The Brown Bag Challenge

I love supporting local farmers and purveyors of all things delicious so I was intrigued by the Brown Bag Challenge presented by the folks at East Coast Organic Milk Coop and Just US! Coffee.  But as often as I am tempted by foodie challenges...I've never actually entered one...until now, that is.

A Bazillion Pie Choices for the Holidays

Lots of holidays are coming up and that means parties... which obviously means desserts. And Martha Stewart Living has about a bazillion pie & tart choices with photo tutorials for making pie crusts and a thousand things more.

The picture at the top of this post is actually my own Dark Chocolate Candied Orange Tart which is dead easy. The prep is actually done in short steps over 3 days. Sounds complicated, but really this kind of tart/pie is the least stressful when you have tons of cooking and baking to do.

What's your dessert options when you're entertaining?

Dinner with Friends Deserves Brownies

Yesterday was perfect for an outing with the family and what better ending to the day than dinner with friends - especially when they're doing the cooking so I can still spend as much time outdoors as possible.

But how can I show up with nothing to add to the table but a bottle of wine, no matter how delicious it is? So I thought I'd whip up brownies and although I have several recipes in the dessert section, and I love my Katherine Hepburn brownies more than you can imagine, I still always find myself looking for something even better.

I've mentioned before about going through my old foodie magazines and cutting out those recipes I can't possibly live without and I've mentioned that Epicurious.com and fineCooking.com both have recipe boxes where you can store your favorites. This time it was fineCooking that won with a delightful sounding best fudgy brownie. But if you know me, then you know that I can never leave well enough alone - and I'm sure that the basic brownie is great, but...well, let's just say that adding dried blueberries, toasted pistachio nuts and chocolate chips took it way over the top.

Better Than Best Fudgy Brownies with Pistachio Nuts & Dried Blueberries

These really do give my other brownie recipes a run for their money.

Rosh Hashonah Festivities

This was the only photo I actually got of my dining room table before Saturday night's Rosh Hashonah dinner. The rest of the evening was even more blurry than this photo of the home made challah. And don't even ask me about the few days that followed. How could it be Tuesday already!!!

Dinner was lovely (if I do say so myself) and went off with only one hitch...my Honey developed a whopper migraine-style headache...too much light (it's all or nothing here) and loud voices (all having a great time, but echoing off the walls). He ended up missing dessert entirely and going to hide in the dark bedroom. But let's start at the beginning...
Even though every cell in my body was throbbing by the time I went to bed at 12:30, it was a wonderful day...which started at sunrise at the farmers market (6:45am). Many people questioned my decision to go, given I wanted to be at services by 9:30 and still had tons of preparation left to do before our guests showed up at 6:30 pm.

That said, once the dishes started showing up at the table, my decision to go to the market didn't seem quite so ridiculous. I've become quite the farmers market junkie and am usually disappointed when I can't get there. Wouldn't it be lovely if we could have one every day of the week?
The local heirloom carrots, new beets and young potatoes roasted with cremini mushroom (also local)
and the most glorious organic garlic ever and fresh rosemary,
turned into a wonderful roasted root vegetable dish to accompany one of my favorite New Year chicken dishes...
St Tropez Chicken, made with local free range chickens.

But wait,...I forgot to mention the soup course. Since I usually end up with the second night, I don't like to repeat the traditional chicken soup with matzo balls.

And this year I tried a wonderful Velvety Squash & Carrot Soup with Curried Mazto Balls that everyone enjoyed including Boaz and his brother Dov. The matzo balls were made with whole grain matzo meal and everyone thought they were meatballs, they were so dense and flavorful.
The special organic blend of "spicy greens" and baby romaine made the salad course quite the hit, especially with the Preserved Lemon Dressing which brought out just the right balance to the mix. Another stellar reason to visit the market! The salad was a perfect taste complement to the Tilapia in Tomato Saffron Sauce. The photo was of my practice meal the week before and the yellow beans were so tasty I had to buy more at the market. A simple "steam" in the microwave with a sprig of basil and then a spritz of lemon juice, grinding of pepper and pinch of salt...and who said, no one likes veggies. I served them with the main course this time.
All that's left to mention is the dessert...while I did plan on at least three, we ended up with just one...my favorite Normandy Apple Tart with apples we picked ourselves last week in the Annapolis Valley.

So was the worth getting up early to find local produce and chicken? You bet your life it was!
As for leftovers...not too many, but the challah made for some wonderful French Toast, whipped up by my Honey.

At Least There's Blueberries

We've set a new record....hottest it's been in 39 years. Frankly, I'm not impressed. This is one record I could do without.

