I started this blog so my daughters could find all of our family favourite recipes in one place. It has actually grown into more than just the family favourites but also other recipes we've tried out in our kitchen. I don't like to fill up the post with alot of chatter. Sometimes there's a little story to tell, but usually I like to get right to the point. So this is for them, but hope you find some recipes that you like as well. I'll be sharing a lot of recipes, and along the way you'll find some crafty things and maybe some helpful hints too! Welcome!



Sunday, November 16, 2025

Melting Sweet Potatoes

These caramelized potatoes will melt in your mouth with a crisp, sweet exterior that are velvety, tender inside. Pair them with just about anything from turkey, to pork, to a juicy steak! This recipe serves 2 people but can easily be doubled or tripled.

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato (about 3/4 lb) sliced in 1" rounds, unpeeled

1 tbsp butter, melted

1 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup beef broth

1 1/2 tsps honey

1 tsp sweet chili oil

2 garlic cloves, slivered 

Preheat the oven to 500°F. Combine the melted butter, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl then add the potato slices and mix to coat. Place the slices in a 9 X 9" metal baking pan (not glass), making sure there is space between each slice, and drizzle any remaining oil/butter on top. Roast for 12-15 minutes then flip them over and return to the oven for another 12-15 minutes. Whisk the broth, honey and sweet chili oil together and pour over the sweet potato slices. Sprinkle the garlic slivers around and back to the oven for yet another 12-15 minutes or until golden, tender and just a little bit charred on the edges. Serves 2
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Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Loose Meat Sheet Pan Burgers

This type of burger can be made for a crowd, although this particular recipe is for 4 people. Instead of frying up a number of burgers, just cook up some well seasoned beef ahead of time and you're good to go! 

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dry minced onion

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup diced onion

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

4 burger buns

4 slices processed cheddar cheese

pickle slices

Bun coating:

2 tbsps butter, melted

salt to taste

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 1/2 tsps Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp Dijon mustard 

sesame seeds (optional) 

First brown the beef and onion with garlic powder, dry minced onion, salt, pepper, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside to cool. This can be a make ahead step to come back to later in the day. Next lay the buns opened on a lined baking sheet. Spoon beef mixture onto the bottoms and give each a firm press with your hand. Add a slice of cheese and some pickles on each them put the bun top in place. Mix the coating ingredients together and brush on top. If you don't use sesame seed buns you can sprinkle sesames seed on top. Bake at 375°F for 15-18 minutes. As I said earlier this recipe serves 4 but may be doubled or made for as many as you need to feed. 

 Adapted from a Turano bread recipe

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Monday, November 10, 2025

Simple Shrimp Dumpling Soup

First snow fall and soup season is upon us. This one comes together quickly and can be customized to what you have on hand... perogies instead dumplings, chicken for shrimp. You get the idea. 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1" ginger, minced

2 tsps minced garlic

1 leek, sliced thinly

1 tsp coriander

8 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

6 mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup diced bell pepper

1 cup spinach, roughly chopped

2 tbsps soy sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1/2 lb shrimp (about 18 31-40 size)

16 store bought frozen dumplings or perogies 

In a soup pot on medium heat, add olive oil then ginger, garlic, leek and coriander and stir together 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and water and bring to a boil. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, spinach, soy sauce and sesame oil. Bring back to a boil and add the dumplings or perogies. Simmer until they float to the top, 6-8 minutes. Add the shrimp in the last 3 minutes and it's ready! Serves 3-4

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Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Easy Roasted Tomato Boursin Pasta

Tons of flavour from garlicky herb Boursin cheese and juicy charred tomatoes. Easy weeknight dinner!

Ingredients:

250g (8 oz) penne pasta, or about 2 cups

150g garlic and fine herb Boursin cheese

2 cups fresh spinach, lightly packed

3 garlic buds

3 cups cherry tomatoes or large tomatoes cut in chunks

2 tbsps olive oil

fresh basil to serve

reserved pasta water  

Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine the tomatoes, olive oil and garlic buds in a 13 X 9" baking dish. Place the Boursin in a space in the middle. Bake for 30 minutes. While roasting, cook the pasta and chop the spinach. Once the tomatoes and cheese have roasted then broil for 2 minutes. Mash the garlic buds with a fork. Drain the pasta reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Toss the drained pasta with spinach then stir into the tomato/cheese/garlic mixture. Add enough pasta water to give it a consistency you like. Plate and top with fresh chopped basil. Serves 4
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Friday, October 31, 2025

Halloween Bark

Easiest spooky sweet treat around! Just melt chocolate and add candy corn and sprinkles.  I used half milk chocolate and half dark here, melted separately and swirled. 

