Author: Marcella DiLonardo
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Brown Butter & Sage Whipped Sweet Potatoes
This savoury sweet potato dish is loaded with classic autumn flavours. Honestly, it might be one of my all time favourite side dishes to make for Thanksgiving. Roasting the sweet potatoes can take a little extra time & effort, but I promise you the additional flavour it yields is worth it. Plus, this dish can…
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Spicy Soba Noodles with Crispy Tofu & Bok Choy
Skip the take out & make your favourite noodle dish at home! This vegetarian recipe features Soba Noodles, which are a thin Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour. The buckwheat flour yields a nutty flavour & a perfectly chewy texture. You can find them in the international section of most major grocery stores. If you…
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Brown Butter Sweet Potato Rolls
The hidden star of every Thanksgiving dinner? The dinner rolls of course! They can be enjoyed slathered in butter or eaten alongside the endless turkey & gravy. These Brown Butter Sweet Potato Rolls might just be the Thanksgiving recipe that has been missing from your table. After all, when a recipe starts with the French…
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Basil Lemon Tart
This classic Lemon Tart (also known as Tarte au Citron) infuses fresh basil into the lemon curd for a subtle hint of herby sweetness. So fresh & vibrant, making it the perfect dessert to celebrate all things spring. If you are looking for a make-ahead dessert to serve this Mother’s Day, this is it! The…
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Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins
With the Family Day weekend just around the corner, a family-friendly baking recipe is order! These Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins come together quickly & are the perfect treat to enjoy on a cozy Sunday morning. The sweetness from the creamy white chocolate pairs perfectly with the tart raspberries. If in a pinch, frozen raspberries…
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Braised Beef Short Ribs in Red Wine (Burgundy)
There is something so special (not to mention delicious) about a perfectly braised beef short rib that is fall-off-the-bone tender. Quite possibly one of my favourite dishes to eat & serve. With the cold weather upon us & the holidays just around the corner, this is certainly a dish you will be proud to make…
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Maple Cheesecake
Celebrate the start of autumn with a maple syrup infused cheesecake. A simple baked cheesecake using only a handful of ingredients to kick off my favourite season! Although there are not a lot of ingredients involved in this recipe, there are many steps you will want to take to ensure you bake up a perfectly…
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Classic Tiramisù
One of my favourite make ahead no-bake desserts to serve during the summer months is a Classic Tiramisu. It is the perfect end to dining alfresco! Tiramisu is a popular Italian dessert flavoured with espresso. Think layers of espresso soaked lady fingers with a creamy mascarpone filling. I like to include a little amaretto in…
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Lemon & Herb Waffles with Smoked Salmon
When we think of waffles for breakfast or brunch, we often think of the sweet dessert-like waffles. But what about savoury waffles for my fellow savoury brunch lovers? This dish features golden & crispy waffles loaded with fresh dill. The batter includes a touch of cornmeal for added texture & flavour. Be sure to use…
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Molten Chocolate Cake
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, everyone needs a decadent chocolate recipe to indulge in & this Molten Lava Cake is a chocolate lovers dream! It features only a handful of ingredients & comes together in 30 minutes. Molten Chocolate Cake, also known as Chocolate Lava Cake, features a brownie-like exterior with gooey chocolate…
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Duck à l’Orange
The holiday season is in full swing & on my menu this year is a popular French duck dish: Duck à l’Orange! A roasted & crispy skinned whole duck served with a citrusy bigarade sauce. This recipe is wonderful for smaller holiday gatherings & an intimate Christmas dinner, when a whole turkey is just too big.…
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French Chestnut Soup
As the autumn weather arrives & the leaves begin to change colour, I always crave a warm bowl of homemade soup. This traditional French soup features roasted chestnuts as the base, which gives the soup a sweet & nutty flavour profile. Creamy Chestnut Soup also known as Soupe Aux Marrons is a staple this time…
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Rosemary & Apple Tarte Tatin
