Pear mango quesadilla
Homemade potato chips
I take the time to write little love notes for my daughter’s lunchbox, or drop in at her school unannounced, and I always look for ways to make her friends feel special.
I created this recipe for homemade potato chips and on a day when she had friends over for a playdate, I served them with ketchup. I watched and listened while these little friends dipped and double dipped, giggled, munched, and had the cutest, most interesting conversation over this simple bowl of homemade potato chips. Something so simple made special.
Pear with goat cheese and prosciutto
A back lane dinner invitation and a promise to bring something nice brought me to a neighbourhood grocery store looking for ideas. “I’m looking for an appetizer that will make a great first impression,” I said. “Figs, goat cheese, basil, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar” was the reply. My neighbours never forgot the figs. Here, with figs out of season, we switched them up with pears.
Cheese straws with thyme and Gruyere
Elevate your party to a level of grandeur with simple puff pastry served the Louis Vuitton way. They take only minutes to make but bring rave reviews from grown ups and teeny guests alike.
Panko-crusted potato fritters
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, Panko crusted potato fritters are a delightful twist on traditional comfort food. Made from creamy mashed potatoes mixed with fresh herbs and spices, these fritters are coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs for an irresistible texture.
Banana cognac flambé
Spring roll stuffed with crabmeat, halibut and shrimp
Halibut, shrimp and crab combined with lemongrass, ginger and cilantro served with an Asian inspired dip that delivers a stunning twist on taste. This delicious starter transforms any dinner party into a classic event and like all things classic, long remembered.
Chicken drumettes with sweet soy glaze
Some years ago, my neighbours brought these tasty drumettes to a Christmas brunch and they were irresistible! I have since made them many times; the savoury sweet balance of soy sauce, vinegar and sugar transforms simple into spectacular! —Mari
Mari’sItalian lentil soup with chicken, spinach, and Parmesan
A heartwarming Italian soup starts with our favourite San Marzano canned tomatoes. A level-up Minestrone, with chicken and spinach…so hearty and delicious.
tomato, cucumber and onion salad
Try this classic tomato, cucumber, and onion salad—a refreshing, flavorful dish. With ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and zesty onions, this vibrant salad complements any meal and is quick to prepare.
Orange Fizz
Mojito
Refreshingly vibrant and irresistibly zesty, the Mojito is a classic cocktail that perfectly balances the crispness of mint with the sweetness of sugar and the tartness of lime.
Sangrita
The Eaton’s Red Velvet Cake
My friend Laura remembers Saturday shopping trips with her mom. They would ride the bus to Eaton's, a downtown department store, and always end their day with Eaton's Special Red Velvet Cake. Someone shared the recipe with her and she's sharing it here with us. A stunning red and gloriously rich red, velvety cake.
Crunchy granola
Chocolate caramel pecan tart
Tuna steaks with roasted corn relish
A truly amazing pairing of flavours, that are lovely and comforting.
Chicken Pepper Fettuccini, In Garlic Cream Sauce
I used to work at this Italian restaurant and this was their signature dish. I served thousands of them and still remember the gorgeous scented pasta with garlic cream sauce. And can almost taste it just thinking about it!
Panko-crusted pickerel slider, with caper tarter sauce
