So excited for: ‘In Char’s Kitchen’ Stocking Stuffer Essentials – just in time for the holidays…YAY!!!! Limited quantities – recap of what you’ll receive:

~ an ‘In Char’s Kitchen’ apron

~ Wusthof Utility Knife

~ World’s Best dishcloth *seriously: best. dishcloth. ever!!

~ Char-Berry (cardamom, cinnamon, apple – so yummy) caffeine free Tea on the 45TH blend

~ two holiday recipe cards (4 festive recipes: 2 sweet & 2 savoury)

Cost: $55 (includes hst) for those in the Muskoka area – shipping is available for those outside of Muskoka for an additional $12.

**I’ll be donating $1 from every bag sold to our local food bank**

To place your order: email info@charmainebroughton.comn or call/text: 705-706-3971

*more exciting things happening in & out of ‘In Char’s Kitchen’ in 2021 – stay tuned 

Charmaine is the host of “In Char’s Kitchen” on YourTV Muskoka and regular guest on: Rogers IN Studio, Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CTV Morning Live Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live and Breakfast Television sharing her love and enthusiasm for all things food, cooking and fitness.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys; Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram: Charmaine_Broughton

Facebook: Charmaine Broughton

Always delighted to cook (and Eat!!) for a cause. Click here for my ‘famous’ Caramel Covered Brie – you’re welcome!!

Looking forward to seeing all you ladies in person soon,

Char xo

Charmaine is the host of “In Char’s Kitchen” on YourTV Muskoka and regular guest on: Rogers IN Studio, Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CTV Morning Live Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live and Breakfast Television sharing her love and enthusiasm for all things food, cooking and fitness.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys; Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram: Charmaine_Broughton

Facebook: Charmaine Broughton

If you love chocolate – you’ll appreciate these delicious, doable and fun recipes!

Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches with Vanilla Orange Compound Butter 

Yep, you read that right: Grilled chocolate sandwiches – brunch never tasted so good!

3 tbsp (45 mL) softened butter

1 tsp (5 mL) Muskoka Maple Syrup

½ vanilla bean scraped (paste only) OR 1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp (2 mL) finely grated orange zest

4 slices of egg bread (*or cinnamon raisin bread)

1 (100 g/3.5 oz) quality dark chocolate bar (at least 70%), broken in half * you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate – I just prefer dark chocolate

Garnish: whipped cream and fresh berries

Stir together butter, maple syrup, vanilla and orange zest.  Divide butter evenly between, and on both sides of bread (as you would if making a grilled cheese sandwich).  Pre-heat a non-stick pan or flat griddle to medium high.  Place two slices of bread on pre-heated griddle and divide chocolate evenly between bread.  Top with remaining pieces of bread (to make a sandwich). Grill for about 3 minutes (gently press each sandwich down with spatula). Flip sandwiches and grill for an additional few minutes until bread is grilled and chocolate is soft. Remove sandwiches from griddle and let stand for a few minutes before cutting. Cut each sandwich in half (or quarters) and garnish with whipped cream and fresh berries. Makes two sandwiches.

Char’s Chocolate Coconut Cheesecake

Decadence at its finest. You’re welcome!!

Base

1 ½ cups (375 mL) chocolate cookie crumbs (*or Graham cracker crumbs)

½ cup (125 mL) sweetened flaked coconut 

⅓ cup (75 mL) melted butter

Pre-heat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease sides of pan. Stir together all ingredients and press into bottom of pan. Bake in center of pre-heated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and cool completely.  

Filling

1 (250 g) brick cream cheese, room temperature

½ cup (125 mL) cocoa powder

1/2 cup (125 mL) sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp (5 mL) each; pure vanilla extract and coconut extract

¼ tsp (1 mL) salt

1 (100 g/3.5 oz) quality dark chocolate bar, finely chopped and melted – and slightly cooled

1 cup (250 mL) 35% whipping cream, whipped 

Garnish: large flakes of toasted coconut 

Place cream cheese in food processor fitted with a medal blade. Pulse until smooth. Add cocoa, sweetened condensed milk, extracts and salt. Pulse until all ingredients are evenly combined (scrape down sides of bowl when needed). Add melted chocolate and pulse until mixture is evenly combined. Place chocolate mixture in large mixing bowl and fold in whipped cream. Spread mixture evenly on crust and garnish with coconut flakes. Chill for at least 2 hours or over night. Serves 8 to 10.

