Just Baking

Imposters!
I came up with the idea for Wannabe Portuguese Egg Tarts after seeing many pictures of egg tarts around the Web. I’ve never eaten an authentic egg tart — heck, I’ve never even seen one in person. These were my attempt to get something in the ballpark of what an egg tart would taste like. […]

Empanadas, or hand-held meat pies, are common to many South American and Hispanic cuisines. Close cousins to the British meat pasties, the Australian meat pies, and the Indian samosas, their widespread popularity is no doubt due to their portability and their versatility.  
Easily customized to cultural flavor preferences, the empanada is a perfect way to incorporate whatever bits […]

As we herald spring in most parts of the country, seasonal fruits and vegetables can be seen in all their glory, and a trip to the farmer’s market can turn out to be a visually delectable experience! Oranges, pears, and strawberries are flooding the markets in California, and what better way to binge on the […]

I like to keep a package or two of frozen puff pastry in my freezer.  The possibilities are endless for making quick appetizers such as Brie and Apricot Mini Tarts, entrees like Salmon Wellington, and one of my favorite desserts Apple Turnovers with Spiced Cream Cheese.  A quick-to-make treat for the kids after school or […]

Valentine’s Day is over, but the bonding of love is eternal. So it really doesn’t matter what time of the year it is for you to make sweet treats for your family! It also gives me a chance to practise my hand at a little culinary art, so this week I made my first edible […]

As sorely tempted as I was to bake my heart out in the form of holiday cookies, time simply slipped away while I wasn’t looking, leaving me to watch on in green-eyed envy as everyone else I knew pull tray after tray of golden dough from their ovens. Besides the time commitment involved, I […]

Two summers ago when my husband and I lived in British Columbia, I was spoiled by the bountiful supply of inexpensive blueberries. Our local farmer’s market store, just a pleasant stroll away, was literally clearing them out for just $1.99 a pound! Needless to say, we stocked up. I believe I dedicated an entire afternoon to properly cleaning […]

Doughnuts or donuts. However you spell it they are tasty. They are not something one should make a regular diet out of, but in moderation they won’t kill you. I don’t believe I’ve had a doughnut in a few years so it seemed like now was as good a time as any […]

Today we have Chef Michael Olson of the Niagara Culinary Institute showing us how to make puff pastry. Puff pastry is created by first making a base dough and then folding in a fat, often butter, thereby creating hundreds of layers within the finished dough. When it is baked, the water becomes steam, […]

Who wouldn’t love to merge health and dessert?  Recently I had the luck to stumble across a well known pastry chef, Fran Costigan, who specializes in this very concept.  In fact, Fran’s extensive culinary experience combined with her desire to have her cake and eat it too, has resulted in too many ‘healthy’ dessert recipes […]