Ingredient: brown sugar, packed

Baked Seasonal Fruit Fritters

Whether you’re a fan of savory or sweet flavors, there’s no denying the universal appeal of fritters. Traditionally, fritters were fried until golden. But this recipe bakes them instead. This makes them healthier, with less fat and calories.

The humble classic fritter — a piece of fruit, vegetable or meat dipped in batter and fried in oil. Cousins to the fritter are the doughnut and the cruller — the former heavier in flour, the latter fattier. Fritters can be savory or sweet, spicy or mild. Every country has their own versions, including sweet (French beignets, Italian bigne and Greek loukoumades) and savory (Indian pakoras and Italian fritto misto) recipes.

Fritters have been a part of culinary traditions worldwide, evolving through the ages from simple fried doughs to the vast array of flavors and ingredients that are seen today.

Baking fruit fritters elevates the traditional fried fritter to a whole new level. Not being a fried food lover, I’m always looking for an alternative and baking seems to be a good fit.  

Here in Canada, the apple fritter remains especially popular; Tim Hortons, a leading Canadian coffee and doughnut chain, reported that the apple fritter became their top-selling ‘doughnut’ in 2023. As autumn approaches, these seasonal fruit fritters are a tasty treat.

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 Baked Seasonal Fruit Fritters
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Rating: 5
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Course Brunch
Cuisine European
Keyword baked seasonal fruit fritters
Servings
Ingredients
Fruit
Fritter batter
Glaze (Optional)
Course Brunch
Cuisine European
Keyword baked seasonal fruit fritters
Servings
Ingredients
Fruit
Fritter batter
Glaze (Optional)
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
Fruit
  1. In a small bowl, toss the finely diced rhubarb & apple with 2 Tbsp sugar & 1 tsp cinnamon. let sit for 10 minutes to draw out a little moisture & soften the rhubarb's sharp edge.
Fritters
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, white & brown sugar, baking powder, salt , cinnamon & cardamom.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter & vanilla.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined (do not overmix). Gently fold in the spiced rhubarb/apple chunks along with any juices left in the bowl.
  5. Scoop heaping 1/4-cup portions of the batter onto prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.
  6. Bake 15-18 minutes or until the tops are golden brown & a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Glaze
  1. If you are using the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar, milk (or apple cider) & vanilla in a small shallow bowl until smooth. Let fritters cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then dip the tops of the warm fritters into the glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Wild Herb-Garlic Salmon w/ Veggies

The use of herb and garlic savory syrups over roasted salmon and vegetables has evolved over the years from ancient Mediterranean flavor principles and the Asian honey-garlic culinary tradition. They have been blended into a popular one-dish, western home-cooked meal.

This specific flavor profile is popular because it hits the ‘sweet and savory’ jackpot. The contrast between the sugary sweetness, umami-rich garlic, and Italian seasonings which add earthy, aromatic notes, neutralizes the natural ‘fishiness’ of salmon.

As the syrup reduces and roasts, it forms a glossy, sticky crust on the fish and glazes the vegetables perfectly in the same pan. The sugars in the syrup help lock in moisture, keeping the salmon tender and flaky while the edges get wonderfully crisp. Salt along with the aged cheddar enhance and elevate all the surrounding flavors.

This was one of those ideas that turned out to be so much more than I expected, I had to share it on the blog.

