Category Archives: food and beverage

Donair l’egg roll

We Atlantic Canadian’s have a weakness for donair’s. For a select few, especially at 2 a.m. on a Saturday – when any knowledge of Canada’s four food groups is kicked to the curb.

Ok.

Wait one sec.

Let’s get something straight.

I am NOT up at 2 a.m. (anymore) I’m NOT 19 (anymore). I prefer a stick of celery as a snack (these days).

Not all Atlantic Canadian’s even like donair’s. Just thought I’d add that disclaimer.

So. Here’s an egg roll with a twist. It’s yummy and it comes with “donair sauce” to dip them in. What is that delicious white sauce called anyway? Never mind, there are some things one doesn’t need to know in life, like what is donair meat made of anyway? Don’t matter, it’s still good.

Someone told me today I should be a food photographer. I scoffed. Then reached for my bag of celery.

Pumpkin Cookies

I received these cookies in a basket a few years ago. These beauties are soft and chewy. I add chocolate chips and sometimes walnuts.

Pumpkin Cookies:
1/2 cup margarine (or softened butter)
1 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
1 cup chocolate chips (or raisins)
1 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter and sugar together, mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and pumpkin. Stir in remaining ingredients. Mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake in 375 oven for about 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Then invite me over for tea 🙂

Annapolis Valley Apple Torte

This torte cuts into firm slices, each studded with apples, a fresh change from apple pie.

Base
1/2 cup butter 125 mL
1/3 cup granulated sugar 75 mL
1/4 tsp vanilla 1 mL
1 cup all-purpose flour 250 mL
1/2 cup raspberry jam 125 mL

Filling
1 cup cream cheese, softened 250 mL
1/2 cup granulated sugar 125 mL
1 large egg 1
1/2 tsp vanilla 2 mL

Topping
4 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1 L
1/3 cup granulated sugar 75 mL
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 mL
1/2 cup slivered almonds 125 mL

Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla; add flour and mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into bottom and 1 inch (2.5 cm) up the sides of a 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan. Spread raspberry jam on the bottom crust. Mix filling ingredients until smooth and spread evenly over base. Toss peeled and sliced apples with sugar and cinnamon and arrange gently on filling. Sprinkle with slivered almonds.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) and continue baking for 30 minutes or until apples are tender. Cool and serve with whipped cream. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Print 4 x 6 Recipe Card (pdf)

To find fall recipes, go to novascotia.com

Next…my pumpkin cookies!

Roses are red. Blueberries are blue.

Oxford, Nova Scotia

“You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
To the village, through Mortenson’s pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!”
Robert Frost

Last week I took a side trip to Oxford, “Blueberry Capital of Canada”. I dropped into the Wild Blueberry and Maple Centre (which also doubles as a Visitor Information Centre). As soon as I walked in the door I knew what I was having- blueberry ice cream, which I happily devoured on my way out of town.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomato topped with goat cheese and chutney

One early Saturday morning, a friend and I set off to Halifax’s Farmers Market. I was on a mission. I had a hankering for fried green tomatoes and wanted to try making them.

After searching for a recipe online, I came across one calling for cornmeal and breadcrumbs. Perfect. So, as I sliced the tomatoes, I talked with a southern accent (like Jessica Tandy from the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”). This drove my kids nuts. They got more annoyed when my husband chimed in but he sounded more like Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump”.

These tomatoes were yummy. Even more so when topped with something tart and that’s where I got the idea of adding goat cheese and chutney. Thought of adding a dab of the lavender jelly but thought I’d best save the near empty jar for my morning toast.