The good news...it's blueberry season BIG TIME here in Nova Scotia and I thought I'd share some of my all time favorite recipes with you.

My most favorite of all...Blueberry Minty Custard Tart

Blueberry Crisp

Minty Berries with Yoghurt

Quick Berry Sauce (great over anything...especially wonderful over ice cream)

Blueberry Mint Granita

Blueberry Pecan Bran Muffins (a perfect mid-morning snack)

And who says blueberries are just for dessert...check out this Blueberry Salsa...one of my favorite ways to serve grilled fish and steak.

or this awesome salad...Scallops on Mixed Greens & Blueberries

There are more, but this is a good start. Happy Blueberry Season, everyone.

Back Home & Salmon For Dinner

Toronto was...well...TORONTO! Which means (for me, anyway) lots of delicious food...lots of delicious ethnic food...seriously easy access to every kind of food imaginable...plus a scrumptious over-the-top dinner at my cousin Arlene's. I've already mentioned my favorite desserts and then got too busy having fun, wandering around, drooling and meeting up with friends and family to write more.

One of the things I really miss about Toronto is the LCBO Food & Drink Magazine. Imagine the most beautiful foodie magazine complete with stunning photos, wonderful articles about wines, cocktails, interesting places (at home & abroad) and the recipes that go with them. Then...wonder of wonders...it's FREE!!!! You heard me. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario publishes these gorgeous magazines at least five times a year and you can only find them at local LCBO outlets. They run out quickly, so one needs to be checking often. If you live in Ontario (I can only assume that you can find them in all Ontario cities with LCBO outlets), take advantage!

If you're like me, and live away, you can still take find the recipes for food , drinks and even "mocktails" (no liquor) but it's not quite the same as curling up with a paper issue I can bookmark with lots of little papers waving out at me. Lucky me, Arlene usually picks up a copy for me and this time I had two to take home. I'll be sharing many a recipe with you. To start things off here's the dinner that Arlene made...(LCBO photos are better, but...hey, I was in a hurry to eat!

Pork Chops With Exotic Mushroom Sauce (slurpingly delicious - we were almost prepared to eat the left over sauce with a spoon)
Green Beans with Browned Butter & Pine Nuts (the aroma of the butter browning...awesome)
And a sinfully delicious dessert that I think comes from Martha Stewart, but we'll have to wait until Arlene emails the link or the recipe.

Update: Arlene sent the link and it's not Martha it's Rachel Allen's recipe for Pink Merigue and Raspberry Cream

The recipe was with strawberries and actually had another cookie on top - sandwich style, but Arlene got creative and made it with blueberries and we decided one over the top sweet meringue was more than enough. Just look at how cute the base of this confection is...I could eat it all by itself.
So what does all this have to do with the photo of the Roasted Chimchirri Salmon on Mixed Greens at the top of this post? Silly you...if you haven't guessed already...it's time to retreat to a little The South Beach Diet Supercharged ...at least before I head back to Toronto this weekend for a very special foodie visit. I've been invited to participate in Hellman's Real Food -Eat Local Project and I'll be sharing much more about that next week. I'm very excited - and that's a giant understatement.

This week, expect lots of healthful meals and exercise...keep your fingers crossed that I can fit into my gorgeous new dress!

A Request I Couldn't Refuse - Cassata alla Siciliana

A while ago, a cassata fan - Patrick, emailed me for the REAL recipe I talked about when I created a South Beach Diet friendly version of this awesome Italian dessert...pound cake, ricotta filling with candied fruit, chocolate and orange liqueur, covered with a deadly frosting of chocolate, coffee and butter

So without further ado...I could have just emailed the recipe, but, you know me...I had to make it so that I could take a photo and share it with the rest of you.

Cassata alla Siciliana

Perhaps if we close our eyes, and eat it standing up, we'll forgo the gazillion calories.

An Inspired Dessert Couscous with Rose Water & Pistachios

I love Presto Pasta Nights...soon to be 100 and I never get tired of it!

This week's guest host is the fantastic Erin - The Skinny Gourmet (I'm even jealous of the name of her blog). Don't forget to send your fabulous entries to her directly skinnygourmet (at) gmail (dot) com (and cc me too while you're at it ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com). I've already checked out some of the dishes and they're all wonderful, but there was one in particular that inspired my entry. That plus a trip to an amazing shop called Gourmet Cash & Carry, which started out as a wholesaler to Middle Eastern & Indian restaurants and food purveyors. I'll be posting all about it - with photos, later in the week. It's an awesome find here in Halifax.