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 Wild Herb-Garlic Salmon w/ Veggies
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asia
Keyword wild herb-garlic salmon w/ veggies
Servings
Ingredients
Herb-Garlic Savory Sauce
Salmon/Veggies
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asia
Keyword wild herb-garlic salmon w/ veggies
Servings
Ingredients
Herb-Garlic Savory Sauce
Salmon/Veggies
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
Sauce
  1. Combine water & sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved & liquid is clear. Whisk in the Italian seasoning & minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil for 1 minute, then immediately reduce heat & simmer for 2-3 minutes to help the dried herbs soften & release their oils. Remove from heat, cover & let the sauce steep for at least 20-30 minutes. Pour the sauce through a fine mesh strainer to remove the fine particles of dried herbs.
Salmon/Veggies
  1. Slice salmon fillets into 6 strips. Place them in a small bowl & marinate in some of the herb-garlic sauce for 30 minutes.
  2. Prick potatoes all over with a fork & microwave on HIGH until tender, about 3 min. Cool & cut in half. Set aside.
  3. Preheat oven to 400 F.
  4. In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook the onion until golden, about 5 min. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper & mushrooms. Cook until no liquid remains, about 5 min. Cool completely.
  5. Arrange reserved potatoes in 2 au gratin dishes (oval lasagna dishes). Top with the broccoli, mushroom-onion mixture & drizzle with a bit of the herb-garlic sauce. Lay 3 strips of salmon across the top of each dish. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
  6. Bake uncovered until the cheese is golden, the salmon flakes with a fork & the vegetables are tender, about 25 min. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

Sour Cherry Crisp

Cherries are one of the quintessential fruits of summer. Sour cherries have a unique tartness, giving them an added dimension of cherry flavor wherever you use them. And, unlike their sweet counterparts, they come in a variety of different shades. Sour cherries hold their authentic cherry flavor throughout a high heat cooking process, making them the ideal choice for baked goods or jams.

Pies, crumbles and crisps are the perfect canvas for fresh sour cherries—the buttery pastry and/or oat topping helps cut the fruit’s pungent acidity.

Sour cherries have less sugar than sweet cherries and that’s a good thing because their high acidity brings a bright, vivid flavor while their sugars will concentrate as you cook them. Once cooked, they’ll taste sweeter. When you bake with sweet cherries, the sugar is so high without acidity to balance it out, so the flavor is one-note, and sometimes too sweet.

The bright, vivid flavor of sour cherries complements many other flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon. 

This sour cherry crisp is an easy way to let this fleeting seasonal ingredient shine.

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 Sour Cherry Crisp
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Rating: 5
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Course dessert
Cuisine Canadian
Keyword sour cherry crisp
Servings
Ingredients
Filling
Oat Topping
Course dessert
Cuisine Canadian
Keyword sour cherry crisp
Servings
Ingredients
Filling
Oat Topping
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
Filling
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, juice & cornstarch. Make sure the cornstarch is well dispersed. Place saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until bubbly & thickened. Pour the cherry filling into a greased 8 X 8-inch baking dish.
Topping
  1. In a bowl, combine oats, flour & brown sugar. Using a fork, mix in the softened butter until crumbly.
Assembly
  1. Sprinkle the oat topping over the cherries & bake 30 minutes or until topping is a golden color.
  2. Serve at room temperature with whipped topping or vanilla ice cream if you wish.

Beef Noodle Stir Fry

The concept of combining beef, noodles, and stir-frying is a natural result of the widespread availability of these ingredients and the efficiency of the cooking method in Chinese cuisine. Specific ‘beef noodle stir-fry’ recipes vary widely by region, reflecting a long history of culinary evolution rather than a single point of origin. 

Udon noodles are used in beef stir-fry because their thickness allows them to soak up large amounts of stir-fry sauce, ensuring every bite is full of flavor. The noodles have a satisfyingly chewy and ‘meaty’ texture that holds up well to high heat and makes them excellent at absorbing flavorful sauces without becoming soggy. Because they are thick and filling, they make a very satisfying base for a beef stir-fry, especially when combined with other ingredients like vegetables and protein.

Many udon noodles, particularly frozen versions, are pre-cooked and can be added to the stir-fry with minimal preparation, making them a great option for quick weeknight meals. 

This is an easy version of beef noodle stir fry, but the taste is really good!

