February 22, 2022 | Posted in:

Perfect Negroni cocktail

There’s no doubt cocktails are having a real moment. And why wouldn’t they. There’s something so deliciously pleasing about taking a bit of time to prepare a perfect cocktail, whether it be a boozy one like the classic Negroni, or a mocktail with fresh and innovative ingredients. The entire ritual around preparing a cocktail is a real joy for me- I love setting the mood with the right music and lighting, getting the ingredients out, choosing the right glassware (this is very very very important in my house!) and mixing it up. That first sip just sets the mood perfectly for a relaxing evening ahead.
Maybe it’s a result of the pandemic, but I’ve definitely seen more and more personal recipe books with incredible cocktails in them, which inspired me to put up this recipe for my fave classic cocktail. Well, to be honest, it’s a toss up between the bitter and sweet gin based Negroni and the smooth bourbon Manhattan. Both are pretty easy to make.

Ingredients

1 ounce gin
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Garnish: orange peel

Instructions

Add the gin, Campari and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice, and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes.

Garnish with an orange peel.

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March 5, 2020 | Posted in:

Pickled Veggies Recipe For Your Custom Family Cookbook

I recently learned how to make quick refrigerator pickles from my greek friend Peggy. Now I’m obsessed! They’re so super quick and easy, deliciously crunchy and spicy. Try pickled onions on burgers, in salads, gourmet sandwiches, next to grilled meats… Or how about pickled beans in a spicy bloody mary (or Ceasar for my Canadian friends!). And pickled jalapenos on fish tacos, picked cauliflower on a cheese and charcuterie platter – well, they just make everything better!
pickled veg

Ingredients for pickled onions, beans, asparagus or cauliflower

1-2 red onions, cauliflower, green beans or asparagus
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and halved
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp sugar
3/4 to 1 cup apple cider vinegar, or as needed to fill your jar (I prefer white vinegar for beans, asparagus and cauliflower)
1/2 tsp pickling spices (you can make your own with peppercorns, mustard seed, coriander seed, bay leaf, chili pepper- experiment with the tastes that you enjoy)

Ingredients for pickled jalapenos

Kalapenos
2 cloves garlic, sliced or smashed
2 tsp coarse salt
1-3 tblsp sugar (higher quantity of sugar will lessen the heat of jalapenos)
3/4 – 1 cup white vinegar
2 thai chili peppers (if you like additional spice)
1/2 tsp pickling spices (see note above)

Preparation instructions

Prepare vegetables- for onion and jalapenos, slice into thin slices
For beans, trim into lengths that will fit into your jar
For cauliflower, trim into small florets
Wash prepared vegetables with hot water from the kettle, dry on a paper towel
Add all spices to the bottom of a clean 8oz jar
Add 1/4″ of the vinegar and stir until dissolved
Pack vegetables tightly into jar.
Pour remaining vinegar over top, push veggies down father, and top up, leaving a little at the top.
Screw top on and label. Keep refrigerated. These will be ready to eat in a day or two.
Eat within two months. Don’t leave these out on the counter for long periods of time- they are not sterilized, so treat them accordingly!
Tip: don’t use metal when preparing these- it doesn’t get along well with vinegar!
Tip: Change up the flavor by adding fresh thyme, dill, ginger, turmeric- whatever you like!

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February 26, 2020 | Posted in:

easy curried lentil soup

Super quick curried lentil soup with coconut milk

This is a recipe I make when I have no food in the house! I often just throw a bunch of vegetables together with some red lentils, spices and broth, and see what happens. But I think this version turned out especially delicious with it’s simplicity and cozy warmth. It’s a breeze to make vegan or vegetarian, although, being French, I tend to go for the dairy/bone broth version!
easy curried lentil soup

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil (or other type of vegetable oil)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp grated ginger (I used the jarred kind I had in the fridge)
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups red lentils
4 cups broth
1 small 5.5oz can of coconut milk
greek yogurt or sour cream or non dairy alternative for topping
chopped cilantro

Ingredients:

Heat oil in medium saucepan
Add onion, garlic and ginger. Cook over medium/low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring so it doesn’t burn
Add spice. Stir and cook an additional 3 minutes or so.
Add lentils and broth, stir, cover and cook 30 minutes or so until lentils are soft and mushy.
If it gets too dry, add a bit of water. Stir every 10 minutes or so to make sure lentils don’t stick
Add coconut milk.
Heat through.
Serve with a dollop of yogurt, chopped cilantro, and hot sauce (always!)

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February 11, 2019 | Posted in:

Quick and easy tomato soup

It’s mid February and winter shows no sign of letting up. My go to food is definitely soups and stews during these chilly months, and I feel proud that I can basically make a soup out of pretty much anything! (I know, it’s the small things in life.) So when my husband asked what was for lunch today (he’s working at home these days but apparently hasn’t learned how to turn the stove on yet, lol!), I immediately thought of making soup.
I opened the fridge to find some sad looking winter tomatoes that had been lying in the bottom of the crisper drawer for far too long, along with a limp carrot. No problem I thought. Out comes the Instant Pot (I’m still obsessed) and 30 minutes later, delicious hearty tomato soup.

