix up on the spot. Treats on the fire.

More favourites include making pizzas in the pie irons and of course grilled cheese sandwiches. I love to grab leftover hamburger buns, or any kind of bread I can squish in and make a grilled cheese adding anything I can find. Breakfast sammy’s this way are equally fantastic using ham or bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese, veggies and the beat goes on.

We haven’t been camping yet this year but have four trips planned for the summer. I can’t wait. Until then the urge hit this weekend for one of the pie iron grilled cheese sammy’s so I pulled out the waffle maker. Plus I had some burger buns to use up. And some bacon.

The husband and the boy loved it. The girl was gone for the night so didn’t get to partake.

Make any variation you like, using regular bread or buns that are squishable. You will not be able to press a bun that is too firm (ie: pretzel bun) in either the pie iron or waffle maker.

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Grilled Cheese Wafflewich
Author: 
Recipe type: lunch, breakfast, dinner, snack, camping
Serves: 2
 
Ingredients
  • 2 burger buns
  • 2 slices havarti
  • 3 pieces bacon, cooked & halved
  • ½ green apple, cored & sliced into thin pieces
  • butter
  • waffle maker
Instructions
  1. Turn on waffle iron. Mine is set to medium (or a 3).
  2. On the outside of each bun (top and bottom) slather just a little butter on.
  3. Place bottom half of bun on waffle maker grill.
  4. Lay 3 pieces of bacon down. Add one piece of cheese.
  5. Top the cheese with 4 slices of green apple.
  6. Place the top part of the bun on top.
  7. Repeat with second bun.
  8. Close waffle iron and let it cook away until it yells (beeps) at you.
  9. Cut in half and enjoy.

 

Roasted Garlic & Sausage Casserole

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This year I was asked to be part of The Great Cream Challenge 2014. This cross Canada recipe challenge pairs 3 Canadian Food Bloggers against each other in a special monthly cooking challenge. At the beginning of the year you pick three challenges (one per month) to participate in using real cream, and then let the recipe testing madness begin.

My first challenge was in January and called The Slow Cooker Challenge. I made a Dulce de Leche Bread Pudding and came in 2nd out of 3 bloggers. It was a ton of fun.

My second challenge quickly followed and this Roasted Garlic & Sausage Casserole, was my recipe submission for April’s The Family Brunch Challenge. A little more labour intensive with a few extra steps, but it is well worth it and perfect for a special Mother’s Day or Father’s Day Brunch at home. This time I placed…..2nd out of 3 bloggers! Foiled again ha ha but at least I lost to another Alberta Food Blogger. My 3rd and final challenge is coming up in June, so who knows, maybe third times a charm? I’ve had a great time either way and loved the friendly competition with my fellow food bloggers.

To save time you can cook up your sausage, potatoes, roast your garlic, and toast your bread cubes the night before. Assemble all the next morning and Bob’s Your Uncle. Or Fred.

Either way family breakfast casseroles started with my mom and this family breakfast casserole is a fun tradition I have continued with my own children. This version has some roasted garlic, fresh tomatillos, and is topped it with cooked bacon and fresh eggs.

It’s definitely luxurious, but then everything in moderation, right?

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Roasted Garlic & Sausage Casserole
Author: 
Recipe type: Brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner
 
