This is our new favourite treat.  The Cake program is pretty quick, so I can throw the ingredients in the bread machine after lunch and it’s ready for snack time in the afternoon.  The addition of flax and wheat germ add fibre, and the pineapple keeps it moist.  The kids love it. 1/4 cup oil 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup crushed pineapple with juice (from can) 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 3[...]

What’s a bowl of ice cream without a fudge sauce topping?? This quick and easy sauce is quick and easy and is the perfect ending to a great meal! Ingredients 1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips 2 TBSP butter 3/4 cup evaporated milk In a microwave safe bowl, combine chips and butter and microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir until melted. If necessary, microwave again for 30-60 seconds until melted. Add milk and gently stir. Microwave on high[...]

  A good friend of mine gave me the bones for this recipe a number of years ago, but it wasn’t veggie friendly, and survived a few tweaks that I have made over the years.  It’s a family favourite! 1 large (or two small) heads of broccoli, chunked* 1 small onion, chopped 3 cups veggie broth 3 tbsp butter 3 tbsp flour 2 cups milk 1 egg yolk ½ cup half and half pepper to taste grated old cheddar In[...]

Ingredients 1              12 – 16 oz package fresh or frozen gnocchi 1              bunch of broccoli rabe (rapini), stem ends coarsely chopped 4T or less extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ lbs   sausage – mild or hot Italian – casings removed 1              small onion, finely chopped 3              large garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated ¼ t          crushed red pepper flakes (optional ) 1              lemon, for zest and juice Crusty bread Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Salt the water[...]

A few months ago I mused on Facebook how I was having to eat gluten- and dairy-free to get control of some ongoing gut issues I’ve been dealing with for a long time.  I noted that gluten-free breads are just a cruel joke and should not be allowed to carry the word ‘bread’ in their description.  In response, my Aunt Cheryl in Edmonton sent me a link to a cookie recipe that she said saved her when she was eating[...]

Baking is my passion.  It’s also my business.  “Will bake for money” has become my moniker.  As proprietor of Sugarplum Fairy Homebaking I’ve been able to turn my passion into a bit of pocket money.  It also means that I spend a lot of time trying new recipes that my customers might want to try.  But I always seem to come back to my favourites; those recipes that I keep in my badly stained and torn card holder, most of[...]

  Think the family will notice that they are eating Brussel Sprouts when they taste this good? Ingredients 1 pound of Brussel Sprouts 3 small onions 1 tbsp Olive Oil 1 tsp. sugar Salt & pepper, to taste 1/4 cup chopped pistachios Start by putting your pistachios spread out on a pan and put them in the oven for 2 – 3 minutes are 350 degrees until they are very lightly roasted. There are many ways to do this but[...]

This is a fancy looking dish that can be done in less than 30 minutes. Enjoy! Ingredients: 4 filets of sole 3 slices of lemon 2 tbsp roasted red pepper (jarred) thyme, salt, pepper For the veggie sides: 4 cups uncooked spinach 1 head cauliflower chives, salt, pepper, olive oil, butter Directions: In a baking dish, place fish, season with salt and pepper.  Add lemon slices and red pepper. Top with a few sprigs of thyme. Bake at 375 until[...]

This recipe was originally given to me by a friend when she was hosting my family at her cottage.  It was served as the vegetarian option at a very carnivorous bar-b-que, but was loved by all.  We have modified it a little bit to suit my family’s needs, and have found it to be a very versatile and quick meal.  I like to use up left over vegetables and meat when I have them, but they are also quite good[...]

We try to eat a lot of fish, so keeping frozen Pacific salmon in the freezer (or other fish) is a must.  This was an easy spur-of-the-moment recipe that I’ll be making again. Ingredients (this recipe serves 2): Frozen or fresh salmon 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 tbsp grainy dijon mustard 2 green onions, chopped 1 1/2 cups rice 1 1/2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable) 2 sprigs tyme, chopped 1 sprig rosemary, chopped 2 fresh sage leaves, chopped 2[...]