Little Masterpieces: Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cookies

I hope everyone is enjoying the start to the long weekend.  Maybe you've already baked Easter bread and coloured eggs with the kidlets.  Luckily, I had the day off too.  It started off perfectly, with a couple of hot cross buns from a great new bakery in town called The Night Oven.  Slathered with butter and enjoyed alongside a strong brew, it was just what I needed on this cold and yet another snowy day.  The rest of the hours have been seen productivity kick procrastination's ass and what do you know, I submitted articles, sorted out tax stuff (note to self - get more organized already), tackled the pile of laundry and even have a pot of soup on the stove, currently bubbling away.  I have no idea how it will turn out - mostly just cleaned out the contents of the fridge, so cross your fingers.  I was just going to cozy up on the couch with the fur babes and my busting PVR, but I had to tell you about these cookies.  Guilt would have consumed me if I didn't share.  And I know a few of you like cookies just as much as I do. 

All About Baked Eggs

 

Recently I was asked to write a monthly recipe column in Culinaire - a lovely Calgary-based food magazine. I'm crazy excited about this new writing gig and so very happy to have my words and images in such a stellar mag.  Yay! 

DIY Takeout: Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

It's melting!  It's melting!  You guys.  It finally feels like the longest winter ever is leaving us.  This has me pretty excited, in case you hadn't noticed.  I'm splashing around in my blue rubber boots,  the windows are open and I'm even excited to tackle spring cleaning.  Seriously.  What has come over me?  While cleaning out the cupboards I spied my little slow cooker looking lonesome in the dark corner.  I was also craving Indian food, thus a recipe was born.  Also, why don't I use the slow cooker more often?  It's makes dinner prep so easy.  Maybe I just need to clean my cupboards out more often (says the voice of my mother).  Right. 

Sticky Toffee Lentil Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chunks

Secrets.  I've got them, you've got them.  Some are big, some are little, and some are much harder to keep than others.  Some secrets you tell people you wish you wouldn't have, and others you wish you could tell, but can't bring yourself to go there.  Holding on, letting go.  It's what we do.

Dark Chocolate Rye & Banana Muffins with Fleur de Sel

 

I'm totally not that person who bakes instead of searches for necessary receipts for the impending tax season (insert scary music here).  Nope, not me at all.  Nor am I that person who bakes instead of calls someone to fix my leaky washing machine and hurting computer (hang in there old pal).  I'm so not that person who has procrastination issues.  Nope, not me at all.  I'm just rather fond of baking.  Really.  And while the world at times feels like it's closing in on me, hot damn I've got good muffins and a PVR full of episodes of GIRLS and Veep to keep me company.  I'll pull the blanket off my head when I'm good and ready.  But not just yet.  The tax man can wait.  

Curried Cauliflower & Lentil Soup with Winter Pesto

"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness."

~ John Steinbeck

Indeed, Mr. Steinbeck.  By all accounts I deserve a very sweet summer, given the extended cold snap that made me grimace and curse and contemplate moving to warmer climes.  It was the kind of cold that chills straight to the bone, that freezes exposed flesh in a few minutes, that stalls cars and builds character.  March definitely came roaring in like an angry Lion, but apparently on the weekend temperatures will be hovering around zero (zero!!!) which means the shedding of layers and bad attitudes is about to begin.  Just goes to show if we wait long enough, there is a reprieve to the suffering; that light will triumph over darkness and hot damn I can put away the lady longjohns for another year.  

Dark Chocolate Waffles & Oscar Talk

I know, I know, every year I hit ya with some sort of scrumptious appetizer to create for your Oscar party.  This year, I'm a total slacker (where are the days going?) but I have these insanely good waffles to share with you.  By all means, make them for Oscar day - breakfast, lunch, dinner - nothing wrong with that.  I wish someone would invite me to a party where they served waffles.  Hint hint wink wink.  But really this post is just an excuse for Oscar talk, which right now, is the best kind of talk.