The classic Tarte Tatin originated in the Centre-Val de Loire of France & is named after the Tatin sisters who created this dessert. At the time it was the Tatin’s signature dish at the Hotel Tatin, but it has now become a popular dessert for home bakers too. The recipe is essentially fruit that is…
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Tarte à La Tomate
This vibrant & colourful tomato tart is so versatile for summer! It can be served straight from the oven as a seasonal & elegant appetizer for al fresco dining. Wonderful served with a crisp white wine! It can also be sliced, packed & enjoyed at room temperature for a summertime picnic. I love using a…
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Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake
Well, I can’t think of a more fitting cake to celebrate May & all the beautiful the flowers in bloom! This cake features layers of lemon cake with a fresh strawberry filling & strawberry buttercream. Even the buttercream features fresh strawberries, which give it that beautiful natural pink hue! I decorated the cake with a…
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Rack of Lamb with Herb Crust
A traditional main to serve for Easter is roasted lamb & this recipe is the perfect dish to make for any size celebration. An herb, parmesan & panko crusted rack of lamb that is so flavourful & tender. Roasted in the oven to medium rare & best served alongside freshly roasted spring asparagus. Unlike a…
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Oeufs Mimosa with Smoked Salmon
Oeufs Mimosa also known as Devilled Eggs are a wonderful appetizer to celebrate the arrival of spring! This version is topped with smoked salmon & capers for a twist on a classic dijon devilled egg. The trickiest part of this recipe is peeling the hard boiled eggs, but I have a few tricks to ensure…
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Brioche Bread Pudding with Maple Caramel Sauce
Growing up, bread pudding was one of my favourite desserts. As it wasn’t something my mom often made, seeing it on a dessert menu was always a treat! As a bread lover it doesn’t get much better than bread baked in a sweet custard sauce. This is an upscale version using brioche bread as the…
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Croque-Monsieur Breakfast Bake
Nothing says comfort more than a recipe loaded with gooey cheese & crispy French bread. This winter season I made my simple baked casserole version of the classic croque-monsier sandwich. If you aren’t familiar with the traditional recipe, it is a hot ham & cheese sandwich (typically gruyère or swiss) with the bread dipped into…
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French Chocolate Mendiants
Happy holiday season! I am sharing a beautiful, yet (super) simple traditional French Christmas confection. There are almost no rules when it comes to making these chocolate mendiants. You can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate as the base. You can keep the toppings as simple or as complicated as you like. I prefer to…
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Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
You didn’t think I’d go through the fall season without sharing at least one pumpkin spice recipe did you? After all, pumpkin spice season is in full swing & I am here for it! There are not many things I won’t try to incorporate a little pumpkin in this time of year, and cheesecake is…
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Autumn Sweet Potato & Apple Salad
If you aren’t a salad person, this fall harvest salad will be sure to change your mind! It isn’t your average salad. It features roasted sweet potatoes (the not so secret ingredient) and crisp autumn apples. The sweetness is balanced out with a whole grain mustard vinaigrette and salty pecorino cheese. This salad is…
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Peach & Blueberry Crisp
Is it really summer without a fresh fruit crisp? Some recipes are just worth turning on the oven for and this is definitely one of them! Canada’s peach season is finally here and it doesn’t get much better than local peaches. They are so sweet and juicy, which always result in the best desserts! This…
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French-Style Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream
With the hot summer weather in full swing, I can’t think of a better way to cool down after a long day in the garden than with a bowl of homemade ice cream! This recipe features locally roasted strawberries (hello strawberry picking season) & a creamy vanilla base. What makes this recipe a French-style ice…
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Spinach and Mushroom Soufflé
A classic French dish to celebrate the arrival of warmer days! This recipe incorporates fresh spring spinach & hearty mushrooms. Although a souffle has a reputation of being a very intimidating recipe to master, it is actually simple dish to make as long as you follow a few simple tricks. The first & most important…