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 Beef Noodle Stir Fry
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword beef noodle stir fry
Servings
Ingredients
Sauce
Other Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword beef noodle stir fry
Servings
Ingredients
Sauce
Other Ingredients
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, red pepper flake & ground black pepper; set aside.
Stir Fry
  1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook udon noodles according to package instructions; drain well.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add beef & onions. Cook, flipping once, until browned, about 3-4 minutes; set aside.
  3. Stir in mushrooms, broccoli & carrots to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in udon noodles, beef & soy sauce mixture until well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes

Udon noodles are a type of thick, chewy Japanese noodle made from wheat flour, water, and salt.

Blueberry, Oatmeal, Rice Chewies

This is not just an ordinary oatmeal cookie; this oatmeal cookie has a surprise ingredient. Rice cereal, which adds a crispy crunch that gives a unique texture and flavor to this soft and chewy cookie with wonderfully crisp edges.

I have given these cookies the name of ‘blueberry, oatmeal, rice chewies’ but the original idea dates back to the 1930s. It seems they went by different names at that time, such as ranger cookies, Texas ranger cookies or cowboy cookies. There are a lot of opinions, not facts, about why this delicious oatmeal cookie recipe is called a ‘ranger cookie’.

There’s no real reason for either of the names, except for possibly because the cookies kept well in saddlebags and, thanks to the eggs, oats, and cereal, provided a bit of energy for long days in the field.

Regardless of their title, these cookies were frequently shared in community cookbooks because the recipe is easy to make and always pleases a crowd. Distinguishing itself from other types of cookies, this ranger cookies recipe has a blend of oats and crispy rice cereal, giving each cookie an intriguing mix of textures: light and tender with a crisp edge and a chewy middle. With the addition of some dried blueberries and pepita seeds, it gives them a whole new dimension.

The result is a cookie with a delightful harmony of flavor in every bite. With both oatmeal and rice krispies cereal in the cookies, I think you would be justified in having these for breakfast.

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 Blueberry, Oatmeal, Rice Chewies
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Course dessert
Keyword blueberry, oatmeal, rice chewies
Servings
DOZEN
Ingredients
Course dessert
Keyword blueberry, oatmeal, rice chewies
Servings
DOZEN
Ingredients
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
  1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt.
  2. In a large bowl, beat butter & both sugars on medium speed of an electric mixer until well combined. Add eggs, applesauce & vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in rice krispies, oatmeal, pepitas & dried blueberries. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  4. Scoop dough onto parchment lined cookie sheets.
  5. Bake for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from baking sheets & cool on wire racks. Store in airtight container.
Recipe Notes

Due to the fact that I have a nut allergy, I always tend to use seeds to add some crunch. Feel free to change it up with your choice of nuts or dried fruit if you wish.

Cinnamon Roll Variety Pack

Baking a variety pack of four different cinnamon roll flavors transforms a single-flavor tray into a versatile, gourmet experience. A visually appealing experience that blends the comfort of a homemade dessert with the excitement of modern flavor experimentation. It caters to different tastes within a single batch, making it an ideal choice for brunch, gifts, or, as some suggest, sharing. 

Moving beyond the classic brown sugar and cinnamon, you can incorporate modern, diverse fillings and toppings. Examples include raspberry-lemon, apple pie, salted caramel, chocolate-hazelnut, orange zest, carrot cake, cardamom, pumpkin or even cream cheese icing variations.

Use one consistent, high-quality yeasted dough for all four variations to ensure even baking times. By packing them together in a small pan, they stay soft and pillowy, a common goal in high-quality homemade baking.

Who doesn’t love a tray of warm, gooey rolls? If you’re a fan of the variety pack, you’re likely drawn to the balance of textures and the social, flexible nature of the format.

 It caters to different palates. While some people crave the classic ‘ooey-gooey’ cinnamon, others might prefer more adventurous toppings.

Including plain rolls in a variety pack ensures that even if you don’t love the experimental flavors, you still have the ‘good ole plain’ ones to fall back on.

Recently, Brion & I had to make a trip out to BC. While waiting in the airport I picked up a magazine to look at and came across a great looking cinnamon roll recipe I thought I should try. For something different I thought it would be nice to do a variety pack instead of just one filling. This is what developed from that idea.

