June 2, 2015

Herb roasted smashed potatoes with herbed mayo-yogurt dip

It’s nice to spend a day in the kitchen. I have been so diligent with hiking recently that my kitchen is beginning to feel neglected. You couldn’t tell that from last weeks 6 new posts though. I must be cooking more than I think. The hiking has been a return to a true love of the mountains. In Calgary I belonged to a hiking club and for years went out on weekdays and weekend and... View Article

May 31, 2015

Apple Pie Rose

Remember these? A few days ago I saw a video online of someone preparing these beautiful pastries and posted a link to the video on my facebook page. You may have not seen it. Thanks to the annoying FB restrictive distribution policies the post reached a grand total of 14 people but I had no intention of paying them to boost the post. I found the link to the video on Divina Cucina facebook page but... View Article

May 30, 2015

Red quinoa and Chia Seeds Mini Pancakes

Two pancake recipes in one week seems like a lot but that’s how sometime things go. I cooked red quinoa the other day and wanted to try it in a couple of different dishes. Pairing it with vegetgables is the predictable choice (and I did make red quinoa with shaved carrots and asparagus) but I thought I’d try it with pancakes and loved the results. The pancakes had nutty flavour with good texture and the... View Article

May 28, 2015

Shaved asparagus salad with chive flower vinaigrette

The salad was inspired by a conversation I had with one of my daughters (Alexis) who lives in Toronto and gets to eat at the many fabulous restaurants in that cosmopolitan city. She was telling me about a shaved asparagus salad she had at Buca Bar I believe and although we didn’t get to discuss it in details it stayed on my mind and I knew I wanted to make it. I didn’t have a... View Article

May 27, 2015

Pasta with Cauliflower

Pasta with cauliflower may seem unusual but it is really a melody of complimentary textures and flavours. Pasta, in any event, goes with just about anything. I had a beautiful white and crisp cauliflower that called to be a main dish (vegetables for me ARE the main dish).  I cooked it on top of the stove in olive oil and to make it more substantial, added some cooked pasta to the skillet as it was... View Article

May 26, 2015

Joy Road Alfresco Dinner and Grilled Local Asparagus recipe

I just came back from another fabulous dinner event at God’s Mountain Estate in Penticton, a dinner catered by the incomparable Dana and Cameron of Joy Road Catering. These signature events they call alfresco dinners are held throughout the season (May to October) at the B&B overlooking beautiful Skaha lake. This evening it rained when we arrived and Dana and her team set the long table under cover on the porch overlooking the lake, so... View Article

May 25, 2015

Cherry tomato tarts with goat cheese and four basil

Pastry dough needs to be in any cook’s repertoire. It’s easy and versatile and can be prepared in advance and left to contemplate in the fridge wrapped in wax paper until called upon to perform. One batch of dough can work for both sweet and savoury tarts although if I know I am using it for sweet tarts I add a little sugar to the mix. Earlier this week I made one batch of pastry... View Article

May 24, 2015

Mini banana pancakes with banana and blueberries

Summer is time for leisurely breakfasts on the patio and although most of the time it is oatmeal or whole grains, sometimes I indulge in a little treat. Pancakes and waffles with fresh fruit, maple syrup and whipped cream are high on my “indulge” list.  And I like them small: compact and puffy little disks that can play the main role or be a side-kick, whatever else you are serving. For this recipe I chopped... View Article

May 24, 2015

Artichoke Fritters with Sorrel Aioli

It’s a perfect summer day here today and I was lazying in the hammock for a while reading a book but soon visions of the kitchen lured me in and I stepped inside to see what I can make. I am (almost) always ready to cook something. No need for dinner today as we are off to a Joy Road dinner in Penticton so I thought perhaps a little appie to have before we leave... View Article

May 21, 2015

Orzo with radicchio, broccolini and Feta

I haven’t spent much time in the kitchen this week. I have discovered the Apex Trail leading up to the top of Knox Mountain and got completely hooked on the hike and the area and have been going there every day. I hope this enthusiasm continues through the summer and fall because it is such a good workout in a gorgeous setting with spectacular Okanagan views. I do pack a lunch, enjoy it on top... View Article

May 20, 2015

Laura Calder Chocolate Mousse

I have written about Laura Calder before so you know I love her recipes. They are often simple enough to prepare yet are sophisticated with clean and layered flavours. Just like food should be. This little chocolate mousse is a quick dessert from her latest book Paris Express and I wanted to share it with you. You can serve it simply with whipped cream and fresh berries or elaborate with spun sugar. To be honest, I need... View Article

May 18, 2015

Red wine poached honey belle pears with gorgonzola and walnuts

I saw these pears at the store the other day. You think of pears as a fall fruit but this honey belle pear variety is only available here for a short time in the spring, from March to May. It’s a New Zealand pear, small and colourful with a pink blush over a lovely green background. It has a sweet flavour and crisp texture and I enjoyed eating it fresh, sliced into salads and poached... View Article