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Carrot Cake Roll
A Carrot Cake for Easter celebrations is a must in my family! But with gatherings being much smaller this year, my classic three layer 8-inch loaded carrot cake is a bit too much. Cue this beautifully spiralled carrot cake roll! Everything you love about carrot cake (cream cheese frosting I’m looking at you) in a…
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Classic Tourtière
As the cold winter season continues to linger & temperatures reach well into the negatives, a Tourtière is just the comforting recipe we all need to keep warm & fuelled! This classic French Canadian dish (originating from Quebec) is similar to a meat pie, made with potato & warming spices. It features a flakey all-butter…
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Bison Bourguignon
With the cold & snowy January weather upon us, there is nothing more comforting than a hearty winter stew. This recipe is a simplified twist on Julia Child’s classic Beef Bourguignon. It features bison as the stewing meat (although the same quantity of stewing beef works too if you have trouble locating fresh bison) &…
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Chocolate Fudge Cake With Smoked Sea Salt
Happy holidays! Who is ready to dive head first into this decadent chocolate fudge cake? It features a dark chocolate ganache frosting & a sprinkle of smoked sea salt flakes. This chocolate cake is what all chocolate cake dreams are made of. A mature take on a classic childhood favourite. Although the holidays are my…
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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream
Because it isn’t October without a little pumpkin spice (or in my case a lot of pumpkin spice), this recipe celebrates my favourite seasonal ingredient: pumpkin! The coziest pumpkin spiced cupcake topped with a salted caramel buttercream & a candied pumpkin. This combination is a sweet & salty lovers dream. It even includes a pinch…
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Autumn Squash, Pear + Ginger Potage
Autumn is here! I wait all year for the start of my favourite season. Just the sight of squash & pumpkins at the market excites me. One of the first things on my list of cozy recipes to make is a squash-based soup. This version incorporates sweet pears & spicy ginger, a combination that will…
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Heirloom Tomato + Gorgonzola Galettes de Sarrasin (Buckwheat Crepes)
A Galette de Sarrasin, also known as a Buckwheat Crepe is a savoury style pancake. Unlike a traditional sweet crepe, the batter is made with buckwheat flour which offers a more earthy & nutty flavour. Often filled with a combination of ham & eggs, this version offers a simple summer twist on the classic French…
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Roasted Berry & White Chocolate Mousse
July marks the start of Ontario’s summer berry season! Arguably the best part of summer living in the Niagara Region, surrounded by endless pick-your-own-fruit farms. To celebrate, I am keeping things light & simple with this white chocolate mousse. It is topped with roasted fresh mixed berries & crushed wafer. I think this is the…
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Roasted Ratatouille with Pearl Couscous
Hello summer! The season to enjoy endless dinners & drinks on the patio. Something about eating outdoors just makes things taste that much better. This recipe is what summer dreams are made of. It is a roasted twist on traditional ratatouille featuring all the garden produce the season has to offer. This version is a…
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French Strawberry Rhubarb Cake
Hello May! We are entering (arguably) one of the most beautiful seasons of the year in Ontario: Cherry Blossom & Magnolia season. Although everything may look a little different this year, it has encouraged me to slow down & stop to enjoy the little things. Watching the tree flowers bloom outside my window, taking slow…
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Spring Asparagus and Brie Tart
After a long (long) winter, spring is finally here! I can hear the birds chirping away as the garden begins to bloom. One of my favourite spring vegetables is asparagus & I can’t think of a more perfect way to kick off the new season other than a recipe featuring asparagus. This spring tart includes…
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Blood Orange and Cardamom Mini Fluted Cakes
Happy Valentine’s, friends! I am so excited to share these pretty in pink mini fluted cakes with you. This year, I am shaking things up a bit & creating a festive dessert that doesn’t involve chocolate. The base of the cake is a vanilla pound cake spiced with ground cardamom & orange zest. The pink…