Ingredients
  • 4 croissants, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 225 gr or 5 pork sausages
  • 3 cups yellow potatoes, cut into same sized cubes
  • 2 tomatillos (or 1 red tomato), chopped
  • 1 bulb garlic
  • 1½ cup old cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1½ cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 6 eggs + 4
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tsp chives, chopped
  • ⅓ cup cooked bacon, chopped
  • salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Spray or lightly grease an 8 x 8 baking dish. Set aside.
  3. To roast the garlic, cut ¼ - ½ inch off the top of the garlic bulb. Place on tin foil. Drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Wrap tightly with foil and roast in oven on baking sheet for 50-60 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
  4. Place croissant cubes on baking sheet. Place in 350 F oven and toast for 5 minutes. Stir pieces and toast for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
  5. Remove sausage from casing and place in sauce pan over medium high heat. Break it up with a potato masher until it resembles smaller crumbles. Cook about 5 minutes and add your chopped onion. Continue to cook until sausage has browned and onion is soft.
  6. In a second pan over medium high heat, pour a drizzle of olive oil. Add potatoes and cook, stirring for about 5-10 minutes allowing potatoes to brown slightly and crisp. Turn heat down, season with a pinch of salt and pepper and let potatoes cook for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour ¼ cup of stock into the pan and place a lid on. Let steam until most of the stock has been evaporated. Remove lid and test for doneness. If needed let them cook another 5-10 minutes until soft. Remove from heat and pour into bottom of greased casserole dish.
  7. In a medium sized bowl lightly beat your eggs. Add in milk, cream, chives and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  8. On top of potatoes add your browned sausage and onions. Sprinkle on a little cheese and add your croissant cubes, nestling them into the potato and sausage mixture. Squeeze your roasted garlic out of the bulb and drop all over casserole. Sprinkle on tomatillos. Pour on egg mixture and let sit for about 15 minutes allowing bread to soak up some of the liquid.
  9. Sprinkle on the rest of the grated cheese, cover with aluminum foil and place in 350 F preheated oven for 35 minutes. Carefully remove dish from the oven and aluminum foil from the top. With the back of a spoon make 3-4 indents in the bread mixture. Crack one egg at a time into a small custard dish and slowly pour one egg into each indentation. Carefully sprinkle cooked bacon around the eggs. Return dish to oven and bake another 15-20 minutes or until the egg whites are set and yolk still runny.

 

Waffle Cone Fruit Salad

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A fun treat for the kids any time of the year. During Winter you may be limited to using whatever fruit is available in your grocery store. I know we definitely are here as certain out of season fruit that has been shipped in from afar, tends to taste bland and not good. In Summer fresh fruit can be found everywhere.

I’ve been making this waffle cone treat for the kids for years. When I make my fruit salad, the only thing I add in sometimes is fresh, thinly sliced mint. I enjoy the full, sweet flavours of the fruit and don’t feel it needs a dressing. I’ve taught my kids to enjoy these simple flavours as well. If you need to have a dressing with your fruit salad, by all means use your favourite. Or even mix in a little yogurt. You can also buy the mini cones and make small versions of this treat for those “mini” hands.

This recipe is incredibly simple and can be used in many ways: great for birthday parties, an alternative to the constant request of “can I have an ice cream cone”, good camping treats, a quick breakfast with a side of yogurt, make it for lunch with some cheese & crackers on the side, add a small dollop of whipping cream on top, make it for game day or bring to a potluck.

But the best part is the kids can be involved in making this enjoyable treat.

5.0 from 1 reviews
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Waffle Cone Fruit SAlad
Author: 
Recipe type: treat, summer, fruit salad, ice cream cone, waffle cone
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 4 cups of your favourite fruit, cleaned, peeled and chopped into smaller pieces where needed
  • 4-5 waffle ice cream cones, regular size
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint, chiffonade (thin chop)
Instructions
  1. Mix your fruit together in a bowl and add chopped mint.
  2. Scoop fruit into each waffle cone and enjoy.

 

Candied Bacon

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Wanted to play with bacon one day so I decided to try making a candied bacon. That’s the problem when there is a package of bacon in the refrigerator, it demands to be made into something. Since I’ve heard so much about candied bacon and chocolate dipped bacon, I decided to pick one and candied bacon it was to be.

I figured there would be brown sugar and possibly maple syrup in the recipe, but since I had never made candied bacon before I took to google to discover how it was done.

The reason behind my bacon madness today? I was testing out a brown sugar baked brie and thought it would be the perfect topping to finish it off. Now that I’ve discovered candied bacon I’m hooked and sorry it took me so long to make this delightful bite. There are so many recipes this would be good in, and as such, appears to have enhanced my love affair with bacon.

Try it in salad (ie: Cesar salad), with pasta (sprinkle it on a Pasta a La Carbonara – drool) or even sprinkle some on a beef stew or beef chili before serving.

