Apple Cheddar Muffins

You know when you're hungry and you get a muffin at the coffee shop, because you're looking for something sweet like a cookie but more "umpf" than a donut and when you eat the muffin you find yourself deeply unfulfilled because that muffin was sweeter than expected or it just had no substance to it at all?

I totally get it.

And I have the solution. An apple cheddar muffin.

This is the muffin that is going to satisfy that sweet and savoury craving your having. It's gonna satisfy that "I wanna meal but don't actually need a meal" craving. Unfortunately they are kind of addictive, so you may end up eating a meal of muffins. But let's solve one problem at a time fellas!

Enjoy!

Apple Cheddar Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1 cup of grated cheese (reserve 1/4 cup for topping muffins)
• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
• 2/3 cup of sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 apples, peeled, cored and grated
• turbinado sugar (for on top of the muffins)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line muffins pans with paper liners.
2. In a bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix in 3/4 cup of grated cheese. Set aside
3. In a large bowl cream butter and sugar together. Once mixed add eggs, one at at time. Mix in grated apples.
4. Combine the flour mixture into the large bowl and mix until just combined.
5. Divide batter among muffin cups, you may have left over batter, this is when you take the opportunity to eat the extra batter... or make one big muffin!
6. Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese (1/4 cup) over the muffin tops and generously sprinkle turbinado sugar over each muffin.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes ( I did 22 minutes in my oven) or when a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then transfer muffins to cooling rack.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Icing

I love fall. It's such a beautiful season.

I also love Thanksgiving. And although I didn't get a chance to see my family in Winnipeg, I was able to see my Ontario family in Guelph.

Well technically they are my roommate's family, but I feel they have adopted me as one of their own. Guelph is such a wonderful place to visit and it's only a short bus ride from Toronto, making it a great getaway from the city life.

And as much as Toronto is a part of Canada, I really feel like it's the smaller cities that make up Canada. It's the smaller cities and towns that inspire those Molson Canadian commercials where people are drinking beer on the deck in their spacious backyards, chillin' in their cottage chairs, and every now and then, checking the score of the hockey game.

Sometimes I forget how much I love Canada. It's good to be reminded every now and then.

As for the food this weekend.... well, there was food. A 30 pound turkey, that needed to be carved by three people, stuffing galore, potatoes, cranberry sauce, wine and oh yah... the desserts. Never underestimate the power of a potluck dinner.

30lb turkey... dessert...

Like mother, like son...

I decided to bring pumpkin cupcakes, and I must say, these flavourful and moist cupcakes will make you think second about baking that pumpkin pie. And of course you can't forget the sweet brown sugar cream cheese icing that top off the cupcakes.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Icing

Makes 12 cupcakes

• 1 3/4 cup of cake flour or all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp of Chinese five-spice powder (pumpkin spice also works well)
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of unsweetened pure pumpkin
• 1/2 cup of milk

Frosting

• 1/4 cup of cream cheese
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of icing sugar
• 1 tbsp of dark rum or vanilla
• pumpkin seeds for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line 12 muffin cups with cupcake liners. In a small bowl, whisk flour, Chinese five-spice, baking soda and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar until very creamy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, scraping down sides if needed. Beat in pumpkin (don't worry if it curdles a bit). Then stir in flour mixture alternatively with milk just until blended.
4. Divide among lingers. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Set aside on a rack to cool.
5. Meanwhile prepare frosting. Beat cream cheese with butter until very creamy. Add brown sugar and beat until creamy. Then add icing sugar and rum, beating until light and fluffy.
6. Spread the icing among the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds if desired.

Recipe from Food and Drink Magazine

Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn

I have a funny story about this kettle corn.

I went to see the movie Drive the other day with a few friends. Great film by the way, I recommend you go see it with a group of people so you don't feel silly when you laugh at the "gory" parts.

