@zimmysnook
Christmas Carrot Cake. I have been making carrot cakes for decades now and they have always been a family favourite. Fun fact – I actually made two of my brothers their wedding cakes, they specifically requested carrot cakes. What makes my carrot cakes a family favourite? They are super moist and the not-so-secret ingredient I…
Grilled Flank Steak with Herb Sauce. Flank steak marinated in garlic, green onions, rosemary, white balsamic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grilled hot and fast. Rested. Then finished with a bright herbaceous sauce of basil, flat leaf parsley, green onions, garlic, crushed hot chili pepper paste, salt, white vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and extra…
Colossal Shrimp in a Spicy Sauce Ready in 30 minutes, easy to make and has a ton of flavour, this colossal shrimp recipe checks off all of the boxes! The star of this dish are these wild caught Argentinian colossal shrimps! Garlic, fire roasted tomatoes, passata, jalapeño, rosemary, capers, olives, and corn, create the perfect…
Hot Honey & Apple Cider Glazed Ham. Celebrate this holiday season or any special occasion with this sweet, salty, spicy caramelized ham. A baked ham is probably the easy holiday main to prepare, so don’t be intimidated! The ham is placed on pineapple slices and brushed with apple cider, Dijon mustard and rosemary. It then…
I had bought these honeynut squash to roast as a side for dinner. But I was in the mood for soup and decided to throw together this quick, creamy, slightly spicy, and very satisfying soup. Using pantry and fridge staples, this soup came together in around an hour. The next day, I took a couple…
Sous-Vide Colossal Shrimp Cocktail (with a Spicy Avocado Crema) A show stopping appetizer for the holidays! Wild shrimp this good require something a little more special than being dipped in a mixture of ketchup and horseradish. So, I sous-vide these beauties and served them on a spicy avocado crema. Two shrimp per person is a…
Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts and Pancetta, I have been making this festive and crowd-pleasing side for years. The combination of tender shredded sprouts, crispy pancetta, toasted pine nuts, with a pop of sweetness from the pomegranate arils will have your guests finishing all their veggies! This dish is not only delicious, but it…
Sweet Potato, Beet, Zucchini Puff Pastry Tart. Puff pastry and a mandoline, make this simple tart look like a fancy dish! Perfect appetizer or delicious side dish for all your holiday celebrations (or Saturday night)! The inspiration of this tart comes from a dish my mother-in-law makes. She wraps a homemade phyllo pastry with a…
At Home Rotisserie Chicken (with Herbs) A rotisserie chicken has long been one of my favourite meals. When I was just a young boy, I would grocery shop with my grandmother to read the prices for her and place the items in her cart. As a thank you, she would offer to buy me a…
Butternut Squash and Turkey Sausage Lasagna. We love a traditional turkey dinner, but we know roasting a 16-pound bird, plus all the sides, is not for everyone. This non-traditional “Thanksgiving-inspired” lasagna recipe is layered with creamy, sweet butternut squash, savoury turkey sausages, sage, thyme, diced jalapeños (optional), luscious béchamel and three types of cheese. It…
Borscht (Beet & Cabbage Soup) The weather has turned, and hand in hand with sweater weather, comes soup season. Few soups satisfy my craving like a big, steaming bowl of borscht. Topped with a healthy dollop (or swirl) of yogurt, a sprinkling of fresh dill and served with slices of crusty bread to wipe the…
Fall Harvest Salad with Farm Fresh Eggs. In honour of World Egg Day on October 14, we created this hearty and health-conscious salad with boiled eggs. Loaded with our favourite seasonal ingredients; beets, Honeynut squash, kale, brussels sprouts, Honey Crisp apples. Then layered with crispy prosciutto, cranberry goat cheese, maple syrup candied pecans & pumpkin…
Crockpot™ Slow Cooker Cider Poached Pears When I first served this dish to Elaine, she watched how quick & easy it was to prepare and was sceptical that this minimal amount of effort could produce anything special. Then she took a forkful of the sweet, tender, juicy, pear, smeared it in the yogurt and scooped up…