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Candied Bacon
Author: 
Recipe type: appetizer,
 
Ingredients
  • 6 pieces bacon
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • pinch of salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Mix brown sugar, rice vinegar, maple syrup, black pepper and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
  3. Place bacon slices on a rack set over a baking sheet line with foil or parchment paper. Helps with the clean up later on.
  4. Bake for 10 minutes, turn slices, and bake another 5 minutes.
  5. Remove pan from oven and brush both sides of bacon with brown sugar mixture. Return bacon to the oven and bake another 5 minutes. Do this 2-3 more times until bacon is browned and crisp.

 

Pumpkin Pancakes

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Autumn always brings a harvest of delicious produce, and admittedly it’s my favourite time of the year. I love experimenting with pumpkin, and watching the kids try pumpkin recipes I’m testing and love it. One of my favourite go to Fall cookie recipes is my Pumpkin Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are delightful. The combination of chocolate, and pumpkin is sinfully delicious. I decided to take this combination, and make pancakes for the minions one day for lunch. They kept asking for more.

Using my Basic Pancake Recipe, I added in some pumpkin, and chocolate chips. I doubled this recipe, and made two sizes, regular pancakes and dollar size. Once cooled down you can separate them with parchment or wax paper, carefully place them into a freezer bag, and store them in the freezer. Breakfast and/or brunch is ready whenever you need them.

My boy was curious when he heard they were pumpkin pancakes. He then went on to eat 6 of them. Sigh growing I suspect. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

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Pumpkin Pancakes
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner,
 
Ingredients
  • 1 egg
  • 1½ cups milk
  • 2-3 tbsp butter, melted in microwave
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp white sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp wheat germ
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup pureed pumpkin
  • cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Grab 2 large bowls.
  2. Heat your pan or flat top griddle. Spray with cooking oil.
  3. In first bowl whisk together your egg, add in your milk, melted butter and pumpkin puree. Mix well.
  4. In second bowl whisk your flour, baking powder, sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, salt, and chocolate chips together. Pour dry ingredients on wet mixture and stir until smooth and no lumps remain.
  5. Using ¼ cup measure scoop up some batter and pour onto hot griddle. Cook for about 1 minute or until underside is nicely browned and bubbles break on top. Flip pancake and cook for an additional minute until golden brown.
  6. Serve with maple syrup.

 

Blueberry Cardamom Muffins

0 · · 2 Comments

Everybody has a blueberry muffin recipe. Blueberries with lemon glaze, orange zest, cinnamon, white chocolate, nutmeg, nuts, anything seems to go. When I created these muffins I was looking for a quick way to use up my BC blueberries. Using the muffin method recipe we were taught in high school (ha ha ha, it’s true), I decided to try adding in coconut & cardamom to see what kind of flavour we could achieve.

Using cardamom was something I had heard used in pancakes from an old colleague. It appeared to be a spice gaining popularly so trying it in muffins seemed legit. It was an unusually cool Fall day in August, which made it feel right to whip up a batch of muffins and smell up the house.

This recipe makes approximately 16 large muffins.

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Blueberry Cardamom Muffins
Author: 
Serves: 16
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ cup toasted coconut
  • ½ tsp cardamom
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • ⅓ cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen)
  • muffin liners or cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, coconut and cardamom in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl whisk your eggs, add your milk and your melted butter. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until just combined (never over mix muffin batter). Drop in your blueberries and gently stir.
  4. Place muffin liners into baking muffin cups or spray with cooking spray. Fill each cup about ¾ full. Bake about 8 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

 

Crepes

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Crepes in our family is a 40 year strong tradition. I grew up eating crepes. My mom cooked them mostly when strawberries were in season and they were one of my favourite breakfasts. I’m sure I must have bugged her to make them all the time. She would serve them with a cooked strawberry sauce, fresh strawberries and sour cream. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we would get whipping cream or cool whip as it was popular back in the 1980’s.

The past decade has seen an explosion of Crepe Cafe’s. From Robson Street in Vancouver to Market Mall in Calgary. I love trying the sweet and savory options and then coming home and experimenting! The kids tend to stick with the sweet variations but we get kind of crazy with our add ins. Husband too, he’s gone as far as breakfast sausage and peanut butter. Did I mention we are crazy? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, I grew up eating breakfast sausages with peanut butter and it’s actually very tasty!

