There are sometimes recipes that call for ricotta cheese and although crumbled, shredded, or pureed extra firm tofu will often do the trick in a pinch, sometimes it needs a little more oomph. Like in mom’s stuffed manicotti recipe. Ingredients 2 blocks of extra firm tofu 1/4 cup nutritional yeast Juice from 1-2 lemons 1-2…
Lemon Poppyseed Cake
This was my first time ever making a lemon poppyseed cake. I always thought the yellow of the loaf came from its namesake (lemons) but I learned that it actually comes more from the eggs! Grandma’s recipe didn’t even call for lemons in the cake itself – in fact, its lemon flavour comes from lemon…
Butter Tart Bars
My mother loved butter tarts. When I saw this recipe in the cookbook, I knew it was one I would bring back good memories today – the eighth anniversary of her death. Eight years gone. Feels so long ago and feels like yesterday at the same time. What I love about this recipe is it…
Smoky Split Pea Soup (Instant Pot)
This isn’t a recipe from the family cookbook – instead it’s one that I’ve adapted over time inspired from recipes on the internet. A Fall favourite in our house. It takes around 45 mins to an hour from start to finish so make sure you give yourself enough time. Stores well in the fridge and…
Chewy Peanutty Chip Cookies
When I saw this recipe in Mom’s collection I remember her having made them when I was a teenager. I instantly craved that hit back to that time, but peanut butter chips have been really hard to find (I think they’ve fallen out of fashion) and when I have been able to find them, they…
Cherry Button Cookies
I bought a jar of maraschino cherries in order to make my way through some of Grandma Donna’s recipes that called for them. There are still quite a few – it has made me realize that maraschino cherries were really a “thing” in the 60’s/70’s and they are really not now. It took me a…
Bachelor Button Cookies
A soft cookie with a bit of a crunch. Don’t be fooled by the darker colour of these cookies – they contain brown sugar (they are not overdone). Ingredients 3/4 cup vegetable shortening 1 cup brown sugar 1 egg, beaten until fluffy 2 cups flour 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup nuts 1/2 cup shredded coconut…
S’Mores Cookies
This treat was inspired by Grandma Donna’s recipe for Marshmallow Cookies. The first thing I thought was that the cookies shouldn’t have dates, instead, they needed chocolate! These non-cookies have home-roasted almonds and homemade caramel to give them bit of the smoky taste of a s’more along with the marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate. They…
Tortugas
Who doesn’t love nuts, caramel and chocolate all in one treat? These would make a really great gift or fun, inclusive snack for a party where you have folks who eat both gluten free and vegan. Of course, not-so-friendly to the nut averse. Ingredients 1 cup cashews (raw or roasted) 1/2 cup whole almonds 1/2…
Caramel Sauce
This recipe is a bit of a mash of a few different caramel sauce recipes among Grandma Donna’s collection. Who knew homemade caramel sauce was this easy! I strongly recommend a candy thermometer (though it can be done without) – I was able to pick one up for $5. Ingredients 1 cup granulated sugar 1…
