THE STOVE

Kefir-Brined Chicken (an Easy Sheet Pan Dinner)

February 28, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 4 Comments

This kefir-brined chicken is juicy and bursting with flavour, and it couldn’t be easier to make! Learn the basics of brining so you can put this easy and wholesome sheet pan dinner on the table this week.

First off, if you can’t get your hands on milk kefir, don’t worry about it. You can easily swap the kefir out with buttermilk if that’s easier for you to get your hands on.

I just happen to be swimming in milk kefir because I make my own at home.

Kefir, by the way, is a fermented milk beverage that’s basically a drinkable version of yogurt.

Boasting more probiotic power than yogurt, it’s easy for the body to digest and is good for gut health.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to purchase something after clicking on one of the links in this post, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in a daily dose of cod liver oil for those omega-3’s! You’ll have to check out my post on making milk kefir to get the scoop on that story.

homemade milk kefir — `This is milk kefir. The lumpy stuff is the live culture that converts the milk into kefir.`

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Classic Cauliflower Gratin (Cauliflower Cheese)

February 7, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

This classic cauliflower gratin (also known as cauliflower cheese) is the perfect devise to sneak veggies to picky eaters! Coated in a creamy white sauce and smothered in cheese, this cauliflower bake is a smash hit as a side!

A TRADITIONAL SIDE DISH

Prior to writing this post, I had always thought cauliflower gratin was a classic French dish. I mean, gratin, right? It turns out I was wrong!

Traditionally, this classic cauliflower gratin goes by another name: cauliflower cheese. And you know what? It’s an English dish!

Can you blame me for thinking it was French though? I mean, look at their classic ham and cheese melt: it’s blanketed in béchamel and covered in cheese.

Whatever the case may be, this is a traditional side dish and a popular one around the table, too!

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Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart from Scratch

January 24, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 6 Comments

A dark chocolate ganache tart makes for a decadent and elegant dessert. Learn how to make this classic French pastry recipe from scratch and be the talk at the dinner table! No one will be able to resist this rich, silky chocolate ganache filling and the crumbly cookie-like crust.

dark chocolate ganache tart with red berries

THIS CHOCOLATE TART IS A BITE OF HEAVEN

If you’ve never had a dark chocolate ganache tart before, you’re in for a treat. It’s not a recipe that’s for the lactose-intolerant, though, that’s for sure!

While I believe it’s important to steer clear of refined sugar as much as possible, I also don’t believe it’s healthy to deprive ourselves from the occasional treat.

That’s why when I do indulge, I make sure it’s something good. This tart is made with the purest ingredients (no vegetable shortening here!) and it will have your dinner guests raving.

So, what on earth makes this classic French dessert taste so darn good?

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Sesame Naan Bread: A Cast Iron Skillet Recipe

January 10, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 2 Comments

It’s time to pull out the cast iron skillet and learn how to whip up a batch of this sesame naan bread. It’s the perfect accompaniment for those winter soups and curries!

CAST IRON SKILLET SESAME NAAN BREAD

If you’ve never had naan before, it’s kind of like pita bread that’s found in many Eastern cuisines.

When I think of naan, Indian is the first cuisine that comes to mind, but it’s one of many.

Traditionally, naan is baked in a tandoor oven, but since I don’t have one of those in my kitchen, I always turn to my trusty cast-iron skillet whenever I’m making a batch. This is also the case when I make flour tortillas and breakfast biscuits, so naan bread is a natural fit.

If you’re new to the world of cast iron cooking, you might want to read up on how to use cast-iron cookware, but if you know your way around cast iron, please, continue. Of course.

It’s also possible to use whatever pan you wish, but I hope you give cast iron a shot!

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Fiery Chipotle Chili (a slow cooker recipe)

January 3, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 8 Comments

This fiery chipotle chili hits the spot on the coldest of days. Learn how to prep it, set it, and forget it with this easy slow cooker recipe.

EVERY POT OF CHILI HAS A STORY

My cooking journey began the day I started university.

Prior to that, the extent of my cooking prowess was preparing a pot of Kraft Dinner for my brothers and heating soup.

Left to my own devices and being too frugal for the school cafeteria, I began navigating my way around the kitchen.

One dish I learned how to make was stovetop chilli. I would brown my meat, toss all of the ingredients into a pot, bring it to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes.

I would finish it by dousing it with Tabasco sauce because I didn’t know about chipotles in adobo sauce.

The onions were crunchy, but I was proud of myself. Then one day, to my great insult, someone suggested that I sauté my onions.

How dare they!

They were right, of course, and thankfully I took it to heart.

Then several years ago I was gifted a Crock-Pot for Christmas and that changed everything.

Over the years, my spices and core ingredients have stayed consistent with minor tweaks here and there, but slow cooking and the discovery of chipotles in adobo sauce dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s.

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Four Easy Elixirs to Keep You Warm This Winter

December 27, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 4 Comments

Whether you need a way to keep warm or something to relieve an aching throat or sinuses, these easy elixirs are bound to make you feel better. Learn how to make these hot drinks so that you can make them when you need them the most!

In Canada, winter brings so many wonderful things that I look forward to every year. Unless I’m going somewhere, I love being hit by huge snowstorms and digging my way out. Ice skating and skiing hold a special place in my heart, as do long winter walks. I usually focus on the things I like, which makes an otherwise harsh season more bearable, but there are two things I am constantly battling with: keeping warm and staying healthy. These easy elixirs check both boxes, and if you are feeling under the weather, they will help to soothe and perk you up. The best part is that you probably have all of the ingredients you will need!

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