Torta di Castagne – Chocolate Chestnut Cake

Torta di Castagne - Chocoalte Chestnut Cake

I adapted this chestnut cake from the Australian Women’s Weekly Italian Cookbook. We bought the cookbook in Saudi Arabia many years ago, so I’m not sure if the it’s still being published. Anyhow, it’s an Italian recipe. Which is odd, considering that I brought this cake as a hostess gift to our family friends’ house, and one […]

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread is a buttery cookie from the UK. It’s often sweet, so I’m not 100% sure why it’s called ‘shortbread’ and not ‘shortcake’ (which is obviously a different dessert). From what I have read, the word ‘short’ comes from the crumbly texture of both shortbread and shortcake, not that they were made with shortening, which […]

My New York Wish List for Next Time!

Beecher's, New York City

There is never enough time to do all the things on my New York to-do list! It doesn’t matter if I stay two days or five days (or, I’m sure, 30 days), New York is so filled with sites and sights, restaurants, stores, museums, and parks, that I can never fit it all in. Thankfully […]

Real Japanese Food

There are dozens upon dozens of sushi restaurants in Toronto, so naturally people think Japanese food = sushi. Not so! That’s like saying American food = hot dogs, or German food = sausages. Yes, those cuisines include those foods, but they are just one type of dish. Likewise, sushi is only one type of dish. […]

Stir Fried King Oyster Mushrooms with Green Beans

Oyster Mushrooms with Green Beans

I love making stir fries for dinner, since they are so quick to whip up when I’m coming home, hungry, from work. The combination of king oyster mushrooms with green beans is one of my favourites, as the king oyster mushrooms turn buttery and sweet while the green beans are crunchy and refreshing. Ever since reading […]