Several years ago I invested in a good crepe pan and crepe making has become much easier. Most of the time I follow the path of my mom with my own flair added in. Toppings include some sort of cooked citrus infused berry sauce, fresh fruit, jam, peanut butter, nutella, chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar, marshmallows (s’more crepes are delicious) and once in awhile I even whip up some fresh cream.

Here is the crepe recipe we use. This recipe makes up to 24 crepes, but most in our family eat 3 each at a serving. The rest get frozen for next time.

Recipe published July 2013

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Crepes
Author: 
Serves: 8
 
Ingredients
  • 2¼ cups all purpose flour
  • Sprinkle of salt
  • 6 eggs
  • 2½ cups milk
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • cooking spray
Instructions
  1. IN a bowl whisk together flour and salt. In a second bowl beat your eggs, add in your milk and melted butter. Mix well. Add egg mixture to flour and whisk until smooth.
  2. Heat crepe pan or saucepan and spray with cooking spray. Using ¼ cup measure, scoop some of your crepe batter up and into the pan. Working quickly swirl the batter around the pan until it makes an even thin circle and coats pan. I use an 8 inch crepe pan.
  3. Let cook about 1 minute or until brown on bottom. Using a spatula to assist, flip crepe over and cook until an additional 20-40 seconds or until bottom is lightly browned.
  4. Remove from pan and set on a platter. Continue until all batter is used re spraying pan with cooking spray as needed.

 

 

 

S’mores Pancakes

0 · · 2 Comments

Griddle cakes, pancakes, hotcakes, flapjacks: why are there four names for grilled batter and only one word for love? -George Carlin

Our family loves S’mores, I mean LOVES S’mores. Camping isn’t camping without S’mores and over the years I’ve experimented with different ways of making S’mores using a variety of cookies, crackers, chocolates and other goodies. We camp a lot and go into serious fun mode when we do! A couple months ago I was making pancakes and decided to test S’mores ingredients in the pancakes. More often then not I will add cut up fruit or other items to the pancake batter before I flip them. So that’s what I did was plop on a few of each (chocolate chips, broken graham crackers and marshmallows) into a half cooked pancake before I flipped it. The end result was good and messy, the downside is the marshmallows melted onto the pan.

Enter round two of S’mores pancakes. I wanted to leave the graham crackers as chunky as possible for texture so this time I poured all the S’mores ingredients right into the batter and mixed before pouring the pancakes in the hot pan. Success! If you can get the batter on the skillet quickly the pancakes will have a little crunch from the graham cracker, if you wait too long the graham cracker softens up. Either way delicious.

This is also an easy recipe to take camping and I do this often with these types of recipes. The night before you leave for camping, pour all your dry ingredients into a ziplock bag. On the outside of the bag write, add 2 beaten eggs, 3 cups milk and 1/4 cup melted butter. When ready to make mix wet ingredients in a bowl first then add your dry. This is a basic pancake recipe. Add your S’mores ingredients to the batter and start cooking them pancakes!

I will be making these S’mores pancakes for breakfast for my daughters sleepover birthday party. I’m going to make a chocolate sauce and some form of melty, gooey marshmallow sauce to go with the typical maple syrup option. Additional chocolate chips and marshmallows will be nearby in bowls.

Next on the pancake experiment menu: Bacon Pancakes!

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S'mores Pancakes
Recipe type: breakfast, lunch, dinner
 
Ingredients
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 tbsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups milk
  • ¼ cup melted butter or oil
  • ¾ cup graham crackers, roughly broken
  • ¾ cup chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup mini marshmallows
  • cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Beat together eggs, milk and butter in a large bowl. In a second bowl add and whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon). Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until smooth.
  2. If you find your batter on the thick side add in a little more milk.
  3. Heat your frypan or skillet. You may want to coat with cooking spray. To batter add chocolate chips, graham crackers and marshmallows. Mix to combine and start dropping pancake batter (1/4 cup) onto skillet (medium-high) heat. Cook until bottom starts to brown and bubbles form on top, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook underside is browned another 1-2 minutes.
  4. Makes approximately 26 pancakes.
Notes
Pancakes freeze nicely when cool. Separate and stack between parchment or wax paper and place in freezer proof bag.

 

Smore's Pancakes