Lemon Ricotta (Blintz) Cheesecake

Distracted - that's me. My main goal with this site is to record family favourites, but I get distracted - especially when I come across a recipe that seems to match a taste / eating memory that - for lack of a recipe - I have not yet been able to replicate.

I have long been on the hunt for a cheesecake recipe with a particular texture - not dry, but not smooth. I have assumed it's base is ricotta. This one comes close and will keep me happy - for a while...

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Roasted Salt and Vinegar Potatoes

This is a great way to prepare mini potatoes, be they new potatoes appearing at the market or those sold around the year in grocery stores. The method may strike you as bizarre - but try it once and you will be making it again and again. Is this a classic recipe from Colombia? from Syracuse? Read more to find out...

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Swedish Lentil Meatballs

This is not (yet) an oft-repeated family favourite. Came across the recipe - they looked yummy, I love lentils, and it is, after all, the International Year of Pulses - so I tried them - and will make them again! The recipe is adapted from Lentils Canada. Recipes for cream sauce and honey garlic sauce offer variety - and there's a vegetarian option.

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Broccoli Slaw

I cannot recall exactly when I first had broccoli salad. You know the salad I mean - broccoli florets, combined with bacon, red onion, raisins etc. I loved it, though it seems to me it became unpopular for a while - could it be because the typical recipes called for one cup of mayo and a half cup of sugar?

Try this healthier version and perhaps you'll agree it tastes great!

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Sweet Buns with Ricotta

I am thrilled to have found this recipe that replicates a treat made by my grandmother. The recipe source calls these "Kolaches" and attributes them to Czech immigrants, but these kinds of sweet breads seem to exist in so many European cultures - who is to claim the origin?

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Moroccan Red Bean Dip

Dips. They work well with crackers and veggies, and come in handy as a pre-dinner appetizer, a contribution to a pot luck, or for a wine and movie night - not to be confused with "Netflix and Chill".

I can remember when the most common "dip" was the combination of sour cream and a packet of dry onion soup mix. This is soooo much better - and better for you. 

Celebrate the International Year of the Pulse with this!

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Almost No Knead Bread

When Jim Lahey revealed his secret recipe from his NYC Sullivan Street Bakery, people did not stop at replicating it - they tried to make it better. Among those who responded to that challenge was America's Test Kitchen (ATK).

They made a dough that was not as wet, and thus easier for novices to handle; they added beer for flavour; they reduced the proofing time and added 15 seconds of kneading - thus the title - Almost No Knead Bread.

They say that even a 6 year-old can make it. I rose to the challenge - how about you?

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Doggie Biscuits

Luka just marked her 10th birthday and her treat from the KB kitchen will be homemade doggie treats! I'm sharing two recipes that you may want to make for your favourite canine. The first are "Dog Breath Biscuits", and sad to say Luka is at times in need of these (wink). In theory, the fresh mint and parsley are supposed to do the trick. Luka loves them and is happy to perform her twirly dance to get one.

The second recipe - "Sweet Potato and Apple Treats" - is a newer one with fewer ingredients - faster if you are pressed for time.

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Spanish-style Flan

There are some desserts that sound sort of "exotic" - and flan is one of them. Though it may sound immodest, I will say I have mastered this Spanish-style Flan, and am finally getting around to sharing the recipe.

The great thing about this dessert is that it is best when chilled 24 hours in advance, so the "day before" prep makes "the day" roll out more smoothly. I tend to serve it with a little garnish - in this case caramelized pears and a crisp.

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Curried Chicken Soup

Here's a quick curry soup. Although curry may evoke images of India, apart from using curry, I am not sure this would get a lot of check-marks as an Indian dish - but it's still yummy!

The original recipe used the term "madras curry",  however, "the name 'Madras Curry' is not used in India, but was invented by restaurants in Britain." (Wikipedia) I use my own curry mixture - try it! - and add more heat if you wish.

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Mushroom Barley Soup

Mushrooms are popular in the KB kitchen - versatile, in so many dishes. As I add this to the site, it's nearing the end of Winter and we all feel sun-deprived - thus possibly low on Vitamin D. Did you know mushrooms are a source of vitamin D, fibre, minerals and B complex vitamins? 

This soup not only tastes great, but is a beautiful sight to behold with rich, deeply coloured broth.

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Hungarian Bean and Smoked Sausage Soup (Bableves)

Temperatures today were in the double digits, but as long as it is still officially winter go ahead and make this hearty soup.

This continues the theme of a Hungarian bean soup where the flavour of paprika mingles with smoked meat - except in this case it is smoked sausage. These are easy to find in local delicatessens.

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Mostaccioli: Italian Cookies

Here's a new addition to my quest to master Italian Cookies!

We don't often think of spices when we imagine cookies. These feature cloves. Does cloves in cookies sound odd? Keep in mind that cloves make a minor appearance in many gingerbread recipes. Here, although combined with cinnamon, it is the flavour of cloves that shines through for a startlingly yummy eating experience – of course there is chocolate as well...

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Hungarian Ham and Bean Soup

Though the Winter has been mild, we still crave hearty soups this time of year. This rustic soup is guest- or even restaurant-worthy to those who are open to "country style" food. With hunks of hearty brown bread (and beer) you'd be satisfied and have no room for dessert! 

It absolutely captures my memory of a smoked ham bean soup. If you have about two hours, cozy up reading while the aroma of this soup fills the house.

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Almond Rings

My local deli sells a puff pastry almond ring and every once in a while I cave in and buy one for myself as a treat.  When a store sells a nice treat, we should perhaps just "go with it", but I recently became a bit obsessed with trying to replicate it. 

I served it to a gathering of high school friends. This got a thumbs up from all and BFF rated it better than the one sold at the deli - blush! (That doesn't mean I will stop buying them.)

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Curried Cauliflower Soup

This recipe is from TLC - The Looneyspoons Collection.  Part of the Podleski Brand is a divine sense of humour. Technically, they call this recipe "Melancauli Baby". 

As I write this, the cost of cauliflower is through the roof(!) but if you splurge and buy one, you can make this fabulous soup (8 servings, 142 calories each). You won't regret it. (For a full meal, add cooked chicken or turkey.)

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Broiled Pork Tenderloin

This is a ridiculously fast and easy way to prepare pork tenderloin. If you are used to the approach of searing the meat and finishing it in the oven, this method may sound odd, but it works! Or, if you have tried making a pork tenderloin and ended up with dry, tasteless results, then get ready for a treat! Pork can be combined with so many sides, it can be a different meal every time!

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Mini Potato Gratin

These look so lovely and appetizing - and in fact they disappeared so quickly, I took this photo of the last one just in the nick of time. If serving family style, just watch the quick disappearing act as everyone dives in. For plated meals you may serve one or two per person. The original BBC Good Food recipe used only white potatoes, but I like to add some colour with sweet potatoes.

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Italian Anise Cookies

As I have mentioned before, I have a wee obsession with Italian cookies and these are stars in my repertoire - especially at Christmas. 

Italians call these cookies "angeletti", and like all Italian cookies you can find thousands of recipe versions online. It is one of those great cookie recipes that comes together fast in a food processor - and they store well!

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Italian Tarrone

I became a fan of these goodies when someone brought them to a xmas gathering, but it was years later - when they magically appeared on the glorious Italian Cookie tray of AC - that I finally got the recipe! 

For three years now they have been part of my xmas cookie repertoire (who knows why I only make them once a year...) Not only do these come together ridiculously quickly - you actually have to work quickly for best results. 

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