Wonders can be performed in the kitchen by checking out the pantry, whether it’s carrot cake, cheese cake or biscuits
A family recipe I hadn’t used for years was a carrot loaf that contained maraschino cherries. Recently, I came across this Christmas carrot cake made with glazed cherries or mixed fruit, which I tried and will definitely make again. Cousin Bev and I compared the recipes and the only differences between the one I made […] Read moreAuthor Archives

Growing a salad indoors is a feasible option this winter

Cheaper meat cuts can still be tender, tasty
Types of meat such as round steak and stewing beef can be easy on the pocketbook but satisfying at the dinner table
This time of year we are usually attending three or four hockey games a week but COVID-19 has changed that. Plus, most livestock shows and cattle sales are online only. With more time on my hands I decided to try some new recipes with less expensive cuts of meat such as round steak and stewing […] Read more
Versatile tomato has a wide variety of uses
From salsa to mincemeat and juice to pizza sauce, there’s virtually no end to what can be done with this juicy vegetable
As a new bride decades ago, my neighbour shared a recipe with me for green tomato mincemeat, which I’ve made every fall since. Green tomato mincemeat 6 c. green tomatoes peeled and chopped 6 c. apples peeled and chopped 1 c. seedless raisins 2 c. seeded raisins 1 c. butter 3/4 c. vinegar 4 c. […] Read more
Cooking tips make barbecue season a success
Proper steak preparation is key when firing up the grill this summer, but make sure not to forget the fresh vegetables
I always look forward to barbecue season and a melt in your mouth barbecued steak. I’ve learned that it pays to plan ahead for a good barbecued steak, making sure the steaks are out of the freezer the night before and putting them in a marinade the next morning. This is the marinade I use […] Read more
Cooking with what’s on hand is important skill
It is also good to know what to do to keep the kitchen running and the meals flowing when the oven stops working
Just as COVID-19 hit Canada, my oven decided to crash. I didn’t feel shopping for a new stove was an option because health officials were asking us to stay home. So faced with many days ahead without an oven, I sought out my cookbooks and tried some new recipes. Cranberry pork chops are one of […] Read more
Gluten-free cooking is not a daunting task
Many stores now carry a variety of gluten-free products, and lots of recipes are available on places such as Facebook
One of my granddaughters, who is in her teens, found out this spring that she cannot tolerate gluten. Changing her diet has been hard because she comes from a farm family that is used to eating lots of pasta and fresh, homemade bread. I read up everything the health facility provided her and joined a […] Read more
Early planning eases harvest meal preparation
Whether its rhubarb crisp, round steak with dumplings or cranberry chicken, harvest meals don’t have to be boring
While making a rhubarb dessert for the spraying and reseeding crew, I decided if I froze rhubarb when it was picked, it would be available to make a rhubarb-apple-strawberry crisp for the harvest crew. I made the following recipe several times this spring but not always using the same fruit. The one today has blueberries […] Read more
Homemade bread always a popular option
Making your own bread reduces the amount of additives in the diet; plus, nothing beats the smell of a fresh-baked loaf
One bushel of wheat can be made into enough flour to make 42 loaves of bread. A farmer gets maybe $7 for that bushel of wheat, putting income into numerous people’s pocket before it reaches the consumer in a loaf of bread. Making homemade bread and buns for your family lessens the amount of additives […] Read more
Cheating pork and beans is a crowd pleaser
Whether prepared with pineapple, in bundles or as a cold salad, there are lots of delicious ways to serve this staple food
I recently helped feed a crowd of people and had requests for the recipes we used for the pork and beans we served. Joyce Stewart shared this recipe with me years ago when she first own Harbourlights B & B in Vernon, B.C. Since then she has retired and has helped me put together three […] Read more