Father's Day Dessert

My dad's birthday and Father's Day are one week apart, so coming up with gifts for him all in one little span of time can prove to be difficult. Not impossible, but difficult. Thankfully he isn't fussy and will gladly accept almost anything - but he especially favours anything food-related "that won't take up space around the house."

These Guinness Sundaes are what I'll be making for dessert on Sunday. Why these? Oh, I don't know, 'cause they're delicious? Also, if there's ever an opportunity for me to make some fancy new sauce, I will leap at that chance. 

Recipe - Banana Nut Pancakes

As far as breakfast foods go, I'm not the biggest fan of pancakes. I really just don't understand them. They've always seemed like bland little pieces of nothingness that are trying so hard to be cake, and failing miserably. But that's just my opinion.

However, the act of making pancakes? One of the most fun things to do in the kitchen. I did it for the first time yesterday and it made me feel... fantastic. Why the hell did I feel that way? I don't know. Maybe it was the flipping that made it fun. Maybe it was the fact that I didn't burn them on my first try. Maybe the banana smell helped? No idea. But I could've stayed there and made them for hours, so fun.

And chances are - you know someone who enjoys these guys. Those people are everywhere. And they love talking about how much they adore them. And this recipe was a really good one, I was told. (I did eat some, and thought, "Yep. Banana pancakes. I guess these are something.") But keep in mind, no pancake will ever impress me. Ain't possible. Not even with chocolate in it. 

I'll for sure make these again since the reaction to them was good - and also, since it's a lighter version of the really-bad-for-you kind of pancakes. Go try. Or better yet, go try and make any kind of pancakes! The act of making them is way more fun than the outcome. Maybe eat a piece of real cake for yourself afterward so it feels more fulfilling.

You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

Tip - Make Whipped Feta

How To Make Whipped Feta (link)

​​I came across this from the blog How Sweet It Is (after stumbling upon it and spending about an hour looking and bookmarking too, too many ideas) - and if you’ve ever eaten any piece of cheese and savored that moment? Well, you gotta whip some feta and try this. Just ridiculous tasting. 

(What other stuff did I bookmark to eventually try?

• Spinach, Bacon & Artichoke Stuffed Portobellos
• Blue Cheese Mac & Cheese
• Coconut Cream Goat Cheese Cheesecake
• Banana Cream Cheesecakes
• Bean Burgers with Avocado Basil Cream

Gonna. Try. It all.)

Salmon Baked in Foil

Before last Monday, I had never baked any type of fish in my life. Seemed too hard to do. Like, how to to know when something’s cooked or not is the main reason I tend not to venture into uncharted cooking territory.

However, I’m a growing woman and I need to do things outside my comfort level once in awhile. Also, ya know… eating right and all that garbage helps, too. 

I made this baked salmon and it tasted outrageously good. And keep in mind that the only fish I ever really eat/enjoy is the beautiful, hella deep-fried kind like the halibut at a Canadian fish and chips place (I have to specify and say Canadian since Americans do not know what amazing fish and chips taste like. I just… I refuse to ever get on board with cod as a substitute for halibut. Cod is just inferior. Go home, cod.)

It’s really easy to make (- I made it) and it tastes like something you’d pay someone to make for you. Plus, it’s a great meal to cook if you’re looking to impress someone since it looks fancy as hell. 

Insane Salad Dressing

My dear friend Marla made this at a dinner once and it is so crazy good tasting that I’ve made it over ten times since then. It tastes better than a lot of dressings I’ve had at restaurants, for Christ’s sake. 

Not gonna get over it. You have to try it. Or, ya know, don’t. Not my issue if you don’t want to enjoy finer things. 

Best Garlic Bread

I saw this recipe on an episode of Big Daddy’s House years ago. That man (Aaron McCargo Jr.) just has a great presence, and maybe that’s a dumb reason to assume he makes good food, but he does. Also, his earrings are fantastic. I’ve made this tons of times and it is always amazing (I even burned it once and it still tasted better than most of what has come out of my kitchen). If you like garlic bread even a tiny bit, you must make this. Why does it taste so good? Maybe ‘cause it has A MILLION INGREDIENTS. And I trust that. 

You can see the recipe here. 

Best Sweet & Sour Chicken of Life

If you’ve ever ordered this at a restaurant and enjoyed it, you need this recipe in your life. Keep in mind, I don’t cook very often. My brother and his wife made this recently and I lost my mind, it’s so tasty. The recipe is here. Make it. 

Just make it. It tastes better than any Chinese food takeout I’VE EVER HAD. 

It’s dumb how great it is. Just dumb. 

BONUS POST! SNOW ICE CREAM!

Okay, there’s a snowstorm in Ontario RIGHT NOW. And so I was out playing with my niece Tianna and my dear babe Harmeet and trying to think up new ways to have more fun out there in the gorgeousness. So I came inside, did some Googling and found a way to make AND EAT some snow ice cream. 

We just made it AND IT IS DELICIOUS. Here is the recipe. I’m serious here, too. It. Is. Really. Tasty. And weirdly satisfying to know that it fell from the sky. 

Harmeet’s advice: “Eat it fast!”

SNOW DAY! Okay, bonus post over. Enjoy your weekend, babies. 

(Sidenote: Tianna opted not to have a photo up here because she’s a teenager and thought she was BETTER THAN THIS POST! She’s still lovely, nevertheless.)

BLT Deviled Eggs Recipe (link) →

These eggs are outrageous. Even if you burn the bacon, it’ll still taste pretty nuts. (Sidenote: I don’t normally even LIKE eggs. The very idea of them seems too gross to manage.) But these? Yikes. Crazy tasty.

How To Make Leftover Pizza Amazing Again (link) →

Honestly, man - the guy who does these videos is so great. His name is Chef John, he runs this blog called Food Wishes and he’s almost TOO likable. He makes all kinds of stuff that’s crazy tasty. His videos are here. And his blog with his recipes is here. This is just one of his links that I’ve probably emailed around the most since it’s a genius way to reheat pizza.