by on November 15, 2021   •   1 Comment Cooking School

How to make pretty garnishes for holiday desserts

A collection of simple tutorials to help you make edible garnishes for holiday desserts.

A swirl of cream, a spray of sugared rosemary, a scattering of pomegranate seeds – these flourishes capture the eye and stir the appetite.

Pretty garnishes for holiday desserts are more than just the finishing touch. They show that love and care has gone into a baking creation, and they entice us to reach for them on the sweet table.

Today’s post is all about how to make edible garnishes for holiday desserts that are festive and fun. Nothing is overly complicated, in fact, I’ve even included a list of ‘instant’ garnishes you probably have in your kitchen right now.

It’s a busy post, so let’s jump right in to my tips for creating a showstopper dessert!

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by on November 8, 2021   •   3 Comments Recipes

What to Cook and Bake in November

Frost on the windshield of the car or not, I’m still popping into my local farmer’s market early every Saturday morning and loading up on gorgeous seasonal produce.

I can see my breath in the crisp air as I move from stall to stall. From just-picked pears to newly pulled carrots, the harvest from this year continues to inspire.

From breakfast to dinner, here’s what to cook and bake in November. You’ll definitely want to chop up a pumpkin for comforting soup, roast beets for a vibrant dip, and peel carrots for a classic beef stew.

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by on October 19, 2021   •   3 Comments Desserts

Apple Cider Gingerbread Bundt Cake

If you love the lightness of an apple cider cake and the deep flavours of a gingerbread bundt cake, then you’ll appreciate that this bundt cake has the best of both.

Every autumn in the Simple Bites kitchen there is a window of time when no dessert but a simple snacking cake will do.

This sweet spot is nestled right in between the pie socials of October and the Twelve Days of Holiday Baking Projects in December.

During this cozy season at home, we’re craving neither pie nor cookies, but comforting cakes, served up in thick slices, any time of day or night.

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by on October 13, 2021   •   1 Comment Soups/Stocks/Stews

Vegan Borscht Recipe

Cook up a big bowl of comfort with this vegan borscht recipe. It’s untraditional, but truly celebrates the bounty of fall vegetables.

I frequently simmer a pot of borscht for dinner no matter the season.

Whether I have fresh baby beets and greens from the garden or merely a tired head of cabbage in winter, this soup is in regular rotation.

Borscht never fails to satisfy; I guess that is why it is one of my comfort foods. Also? My mother is Ukrainian, so I grew up on this vibrant beet soup and the cravings are real.

You won’t miss beef or kielbasa in this veggie-packed vegan borscht recipe. I make this version when the produce is fresh at my local farmer’s market and I want all the flavours to shine on their own.

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by on October 7, 2021   •   2 Comments Giving Back

A Fall Pie Social for a Cause

If you’re indecisive over where to begin with your fall baking, allow me to bend your ear to pies.

Pie makes so much sense for this time of the year while late peaches and plums are still holding their spot at the markets.

Pears and apples are here too, as well as pumpkins and winter squash. It’s a bounty of produce, waiting to be tucked between flaky pie crust.

This inspiration, partnered with my passion for feeding others, led me to host an edible fundraiser last weekend: a fall pie social for a cause!

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