Charmaine is the host of “In Char’s Kitchen” on YourTV Muskoka and regular guest on: Rogers IN Studio, Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CTV Morning Live Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live and Breakfast Television sharing her love and enthusiasm for all things food, cooking and fitness.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys; Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram: Charmaine_Broughton

Facebook: Charmaine Broughton

Add a little sunshine to your every day meals with a handful of California Raisins!! DYK: the best raisins in the world come from California!!

Click here for more sweet and savoury recipes featuring California Raisin

Tempting Tuna Pita Pockets

Add a bite of sunshine to your tuna salad with the addition of California Raisins. Take a can of tuna to new heights with pantry staple ingredients – I absolutely love the sweet and savoury flavour combo of this sandwich filler/salad. Click here for the recipe.

Bacon, Kale & California Raisin Strata

Nothing screams comfort food like a hot-out-of-the oven strata. Perfect for brunch or a weeknight supper served with a side of mixed greens. Click here for the recipe.

Charmaine is the host of “In Char’s Kitchen” on YourTV Muskoka and regular guest on: Rogers IN Studio, Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CTV Morning Live Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live and Breakfast Television sharing her love and enthusiasm for all things food, cooking and fitness.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys; Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram: Charmaine_Broughton

Facebook: Charmaine Broughton

Incorporating more plant protein and vegetables into your overall diet can be fun AND delicious!! I promise: you and your gang won’t even miss the meat/fish when gobbling down these flavourful and nutrient dense recipes.

Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Spinach Roti

Hearty and delicious – this roti recipe hits the spot and uses one of my fave pantry staple ingredients: peanut butter! Peanuts and peanut butter are a nutritious, satisfying and an economical plant protein source. Click here for the recipe.

Roasted Acorn Squash with Balsamic Marmalade & Pomegranate Seeds

I developed this recipe about ten years ago for an issue of Running Room magazine. It was a huge hit with readers and I’ve taught it countless times at cooking classes. If you can’t find pomegranate – garnish with dried cherries or dried cranberries. Click here for recipe.

Hearty Carrot & White Bean Soup

This soup costs about $1 per serving and is ready in less than 30 minutes = fast food on a dime!!   

1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil

1 white cooking onion, sliced

2 tbsp (30 mL) Canadian maple syrup (*or liquid honey) 

½ tsp (2 mL) each; salt, pepper, ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cardamom

4 cups (1 L) chopped carrots, well washed (*skin left on)

6 cups (1.5 L) vegetable or chicken stock

1 (540 mL) can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp (15 mL) minced fresh ginger

1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange zest

1 clove minced garlic (*or to taste)

Garnish: dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and chopped fresh mint

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook onion stirring, until lightly brown (about 3 to 5 minutes). Add maple syrup, salt, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, carrots and stock. Bring to a boil and simmer until carrots are fork tender (about 15 minutes). Add beans and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in ginger, orange zest and garlic. Cool slightly. Using an immersion blender (or stand up blender), puree soup in batches. Reheat soup and serve. Garnish evenly with cranberries, seeds and mint. Makes about 8 cups (2 L).  

Charmaine is the host of “In Char’s Kitchen” on YourTV Muskoka and regular guest on: Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CTV Morning Live Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live and Breakfast Television sharing her love and enthusiasm for all things food, cooking and fitness.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys; Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram: Charmaine_Broughton

Facebook: Charmaine Broughton

If you’re in a weeknight supper jam – why not try a sheet pan dinner? With little fuss you can be enjoying a nutritious and delicious homemade dinner in less than an hour! If you have leftover Halloween chocolates and/or pretzels – I’ve got you covered with a-worth-every-calorie dessert as well….you’re welcome!! Find recipes from my Rogers IN Studio segment below. Click here for more tasty recipes made with peanuts and peanut butter.

Charmaine is the host of “In Char’s Kitchen” on YourTV Muskoka and regular guest on: Rogers Daytime Ottawa, CTV Morning Live Ottawa, CHCH Morning Live, Breakfast Television , What She Said Radio sharing her love and enthusiasm for all things food, cooking and fitness.

Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys; Tyler & Colgan.

Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy, wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind.

Follow Charmaine on:

Instagram: Charmaine_Broughton

Facebook: Charmaine Broughton