This Savoury Bread Pudding with Apples & Kale recipe was created in partnership with Furlani®. Opinions in this post are always my own. Looking for a crowd-pleasing addition to your Thanksgiving dinner menu? Why not try this take on savoury bread pudding. Filled with all your fall favourite flavours including pancetta, onions, celery, apple, herbs,…
Mini Stuffed Pumpkins with Wild Rice. The entire month of October, captured in one dish. These mini pumpkins stuffed with wild rice, onions, pancetta, Brussels sprouts, apples and warm spices, satisfy the expectations of all five senses. The perfect side for your Thanksgiving turkey. A lovely light lunch with friends on a sunny afternoon. Or…
Savoury Apple-Brie Hand Pies. These 6-ingredient pies were cooked in a wood oven using applewood for a kiss of smoked flavour. Finished with Maldon salt and hot honey. These tasty little packages are ideal for a wine & cheese event, a Thanksgiving dessert with a twist or an afternoon treat for the family with a…
This Mediterranean Grilled Mushroom Salad recipe was created in partnership with Mushrooms Canada. Opinions in this post are always my own. Transport your lunch guests to the Mediterranean with this flavourful, affordable & nutrient packed grilled mushroom salad. Three varieties of mushrooms are marinated in olive oil, lemon & dill. Grilled with red onion, red…
Sous-Vide Carrots with Hummus. Perfectly cooked carrots, flavoured with a hint of spice, a pop of freshness and drop of sweetness. Whether served as an appetizer or a side, this dish is sure to impress. The sous-vide carrots retain their natural sweetness, while soaking up all the flavours of the other ingredients. The slight spiciness…
Herb Roasted Turkey. No, it is not Thanksgiving or Christmas… this is the meal that my dear sweet mother requested for Mother’s Day! I asked her what meal she considered to be a special treat and she responded, “a roast turkey dinner with mashed potatoes.” Growing up, her family only had turkey at Christmas, and…
These Individual Ground Beef Wellingtons are made with extra lean ground beef instead of the traditional beef tenderloin. Making them a delicious yet cost effective way to serve a special meal to your family and friends this Easter (or any day you want an excuse to feel fancy!) The ground beef is seasoned well, topped…
Winter Cobb Salad I can never decide if a Cobb salad is, a meal that eats like a salad or a salad that eats like a meal? But whichever it is, it is always delicious! This winter version made with local eggs, squash, beets, apples, greenhouse tomatoes, chicken, and bacon, then finished a maple-Dijon dressing…
Wood-Fired Turkey Breasts with Ginger-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce A turkey breast (or two) is the perfect way to prepare a traditional turkey dinner for a smaller holiday gathering… but once you try this moist, tender, flavour packed turkey with subtle notes of smokiness, paired with the bold, bright, refreshing flavours of the ginger-jalapeno-cranberry sauce, you will not…
Wood-Fired Sweet Potato Casserole Take the classic flavours of a Sweet Potato Casserole to new heights, by cooking with the smoky flavours of lump charcoal and wood! The caramelization of the roasted sweet potatoes in the Ooni Karu 16 oven is life changing! The perfect browning of the marshmallows, as the flames gently roll across…
Winter Citrus & Baby Green Salad with a Honey Dijon dressing, served alongside Creamy Cauliflower with Spinach + Bok Choy Baked Penne During the winter months, the 2 things I crave most are sunshine and cozy fires. This meal was inspired by those cravings to deliver a wonderful balance between the bright fresh flavours in…
‘Heartwarming’ perfectly descibes this Ambrosia Apple Pie… with the intoxicating aroma of baked apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, it is sure to trasnport you to a cozy and happy place! Celebrating #PiDay or any fall day with an Ambrosia apple pie… an apple lover’s pie. This pie is made using my go-to and easy…
Grilled Pork Tenderloin Skewers Ontario Pork Tenderloin is a favourite in my kitchen. As meat protein goes, it’s very low in fat & calories, yet it’s so versatile & delicious. Pork tenderloin works with flavours from all over the globe and the preparation options are endless. Roast it, bake it, poach it, stew it, braise…