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Root Vegetable Hachis Parmentier
On a cold winter night, it doesn’t get more comforting than this Hachis Parmentier featuring a beef & root vegetable stew as the base. Even though the holidays are over, Canada has a long winter ahead! One of my favourite things about winter is the slower nights & weekends spent in the kitchen, cooking up…
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Eggnog Pots De Crème
Happy December! Tis the season for all things festive & when the holidays roll around, there is nothing I crave more than a tall glass of eggnog. The cozy spices of nutmeg & cinnamon make for the most festive drink. It is a staple this time of year. If I am not drinking eggnog by…
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Pumpkin + Squash Gratin
As a fall enthusiast, let the cozy crisp days of fall begin! The start of October is my favourite time of year. It is when it really begins to feel like autumn. With Canadian Thanksgiving around the corner, it is the time to get back in the kitchen & crank up those ovens. I have…
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Peach + Hazelnut Frangipane Tart
I know many of us are sad that summer is quickly coming to an end, but there is something to look forward to towards the end of the season… peaches! Ontario (Niagara especially) is home to some of the best peach orchards in the country. We are so lucky to have these farms grace our…
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Warm Haricots Verts & Fingerling Potato Salad
Summer is officially here & I couldn’t be more excited! The season of spontaneous road trips, endless fresh local produce & the best outdoor gatherings. The nights become longer & everyone seems more relaxed than ever. Between attending & hosting parties all season long, I love preparing traditional barbecue side dishes with a little fancy…
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Strawberry Almond Clafoutis
Strawberry season is here! It is time to get out the fruit baskets & go strawberry picking at your local farms. I think strawberry picking might be one of my favourite late spring & early summer actives. It is something I have done every summer, ever since I was a little kid. Aside from making…
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Roasted Blueberry Crepes
I think it is safe to say we are all ready for warmer spring days. As the winter slowly comes to an end, I start craving more fresh fruits & vegetables again. This crepe recipe takes advantage of the fresh berries that will soon be popping up at your local markets. Crepes are the perfect…
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Stovetop Coq Au Vin
When the snow is falling outside, there is nothing better then cozying up in the kitchen & cooking a comforting meal. Coq Au Vin is always at the top of my list. It is so hearty & flavourful served over creamy garlic mashed potatoes. Coq Au Vin is a traditional french dish that features a…
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Gingerbread Bûche de Noël
This season, I am sharing a modern twist on a French classic! The traditional Bûche de Noël is a Christmas dessert served in France, made of sponge cake to resemble a miniature yule log. The classic flavours include a vanilla sponge cake with chocolate frosting or a chocolate sponge cake with chocolate frosting. However, this modern Bûche…
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Apple, Cranberry & Sausage Stuffing
Because you can’t have turkey without stuffing, today I am sharing the recipe for an upscaled version of a classic. Canadian Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it is time to roll up our sleeves & get our menu in order! Growing up, the stuffing I knew & loved only contained a few ingredients…
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Poached Pears with Cinnamon & Cardamom
I am so excited for autumn! Cue: apples, pears, pumpkins, crisp leaves & ALL the cozy spices. When we think of spiced fall desserts, the first two ingredients that come to mind are apples & pumpkins, but let’s not forget about those freshly picked pears! Pears have a similar texture to apple which means they…
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Summer Heirloom Tomato and Pistou Penne
When it comes to summer cooking, I find myself inspired to cook more simple dishes. Dishes that are inspired by what is vibrant in my garden! With the heat, less time is spent fussing in the kitchen & more time is spent enjoying the sunshine outdoors. While I love making a large batch of tomato…
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Rhubarb Pistachio Pavlova
Though I am an avid lover of the Fall and Winter seasons, there is one thing I look forward to every Spring: the arrival of rhubarb. Though many ingredients are in season during the warm months, but available year-round, rhubarb only makes an appearance in farmers’ markets this time of year. Last year we planted…