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 Cinnamon Roll Variety Pack
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Course dessert
Cuisine German
Keyword cinnamon roll variety pack
Servings
Ingredients
Dough
Raspberry Filling
Blueberry Filling
Cinnamon Filling
Lemon Curd Filling
Cream Cheese Drizzle
Course dessert
Cuisine German
Keyword cinnamon roll variety pack
Servings
Ingredients
Dough
Raspberry Filling
Blueberry Filling
Cinnamon Filling
Lemon Curd Filling
Cream Cheese Drizzle
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, combine lukewarm milk, & 2 Tbsp of the sugar; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add in the yeast & allow to sit until frothy.
  2. In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, eggs, salt & butter. When yeast mixture is proofed, add to potato mixture, combining well.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together flour & remaining sugar. Combine with wet mixture until dough forms a ball. Knead on a work surface for about 10 minutes then place in a greased bowl.
  4. Cover with plastic wrap & a towel. Allow to rise in a draft-free place for about 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.
  5. While the dough rises, make fillings so they have time to chill before using them. IF YOU FEEL THEY WILL NOT BE CHILLED ENOUGH, PREPARE THEM A DAY AHEAD & KEEP IN THE REFRIGERATOR. TAKE FILLINGS OUT WHILE THE DOUGH IS RISING.
  6. RASPBERRY & BLUEBERRY FILLING: Add the raspberries (or blueberries), sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon zest & salt to a saucepan over low heat. Keep stirring until they begin to break down. Once the berries have broken down & released their juices, turn the heat to medium & allow the mixture to boil, stirring for around 4-5 minutes. As the mixture boils, it will thicken & become jelly-like. Make sure to keep stirring so it doesn't burn. Once thick, remove it from the heat, scrape it into a bowl & allow to cool.
  7. CINNAMON FILLING: In a small bowl stir together brown sugar & cinnamon. Measure out 1/4 cup softened butter for spreading.
  8. LEMON CURD FILLING: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the eggs, sugar, cornstarch, if using, lemon juice, zest, & salt until smooth. Place the pan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, making sure to scrape the corners of the pan to prevent scrambling. Cook for 5–8 minutes until the mixture thickens & coats the back of the spoon. It should just begin to bubble. Remove from heat immediately. Stir in the cold, cubed butter one piece at a time until completely melted and smooth. Pour the curd through a fine-mesh strainer into a jar or bowl to remove any bits of zest or egg. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until completely cold and firm.
  9. Lightly grease a 9 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan; set aside. Punch down the dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into an 18 x 12-inch rectangle & cut into four sections. Apply the 4 different fillings, tightly roll up filled rectangles into spirals. Pinch dough to seal seams.
  10. Cut each roll into 3 slices; arrange in prepared baking pan. Cover; let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size (30 minutes).
  11. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  12. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown & done in center. While rolls are baking prepare cream cheese drizzle.
  13. CREAM CHEESE DRIZZLE: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese, softened butter & vanilla with a mixer on medium until combined. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in enough milk, 1 tsp at a time, to reach drizzle consistency.
  14. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Using a small spatula, loosen rolls from pan. Place a wire rack on top of pan; place one hand on top of rack & other hand under pan & carefully invert pan with rack (use pot holders to protect your hands). Lift pan off rolls.
  15. Drizzle as many of the rolls as you wish. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes

For the mashed potato, prick a 10-ounce unpeeled potato all over with a fork. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Halve potato and scoop pulp out of skin into a small bowl; discard skin. Mash the potato pulp with a potato masher or an electric mixer on low speed.

Blueberry & Brie Turkey Wellington

SEASON’S GREETINGS!

Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most special holidays, from the religious significance of the holiday to the cultural impact it has, the delicious food, the festive music, and the classic movies. Christmas provides a magical atmosphere that fills homes with warmth and joy. It’s a time to celebrate and appreciate the blessings in our lives and to spread love and kindness to those around us.

