Madhu Badoni

Candied yams are a dinner table favourite at every Thanksgiving and Christmas. This delicious casserole is a surefire winner for those who don’t like vegetables and kids who won’t eat sweet potatoes. Try them sprinkled with a nut topping or the traditional roasted marshmallows

Sweet potatoes? Yams? Confusion reigns around these nutritious tubers

You say yam, I say sweet potato. So which is it? I grew up eating both. Or, so I thought.

Candied yams are a dinner table favourite at every Thanksgiving and Christmas. This delicious casserole is a surefire winner for those who don’t like vegetables and kids who won’t eat sweet potatoes. Try them sprinkled with a nut topping or the traditional roasted marshmallows
Pani puris are small balls made of flour and semolina

New Delhi treats and sweets (photo gallery)

As I watched the Commonwealth games in India, the reporters weaving in and out of the familiar streets of my hometown, Delhi, had my taste buds reminiscing of the distinct tastes and flavours of this city.

Pani puris are small balls made of flour and semolina
Candied ginger is thinly sliced ginger that has been cooked in a sugar syrup until it becomes sweet and tender. It retains its gingery bite

Candied ginger finds its way into nearly everything (photo gallery)

When it comes to ginger, I truly love it. Herbalists and nutritionists tout the health benefits of eating this knobby fibrous root , but I simply use it because I enjoy the citrusy, spicy taste.

Candied ginger is thinly sliced ginger that has been cooked in a sugar syrup until it becomes sweet and tender. It retains its gingery bite
These dairy

Allergen-free treats for the whole class

According to Health Canada, dairy, eggs, and nuts are some of the most common food allergy culprits for young kids.

These dairy
This hamburger recipe with Asian flavours really pushes the limits of what you can do with the same ground meat.

Gourmet grills

Hamburgers are the perfect summertime meal! There is nothing like sinking your teeth through a toasty bun, a crispy layer of vegetables, and then finally into the thick, succulent juicy burger!

This hamburger recipe with Asian flavours really pushes the limits of what you can do with the same ground meat.
Gently  ease the pastry into the pan

What’s in a pie?

My favourite dessert to bake is an apple pie! However, my big dilemma always is whether to make my own crust or to seek help from Mr. Pillsbury!

Gently  ease the pastry into the pan
Wearing black trousers and bow tie with his signature handlebar moustache

Road trip into the ’50s

The 1950’s marked an era in time when soda fountain shops were the cornerstone of every town’s main street. Often housed in the drug store, the neighbourhood soda fountain counter served as a social gathering place for people of all ages.

Wearing black trousers and bow tie with his signature handlebar moustache
Rhubarb seemed to be relegated to the realm of the boring and old

Not your granny’s rhubarb (photo gallery)

A couple of generations ago, growing rhubarb was as common as keeping a vegetable garden. But as more and more exotic fruits became available, rhubarb was relegated to the realm of the boring and old fashioned.

Rhubarb seemed to be relegated to the realm of the boring and old
With the popularity of flatbreads like lavash

India has a new food icon (and the world has another great flatbread)

Once upon a time, butter chicken, chicken curry and samosas were identified as the foods of India.

With the popularity of flatbreads like lavash
Members of the Rikubetsu Friendship Society

To learn about a country or culture, peek in their kitchen (photo gallery)

The best way to learn about a country is to look into their kitchen. I caught a glimpse of Japan by attending a Japanese cooking class hosted by Chef Ben Huo and Linda Henderson of the Rikubetsu Friendship Society in Lacombe.

Members of the Rikubetsu Friendship Society
Children’s Services Centre board member Jackie  D’Costa created this silver anniversary cake

Love baked in a cake (photo gallery)

Beautiful desserts and extravagant cake designs created by local chefs were showcased during the Evening of Decadent Dessert hosted by Children’s Services Centre (CSC).

Children’s Services Centre board member Jackie  D’Costa created this silver anniversary cake
Dressed in her crisp whites with the Cordon Bleu’s medal crest and the tall pristine toque blanche (white chef’s hat)

On the Red Mile at the Cordon Bleu

I really enjoyed watching the movie Julie and Julia as Julia Child went through her trials and tribulations and ultimately graduating from the Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School in Paris.

Dressed in her crisp whites with the Cordon Bleu’s medal crest and the tall pristine toque blanche (white chef’s hat)
Top left: This quick and easy recipe can be prepared in less than 15 minutes. They are a great way to spice up flavour to a stir-fry or as a snack — and a smart way to get your omega-3s.

Wall-to-wall nuts

I have gone a little nutty in my kitchen and I can fully blame California Walnuts for putting me in this state.

Top left: This quick and easy recipe can be prepared in less than 15 minutes. They are a great way to spice up flavour to a stir-fry or as a snack — and a smart way to get your omega-3s.
Red Fife wheat waffle with peaches and  blueberries.

Better than Belgian

For me, a hot crispy Belgian waffle topped with fresh strawberries and dollops of whipped cream takes me back to happy memories of walking through the streets of Brussels with a sweet treat in my hands.

Red Fife wheat waffle with peaches and  blueberries.
Left: Make quick and easy spinach dips to eat with whole grain breads. Or better yet

Strong to the finach

I announced to my family that this St. Patrick’s Day is the opportune time to be “going green!” While to some this immediately implies being more environmentally friendly, but to my kids this means only one thing… “another green vegetable is going to be appearing in the meal!”

Left: Make quick and easy spinach dips to eat with whole grain breads. Or better yet
Tina Wolfe

How to drink beer (As if we needed a lesson )

Drinking beer is simple, it’s something you do instinctively — gulp, swallow and repeat. But how often do you slowly savour your chosen brew rather than simply guzzle it down?

Tina Wolfe
Dahl

Nutritious and filling dahl puts spice and life into everyday comfort food

Dahl in India is what chicken soup is in Canada — a staple comfort food. Dal, daal, dahl, however you spell it, is a dish cooked daily in the Indian kitchen.

Dahl
All you “knead” is the dough to create  plain or fancy irresistible hot-out-of-the-oven buttery buns. All shapes and varieties use the same basic dough recipe.

Unmatchable dinner rolls

They are a must at my house for Sunday dinners. They are a staple during the holiday spread and the perfect accompaniment for the wintery soups and stews. They arrive in that irresistible basket of hot, buttery dinner rolls.

All you “knead” is the dough to create  plain or fancy irresistible hot-out-of-the-oven buttery buns. All shapes and varieties use the same basic dough recipe.
Adding some chopped apples and cinnamon while cooking oatmeal generates “hot out of the oven apple pie” aromas that will have the snooze pushers jumping out of bed.

Just plain comfort

Oatmeal is a blank canvas that is waiting for your personal textures and flavours If calendars had a place for calorie weigh in, my December would have toppled over!

Adding some chopped apples and cinnamon while cooking oatmeal generates “hot out of the oven apple pie” aromas that will have the snooze pushers jumping out of bed.
BrutBrutti ma Buoni means ugly but good

Open House: a casual way to entertain (photo gallery)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” insists the department store and the television jingles. But entertaining during the holidays can be the most stressful time of the year too.

BrutBrutti ma Buoni means ugly but good