Spiced Nuts

I know I've told you about my friend Renee (the Feisty Chef) and her amazing cooking classes, but if for some reason you've ignored my praise thus far and STILL haven't checked her out, here's a new reason to:

                                
With the help of her talented husband Renee made this great video demonstrating her fantastic Spiced Nuts recipe. Aside from the fact that the recipe is simple and quick to prepare, and that the results look delicious, doesn't this video just make you want to join in?
Well I did this afternoon and I'm pretty sure this bowl of sweet and salty nuts is not going to last long in my house. I used pistachios instead of almonds, and added a bit of smoked paprika and chipotle powder instead of 1 of the teaspoons of cayenne, and I was all out of fresh rosemary. But they're still soooo good!

Quinoa Muffins

Could I be any more obsessed with my current favourite cookbook "Super Natural Everyday"? I didn't think so, but I feel like my infatuation is reaching new heights. 

I had been searching for around for some quinoa muffins and these are just what I was looking for. Healthy, tasty, filling, with a great texture. Add they were quite quick to throw together. Bonus!

Spicy Dilly Beans

This is one of the first preserves of mine that I've tasted so far this season (other than jams) and I'm in pickle heaven! I've never eaten pickled green beans before let alone made them, so this was all very new to me. However I do really love pickles in general and could never say no to a green bean put in front of me so it really just made sense.
They're crispy, salty, sour (everything that makes a perfect pickle) plus they're really spicy, which just takes them to the next level of snacking.

Jam Filled Cornmeal Biscuits

These are my new favourite vehicle for jam. I was truthfully not expecting these little gems to be so incredibly tasty. They're the perfect balance of sweet and salty, and wonderfully textured due to the cornmeal (also they're not as guilt as inducing as those thumbprint cookies). I'm currently eating them for breakfast with my morning coffee but I think they are going to taste quite delicious next to some cheese or even charcuterie. Also the thought of filling them with a slightly more savoury preserve like a chutney or hot pepper jelly has got me quite excited.

Do yourself a favour and head over to 101 Cookbooks, which is Heidi Swanson (author of Super Natural Everyday)'s blog and make these ASAP.

Pickled Radishes

As the farmers markets fill up with fresh local produce it doesn't take long for this housewife to start thinking of the pickling and preserving opportunities.
I'm in need of a few new tools before I fully embark on the canning mayhem that will eventually consume my kitchen this summer. So until then I'll be making lots of "refrigerator" pickles that aren't shelf stable and will last about a month or two in my fridge. If they last that long without being eaten...

If you love radishes and have never had a pickled one, you need to make a jar of these little pink beauties right away.

Kale Chips

I really wasn't sure what to expect these to taste like. I knew they probably wouldn't actually be very chip-like but other than that I had no idea. 

They look a lot like dried leaves...and sort of taste that way too, but in a good way.

I think it's safe to say that kale chips are one of those foods that is mainly a vehicle for salt. Which I'm totally okay with. 

Hummus

Yesterday afternoon I felt a little defeated. I was tired, my back hurt, the kitchen was a mess, and I felt like I had nothing to blog about. I actually made lots of things yesterday (like this apple cake, lots of chocolates, and of course this hummus) but I just couldn't muster the energy to write.
Today however the kitchen is clean, I'm going to a much needed yoga class tonight, and right now I'm trying to do my body some good with this hummus. I love it most with carrots and cucumbers, or spread liberally on homemade crackers and topped with sprouts. Hopefully it'll balance out all the excessive amounts of chocolate, beer and wine that I've been consuming lately...

Flaxseed & Onion Crackers

What was my first thought when I saw that my husband brought home one of our current favourite cheeses? MUST MAKE CRACKERS!

Caramel Corn

Despite the fact that every part of my body is screaming for vegetables and fruits, and all things healthy, I somehow wound up making caramel corn last night...

Green Onion Cakes

Growing up in Edmonton my husband quickly fell in love with these delightful little snacks. After moving to Halifax he sadly realized these were apparently an Edmonton phenomenon, as no one (except fellow Edmontonians) knew what he was talking about when he raved about these odd little cakes that aren't cakes at all.

Luckily they're so easy to make at home that it doesn't matter what city we're in, we can have green onion cakes whenever we want.

Beetnuts Pate

Yet another fabulous recipe from The Coup! This one is probably my favourite so far (which says a lot because the others were awesome) and I'm totally adding this to my arsenal of dips that I'll be busting out this holiday season.
I apologize for sounding like a total food geek here but, the complex blend of flavours are really well balanced. Sweet, nutty, earthy, with some zing from lemon, and a kick from garlic.  Mmmmmmmm.
And it's actually super healthy!

Feta Dill Dip

I think the last time I showed you a dip recipe it was when I was making food for a party at our cafe. Well today is our cafe's 1st birthday (which means this week has been madness hence the lack of posts lately, sorry!) and here I am again making some quick tasty dips to bring to the party.


This dip has acquired quite a reputation over the years amongst my friends and family. I often hear "Oh my god you made The Dip!" once they realize what's in the bowl.


Well, I guess The Dip is pretty darn good if I may say so myself. Rich, creamy, tangy, and full of dill with a nice garlicky kick. You'll be hooked after one bite.

Rosemary Raisin Pecan Crisps

This lovely recipe was given to me by my dear friend Becky (who received it from an elderly neighbour). It was handwritten, sent through the mail, and has found a home stuck to my fridge door waiting for the special day when all of the ingredients are actually present in my pantry. And today was finally that day.

Rosemary Flatbread

This bread/cracker is so easy, so quick to make, and so yummy, I'm not going to say anything else about it, and you're going to go make it right now.

Tomato Focaccia

Do you ever have one of those mornings when you say to yourself "Better start making some bread", and as you start making your boring everyday bread that you've been making for the last two months, something makes you say "Hey! Stop being boring! Make that ciabatta bread recipe you've been eyeing forever! The one from the Martha Stewart cookbook!"

As you search for the recipe you realize the it's actually in the first volume of this cookbook series, the volume you don't own, the one you borrowed from the library, the one you're brain keeps confusing with the volume you do own. 

But alas, hope is not yet lost! What about this tomato focaccia bread? That's not boring! It might almost be considered exciting!....

No? You don't really have those mornings?

Yea me neither...