Today, December 25, is my sister Rita’s birthday and though it has been many years since we could all be together at this time as a family, her birth date brings many precious memories. Nostalgia is a very strange thing. It pops up when you least expect it. Taste, smell, music can take you right back to a moment. I have fond memories of her Christmas Eve family birthday ‘parties’. On the eve of Christmas, our family would go to church. After returning home, we were joined by some family friends to have birthday cake and homemade root beer. My parents wanted my sister to always have this special time to honor her birthday apart from the Christmas festivities.

At the heart of a memorable dinner is the main entree, so why not make it just a bit more special by serving it ‘En Croute’.  In the culinary arts, the term en croute (pronounced ‘on Kroot’) indicates a food that has been wrapped in a pastry dough and then baked in the oven. Traditionally the type of pastry used was a simple dough called pate pastry. Today, puff pastry is frequently used for most en croute recipes.

The key to preparing items en croute is that however long it takes to cook the pastry until it is golden brown is how long the item will spend in the oven. Some of the best choices are beef tenderloin, salmon or brie cheese, due to the fact they require less time to cook.

In the 1950’s and 60’s, Beef Wellington or as the French called it, ‘Boeuf en Croute’, became very popular. It was an elegant meal, using a beef tenderloin covered with liver pate and wrapped in pastry. My first introduction to this meal was a much more low-key version. It was simply achieved by making a nicely seasoned meatloaf, wrapping it in a basic pastry and baking it. My mother would serve it with tomato soup sauce. Definitely good but not quite the elegance of the true en croute entrees.

I’ve come to realize, there are two turkey ‘camps’ for most people. Those who love a roast turkey for the holiday dinner and those who like to part with tradition and have something different.

Now, I’m not actually in either turkey camp. Sometimes I love a juicy roasted turkey with all the complimentary side dishes. And other times, I crave something a little different but also mixed with a bit of tradition.

This savory blueberry & brie turkey wellington is a perfect showpiece for a holiday meal. Warm, melted cheese and crumbly bacon combined with fresh herbs, blueberries, topped with mushroom duxelle and covered in airy puff pastry. Served with blueberry chutney takes this meal to the next level!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITA!

LOVE TO YOU & RICK .. WISHING YOU HEALTH & HAPPINESS!