So one of the girls who came to watch the movie with us was from Chile. I noticed that she didn't get the regular popcorn from the concession stand but instead got this sweet chocolate popcorn already made in a package. She saw me eyeing up her popcorn and I'm sure felt obliged to give me some, because she did, and then proceeded to tell me about her first movie popcorn experience in Canada.

" When I first came to Canada," imagine this in a fantastic Chilean accent, "I went to the theater and got popcorn with butter in it and when I ate it, I spit it out! The butter was not butter! It was so gross! We have sweet popcorn at the movie theaters in Chili, none of this fake butter!"

I then told her that the majority of food in North America is crap, and she intensely gripped my shoulder and said "Yes! Yes it is! I'm so glad you agree with me!"

I thought that was pretty funny, but at the same time sad. She's not the first person to complain about American food to me, and when I say American I mean North America. When I ask my European friends what they miss most about Europe, they all say the food. And it's not just the food served at the restaurants but the ingredients at the grocery stores as well.

So this funny story led me to make this sweet kettle corn, as a reminder that not all food in North America is bad and that it is possible to eat well here.

Enjoy!

Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn

Makes a big bowl

• 1/4 cup of vegetable or canola oil
• 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp of salt

1. In a large pot mix together oil and popcorn kernels on medium heat. Once the oil starts to sizzle, wait a few seconds (20-30 secs) and then mix in the sugar and salt. Cover the pot with a lid.
2. When the popcorn starts to pop shake the pot while holding onto the lid. Shake every few seconds to make sure the popcorn does not burn and the sugar does not caramelize, it burns pretty easily so just be careful.
3. When the popping begins to slow down (2-3 pops per second) take it of the heat and continue to shake until you hear no more popping. Transfer the popcorn to a large bowl and break apart any clumps. If you are not going to eat all the popcorn let cool and keep it in an air sealed container.

*Note: Adding the sugar in just before the kernels are about to pop will prevent your sugar from caramelizing and burning.

Tomato Sauce with Garlic Basil Olive Oil

One of my fondest pasta memoires is when I was a wee one in elementary school. I had an Italian friend who's parents always made the best pasta dishes. Sometimes I would go to her house at lunch, and if I was lucky, her mom would have made her delicious penne with tomato bacon sauce.

For awhile, whenever I made pasta, I always used the ready made tomato sauce. And every time I ate the pasta, I always thought, why doesn't it taste like that amazing tomato sauce I had as a child?

Not until last summer did I realize making pasta with your own sauce made all the difference. I don't know why I never bothered with making my own sauce before. I probably thought there were special Italian grandmother techniques that were involved and if I didn't use them my sauce would not turn out. I've realized that the only technique required is to have patiences like a grandmother. The sauce needs to simmer slowly, so it can develop rich and complex flavours. The water from the tomatoes also cooks off which results in a thick homemade tomato sauce.

The ingredients are also important. If you don't have access to fresh tomatos, try and find canned San Marzano tomatoes. However, if tomatoes are in season, like right now, then any variety of plum tomatoes will do. I used roma tomatoes in this recipe. Plum tomatoes have thicker walls and less water than most types of tomatoes, which will result in a rich homemade tomato sauce.

The olive oil infused with garlic and basil really is the secret ingredient for this sauce. It turns this simple tomato sauce into a delicate and flavourful sauce that you will not want to mess with, except for adding a bit of Parmigiano Reggiano at the end. If you add anything else, like ground beef, it truly distracts you from experiencing the simple flavours of this sauce.

Enjoy!

