Sitting on the concrete floor of my mother's friend's flowershop I sorted and searched through the little plastic pieces for the right colour. Pop, pop, pop the little pegs broke through black paper, twinkling as they released the light. I followed the Lite Brite patterns until I used them all up and started making up my own designs -- swirls and zig-zags and 5-year-old interpretations of trees -- from the little points of colour. And then a question, asked casually and without … [Read more...]
Concord Grape Curd & Vegan Meringue Pie Parfaits
Well now isn't that a mouthful in more ways than one. I mentioned that we are off on another adventure, however as the first two weeks of our trip involved hanging out in Cape Cod with my extended family, followed by a week at Mom's farm in upstate NY, it was nearly impossible to keep me out of the kitchen. I found myself whipping up salads and cakes and more salads along the way so figured I may as well pull out a slightly unusual twist for this month's Sweet Adventures Blog … [Read more...]
Almond Croissants – the makeover edition
I once read in a book that there is no such thing as a coincidence. The story went that when something or someone repeatedly crossed your path there was a cosmic reason behind it. The author continued on to explain that you should not just dismiss these occurrences as coincidence, but actively pursue them to determine how it could change the path of your life. Of course the people in this book, if I remember correctly, could also see energy and eventually crossed into another astral … [Read more...]
Genius Goat Chevre Icing
I've gone all mad-scientist-ish on you again. Not with fruits or veggies or nuts this time around, but instead with an aim to re-create one of my favourite ever icings without processed cow cheese or refined sugar. When it comes to dessert I'd be hard pressed to name a favourite. Mom's Sour Cream Chocolate Cake with ridiculously fudge-y Chocolate Icing does hold a special place in my heart and a stunning Lemon Meringue or Pumpkin Pie can completely silence me for the length of time it takes … [Read more...]
Berry Filled Hot Cross Buns & an Easter Breakfast Braid
How does one make a batch of Hot Cross Bun even better? Stuff them with berry filling of course. Yes, it is a genius idea [if I do say so myself] but I can't take full responsibility for it... Let me back up a little bit first. A few months back I was over on Claire's site and she was sharing the exciting news that she had become a member of the Secret Recipe Club. It reminded me that I had applied for a spot at one point so I chased it up, and before I knew it I had a group! The way … [Read more...]
6 Natural Food-based Easter Egg Dyes
It's official, this whole need-to-create-things is hereditary. Not only the creativity gene bit but the comfort found in just making stuff. I was at mum's house for a few weeks during our last trip and one day she brought out a lovely, frilly, very colourful apron, "Look! I saw this and had to get it for you. Thought it may be a bit of inspiration... you could make these!" It was a cute apron, and it did give me a few new ideas, but in the midst of packing our already busting suitcases … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Quinoa & Buckwheat Skillet Bread
And there it was again, a very happy "I wonder what would happen if... " accident. Somehow quinoa flour does that in my kitchen, first it was tortillas, then a chocolate crumble crust and now bread. But in the midst of making this at least once a week for the past three months I've neglected to share it with you. Shame on me. This is 'Emergency Bread' at its best. Less than 20 minutes start to finish and gluten free to boot. Crumbly, light, slice-able. The only thing I haven't yet … [Read more...]
