October 2010

I love that Bonnie baked these yummy bars into individual tarts. Especially with the holidays coming up, I'm on the lookout for easy, homemade recipes that look impressive...and these definitely do!

I could see these chocolate-coconut combos as part of a dessert bar at a holiday gathering, favors at a dinner party, or a gift for someone who needs a taste of the "sweet life." 

Recipe: Chocolate Coconut Bars

I love this simple "crisp for two" - so easy, versatile, healthy, and delicious. Here, made with the last of the season's peaches and blueberries, but of course it can be made with whatever fruit you fancy. I can totally picture this made with apples and cinnamon for the perfect fall breakfast. Or with fresh figs... mmm figs... :)

You can also make it gluten-free by using gluten-free oats, and vegan by subbing the butter for your favorite vegan spread or flavorful coconut oil.

Recipe: Blueberry Peach Crisp

Today is Thanksgiving up in Canada, and it being the country I hail from, I get a bit nostalgic for the flavors and aromas that would always permeate the house on this particular day of the year. The highlight of Thanksgiving is of course the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. There would be turkey and stuffing with cranberry sauce, and plenty of side dishes, but it was always the dessert that had me hold back from getting completely stuffed during the main course. For you see, I absolutely LOVE pumpkin pie. 

Now, pumpkin pie is a wonderful thing, but there's another option which my wonderful partner and wife came up with a few years ago that takes the pumpkin out of the pie, so to speak, and it totally rocks my world. She calls it Patty's Pumpkin Pudding, but it's essentially a crustless pumpkin pie that will make your nose swoon and your taste buds soar with delight. Seriously, this stuff is like pumpkin nirvana.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada! 

Recipe: Patty's Pumpkin Pudding

These delectable cookies are La Fuji Mama's favorite fall cookies. She inherited the recipe from her mom, and I can see why they're so loved: pumpkin, cinnamon and chocolate - combined in a classic cookie format. Delicious!

Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies