by on May 26, 2020   •   13 Comments Desserts

Victoria Sponge Cake with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

A light-as-a-feather vanilla-orange cake, layered with whipped cream and a tangy homemade jam. This simple dessert is a perfect teatime accompaniment.

The classic Victoria Sponge cake is a dessert for any season, however, after my last trip to London I tend to associate this layer cake with spring.

Ah, those were the days. Danny and I tripped around from Greenwich to Pimlico, pausing for tea and cake anytime it was necessary – and a few times when it was not.

So it made perfect sense to bake a Victoria Sponge cake with strawberry rhubarb jam to celebrate our anniversary last weekend.

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by on May 20, 2020   •   5 Comments Dinner

Springtime Penne with Asparagus Stem Pesto

A low-waste, vegetarian dish that highlights seasonal Mediterranean ingredients.

A craving for pasta and a well-stocked pantry inspired this weeknight dinner of Springtime Penne with Asparagus Stem Pesto.

This recipe combines wholesome Mediterranean ingredients, like artichokes and olives, with durum wheat pasta and a vibrant pesto.

It’s nourishing comfort food with big, bright flavours and all comes together in under thirty minutes.

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by on May 14, 2020   •   6 Comments Quick Bites

Asparagus and Lobster Grilled Cheese

An East Coast-inspired Asparagus, Brie and Lobster Grilled Cheese that’s completely decadent and packed with flavour.

Our wedding anniversary is this weekend but we won’t be marking the occasion by dining out. Instead I’ve chilled a bottle of bubbly and we’ll pick out a few live lobsters from our local fish shack.

A springtime Lobster Niçoise Salad is on the menu (my fave!) but since we’re celebrating over few days, I’m stocking ingredients for this Asparagus and Lobster Grilled Cheese, too.

Tender young asparagus, paired with fresh-caught lobster and a salty goat Brie cheese makes this a sandwich worth remembering. It’s crisped up with a Celery Seed Butter and garnished with spicy preserved lemon. Delicious!

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by on May 5, 2020   •   3 Comments Quick Bites

A Simple Fried Egg Tostada

An easy, 5-ingredient dish that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

As spring flirts with us here in the Maritimes, we’re spending more and more time outdoors. With all the fresh air comes increased appetites, and a fried egg tostada is one of our favourite fast meals.

I’m back with another super simple recipe for kids, beginner cooks, or anyone who needs a quick bite. While the 5-ingredient Cinnamon Toast with Ricotta and Strawberries satiates the sweet tooth, today’s dish is all about savoury.

So grab a skillet and a stack of corn tortillas because fried egg tostadas are on our Cinco de Mayo menu!

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by on May 2, 2020   •   Leave a Comment Link Love

Weekend Links

Happy May!

Here in Canada, we’re far enough into spring to start planning our gardens. On the Simple Bites urban homestead we’re sprouting seeds, digging up earth and dreaming about shortening our food chain.

Everything about growing my own food makes me happy and this year, it makes more sense than ever. I’m grocery shopping infrequently which means fresh herbs and greens are the ingredients I run out of first.

Anyway, gardening aside, here’s a list for reading – and listening – that I enjoyed this week.

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