Food & Drink

Dinner and a movie

She says: If you read our column regularly, or if you know us, you know that one of the things we love almost as much as food is movies. (Are you thinking that sounds desperate? Like the only people who read our column are friends and family? That’s okay – some people think seeing as many movie

Lose weight and eat good food

She says: Gosh, but that title sounds a bit dubious, doesn’t it? Most of us think of losing weight and having to eat salad all the time or naked chicken (you know, no skin, no sauce, no fun?) Hopefully you enjoy our column enough on a regular basis that you will let me explain, even though the cr

Molasses Cookies

Ingredients: 3/4 cup margarine, melted 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup molasses 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 cup white sugar Preparation: 1. In a medium bowl, mix t

Chinese Appetite Soup

Ingredients: 1 carton or can of chicken or vegetable broth 2 thin slices of fresh ginger root, minced 1 small clove of fresh garlic, minced finely Handful of colorful veggies on hand - I use: a mushroom, thinly sliced carrots and celery, cabbage or Bokchoy (optional) Dash of Chinese 5-spice 2

Cakey Brownie Mix

Ingredients: Preheat oven to 350F. 1 1/4 cups (300ml) of granulated sugar 1/4 cup (125ml) of cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy 1 1/2 cups (375 of all-purpose flour 1 tsp (5ml) of baking powder 1/4 tsp (1ml) of baking soda 1/2 tsp (2ml) of salt 1/2 cup (125ml) of chopped walnuts (optional) 1/2 c

In with the new

She says: Okay, we’ve feasted and feted and celebrated and relaxed (I hope – I know we sure enjoyed the last week together without any schedule to follow). Now is the time when we are supposed to get ourselves organized for the year and make that new plan, or at least a resolution. I did see a

Christmas Nuts

Dear Reader, I have chosen to reprint this column from last year as I find myself still rushing around, as you will read! In the interest of enjoying more and rushing less, I submit this sentiment once again for us all to consider. May the joy of this festive time of year not pass you by, and may

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies

Ingredients: 1 cup of water 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup of sugar 1 tsp salt 1 cup or brown sugar 4 large eggs 1 cup nuts 2 cups of dried fruit 1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila Preparation: Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highe

Veal Stroganoff

Ingredients: 1 pound of cooked German butter noodles or fettuccine, tossed in 1/4 cup melted butter 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1/2 white onion, peeled and chopped 1 teaspoon paprika fresh basil, to taste 1/2 cup Parmesan 1 cup beef broth, low-salt

The season of giving

Everyone I talk to says they are behind in their plans. The gifts aren’t wrapped yet, or the baking is not done, or the tree isn’t up. Judging from the traffic I was in yesterday and the full parking lots I saw, the shopping isn’t finished either. As we all rush around to try and check everyth

Trials & tribulations of hosting a party

Since we are in the midst of the party season, I thought it might be “a propos” to talk about hosting a party. Martin and I talk often about the aspects of holding a great party – there are lots of pieces to that puzzle. Hopefully I can offer a few tidbits to help you enjoy your nest gathering

Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients: 2-3 freshly squeezed lemons 1/3 cup of canola oil 1 teaspoon of oregano 1 cup of water 6-8 Yellow Flesh Potatoes Dash of Sea Salt Preparation: Take all ingredients and mix in casserole dish. Add potatoes. Bake at 450 for 60 minutes. (Make sure you turn every once in a while).

Which type are you?

I think life is made up of two kinds of people – those who love the buffet and its multitude of choices, and those who prefer to live “a la carte”, choosing one option at a time. There are of course, advantages to both lifestyles. At a time of year when food abounds I offer some commentary on

Spring Rolls

Ingredients: Wonton or egg roll wrappers (in oriental or vegetarian section of most stores) use about 15, give or take a few 2 cups coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots) 1/2 yellow onion 1 stalk green onion 2 cloves garlic, minced finely 1 tsp grated ginger 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice 1

Easiest and Best Lasagna Ever

Ingredients: 2 large cans diced tomatoes (drained) 1 10oz can tomato sauce Lean hamburger 3 cloves garlic (minced) 1/2 cup cream cheese 1/2 cup cottage cheese 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1 egg 1 package spaghetti seasoning Kraft 3 cheese Italian (can use Mozza, I prefer the Italian) Preparati

NFL Warm Bread

She says: A quick note on my lunch break – I wish I could have stayed at home in my fuzzy slippers and watched the Macy’s Day parade, but it’s a work day for me. I have Christmas carols playing though, and the winter scene outside is spectacular with the vines and the lake. I am sure you will

Curry Carrot Ginger Soup

Ingredients: 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 stalk lemongrass (I use dried bits)

Comfort food season

I think we have gotten soft over the years. We live in a country that supposedly breeds hearty stock, folks who can endure the hardships of rough weather and other hardships that Mother Nature can throw around. Canada is a country full of remote areas where people must weather storms in any season,

Nacho Perogies

Ingredients: 1 pkg frozen perogies 1 lb ground beef 1 bunch of green onions 1/2 cup chopped olives 1 green onion 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese 1 pkg of taco seasoning Canola oil Preparation: Brown hamburger and add taco seasoning package and cook as instructed. Take frozen perogies and

Crispy Pig""s Tails

Ingredients: 8 long pig""s tails 2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped 2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped 2 sticks of celery, chopped a bundle of fresh herbs 3 bay leaves 10 black peppercorns 1 head of garlic zest of 1 lemon ½ bottle of red wine 1.1 (2 pints) litres chicken or light sto