Saltine Toffee Bar

Don't knock it till you try it! I stumbled upon this unusual treat (what do you call this, a cookie? A square?...) on The Parsley Thief and it seemed similar to something an Aunt of mine used to make with graham crackers so I had to give it a try.

The salty crackers and sweet toffee make a great combination...feel free to top it with nuts, a drizzle of white chocolate or whatever tickles your fancy!

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

A great way to use up leftover pumpkin puree this recipe is as easy as mixing the dry ingredients and adding the wet!  Try topping hot pancakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent breakfast!

Macaroni and Cheese

Almost as fast as the box!  Use any cheese you like in this quick and easy version of a family favourite!  I chose cheddar and mozzarella as it's what I had on hand but you can really use whatever you like from velveeta to fontina and gruyere.  You can up the spicing as well, this can be a very basic starting point if you wish - add worcestershire, dry mustard, hot sauce.  Top it with panko or seasoned bread crumbs and put it under the broiler to crisp - anything you wish really or make it just as is for rich, creamy, plain old good, mac and cheese.  

Light Parmesan Chicken

Parmesan chicken is a delicious dish that smothers fried chicken breasts with cheese and tomato before a slow bake in the oven.  This dish uses elements of the original - garlicky chicken, a savoury tomato sauce and parmesan cheese - while keeping things light and healthy.

I use canned tomatoes, garlic, chili and herbs to form the sauce in this dish.  I find a short saute at high heat, plus a stint under the broiler reduces the liquid enough in a short cooking time to form a tasty sauce for the spaghetti noodles but any home-made or pre-prepared sauce would work just as well in place.  Eliminating the fried batter on the chicken lightens things up considerably without sacrificing flavour.  Enjoy!

Challah Rolls

Challah is a traditional Jewish holiday bread.  It is my understanding long braided loaves are baked for the Sabbath and are eaten then and throughout the year, round loaves of the same bread are baked for the New Year.  I used the same recipe used for these loaves and made rolls instead, however, if you wish, form your dough into a beautiful braided loaf!

Mini Doughnut Cinnamon Sugar Muffins

There is nothing quite as delicious as a mini doughnut.  Hot, moist cake doughnut deep fried to greasy perfection doused with sugar and cinnamon.  This recipe attempts to at least somewhat replicate that in the form of a muffin.  Moist sweet cake, basted with melted butter then rolled in the familiar mixture of cinnamon and sugar.  Makes 12 large muffins but would work equally well in a mini muffin tin for charming mini - mini doughnut muffins.

Ahi Tuna Tacos

This is a quick and easy week day meal using an possibly unusual ingredient!  Instead of chicken or beef in these tacos we're using Ahi Tuna.

You can find this fresh or frozen nowadays at most fish markets or well stocked grocery stores.  It sears very quickly, and like steak, can be cooked to a desired done-ness.

Each taco is topped with lightly seared tuna, lettuce and tomato and wasabi lime mayo - all made in less than 15 minutes!