Apple Cider Caramels

I know we're supposed to be taking a break from all things sugary due to overconsumption from the past several weeks, but I meant to share this with you before the holidays. Once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator.


It's no secret that Deb is one of my favourite food bloggers so when she released a cookbook last year, I knew I had to own it.


Like her website, it's filled with wonderful recipes that I'm itching to try and the ones that I have attempted at turned out foolproof.

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Parmesan Roasted Acorn Squash

Another week/month/year has gone by. Where does the time go?


I've been feeling contemplative about what the heck I'm doing with my life, something I seem to be doing on a yearly basis. What career path do I want to take? How can I go about achieving this?


It's not that I don't have any ideas as to what I want to do with my life; I don't know if you've heard but there's a financial crisis going on. Apparently people of my generation are having trouble finding jobs. (Thanks for the constant reminder of how badly we have it, media.)

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Apple Sharlotka

As much as I try to deny it, I quite enjoy fall.


The air becomes crisp, the leaves explode into an array of colours, and the wardrobe changes to comfy sweaters and boots.


The annual apple picking outing came and went and as per usual, I ended up with more apples than I know what to do with. Throughout the year, I save apple recipes like nobody's business because I know once October rolls around, I will need to dip into this stash.

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Ode to Summer

And just like that, summer is over.


It was a pretty fabulous one, filled with beaches and wineries, music festivals and cottages.


I was surprised to still see peaches at the market this weekend and quickly snatched up a basket. Preserving peaches - my last ode to summer.


Goodbye, summer. See you in eight months.

Quinoa with Zucchini, Currants & Dill

One of the many reasons why I love summer is dragon boat.


There's nothing like being on the water after a long day at work, paddling out your frustrations. The gravy on top is gliding into the sunset with the city skyline visible. Golden hour, indeed.


I am also quite fond of my team because we all know what's important: the potluck meal on race days. Sure, we take our competitions seriously, but it's the food that is of utmost importance. We have our priorities straight.

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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

I've been dreaming of strawberry rhubarb pie for months.



It got to the point where I could no longer wait for strawberry season and I broke down and purchased a pie to satisfy that craving. It turned out to be disappointing not because it was store bought, but because it was a cherry pie even though I was told otherwise. The horror.


Another problem with store bought pies is they tend to be overly sweet. Alas, I impatiently waited for strawberry season to arrive, rounded up some friends to go picking, and turned all that hard work into preserves and pie.

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Farro Salad with Roasted Radishes & Asparagus

Things I've been enjoying:


+ Freshly picked lettuce from my garden. (My beautiful chard and basil, on the other hand, are being eaten alive by some sort of bug. Tears!)

+ The start of my dragonboat season.


+ The Stop's Night Market. So. much. food.

+ 30+ degrees weather. Some may complain, but I've been waiting months for this weather to arrive.

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Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl

There are days when I purchase an ingredient and know exactly what I want to do with it and how to put the meal together.


There are other times when I come across a recipe that beckons me, one that I need to make as soon as possible.


Then there are those days where I have no idea what to cook and I end up falling back on old standbys.

This is one of those dishes.

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New York, New York

Hello New York City. Nice to finally meet you.


NYC is one of those places I've been wanting to visit for years, yet somehow never got around to it. Until now.


I went down for the Easter long weekend and even after four days, I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. So much to do! So much to see!


I walked and ate, then walked and ate some more.


My friend managed to snag us a reservation at Per Se, a three Michelin star, four New York Times star restaurant. It was also the last review Sam Sifton wrote as the NYT restaurant critic. I don't make it a habit to dine at restaurants where the meal cost more than my plane ticket (... I wish I was kidding), but I'll make an exception for Thomas Keller.

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March Blues

March is when I start to get antsy - winter is not quite over, yet it's not quite spring. I'm desperately itching for warmer weather, some sunshine to pass these dreary grey days.


Cooking-wise, I've been uninspired. I'm at the point of the year where I'm tired of root vegetables and cabbages and ready to pounce on the first sign of delicate leafy greens. I finally opened my jars of strawberry and raspberry preserves, which has me dreaming of summer. I'm counting down the months until peach season is here.

Can you tell I am a summer baby?


The weather has been warm enough to start the flow of the maple sap. I visited a maple sugar bush, ate piping hot pancakes doused in melted butter and maple syrup. Fact: pancakes are so much better eaten in a non-heated cabin after a good work out.


I am going back into hibernation until the air smells sweet of spring showers.

Until then.

Orzo & Broccoli Pesto Salad

February. One month closer to spring, yet still so far away.



We received quite a bit of snow this month, more than I can remember in a long time. I was (briefly) stuck in a parking lot with others in the same situation as we collectively dug our way out. The beauty of the situation was that everyone was willing to help each other out.

Sometimes we forget to be kind to each other until we're facing tough circumstances.


Chinese New Year also happened. Lots of symbolic food was consumed and my mom and I made turnip/radish cake together.

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