SEASONINGS GREETINGS TO EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS & FOLLOWS OUR BLOG

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 Blueberry & Brie Turkey Wellington
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine British
Keyword blueberry & brie turkey wellington
Servings
Ingredients
Stuffing
Turkey & Prosciutto
Mushroom Duxelle
Blueberry Chutney
Course Main Dish
Cuisine British
Keyword blueberry & brie turkey wellington
Servings
Ingredients
Stuffing
Turkey & Prosciutto
Mushroom Duxelle
Blueberry Chutney
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
Stuffing
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  2. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add bacon, shallot & garlic; cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in thyme, rosemary, ¼ tsp salt & ¼ tsp pepper. Remove from heat; set aside to cool.
  3. Place the turkey breast on a large cutting board. To butterfly the breast, with a sharp knife, slice into the thickest portion of the breast & cut down the length (the side) of the breast, but not all the way through, about ¾ of the way through. You should be able to unfold the turkey breast like a book.
  4. Place the turkey breast in a large zip lock bag. Using a meat mallet, pound out both sides until they are even in thickness, about ¾-1-inch. Sprinkle turkey with remaining salt & pepper.
  5. Place brie slices on one half of the inside of the turkey breast and the cover with the shallot, thyme mixture, blueberries & bacon. Fold the top over onto the bottom, closing it like a book. Gently transfer the turkey breast to a parchment lined baking sheet.
  6. Place prosciutto slices over the top of the turkey breast. If the prosciutto is thin and tears, that’s ok, just continue to layer the prosciutto over the breast, tucking the prosciutto under the breast as needed.
  7. With either 4 – 5 strands of kitchen twine or wooden toothpicks, tie or ‘pick’ the turkey breast. Don’t tie the breast too tight. Just enough to keep it secure.
  8. Place in the turkey breast in the oven & bake for about 35 minutes. The turkey will be par-cooked & needs to cool for about 10-15 minutes. Once cool enough, cut the twine off (or remove picks) the turkey.
Mushroom Duxelle
  1. While the turkey is cooling, make the mushroom duxelle. In a skillet, add olive oil & cook shallots just until they are soft. Then add the mushrooms & fresh herbs. Let the mushrooms cook until soft & wilted & have released some of their liquid. Stir in the garlic & cook a few minutes longer. Then stir in the breadcrumbs & season with salt & pepper.
Pre-Cooking Turkey
  1. When ready, set the oven temperature to 400 F.
  2. Place one sheet of puff pastry on a flat lightly floured surface. Roll it out a bit lengthwise, about 1-inch. Most puff pastry is about 10×15 inches. I roll the pastry out to about 11×16 or 17. Then do the same with the second piece of puff pastry.
  3. Place one sheet of prepared puff pastry onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then place the cooled par-cooked turkey breast in the center of the puff pastry. With a sharp knife, cut horizontal slits (about 1 inch apart) on the edge of each side of the pastry dough.
  4. Top the turkey breast with the mushroom duxelle, patting it securely into place. Some of the mushroom mixture will tumble off but just put it back on & continue patting it gently until it sticks. Fold each piece of pastry over the turkey breast in a crisscross manner continuing until the breast is completely covered. Tuck the edges of both sides in & pinch them well. Use any extra bits of pastry to make decorations for the top if you like. I used a small holly leaf cookie cutter to make leaves. Use the egg wash to attach your pastry decorations.
  5. Then brush the remaining egg wash over the puff pastry and sprinkle with a little sea salt if you wish. Place in the oven & cook for 70 minutes. The turkey is done when the pastry is a deep golden brown or meat thermometer reads 165 F. Remove the Wellington from the oven & let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
Blueberry Chutney
  1. While the turkey is roasting, make the blueberry chutney. In a saucepan, combine all chutney ingredients: mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Boil for 1 minute.
Serving
  1. To serve, slice the turkey Wellington & place it on a platter. Drizzle with a little blueberry chutney & serve. Serve the extra chutney on the side.
Recipe Notes

NOTE: This recipe has several steps, but it’s worth the effort. The stuffing as well as the mushroom duxelle can be prepared a day in advance and held in the refrigerator. Prepare chutney, cool & refrigerate until ready to use.

Chai Liqueur Cinnamon Rolls

The air is chilly, the leaves are turning, the sun is shining, and the skies are blue. Frost has visited and that ‘end of summer’ feel is in the air.

But there’s more to fall flavors than just pumpkin spice. Before there was pumpkin spice, there was chai to keep you warm and cozy all autumn long. You might even recognize some of the flavors in chai as they are similar to pumpkin spice with clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. The classic way to enjoy chai is in tea, but it seems Craft Chai Liqueur is becoming a timeless staple.

I had never really heard about chai liqueur until Brion brought some home one evening to try. In the winter of 2011, Brion and I traveled Turkey for a month. We were meeting our Trafalgar tour group in Istanbul. Arriving a day early gave us time to ‘snoop’ around a bit. Next to our hotel was a ‘Starbucks’, so we went in. When Brion ordered my coffee, they gave me a ‘Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte’ by mistake. That pumpkin chai flavor was just incredible. I have been addicted to it ever since.

We both thought this chai liqueur tasted nice so naturally I was inspired to do some recipe development to see if I could use it in baked goods. There are many recipes using the chai spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and anise. I wanted to incorporate the actual liqueur as well as pop up the flavor a bit more.

