These traditional Spanish fried pastries are often served con chocolate (with chocolate). Accompany them with our rich milk chocolate sauce, or take it up a notch and add a mug of hot chocolate for dipping.
Using Demerara sugar in place of icing sugar makes these cookies extra moist and adds a slight molasses-like taste. Fill the thumbprints quickly or else the caramel will seize. If this happens, simply reheat on the stovetop or microwave in a microwaveable dish until soft.
Feta, mint and Swiss chard meld into a tasty trio. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature as a brunch tart or vegetarian main course.
Quiche is a menu workhorse. You can even freeze it to rewarm when needed.
These rustic individual pies can be made with a choice of berries, depending on what is available. Use the ripest local produce you can find for the best results. Cornmeal gives the crust its crispness, which is best the same day it's cooked.
Chicken stewed with tasty root vegetables has long been a favourite coast to coast. In West Vancouver, Janey Purvis bakes her stewed chicken under a blanket of flaky biscuits. This dish never fails to win raves from family, friends and neighbours. It can be mostly made in advance and kept refrigerated for a day. Then just make the biscuits and bake with the stew.
Whether it's served for brunch, dinner or as a bite-size appetizer, quiche is always a crowd-pleaser. This classic version, also called Quiche Lorraine, has a deliciously creamy egg custard filling.
There is enough dough to complete this A-frame chalet and make about twenty 3-inch (8 cm) cookies. Or use the remaining dough to decorate the chalet with stepping stones, skis – and whatever else belongs in your winter wonderland.
Tempering chocolate takes time, patience and a candy thermometer, but it gives beautiful results. The chocolates become smooth and shiny, and yield with a satisfying snap when you bite into them. Use the best quality chocolate you can find for these indulgent treats, and your favourite liqueur for the ganache centres. Frangelico, Kahlúa, Tia Maria and amaretto are good options.
