by on August 9, 2021   •   1 Comment Bakeshop

Inspiration for Cooking and Baking with Peaches

From cobbler to Caprese, this recipe round-up is full of inspiration for cooking and baking with peaches.

Local peaches have arrived, and they are worthy of a spot on the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nova Scotia’s stone fruits are slightly smaller than those in Niagara or the Okanagan (I’ve picked peaches in all three regions) but they are incredibly sweet, and in my opinion, unparalleled.

Just like the berries that arrive a month before them, stone fruits deserve their own kitchen celebration. Sure, they are delicious enjoyed fresh in hand, juices dripping, but cooking and baking with peaches really brings out their flavour.

In this post, I’m sharing my finest inspiration for cooking and baking with peaches. From cobbler to Caprese, these August recipes truly highlight the beautiful peach.

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by on August 2, 2021   •   3 Comments Dinner

A Favourite Quinoa Power Bowl Base

A high-protein quinoa power bowl base for quick weeknight dinners. Simple, versatile and vegetarian.

In case you thought power bowls were only for hearty winter meals, let me remind you that they are also ideal for hot summer days.

For the past few summers, I’ve been making the same quinoa and vegetable ‘base’ for quick weeknight dinners and it’s time I shared the recipe. It keeps in the fridge for at least five days, making it practical for those days you just want to stay at the lake or pool until the last possible minute.

You can take this quinoa power bowl base in almost any direction as far as flavours and cuisines. I’ve listed our favourites compilations in the post, both vegetarian and non. Let’s get to it!

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by on July 13, 2021   •   3 Comments Outdoor

10 Camping Kitchen Must-Haves

Tips for simplifying outdoor gear and my essential camping kitchen must-haves. Brought to you by Libra.

For the past two summers I’ve been working towards a minimalists camping kitchen. I wasn’t even sure it was possible, not for a family of five, with ferocious appetites and gourmet tendencies.

Part of my incentive to explore a compact version of outdoor gear came after leafing through a popular cookbook and spotting a ‘mellon baller’ on the list of camping kitchen must-haves. Uh, I’m sorry, but no. You’ll never get away for the weekend if you have to think about packing everything.

It’s time to get back to basics. Just the fire, the forest and you — all contained in their respective places, of course. In my recent experience, it IS possible to pair down gear for campfire cooking. Today I’m sharing my essentials, along with a few favourite drinks and snacks.

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by on June 28, 2021   •   2 Comments Salads

Yogurt-Chive Potato Salad Recipe

This Yogurt-Chive Potato Salad is a creamy, mayo-free update on a classic. It’s a make-ahead summertime side dish that travels well and is loved by all.

For most of my life, potato salads were simply not my thing. At gatherings, I’d skip the mayo-dressed dish, passed over for other, more desirable salads such as broccoli or spinach. If I ventured into the world of potato salad, it was usually this grilled sweet potato salad topped with goat cheese.

My appreciation for potato salads developed when I ditched the mayonnaise and started using Greek-style yogourt, instead. No sweet relish, either, but a fine dice of dill pickles and all the fresh garden herbs around. Now, I crave this side dish all summer long, especially for picnics or alongside barbecue.

I never really used a recipe, but friends started asking for one when I’d bring the salad to a pot-luck. Eventually I wrote down what became Yogurt-Chive Potato Salad and today I’m sharing it with you! Read on for the recipe, as well as a photo recap of my cookbook club on beautiful Cape Breton Island.

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by on June 24, 2021   •   1 Comment Entertaining

How to Cook an East Coast Seafood Boil

Here in the Maritimes, nothing quite says summertime celebration like a good old East Coast seafood boil.

Whether you’re serving it up on the beach or in the backyard, this shellfish feast is always memorable for all the right reasons.

A seafood boil is relatively simple to pull off – really! It’s all cooked in one giant pot and served up on newspaper for easy clean-up. It’s a great way to feed a crowd (and impress them, too).

Summertime feasts are back, so invite your friends, set the table and make up for lost time with an epic East Coast Seafood Boil.

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