Dessert Couscous with Rose Water & Pistachios

So here's how my dish came to be....

• Pam of Sidewalk Shoes made a delightful savory couscous dish. I always love those.
• At Gourmet Cash & Carry, the manager and I had a discussion about rosewater...did you know that besides flavoring in Baklava and other desserts, it's a remedy for stomach ailments?
• It's freezing in my place and I was dreaming about a snack of rice pudding.
• I was catching up on some of the CC's I get for the weekly Presto Pasta Night entries, and lo and behold...Pam showed up!

What sparks your inspirations?

Catching Up on Holiday Recipes

When I got back from our trip to Toronto (seems like a million years ago), I wrote about ...what else...everything we ate and promised to "bug" my cousin Arlene for the recipes for her fantastic dinner party. Someone obviously should have bugged me, because she sent the links off in an email within 15 minutes of my request (on January 1st, but who's counting). Finally, two weeks later....I've updated the original post to include the fantastic links.

Guest Chef - Boaz and Jello Jigglers

He's a Prodigy, what can I say...only two years old (and way too busy to sit still for a bio photo)and already very comfortable around the kitchen. I shouldn't be surprised, since he's been busy, giving his stamp of approval on the utensils ever since he was 9 months old.

I've previously shared his cookie making expertise and yesterday was Jello day. So I asked him to teach us his technique and he graciously agreed.

First get your sou-chef to find cute cookie cutters...I suggest these barnyard animals. You'll have to read Grandma's article for FoodTV to find out where to get them.

Next, preferably the day before, so you can just make these jigglers whenever the mood strikes you, get her to create the "dough" using your favorite Jello and fruit juice (here's the recipe).

Once the "dough" is arranged on the table (the recipe tells you how to do it) ...

...it's time to get creative. Punch out the shapes...

...and eat.

Then it's time for a nap...after all, it's hard work managing that sou-chef.

What's your favorite food activity for kids?

Happy 2009, and a Little Catch-up

Happy 2009!

May it bring you peace, prosperity, good health and the happiest, most productive year ever.

And before I start sharing how our year is starting out, I thought I'd give you all a peak at our very quick trip to Toronto to visit family and friends. I do regret not being able to see more people than we did while we were there. Blame it on the weather, and the difficulty in getting around...lots of snow, rain and challenging driving/walking/public transit. None of these challenges stopped us from eating way too much, though...

I didn't get to take too many photos, but we did enjoy lots of tasty meals... several at the in-laws, a couple of simple meals at Sharron's (I got to have two sleep-overs with my daughter - hooray!), tea and delicious party sandwiches, homemade prune cake, chocolate meringues that my cousin Carole risked her life (okay, but only a slight exaggeration) shopping in a storm to get some essential cream of tartar just because she knows they're my Honey's favorite dessert treat.

We enjoyed a couple of tasty meals out ....Korean BBQ at Sejong Restaurant on Bloor, fantastic Vietnamese (not sure of the name but it's on Dundas just east of Brock and worth the trip), some roast beef sandwiches at the St Lawrence Market and we picked up some Portuguese custard tarts to bring for tea. (Just an aside...too bad there are no Portuguese shops here in Halifax, guess I'll have to find the perfect recipe on line and make my own).

My cousin Arlene"whipped up" a wonderful feast with all the trimmings for us. Here are the only pictures I took all trip, and please disregard the fuzziness and look beyond the poor photography...everything tasted amazing.

Roast Turkey from Donna Hay


Breadcrumb & Pancetta Stuffing also Donna Hay


Rapini & Green Beans with Bacon and yes...Donna again

Unbelievable Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Icing from Bon Appetit

I don't have any of the recipes yet, but I'll keep bugging Arlene until she sends them and then I'll update this post. Ruth's sheepish note: Arlene sent the links the next day. Enjoy.

Is it any wonder that we're ready to start our only (at least MY only) 2009 "To-Do" resolution - back to healthier eating habits?

Plus one "Not-To-Do" resolution, that I found in this month's Real Simple (1-year)

Quote from Donna Robinson: " Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."

I do hope your holiday festivities were fun and that you're well rested and ready for a great 2009....I know I am!

Pasta for Dessert

In all the 85 Presto Pasta Night Roundups, I think there has only been one...perhaps two pasta desserts. So how could I resist Mark Bittman's Sweet Almond Milk Couscous (yes, couscous IS pasta) in last week's NY Times. It reminded me of rice pudding and since, it's already started to get chilly around here, I had to have some. The rosewater, toasted sliced almonds and chopped pistachio nuts add a very Middle Eastern flavor, so not only does it provide a warmth in your tummy. Your mind has you heading over to the sunny Mediterranean.