But first, just a bit about the JAYA CHAI LIQUEUR itself … Created by Faaiza Ramji, a native of Edmonton, Canada, (our home city) JAYA is more than a spirit—it’s a tribute to the cultural icon of chai. With a deep respect for her South Asian heritage, Faaiza was inspired by the way chai has brought people together, whether at bustling street corners or in the quiet warmth of family homes. Every bottle of JAYA is rooted in tradition and history, a modern celebration of the centuries-old ritual of chai.

Alberta-based distillery ‘Field Notes’ is the brainchild of Faaiza Ramji. During a directorial tenure in economic development, she learned the immense value of agriculture in Alberta. Although Canada produces many of the basic ingredients the world relies upon, very few of those ingredients end up as finished products on local shelves, sacrificing GDP, jobs and additional downstream benefits to foreign countries. Greatly influenced by her South Asian heritage—where her grandmother, aunts and mother embraced natural remedies using herbs and spices to aid digestion, boost immunity, and even nourish skin—Faaiza formed a partnership in 2021 with Lindsey Good, a dedicated grower and owner of a 100-year-old farm in southern Alberta. Together, driven to build a complete food ecosystem within the Canadian Prairies by turning more local crops into more finished products the world can enjoy, Ramji and Good planted the seeds for a new kind of Alberta distillery and called it Field Notes. Chai liqueurs are rare in the Canadian market and Jaya Chai Liqueur uses distilled Canadian oats, filtered water, assam tea, Alberta beet sugar and a blend of spices like cardamom and clove for an invigorating, authentic chai flavor.

Edmonton’s distillery scene just got a recent boost, as Field Notes’ Jaya Chai Liqueur won a double gold, given because of its cumulative high score — a 98 out of 100 — from the judges at the 2024 San Francisco International Spirits Competition.

This brings me back to my recipe development which I focused on some chai liqueur cinnamon rolls. They ‘re a little more involved than the classic cinnamon rolls but I think you will find their well worth it.

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 Chai Liqueur Cinnamon Rolls
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Course dessert
Cuisine European
Keyword chai liqueur cinnamon rolls
Servings
Ingredients
Dough
Filling
Chai Cream Cheese Glaze
Course dessert
Cuisine European
Keyword chai liqueur cinnamon rolls
Servings
Ingredients
Dough
Filling
Chai Cream Cheese Glaze
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Instructions
Dough
  1. Marinate raisins in Chai liqueur overnight, Stir occasionally.
  2. Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm water with 1 tsp sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, sift 1 cup of the flour. Stir in yeast mixture & lukewarm milk. Cover with plastic & let stand in a draft free place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  4. While the dough rises, make the filling. Combine the sugar & spices together in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside.
  5. Punch down firmly & work in beaten egg, ¼ cup sugar, vanilla & pieces of softened butter. Sift the remaining 2 cups of flour with salt & work in 1 ½ cups to form a soft dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead in the remaining ½ cup of flour & raisin/liqueur mixture. This becomes a very soft & buttery dough but is not sticky.
  6. Roll dough out into a long rectangle about 16 x 12- inches on a well-floured surface. Spread the 2 Tbsp butter for the filling all the way to the edge of the dough. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the butter, pressing it down to stick to the butter.
  7. From the long end, roll the dough away from you into a tight roll, sealing the bottom edge down by pinching the dough together.
  8. Use floss or a very sharp knife to cut the dough into 8 even rolls. Place the rolls in an 8-inch spring form pan. Brush rolls with egg wash. Cover the buns loosely with plastic wrap & allow to rise in a warm, draft-free spot until about 1 1/2 times the size. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 350 F. & set an oven rack in the middle position.
  9. Bake the cinnamon rolls for about 55 minutes or until they are golden brown and no longer doughy. Remove from oven & allow to cool.
Glaze
  1. Using a mixer, combine the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, chai liqueur & milk. Beat on low speed, gradually increasing to high until light and fluffy. Brush glaze evenly over the rolls.

Apricot Chai Liqueur Scones

I’ve probably posted at least twenty different kinds of scones on the blog over the years, but I had yet to make scones using chai ‘liqueur’.