Ingredients:
16 oz chocolate melting wafers or squares (not chocolate chips)
Candy corn and Halloween sprinkles
Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave just until nearly all melted then add the coconut oil, remove from heat and stir until completely smooth. Pour into a parchment lined  9 X 9" pan and immediately add candy corn and sprinkles. Refrigerate until set then cut into squares.
Happy Halloween 🎃 

Makes 16 squares 

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Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Air Fryer Bread Rolls

Bread rolls in minutes! And pumped up with protein!

Ingredients:

300g (about 1 cup and 2 tbsps) Greek yogurt or cottage cheese

300g (about 2 1/4 cups) flour

1 1/2 tsps baking powder

pinch of salt (optional) 

Add everything to the mixer and combine using the dough hook. It may look crumbly at first but will come together after a couple of minutes. Then put the dough on a lightly floured board and knead a few times. Form the dough into a small log then cut into 6 pieces. Take a slice of dough and fold it under itself, pinching the ends together. Place pinched end down on the air fryer tray that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Continue with the rest taking care that there is space between each roll. As an option you may want to brush the tops with milk, cream or egg wash. Air fry at 350°F for 12-15 minutes. Best eaten while warm. Makes 6 rolls.
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Monday, October 27, 2025

Roasted Cremini Mushroom Soup

Earthy umaminess is how to describe this rustic vegetarian soup. Hearty and comforting on a chilly fall day.

Ingredients:

16 oz (454 g) cremini mushrooms

4 tsps olive oil

Soup:

2 tsps olive oil

1 cup diced onion

6 tsps minced garlic

1/2 cup diced celery

1 1/2 tsps dry sage

2 tsps Dijon mustard

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 bay leaves

15 oz canned cannellini beans (white kidney)

4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or beef if not keeping vegetarian)

1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley

2 tbsps soy sauce

Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush the mushrooms clean then chop and toss with 4 tsps olive oil. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes, tossing halfway through the time. When browned and tender remove from oven and set aside. Next warm 2 tsps of olive oil in a large skillet to medium heat. SautÃ© onions for 5-6 minutes then add the garlic, celery, sage, Dijon, thyme, coriander, smoked paprika and black pepper. Stir a couple of minutes then add the bay leaves, 1/2 the roasted mushrooms, beans and broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and use a food processor or blender to purée soup in batches until smooth. Return soup to the pot and add the rest of the roasted mushrooms, chopped parsley and soy sauce. Generously serves 6.

Adapted from: cinnamonsnail.com

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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Slow Cooker Turkey Carcass Broth

Nothing better than homemade soup! And broth made in the slow cooker is a no brainer. Great base to start soup season with!

Ingredients:

1 turkey carcass (this one was a 22 pounder!)

1 onion, halved

2 celery stalks

2-3 garlic cloves

2 carrots

1 tbsp apple cider vineger

salt and pepper to taste

cold water to cover

a sprig or 2 of rosemary

Simply put everything in your slow cooker and pour in enough water just to cover it all. Set to high for 8 hours or low for 24 hours. Once done cool and remove vegetables and bones. Pick the meat off the bones... you'll be surprised at how much you'll find. Pour the broth into a colander lined with cheesecloth to remove small bones and bits. Use or freeze the broth as is or cut up the slow cooked veggies into the broth along with the salvaged turkey for a healthy soup. Maybe add a can of diced tomatoes and cooked rice if you like. Makes 10-12 servings. 

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Monday, October 20, 2025

Sausage Cauliflower Stuffed Pumpkin

We're smack dab in the middle of pumpkin season. Think beyond pie and pumpkin loaf and you'll find lots of ways to use this fiber and vitamin rich squash. Like stuffing it for an easy cosy seasonal meal. 