Quick and easy tomato soup @heritagecookbook.com

Ingredients
6 or 7 medium tomatoes
2 tbsp good quality olive oil
1 medium carrot
1 onion
1 clove garlic
5-6 cups chicken broth

Preparation Instructions
Put a small pot of water to boil.
Peel and cut the onion and carrot.
Score the tomatoes on the top with an x. While you are waiting for the water to boil, set your Instant Pot (or saucepan) to saute and heat up the oil.
Add the onion and carrot, and saute about 6 minutes, until translucent.
While they cook, drop the tomatoes into the water, two or three at a time, and leave in the water about 10 seconds. Scoop them out and repeat with the remaining tomatoes. When cool (almost instantly), peel the tomatoes. Cut them in half, and use your fingers to scoop out the seeds. I’m told tomato seeds and skins are very hard on the digestive system, which is why I bothered with this extra step.
When the onion is cooked, add the tomatoes, and squeeze one clove of garlic over top. Saute 3-4 minutes
Add the broth, close your Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
If making this in a saucepan, you may need to cook it for 45 minutes to obtain the same richness of taste.
Release the pressure, and use an immersion blender to puree. Season to taste
Serve with crostini (I use Ace crackers), a drop of olive oil, lots of fresh ground pepper and sea salt.

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December 8, 2016 | Posted in:

Cheese Ball Recipe For Your Custom Cookbook

cheese-ball_1

cheese-ball_2
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 min.

Ingredients

2 (250g) pkgs cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, diced, cooked, drained & cooled
1 bunch green onions, finely sliced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped

Directions

1. In a large bowl combine cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Place mixture on a large sheet of plastic wrap. Shape into a ball and wrap completely.

2. Chill cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Remove cheese log from the fridge at least 30 min., before serving. Roll in pecans to coat. Serve with crackers and sliced vegetables.

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November 30, 2016 | Posted in:

No-Knead Irish Soda Brown Bread

brown-bread_1

brown-bread_3
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 50 mins., plus cooling time

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp molasses
2 cups buttermilk
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt.

3. In a separate bowl combine molasses, buttermilk and melted butter. Pour liquid ingredients into flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough comes together. Tip mixture onto a lightly floured work surface. Shape into a round loaf shape and place onto prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife slice a large X in the top of the loaf.

4. Bake in the oven for 35-40 mins., until the dough is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove loaf to a wire rack. Let cool 1 hour., before slicing.

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November 22, 2016 | Posted in:

Classic Pumpkin Pie Recipe For Your Family Cookbook

pumpkin-pie_1

pumpkin-pie_4
Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 min., plus chilling time

Ingredients

Pie Dough:

1 ¼ cups flour
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
2-3 tbsp ice water

Filling:

2 cups pumpkin puree (either from a can or homemade)
2 eggs
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup 35% cream
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
¼ tsp salt

Directions

1. In the bowl of a food processor pulse to combine flour, salt and sugar. Add cubed butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 tbsp ice water at a time, pulsing to combine. Mixture should hold together when pressed together but will still look a bit crumbly. Transfer crumbly dough to a lightly floured countertop. Knead a few times to press into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

2. While the dough is chilling, make the pie filling. Whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, cream, pumpkin pie spice and salt.

3. Preheat oven to 425F. Roll out dough into an 11-inch circle. Place in a 9” pie dish. Trim edges so that there is only ½-inch overhang. Fold edges underneath and crimp. Pour filling into pie shell. Bake for 15 mins., then reduce temperature to 350F. Bake for an additional 45 min., until filling is set and pie crust is golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing.

4. Serve with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

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November 16, 2016 | Posted in:

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables with Balsamic Glaze

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root-vegetables_3
Prep Time: 15 min.
Total Time: 1 hour.

Ingredients

1 red onions, cut into quarters
2 medium sized sweet potatoes, cut into 1” dice
3 beets, cut into 1” dice
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1” dice
4 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1” dice
2 cups celery root, cut into 1” dice
½ small rutabaga, cut into 1” dice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp balsamic reduction (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Toss veggies in a large bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper. Divide between two large baking sheets. Bake in top and bottom third of oven, for 45 min., rotating sheets and flipping vegetables halfway through.

3. Drizzle with balsamic reduction before serving.

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November 8, 2016 | Posted in:

Moroccan Chicken Stew

moroccan-stew_1

moroccan-stew_3
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 50 min.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
8 chicken pieces, bone-in, skin-on (thighs, drumsticks, half chicken breast)
2 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp coriander
2 tsp paprika
½ tsp allspice
1 (796mL) can chopped tomatoes
2 ½ cups chicken stock
4 cups diced butternut squash
1 cup pitted green olives
1 cup golden raisins
1 (540 mL) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup roughly chopped cilantro, plus extra to serve
Lemon wedges, to serve
Yogurt, to serve

Directions

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken pieces. Then, brown chicken pieces on all sides, about 3 min., per side. Set aside on a plate lined with paper towel. Drain all but 1 tbsp fat from pan.

2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 min. Add salt and spices, cook 1 min. Add diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir in butternut squash, green olives and raisins. Add chicken pieces back into pot and make sure they are covered by liquid. Bring stock to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook, covered, for 30-40 mins., until chicken pieces are cooked through.

3. Stir in chickpeas and cilantro. Serve with couscous, brown rice or crusty bread. Top with extra cilantro, a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of yogurt to serve.

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November 3, 2016 | Posted in:

Cream of Mushroom Soup

mushroom-soup_1

mushroom-soup_2
Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients

1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh thyme
500g (½ lb) cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 cups vegetable stock
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
Plain yogurt or sour cream, to serve (optional)

Directions

1. Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and let cook until starting to soften, about 3-4 min. Add garlic and thyme and continue cooking, 1-2 min.

2. Add mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms turn golden brown, about 8-10 min. Add salt, pepper and vegetable stock. Bring stock to a simmer and let cook, 20 min.

3. Using a hand blender, blend soup until smooth. Add lemon juice, parsley and cream (if using) and re-warm before serving. Serve with buttered, crusty bread.

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