Tomato Sauce with Garlic Basil Olive Oil

Serves 4

• 9 ripe plum tomatoes

• red pepper flakes

• salt
• 4 cloves of garlic, sliced
• handfull of basil leaves, leave a few leaves for garnish at the end
• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• 1 lb of spaghetti
• 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• 1 tbsp of butter

1. To prepare the sauce, bring a large pot of water to boil and prepare a bowl of ice water on the side.
2. Cut a small x on the bottom of each tomato and blanch them in the boiling water for 30 seconds or until you start to see the tomato skins peeling. Quickly transfer the tomatoes from the boiling water to the ice water. When cool, peel the skin off the tomatoes.
3. Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise and cut out the core. Use your fingers to scoop out the seeds inside. Reserve the seeds and juices in a bowl and set aside.
4. In a large sauce pan heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil on medium heat. Once the oil is hot transfer the tomatoes to the pan. Add a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes.
5. Allow the tomatoes to cook for a few minutes. Once they have softened, use a potato smasher and smash the tomatoes. Cook the tomatoes for 45 minutes, smashing and stirring occasionally. If the sauce seems to thick, strain the reseved juices from the seeds into the tomatoes.
6. While the tomatoes cook, prepare the basil and garlic olive oil. In a small sauce pan add 1/3 cup of olive oil, sliced garlic, pinch of chili flakes and basil (remember to leave some for garnish at the end). Let the oil slowly cook on low heat so the flavours can transfer to the oil. When the garlic is lightly browned, remove from heat and let cool down for 5 minutes. Strain the oil and combine with tomato sauce.
7. When you've cooked the tomatoes for 30 minutes prepare your pasta. Bring a large pot of water to boil and heavily salt. Add enough salt so the water tastes as salty as a broth would. Cook the spaghetti until just shy of al dente. Reserve half a cup of pasta water.
8. Once the tomato sauce is at your desired consistency add in the pasta, a bit of the pasta water, Parmigiano Reggiano, butter and the rest of the basil thinly sliced. If you feel the tomato sauce is still too dry, add in the remaining pasta water.
9. Mix the sauce and pasta together so the combination is one cohesive dish. The sauce should stick to the pasta. Serve this dish immediately and garnish with more Parmigiano Reggiano if desired.

Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Rosé Apple Parfait

Summer is slowly starting to slip away. The cooler weather, earlier sun sets and the lack of wasp that swarm around you while you try to eat a nice meal outside. It's always a little sad when you realize summer is over and life seems to get a little more hectic.

But do not fret, I have found the perfect dessert to help you transition smoothly from summer to autumn.

A rosé apple parfait.

The rosé is the summer part. This wine truly reminds me of summer and all the great times I have drinking it with friends. The apples are the autumn part. Apple picking season! There are so many different varieties of apples during this season, and this is your chance to take advantage of that. This recipe calls for Jonagold apples, but Pink Lady, Cortland or Mutsu are all fine as well. Also, if you are not super keen on very sweet desserts, use ginger cookies instead of amaretti.

Rosé Apple Parfait

Serves 4

• 2 cups rosé wine
• 2 cups apple juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 star anise
• 3 slices ginger, smashed
• 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
• 4 apples, peeled, cored and quartered
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup crushed amaretti or ginger cookies
• 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

1. Combine wine, apple juice, sugar, star anise, ginger and cinnamon stick in a pot large enough to hold apples in 1 layer.
2. Bring to boil over high heat stirring to make sure sugar is dissolved. Boil for 2 minutes until well combined.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, add apples, and cover with a circle of parchment to help them stay submerged. Poach for 15-20 minutes or until soft and saturated with flavour. Remove with a slotted spoon.
4. Return heat to high and bring juice to boil. Boil until reduced to a thick syrupy texture, about 15-20 minutes. There will be about 3/4 cup left. Return apples to pot to coat with syrup.
5. Combine mascarpone with 1/4 cup syrup. beat whipping cream until soft peaks form and stir half of whipped cream into mascarpone.



6. Layer cookies, mascarpone cream and 2 quartered pieces of apple in a parfait glass and repeat the layers. Top with remaining whipped cream and drizzle with a little syrup. Scatter over toasted almonds.

