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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by on September 29, 2021   •   2 Comments Zero Waste

10 zero food waste tips for the holidays

10 simple kitchen tips for a zero food waste holiday including ideas for mindful prep, entertaining and leftovers.

I‘ve got a lot to cover in this post, so let’s jump right in.

Today I am joining with FAO, WFP and many other organizations around the world to mark the second annual International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. Reducing your food waste is one of the most effective actions you can take to help fight climate change.

With the holidays fast approaching, I wanted to outline plenty of viable solutions to help reduce food loss and waste around this time of feasting. While 811 million people go to bed hungry each night, 1/3 of all food is lost or wasted.

These zero food waste tips for the holidays are simple, actionable steps you can take in your own kitchen over the next few months – and beyond.

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by on September 15, 2021   •   2 Comments School lunch

10 School Lunch Tips for Beginners

Around this time every year, I start to rummage through my disheveled Tupperware drawer in preparation for school lunches.

Yep, lazy summer snacking on the back patio is giving way to bagged lunches every weekday.

I attempt to match square sandwich containers with their respective lids, locate all the water bottles and take a sniff into each thermos to see if they’re still safe to carry soups.

After that comes an assessment of lunch boxes, a refresher of my daughter’s school regulations, and a chat with her on menu preferences. It’s important to listen, always. But I didn’t know that in the beginning.

I’ve learned a lot along the way. Today’s post is school lunch tips for beginners – or anyone who is looking for new inspiration.

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