Find out what Hermione Sweet Sourdough is here. Then, read on for this scrumptious recipe for Hermione Sweet Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls.
Continue readingHermione – our sweet sourdough starter
It all began when I posted this photo on Instagram. Kind people wanted the recipe. Only to make these, you need a specific sourdough. So I’ve spent the last 5 days testing a starter recipe. Now I’m pleased to introduce you to: Hermione – our sweet sourdough starter.
I did not say my sweet sourdough starter because that would miss the point of having a starter. The point of having a starter is to share it. So, this will be our starter.
This post will share what a starter is, a brief history of sourdough and how SWEET sourdoughs came to being – as near as I can tell. Then, I’ll walk you through starting your own Hermione as well as her care and feeding.
Five days from now, when your starter is ready, I’ll post the recipe for one of my favourite Hermione Sweet Sourdough recipes – these cinnamon rolls. The next 10 posts will be dedicated to recipes from Hermione. Read on to find out how she got her name and stay tuned for those recipes.
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Vintage Pistachio Squares
A friend tells me that anything that’s about 50 years old is vintage. This recipe definitely qualifies. So do I, come to think of it. Vintage or not, these Pistachio Squares were definitely in need of an update.
About 50 years ago, they were a favourite dessert to serve at bridal and baby showers. There were versions with crushed pineapple or several colours of Jello was well. Does this ring a bell? This was also the era when my Mother and her friends thought edible petroleum-based whip cream products (I won’t mention any brands but I think you know what I’m talking about) were a “Godsend.”
I’ve brought this recipe into the new millennium by using real organic whip cream and by bulking up the pistachio nut content. What I did not change was the use of JELLO instant pistachio pudding because, I like it.
This Vintage Pistachio Squares recipe makes me nostalgic for a time when we’d sit in our pyjamas at the top of the stairs waiting for “the ladies” to leave their social gathering. Then we’d sneak down to the kitchen and have a slice of this yumminess before going to bed. We prayed they wouldn’t savour it all. But, I hope you do.
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Homemade Baked Beans
This is my mother’s recipe for Homemade Baked Beans. It came from her grandmother Allyne Dyer. One of my favourite childhood memories was going to Grammy Dyer’s for Sunday dinners. My great-grandparents did not have a lot of money so meals were simple.
We had these baked beans or sometimes baked peas and homemade bread. A roast of pork, chicken or turkey was special. In summer, there’d be loads of vegetables fresh from Puppa Dyer’s garden. And, there’d always be a few kinds of pie to finish. Grammy was famous for her pies. I marvel that she made all this goodness in a wood-burning oven.
Family gatherings and wholesome homemade food. What else do you really need? I hope this recipe conjures up some fond family memories for you. If not, here’s a chance to savour it all and make some with your family.
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Isha Kriya – A Free Guided Meditation
Isha Kriya is a free guided meditation from Sadhguru. It’s a simple yet potent meditation practice. “Isha” means that which is the source of creation. “Kriya” means an inward action towards that. In research conducted by Harvard Medical School, this meditation has been shown to reduce tension, anger, fatigue, confusion and depression.
Last year, I took some training to become a volunteer facilitator for Isha Foundation to help share Yoga for Beginners and Isha Kriya at schools, universities, libraries, community organization and corporations. Since COVID-19 has us all stuck inside, I thought sharing Isha Kriya here would be a way to continue on that path.
Continue readingFiled under Health
Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies are my husband’s favourites. They are his Mom’s recipe and when she sends him a bag of frozen ones, he likes to keep them frozen and eat them straight from the freezer. He really likes his cookies crispy.
I lean a little more towards my recipe for Best Ever Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Is there really a bad chocolate chip cookie recipe though?
Instagram friends were kind enough to send in their votes. Nicola likes Smitten Kitchen’s Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies. While Pauli-Ann and Christine nominated these Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies. I’ve got other recipes for full-loaded oatmeal versions and one from Neiman Marcus. Shall I keep sharing them or are you all fully stocked with your own favourites? I look forward to hearing from you. The chips are down right now, let’s make more of them chocolate!
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Grilled Cod Cheeks with Szechwan Peppercorn Marinade
This recipe for Grilled Cod Cheeks with Szechwan Peppercorn Marinade is something I developed after visiting Newfoundland and Labrador last summer. Though my friends in Newfoundland will think it’s blasphemy, I used west coast Ling Cod Cheeks as fresh Atlantic cod cheeks were not available to me at that time. I’ve also used halibut cheeks when they are in season and they’re delicious too.
For folks living in the land-locked Prairies or west coast, I highly recommend Skipper Otto as a sustainable source of fish. Here in Calgary, you can actually get Fogo Island Fish Hand Line Cod from a company called Meta4Foods. The recipe follows.
Filed under Recipes
