Posted by Billie-Jean | Feb 4th, 2010

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Thank you Martha Stewart for this sublime recipe. You can easily divide this recipe in half; use a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish if you do. Serves 12 6 slices good-quality white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish 5 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon freshly...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Feb 3rd, 2010

What is in season in BC

What’s In Season? “To Everything There Is A Season” What’s in season in December? Apples, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Garlic, Pears, Rosemary, Sage, Turnips, Winter Squash. What’s in season in January? Apples, Cabbage, Pears, Rosemary, Sage, Turnips, Winter Squash. What’s in season in February? Apples, Cabbage, Pears, Rosemary, Sage, Turnips. What’s in season in...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Feb 3rd, 2010

Turnip Supreme

Makes 8 servings 2 cups water 2 cubes vegetable bouillon 6 cups of peeled and cubed turnips ½ cup of finely chopped onion 4 clove of minced garlic 1 cup of sharp white cheddar cheese grated 3 tbs sour cream Salt and pepper to taste chopped chives or parsley for on top Directions Put water and bouillon in a pot and boil until it is dissolved over high heat (about 1 min).   Put turnips, onion, garlic in the pot and...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Feb 3rd, 2010

An Ode to the Turnip

I am doing my best to cook in season.  Apparently from what I have read, eating in season is more important than we realize.  I recently wrote a blog post about all the benefits of eating locally here. I have been looking through the various charts for what is in season in B.C. right now and what I am finding is a bunch of vegetables that you rarely hear about anymore.  Here is a list: Veggies:  Beans (dried),...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 31st, 2010

Chicken Salad Sandwich

Ingredients 3 cooked chicken breasts, chopped-I buy an already cooked chicken from the grocery store!! 1 or stalks celery, chopped- about 3/4 cup 2 green onions, chopped 1/2 cup seedless grapes, halved 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup of toasted almonds 3/4 cup salad dressing, such as Miracle Whip- or here is a trick, just add 1 tsp of icing sugar to regular mayonnaise.  That is exactly what Miracle Whip is. 1 Tbs...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 30th, 2010

Chocolate Cake

OMG. OMG.OMG.  This is probably the best and only home made chocolate cake that I really and truly love.  It was passed on to me by a friend who makes it for just about any special occasion that happens at her house.  What I love about this cake is that it is simple but tastes like you could be eating it at any fine restaurant.  Last night I went to bed craving chocolate cake, and I really am not normally a...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 29th, 2010

Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake

OMG. OMG.OMG.  This is probably the best and only home made chocolate cake that I really and truly love.  It was passed on to me by a friend who makes it for just about any special occasion that happens at her house.  What I love about this cake is that it is simple but tastes like you could be eating it at any fine restaurant.  Last night I went to bed craving chocolate cake, and I really am not normally a...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 23rd, 2010

Lemon Tarts

Lemon Tarts Tart Crust (print recipe)-yields 24 mini tarts, 12 regular sized tarts (muffin tin), or one pie. 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar Kosher salt 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced 2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening (recommended: Crisco) 1/4 cup ice water Combine the flour, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and place in the freezer for 30...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 21st, 2010

Classic Beef Stew

Beef Stew (print) 1 (3-pound) boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes salt and pepper 3 TBS vegetable oil 2 onions, minced 1 TBS tomato paste 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 TBS all-purpose flour 1 cup dry red wine 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 TBS minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried 2 bay leaves 1 1/2 lbs red potatoes (5 medium), scrubbed and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks 4 carrots,...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 15th, 2010

Acme Cafe opening soon…

Driving up to Peggy and Alan’s house is like going back in time.  A long narrow street lined with perfectly symmetrical trees.  Cute square houses that date back to wartime years.  Their house is simple but rich with nostalgia, maybe it’s the beautiful vegetable garden that replaces much of their lawn in the back, or the vintage looking kitchen with black check floors and lemon colored cupboards.  I have...