What are you making for Presto Pasta Night...something warm and comforting, hot and spicy or...well, whatever it is...join in Presto Pasta Night fun and send it to me ruth@4everykitchen.com and check back of Friday to see what everyone else did.

Who Says Dessert Has to Be Forbidden?

I admit it...when I think of desserts, my instant reaction is...oh well, there goes the waistline. But recently I found the perfect dessert, especially for holiday dinners...it is Thanksgiving here in Canada, after all.



This Spicy Pear Sorbet has no sugar! No sugar, no honey, no...anything but the natural sweetness of ripe pears. And it's truly the perfect finish to a rich over the top dinner.



I found it in the Healthiest Meals on Earth book I wrote about and even if you don't take the book to extremes...really balancing a meal the way the author recommends, you will find some great dishes. This one is an antioxidant...and it tastes so good! Those with lactose intolerance will finally be able to eat a creamy, delicate dessert and not have to pop any pills. The rest of us who normally feel guilty about adding lots of calories from buttery, creamy desserts will be amazed at the richness without the fat.



Happy Thanksgiving to all!

New Orleans Cooking at Home

I've only been to New Orleans once, years ago to speak at a conference and naturally didn't get enough time to do much exploring. I did, however get hooked on the music and the food and have been meaning to go back ever since. Somehow I haven't done that yet, getting my fix of etouffe and jambalaya elsewhere (never nearly as good). So when I was asked to check out Ralph Brennan's latest cookbook - New Orleans Seafood Cookbook...seriously, how could I refuse!!!

What can I say...well...let me just list some of the amazing recipe choices ...all with beautiful photos that will definitely have you drooling. If you love New Orleans cuisine - Creole dishes like Crab Cakes with Ravigote Sauce, Fried Oyster Po' Boys, Crawfish Pie, Seafood & Okra Gumbo, Louisiana Seafood Boil, Seafood Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffe, Alligator Sauce Piquante...then you will love the opportunity to make the dishes right at home.

I do have a couple of caveats though...unless you live in Louisiana, you will have difficulty finding many of the ingredients. You can order some things on line (but I'm an immediate gratification person myself, so that's not really my option) and of course you can substitute some ingredients, but...as an example...here in Halifax, I can order crawfish tail meat...not whole crawfish, so forget using the head and shells for stock...but only one local shop will do even that through their supplier in Cape Breton who will order it from Louisiana and get it shipped in frozen and then sent on to Halifax (all this takes about a week)...so I'll be using shrimp, even though it won't taste quite the same. Not to worry, I promise. The moaning around the table when I served dinner was testament to deliciousness.

One other challenge for me, is that typically I like to make things that come together in a snap. Many of the Louisiana dishes I love, take time so they're great for long afternoon adventures in the kitchen. Although many of them like the unbelievably delicious ....

Shrimp Ravioli in Roasted Tomato Butter Sauce
(Ralph used crawfish which would have been awesome)

...can be made in stages. (His photos are a thousand times more appealing.) Ralph Brennan tells you how. In fact you can make the ravioli pockets and freeze them for up to a month, which means you only need 30 minutes or so for the sauce and a couple of minutes to cook the pasta in salted boiling water.

And if you think this is just a seafood cookbook...think again. Check out this absolutely fantastic

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

I made it for my son-in-law's birthday party and everyone devoured it. ( I had to use some maple syrup instead of Cane syrup, but it still was delicious.)

And there are lots of desserts, salads and sides that will definitely take you to New Orleans, if only in spirit.

Another thing I really like about this book are the sections dedicated to sauces, butters & dressings; seasonings, flours & breadcrumbs that are uniquely Louisiana...

...like this simple to make Creole Seasoning, or pecan flour, to name just two. An entire section is dedicated to stocks...everything from beef, to chicken, to crab & to vegetable stocks - 8 in total. And don't get me started on his Spirits section that ends with Cafe Brulot Diabolique and has Ralph's own blend...Nocello & Frangelico liqueurs added to freshly brewed coffee...add a little whipped cream, put on some New Orleans style music and you're in heaven.

Now I will absolutely have to get myself to New Orleans and visit one of Ralph's restaurants...Red Fish Grill, or Ralph's on the Park or BACCO, (some of the recipes are in the book and listed on the web sites) and check out his cookbook site for even more recipes and other interesting info. You'll be hooked!

And since I'll be hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night...I couldn't resist sharing this dish with the rest of you.