Welcome to my Nest!
Merry Christmas to all of you, from our crazy family. May your holidays be filled with love, laughter and your family surrounding you. Cherish the twinkle in your children’s eyes as they experience the wonder of giving and of course, the magic of too much chocolate combined with the glee of new toys and over [...]
I have never been a cobbler kinda gal. I like my fruits in crisps, the cakey topping that I usually associate with crumbles can’t hold a candle to the crunchy oatmeal topping that crisps are known for. The story that lead me to this recipe is a common one around this house. It started with [...]
Oh, yes I did! These lovelies were inspired by my first trip to the Bulk Barn, prompted by everyone on Twitter telling me how much I was missing in life by not frequenting said store. And I mean everyone. I think even Jessica Alba chimed in at one point and said “Are you crazy??” Ok, [...]
The devil made me do it. That’s the only thing that came to mind when I realized that on a day when it was about plus 28 Celsius, I was finally making the cookies that have been niggling in the back of my mind for a long, long time. I recently posted the base recipe [...]
True confessions time for this mom: I hate mini muffins tins. Oh, how I loathe those little buggers, with their shiny little places to scrub out - all 24 of them in one pan!- how they love to stick no matter how you grease them and how you never can get that batter in evenly with a blasted spoon. Ever. However, school time is arriving on our doorsteps sooner than this mom would like and it's … [Read more...]
Eclairs. Profiteroles. Cream puffs. Those delicious bites of creamy heaven, whichever shape you prefer, are all made from a choux pastry base. Now stop right there and don't leave me. Don't let a French word combined with pastry make you turn tail and head for the hills. These are so easy to make it's not even funny. This is the one pastry that anyone can master, even those who claim they … [Read more...]
What would a lemon cake be without an amazing lemon filling? The secret is to use fresh lemons for an amazing taste that won't soon be forgotten. And if you are like me, you could eat this like pudding. Lemon, how I love thee. Alas, I had to use this sandwiched between two layers of luscious lemon cake, which was far more ladylike than eating a bowl of it plain. Ingredients Needed: 2 tbsp … [Read more...]
Every time I go to post a how to, I have to remind myself: someone, somewhere, truly doesn't know how to cook this/do this/how long to roast this. It may seem redundant to a lot of people reading this blog, but we all had to learn somehow. So every time I go over a basic recipe or kitchen task, I am going to try and post it more. I know there are a few university kids reading my blog (other … [Read more...]
Thanks to my lucky win of a fantastic cheese basket at the Taste Alberta launch, I had not only some superb cheese to serve at my little open house in December, but the utensils to serve them with! But here's a caveat before I start. I have no idea what I am doing. Alright, now that we have that settled, on to the cheese board! I scoured the 'net the night before my little open house … [Read more...]
With Christmas almost upon us, I am going back and bringing forth from my archives some of my more helpful or popular posts, and how to cook a prime rib roast is one of them. Prime is the "grade" given to the meat, most roasts are actually just rib roasts, which on their own are delicious. In Canada, we have Canada Prime, AAA, AA, and A. In the United States, they have Prime, Choice, Select and … [Read more...]
You guessed it right, blue stars for Star Wars. Part of the crazy week of making things for my son's birthday. Coming soon from the Kitchen Magpie near you: R2D2 birthday cake, complete with cursing and wondering why I don't just buy a cake. But for now, it's all about the chocolates in the goodie bags I am giving away to the kids. Let me start by explaining just how much I don't like the … [Read more...]
SLICK. That's the only word to describe my newest attachment for my KitchenAid mixer. Or maybe AWESOME. Whichever word it is, I am eternally grateful to my Dad, who heard me muttering one day about making my own homemade burgers and how I needed the meat grinder attachment for my mixer. Yes, that's right. A man who hears and takes notice when a woman mutters about … [Read more...]
This is one recipe that most cooks need in their repertoire, absolutely, and very seldom do I say that. But at 4-5 bucks a bottle for the pre-mixed in the store, this is a quick and cheap, better tasting version. The base of a good Cajun spice is equal amounts of cumin, coriander and paprika. However, I like oregano, salt and cracked pepper in mine. Always me with the tweaking. I can't … [Read more...]
Roasted garlic has to be one of my favorite additions to food, and it's not just because I am Ukrainian. Though it helps of course. But truly, garlic is incredibly healthy for you, adds a flavor like no other and when roasted becomes a mild, caramelized version of its formerly pungent self. To roast all you need is olive oil and a head of garlic. Slice the top off the head until the cloves … [Read more...]
I didn't know you could do dumplings on top of stews in the crock pot, so I figured maybe someone else out there doesn't know. It is just a simple little recipe for tasty dumplings, but I love that you can throw them in the crockpot as well. I just tried it and it worked. Who knew? Ingredients : 1 cup of flour 2 tsp of baking powder 1 tsp of sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp butter/margarine 1/2 … [Read more...]
Strawberry freezer jam was a mainstay in our house while growing up and reminds me of my grandma, who was the maker of all that wonderful jam. I asked my mom what her recipe was, and found out it's the one from Certo. So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And this jam is the best jam ever, so there's no point in finding another recipe. Ingredients needed: 4 cups of crushed strawberries 3 1/2 … [Read more...]
This was exciting for me. And in answer to your question, no, I don't get out much. Things like this excite me. I have never, ever made homemade pizza that I liked. It's just not the same. But thanks to my mixer (who is still un-named, I can't believe I have named my Roomba, yet my third child is nameless still) I was inspired to attempt it for a Friday pizza night. And it rocked. Even picky … [Read more...]
I have found my icing recipe, it's perfect and I won't fiddle around with it any more. Promise. Ok, well maybe one day I will try adding a couple drops of lemon juice to it, to give it a little pizazz. You know me and lemon. It's bound to happen one day that the two will meet. Lemon really gets around in my house. This is amazing, melt in your mouth, whippy, ultimate swirly cupcake … [Read more...]
I made ganache to go on top of some brownies that I made, and ending up not liking the brownies, but loving the ganache on top! Of course, what's not to love....its' chocolate and cream cooked together. There's just no way to go wrong with ingredients like that! Ganache can be used instead of an icing, as a glaze drizzled over top of a cake, or even whipped to produce a lighter colored and … [Read more...]
Nothing is better than a perfectly cooked prime rib roast. That buttery perfection that just melts in your mouth, slices with the barest pressure of a knife, covered in a brown gravy, with a side of mashed potatoes and greens of some sort...culinary heaven. And since I became emboldened by the fact that I own a meat thermometer, and prime rib roasts are affordable this time of year (not so … [Read more...]
I love my kids, my husband and chocolate.
The order depends on when you ask.
Welcome to my nest!