Recipe from Food and Drink Magazine

Medici's Gelateria and Coffee Shop, Oliver BC

September is here, school has started, and the fall weather still has not arrived. So if you are in the Okanagan area picking apples you need to stop at Medici's. From the outside it looks like a church or some sort of mini castle, but on the inside is this lovely gelateria and coffee shop where you can get the best gelato you will ever have, without trekking all the way to Italy.

And just because I worked there this summer doesn't mean I'm biased...



But seriously, the owners of Medici's make all the gelato and sorbretto in house, which makes it fresh and local. They also puree their own fruit from local farmers for the sorbretto. So everything taste exactly how you would expect it to taste. The blueberry taste exactly like you are eating blueberries, strawberries, exactly like strawberries and lemon, wow, is the lemon ever good.









Not only do they have the best gelato in Canada but they've got a great lunch special that they serve daily from 11am-2pm. Home made deli sandwiches, paninis and daily soups that are so delicious, you will never want to go near another Campbell's soup can ever again.



Along with your lunch you can also enjoy a cappuccino, espresso, Italian soda, fruit tea smoothie, ice coffee, matcha green tea lemonade (one of my favourites) and so much more! There really is something for everyone here.



Silvia Badger, who owns Medici's with her husband David Badger.



This mural was painted by a local artist. In the corner of the mural is Silvia herself, reading a book in Italy.



So please, if you are interested in experience a little taste of heaven and a little taste of Italy, you need to stop and get gelato here. If Silvia has black chocolate made you must try it. It is like nothing you have ever tasted before and probably my favourite. But I do also love her peanut butter and chocolate... oh and her coconut is also to die for! But so is the pistachio! Oh and the hazel nut and chocolate.... oh wait, and I can't forget the salty caramel... Oh! And the...



Medici's Gelateria and Coffee Shop
9932 – 350th Ave. (Fairview Rd.)
Oliver, BC
(250) 498-2228

Peach Crumble

You know what is weird?

Having to buy fruit at the market when I had free access to it all summer. If I was craving a peach, it was as simple as stepping out into the backyard and picking a peach off the tree. There is nothing quite like picking fresh fruit off a tree and eating it right then and there.

Mmm.... just thinking about that warm, sweet, juicy, fresh peach is making me really upset that I now have to pay for not as warm, sweet, juicy fresh peaches.

Something I did realize when I was purchasing the peaches was how I never really bake anything "healthy" with fruit. In fact, it seems that I've only used them to make pies and pastries this summer. So I decided this time that I should make a healthy version of a peach crumble, cobbler, crisp... whatever you want to call it. What actually makes this crumble good for you is this incredibility healthy cereal mix that I put into it.



It's called Holy Crap and it is probably the healthiest cereal you will ever eat. This wonder cereal contains the magical chia seed, hulled hemp hearts, buckwheat, cranberries, raisins, apple bits and cinnamon. And what's even better is that it's all organic and made in BC Canada!

Anyway, I have this cereal in the morning with yogurt sometimes and thought I would try and add it into this peach crumble. It will be the most delicious and healthy peach crumble you will ever make. Well, that is if you decide to exclude the ice cream. But it's so healthy.... so you might as well add the ice cream to balance it out.

Enjoy this healthy peach crumble.

Peach Crumble feat. Holy Crap

• 4-5 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour or all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/3 cup of oatmeal
• 1/4 cup of cold butter
• 2 tbsp of Holy Crap
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• pinch of salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Grease the sides of a 9" square pan and set aside.
3. In a large bowl whisk the whole wheat flour, brown sugar, oatmeal, cinnamon and salt.
4. Using a pastry blender or fork, mix in the cold butter and break up the butter until it is no bigger than small peas. Mix in the Holy Crap cereal. Set aside
5. In the greased pan, layer the peaches into the pan and make sure to cover the entire bottom of the pan.
6. Pour the crumble mixture over the peaches and smooth it out, making sure you cover all the peaches in the pan.
7. Place the pan in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Serve warm and with vanilla ice cream (optional).