by on February 6, 2012   •   44 Comments Bakeshop

Celebrating Our 2nd Anniversary with Lemon, Cornmeal & Almond Cake

It’s hard to believe that two years ago this little corner of the blogosphere was still in beta. It’s grown to be such a big part of me, a warm community of like-minded yet completly unique people, that I can’t remember what I did before I was editor.

Simple Bites celebrates its 2nd anniversary this week and I had to make a cake to commemorate the event. It’s been a fun and fantastic two years, plus, it was high time I shared a favorite cake recipe.

Fresh lemon zest, finely ground almonds and a sprinkling of cornmeal give this rustic cake a marvelous flavor and memorable texture. It is perfect with a cup of tea, requiring absolutely no garnish. Oh, and bonus, it’s gluten-free!

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by on November 21, 2011   •   27 Comments Bakeshop

Cranberry-Orange Pie with Cornmeal Streusel Topping

There’s been a literal deluge of pies around the blogosphere lately. Have you noticed? Everywhere I look I am tempted by the flaky crusts, fruity fillings and creamy toppings that are coming out of kitchens from coast to coast. It’s a wonderful thing.

One scroll through my friend Cheryl’s ‘Love the Pie‘ link up from last week will make your head spin; nearly one-hundred and seventy scrumptious pies are represented. That’s a lot of pie love.

Here at Simple Bites, we’ve contributed our fair share of seasonal pies this fall – and we haven’t stopped yet. In fact, I’ve been saving the best for last. Today’s Cranberry-Orange Pie with Cornmeal Brown Sugar Streusel is easily the best pie I’ve eaten all year. [Read more…]

by on October 24, 2011   •   36 Comments Dinner

A Vegetarian Dinner (Recipe: Leek & Mushroom Bake with Polenta Crust)

We tend to eat at least seventy-five percent vegetarian during the week, yet for some reason when I entertain on the weekends, I often feel obligated to serve up a big slab of meat. It might be a roast chicken, filet of salmon, or lamb curry, but seldom is it vegetarian fare.

As I was assembling this mushroom and polenta gratin, I wondered to myself why I always chose a protein as my main dish and why didn’t I indulge my friends in some of the healthier and more adventurous dishes that we eat day to day?

Whatever the reason – expectations, tastes or tradition – it became apparent as I dished up this gratin around our dinner table that I had created something well-worth sharing. Meat-lovers, or no meat-lovers.

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