Flatbread Night: One Formula, Endless Variations

I am often looking for an easy dinner option but I don’t like repetition. Like my Monday Night Chicken Thighs, I’ve been creating a process and repertoire of recipes for flatbreads. The idea is to use a simple formula that lets me build dinner around what’s fresh in the garden and herb garden, what’s already… Read more »

Monday Night Chicken Thighs: One Sheet Pan, Different Marinades

Somewhere along the way, Monday became chicken thigh night at our house. I love cooking but I’m not a fan of thinking about what to cook (or grocery shopping). So weekdays are somewhat routine in terms of what meat we eat. What keeps this dinner from getting dull is the herb garden. The marinade changes… Read more »

Rustic Leek & Onion Sausage Gratin

This is a layered casserole of potatoes, crisped leek and onion sausage, and onions in a wine sauce, topped with Gruyère. Ingredients 3 medium potatoes 2 leek & onion sausages from Sobeys (casings removed) 1 large onion, sliced pole-to-pole 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups chicken broth ½… Read more »

Cabbage Casserole

A cabbage and beef casserole or deconstructed cabbage rolls without the fuss. You can use a fresh cabbage but in the winter, when I prefer to eat this, I find it easier to use a package of precut cabbage slaw mix to reduce the prep time. Just be sure the slaw is more shredded and… Read more »

Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

This is a quick pasta made mostly with pantry items. INGREDIENTS 3-4 Italian sausage, casings removed 3 heads roasted garlic small can cannelloni beans 1/2 cup whole black olives, halved small jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped 2 tablespoons olive bruschetta spinach rigatoni pecorino romano DIRECTIONS roast garlic heads ahead of time and remove… Read more »

Braised Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs

Easy and very flavourful INGREDIENTS 1.1 kg deboned chicken thighs, clean off extra skin 1 cup maple syrup 1/2 cup Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon mirin 4 teaspoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 1 sprig rosemary chopped DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 450F Combine all sauce… Read more »

Spiced Mushroom Pilaf with Left Over Lamb

We like rice pilaf with lamb. This is my new test recipe. It’s a small batch only, just enough for two – with some left over. Main Ingredients 1 cup basmati or long-grain rice 250g cremini mushrooms, sliced thin 2 cups hot broth (vegetable or chicken) 1 medium onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2-3… Read more »

Hearty Instant Pot Pork & Squash Stew with Beans

I made this Autumn inspired stew from butternut squash grown in our garden. A nice change from beef stew. Ingredients: 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb), cut into 1-inch cubes 4-5 slices bacon, sliced across about 1/4 inch width 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups) 1 small can beans (northern, cannellini… Read more »