From Ossington to High Park, Toronto’s west, west end harbours hidden gems around nearly every corner. Whether it’s the best bagels in the city, or a local’s only stop for great furniture finds, this side of Toronto remains one of my most treasured areas to explore. For moms looking for something different to do with the kids over the weekend; for those bitter cold Saturdays when you don’t want to stay inside...
Read MoreThere’s something happening east of the DVP. Funky, eclectic and charming, this side of the city is stealing the hearts of Toronto with its hidden cultural gems, rooftops, boutique shops and breweries. From Riverdale to Leslieville, there’s much to explore. Here are a few tips on where to start.
Read MoreMidtown is one of my favourite parts of Toronto, filled with shops and restaurants galore amongst parks and unbeatable skyline views. Kicking around the city, but not sure what to do? Midtown is calling...make your way north for a Saturday worth getting outside (and embracing the cold) for.
Read MoreWinter is steadily approaching our doorstep and it’s only getting colder...but this doesn’t mean weekends have to be spent inside. Get out of the house, explore your city and enjoy what Toronto has to offer. For the moms who want a day out on the town; for the families looking for a place to take the kids: a quick and easy guide to spending a Saturday in Trinity Bellwoods.
Read MoreThis is yet another family dessert favourite. The kids love the sauce – but what's not to love about sugar and butter! When apple season hits, my dad's orchard yields way more than "an apple a day," so here is a sweet ending.
Read MoreThis is truly a dish that works for grown-ups and kids alike. My son, Fin, made a list of the ten dinners that he “approved,” and this was No. 4 (the “wifesaver”!). My first version had just bacon and cheese, then I put spinach and it still got both thumbs up. You can serve this for dinner with a salad, but I like it best as brunch for a multi-generational crowd.
Read MoreElena Embrioni, my vital recipe tester and contributor, makes wonderful soups – hearty and full of flavour. Like me, she doesn't typically write her recipes down. This corn chowder started with a soup of hers I love in her Southern Accent cookbook – a Cajun-style soup. After many variations, we added creamed corn and put tomatoes in at the end. The result is a cozy comfort meal in a bowl – perfect for chilly fall evenings or cold winter nights.
Read MoreIf you're not a pastry person (I'm not!), go ahead: buy the frozen crust. This is my favourite pie, so I try to figure out ways to stretch Thanksgiving and Halloween to enjoy it a few more times.
Read MoreThe warm sunny days of summer are surely behind us. The seasons are changing, but I don’t mind it. This is a prime time for farmers markets – harvest season is in full effect and fruits and veg are at their best. The trees are beginning to change colour, cooler temperatures are creeping in; this is what I love most about fall. Take a drive, get out of the city and explore the beauty of the changing of seasons.
Read MoreSummertime arrives late; Summertime stays late. We’ve been lucky enough to see a week’s full of sunshine and blue skies – and so we find ourselves holding onto these final moments of outdoor entertaining. For the kids and for the adults, a patio pizza party is our way of taking advantage of what might be the last few warm evenings of the season.
Read MoreHarvest season...the leaves are changing, farmers markets are popping with colour and produce is at its prime. We’ve worked hard all year and now it’s time to reap the benefits of our labour. September is about honouring farmers and all the winemakers who have been doing it forever – shout out to my dad and his homemade wine that I look forward to every year and tops my list of favourite wines, due to the obvious reasons.
Read MoreBack to school means back to routine. Summer is over and there’s always an adjustment period post-Labour Day. Ease into fall and get back on track.
Read MoreSummer is coming to an end. Tomatoes in all shades of red and orange are taking the stage at farmers markets and roadside stands. This is the perfect time to take advantage of this in-season produce. This classic summer soup is liquid gold now that tomatoes and basil are at their prime. And with so many variations and uses for this simple recipe...why not hold onto summer for a little bit longer.
Read MoreThe end of summer is nearing. Labour Day marks the beginning of shorter days and cooler nights - it’s the last hoorah before we brace ourselves for winter. Whether feeding a crowd or the family, entertaining groups should be fun and easy so that you can enjoy it, too.
Read MoreSummer is the perfect time to take a drive and pick up fruit and veg from your local roadside stand. Believe it or not, many stands sell stuff that isn’t theirs so always start the conversation by asking where the fruit and vegetables come from. Because local is how you want to go.
Read MoreWhen it comes to ordering in, Thai is top of my list. But some Thai dishes – like this one – are so simple to whip up, you don't have to pick up the phone. It's all about stocking the pantry with key ingredients like coconut milk, fish sauce and curry paste.
Read MoreThis dessert is so simple, quick and refreshing – no ice cream maker required ! I've made it so often, I forgot that the original recipe came from The Cottage Cookbook.
Read MoreThis refreshing summer dish can be a salad, a side or a meal. Make it the day ahead – it's best the second day.
Read MoreThis is a fun way to dress up summer tomatoes. On a trip to New York years ago, fresh burrata cheese with tomatoes was on every menu. I wanted to bring this one back, the perfect dish for entertaining on the deck or dock. If you can find covered burrata, grab it for its deep flavour and great texture.
Read MoreThis basic risotto recipe has endless variations. Knowing the basics means you’ll never be without a great dinner. It’s the first meal Fin learned to cook, and he now claims to be a risotto master. You would not find him adding swiss chard though…
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