There are many recipes using chai spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and anise. I wanted to incorporate the actual liqueur in these scones as well to pop up the flavor a bit more.

And while most fruits pair well with chai, some may have a delicate flavor that won’t taste great with the various spices in chai. When selecting these fruits, always go for dried options such as raisins, prunes, dates, apricots, figs, and peaches.

These scones make an excellent choice for breakfast or as an afternoon snack this time of year.

Print Recipe
 Apricot Chai Liqueur Scones
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Course Brunch
Cuisine Asia
Keyword apricot chai liqueur scones
Servings
SCONES
Ingredients
Scones
Chai Cream Cheese Icing
Course Brunch
Cuisine Asia
Keyword apricot chai liqueur scones
Servings
SCONES
Ingredients
Scones
Chai Cream Cheese Icing
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
Scones
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Place in a large bowl.
  3. In a small bowl combine egg, chai liqueur & sour cream. Add wet mixture to flour mixture along with the apricots. Stir ONLY until combined. Do NOT overmix.
  4. Divide dough in half. Using a spatula scrape each piece of dough onto the parchment paper on the baking sheet. Dip the spatula in flour, then flatten each piece of dough to about 1-inch in height as well as forming it in a circle shape. Cut each round into 8 wedges.
  5. Bake scones for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet. Recut the scones. Cool slightly on wire rack.
Icing
  1. Using a mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, chai liqueur & milk. Beat on low speed, gradually increasing to high until light & fluffy. Pipe over scones.
Recipe Notes

The amount of sugar used in these scones is what you prefer personally. I only used the 1/3 cup which makes them nice to serve with coffee.

Rhubarb & Mango Savory Muffins

I love chutneys so I’m always looking for a new way in which to use them. Originating in India, chutney is made from fruits and/or vegetables and preserved with vinegar, sugar, and spices. It is a wonderful way to balance or highlight flavors in a recipe. 

You may be a bit apprehensive of rhubarb and mango together, but it transforms nicely into a mildly spicy condiment. Combining the tart rhubarb with the sweet fresh mango and a variety of spices produces a fabulous flavor combination that wavers between the sweet and savory.

More than any other fruit or vegetable, rhubarb to me is a sign of the changing season. It is the signal that summer is arriving in those ruby red or speckled green & pink stalks. I snap up what I can in the garden and when I see it at the supermarket. I take all I can and more, slicing and freezing the excess for rhubarb cravings that come in winter.

Because of our love for rhubarb, I’m always looking for new ways to use it. I had never thought of pairing rhubarb with mango much less putting it in a chutney and using it in a savory muffin. So here you go – check this out!

Print Recipe
 Rhubarb & Mango Savory Muffins
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Cuisine American
Keyword rhubarb & mango savory muffins
Servings
Ingredients
Rhubarb/Mango Chutney
Muffins
Topping
Cuisine American
Keyword rhubarb & mango savory muffins
Servings
Ingredients
Rhubarb/Mango Chutney
Muffins
Topping
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
Chutney
  1. Combine all chutney ingredients in a small pot, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat & cook for about half an hour, until everything is soft & it resembles a chutney consistency. Cool on a plate until ready to use in batter.
Muffins
  1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line 12 cup muffin pan with paper cups.
  2. In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients EXCLUDING cheese & mix well, add the grated cheese & mix again.
  3. In a smaller bowl, combine oil, milk, egg & chutney, mix until combined.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into the dry & mix until just combined, do not overmix.
  5. Divide batter evenly between the 12 muffin cases & top with the 30 gm grated cheese & 1/2 tsp poppy seeds.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when tested. Remove from oven to a wire rack. Top with a dollop of chutney.
  7. Muffins can be served warm or cold. If not eating them straight from the oven its best to warm them for 30 seconds in the microwave before serving to enjoy the best flavor.
Recipe Notes

You will have extra chutney, but it can be used served with chicken, pork or beef.