Cucumber Bites with Herbed Goat Cheese and Olives

At a recent party, these cucumber bites were one of the most simple items featured on the menu, but were also one of the first to be completely gobbled up. Goat cheese is often quite crumbly, so we softened it by stirring in a bit of milk, and then we flavoured it with dill and garlic. […]

Octopus with Olive Oil and Paprika

When Donatello and I worked for a cruise line, our favourite ports were in the Mediterranean. With a short walk from the ship, we’d arrive at our choice mom-and-pop restaurant, mouths watering in anticipation for some of the best food ever. These small places would serve us the most simple but delectable fare piled high on rustic platters drizzled with […]

Cheddar Cheese Butternut Squash Soup

Cheddar Cheese Butternut Squash Soup, Kiku Corner

This is a lovely, silky, smooth soup that is enriched with cheddar. Get the oldest cheddar you can so you get the richest flavour without adding so much cheese. I first made this soup when I was in university completing my undergraduate degree. I would walk to the year-round farmers’ market in Guelph every Saturday, in […]

Bacon Wrapped Garlic Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are a little bit labour-intense, but completely worth it. They have it all: crunchiness, cheesiness, and spice. They would make the perfect starter to a New Year’s Eve party.

Easy Coconut Macaroon Snowballs

Easy Coconut Macaroon Snowballs, Kiku Corner

I’ve never been a fan of macaroons, those dry and crumbly egg white confections. And I always found that coconut got stuck in my teeth. These macaroons, on the other hand, are chewy and dense and full of coconut flavour while the oats give more structure to the cookies. The sweetened condensed milk make the […]