Ingredients:

1 medium pumpkin, about 3 lbs

olive oil

Stuffing:

1 tbsp olive oil

12 oz hot Italian sausage, remove casings

4 1/2 cups cauliflower florets

1 1/2 cups shredded jalapeño cheddar 

Pierce the skin of the pumpkin several times with a knife and microwave on high for 5-10 minutes. Then cut the pumpkin in half and clean out the seeds and strings using a grapefruit spoon and scissors or even an ice cream scoop works well. Brush the inside and cut edge with olive oil and sit cut side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. You'll know it's done when you can easily pierce it with a knife. While the pumpkin bakes prepare the stuffing. In a saucepan blanch the cauliflower florets for 4-5 minutes then drain. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the sausage meat, breaking it up as it cooks, for about 5 minutes. Remove any excess grease from the pan then add the cauliflower. Spoon the meat and cauliflower into the pumpkin halves and top with shredded cheese. Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes. Each half pumpkin serves 2 people with a side of potatoes or salad. Serves 4


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Saturday, October 18, 2025

Onion Beef Fried Rice

Ground beef, frozen mixed veggies and leftover cooked rice (the trick to keeping it fluffy not sticky), and you've got supper! Optional scotch bonnet pepper gives it a kick or serve with sriracha sauce. You can also add scrambled egg to up the protein.

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked, cooled brown rice (day old and any rice works!)

1 tbsp vegetable oil 

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1 1/2 tbsps minced garlic

1 tbsp finely diced scotch bonnet pepper (optional)

1 cup mixed frozen vegetables 

1/3 cup diced bell pepper

1/4 cup water

2 tbsps soy sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

salt and pepper to taste

Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a deep skillet to medium high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown in the pan, cooking until no pink remains. Remove to a plate. In the same pan, fry the onion 4-5 minutes then add the garlic and scotch bonnet 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the vegetables on medium low heat and de-glaze the pan with 1/4 cup water. Stir together for 5 minutes then add the rice to the pan along with the beef. Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil together and mix in to coat. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Heat through for about 5 minutes then serve. Makes 4 servings. 

 Adapted from: recipesfiber.com

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Friday, October 17, 2025

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Noodles

Need a super quick comfort food meal that comes together in about 20 minutes? This is it! Not fancy, just satisfying.

Ingredients:

8 oz egg noodles

12 oz shrimp

4 tsps minced garlic

1/2 cup Parmesan

4 tbsps butter

2 tbsps vegetable oil

zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon

salt and pepper to taste

parsley 

Cook the egg noodles as directed on package to al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet heat the butter and oil to medium. Add the shrimp and cook 4-6 minutes until no pink remains, then add the garlic for 30 seconds. Add the lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper. Drop the egg noodles into the skillet and toss to coat. Stir in the parmesan cheese and serve with a sprinkle of parsley. Serves 3

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Thursday, October 16, 2025

Pork and Tomato Stew

Aromatic melt-in-your-mouth pork served with rice or potatoes is the meal you need for the cold nights ahead.

12 oz pork loin, cut in 1 1/2 - 2" chunks

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup diced onion

1/2 cup diced red pepper

2 tsps minced garlic

1 1/2 cups thick sliced mushrooms

4 tbsps olive oil, divided

a splash of red wine vinegar

1 cup canned diced tomatoes

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp dry thyme

1/2 tsp dry oregano

2 cups beef or chicken broth

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp cold water

Heat 2 tbsps olive oil in a large skillet. Salt and pepper the pork then sear a few minutes. Remove from heat. Add 2 tbsps olive oil to the same pan and heat to low. Sauté the onion, garlic, red pepper and mushrooms 2-3 minutes. Return the pork to the pan and raise the temperature to medium heat. Make a space in the middle, add the red wine vinegar and de-glaze the pan. Stir all together and add the canned tomatoes, seasonings and broth. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 1 hour. Mix the cornstarch and water together and stir into the stew. Heat 1-2 minutes to slightly thicken. Serves 2

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Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Candy Corn Cookie Squares

The nostalgic fall favourite candy in sweet cookie bar form. Perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving! 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tsps vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

yellow and orange food colouring gel

 

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

1/2 tsp vanilla

3 tbsps milk

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/2 cup candy corn

sprinkles 

First line an 8 X 8" baking pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl blend the butter and sugar together until light yellow. Add the egg and vanilla. In another bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in 2 or 3 additions until combined. Divide the dough in half. Add 3-4 drops of yellow food colouring to one half and orange to the other, using gloved hands to knead the colour through. Press the yellow dough into the lined pan, then cover with a piece of parchment and smooth out the surface with a flat object like a measuring cup. Leave the parchment in place and put the orange dough on top. Press out evenly then carefully lift out and remove that piece of parchment. Lay the orange dough over the yellow, place the parchment on top again to smooth it out. Remove the parchment and bake the cookie at 350°F for 18-20 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Mix the frosting ingredients together then lift out of the pan and frost adding candy corn and sprinkles to decorate. Cut into 16 squares.

 Adapted from: tosimplyinspire.com

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