This spooky project has no base, so battery-operated flameless tea lights can be placed inside to cast an eerie glow through the windows and door. Leave the edges untrimmed after baking to give the shack its run-down look – perfect for Halloween.
Finish off a baby shower with a pretty baby-themed cake that you can personalize for the mom-to-be. To serve, remove the top block and cut it vertically into five slices, then repeat with remaining blocks. For a more colourful finish, you can pipe different colour borders on some of the blocks, as in our photo.
The time you spend and your devotion to detail would make Primo and Secondo proud. You can make each component ahead and assemble and bake just before you put on a Louis Prima recording to set a jazzy mood.
Tall, dark and rich, this super-chocolaty cake spikes up the drama on your buffet table. A subtle hint of raspberry complements all the chocolate. Bake it, then layer together at least a day before the final assembly. Refrigerated, the finished cake can await your guests for up to two days.
Named not after its country of origin but after Samuel German, who created Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate, this confection – four layers of cake sandwiched together with a super rich pecan-and-coconut filling – is one special cake. The chocolate ganache icing is not traditional but cuts nicely through the cake's sweetness and adds a certain polish to its presentation.
This recipe was inspired by my love for butter tarts. How wonderful it would be to incorporate this Canadian favourite into an entree. Using some of my favourite comfort foods, I created this unique savoury rich torte. This multi-layered dish is a delicate balance of sweet and salty. Chilled chardonnay, crusty baguette (lathered with real butter of course) and a crisp mixed green salad would be ideal accompaniments to complete this meal.
Come winter or late fall, there is nothing like sharing a savoury meat pie from Abitibi with family and friends. Commonly called tourtière, cipaille or tourte, there seem to be as many recipes as there are amateur of this hearty fare. The tourte, the bird that gave it its name, is unfortunately extinct, but the tradition of this delectable, easy to prepare in advance dish, is very much alive. Deer, caribou, moose, bear, boar and especially hare make it a very special treat. The fortunate cook, who has hunters in the family or generous friends to donate a little game, is blessed. Even more, if they are willing to help deboning and dicing the meat. However, it can also be prepared with farm raised deer, caribou, boar, rabbit and adding shoulder or loin of pork, as some game is very lean. The important thing to remember is (that the recipe calls for) half part game, preferably a variety of three different kinds, to half part diced potatoes. With some home-made tomato ketchup and a nice green sassy salad, like chicory with old style mustard and cider vinegar dressing, the hostess can sit back and enjoy the hunters' long tales.
