Kitchen Tips & Tricks as seen on Toronto’s Breakfast Television

Join me for a fabulous Winter Comfort Food cooking class at Vince’s Market in Sharon, Ontario (click here for more info) ~ I’ll be sharing plenty of kitchen tips & tricks, and tasty recipes too!!

Grab my cookbook: ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ on Amazon (click here), on my website (click here) or at one of the small businesses across Ontario (list below).

Recipes from today’s show:

Coconut Rum Blondies with Orange Zest

~ click here for recipe *note: stir in the zest of one large orange (about 2 tsp (10 mL) to batter before baking.

Char’s Spicy Lentil Dip

Canned lentils and beans are my go-to pantry staple for plant protein and fibre. This dip takes minutes to whip up, is economical, and can be made two days in advance (be sure to give it a good stir before serving). A perfect excuse to use up leftover fresh herbs you have
on hand.

Ingredients

• 1 (540 mL) can of lentils, drained and rinsed (or chickpeas, or white kidney beans)
• ⅓ cup (75 mL) tahini
• zest and juice of one lemon
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) chili flakes
• 2 cloves minced garlic (or to taste)
• ¼ cup (60 mL) quality olive oil
• *approx* 1 cup (250 mL) chopped mixed fresh herbs such as: mint, parsley, dill and chives

Garnish:

Chili flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil, and additional chopped fresh herbs.

Directions

1. Place lentils in a bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until roughly chopped.
2. Add remaining ingredients (except for chopped herbs) and pulse until very well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl when needed. Check consistency – if the dip is too thick for your liking add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water (or more olive oil).
3. Add ¾ cup (175 mL) of the chopped herbs and pulse until just combined. Place dip in a serving bowl and garnish evenly with remaining chopped fresh herbs, chili flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with veggies and flatbreads.
4. Yields: 1 3/4 cup (425 mL)

Find ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ on Amazon (click here)
or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:
Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
The Farm Store ~ 101 Entrance Dr, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Red Bean Interior ~ 99 Maple St, Port Carling
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Farmer’s Daughter ~ 118 ON-60, Huntsville
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau