02 February, 2014

New Recipe: Spinach & Pear Green Smoothie

I tried a green smoothie at the Halifax Seaport market yesterday but its flavours failed me. There was not enough depth or sweetness.  So here's my reply.  (And with the remaining half pear you should try another recipe from an earlier SJ post ... Walnut, Apricot, Pear & Feta Salad)


Green Smoothie with Spinach & Pear
(makes one large glass)

half of a ripe pear, peeled and cored
three handfuls of spinach
a few dollops of plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup of almond milk
one frozen banana (could be reduced to half if you like things less sweet)

Blend until smooth.



01 February, 2014

Joy of Baking


The adventurous recipes tempt me: Tartine's croissants or Montreal bagels. But today I needed a simple one that could be done in the background while I worked on a, well, work project.

Banana bread.  I tarted them up with a nut and some dark chocolate.  I have a mini loaf pan that just won't quit. It makes these ador-a-ble little breads.

The joy of baking is certain.

Fluffy, sweet, tender, doughy, crusty, tangy, tart - a blizzard of taste and emotion.  I'll take any of it and all of it.  I'll swim or walk or run. 

Childhood baking memories include honey, zucchini (my first adult words) and crunchy cornbreads baked in cast iron trays - oh, and fried doughnuts...  I remember the big oven and the swirling smells and the baker's movements.

There once was a special birthday cake with a rainbow on top.  Remember my recent dark chocolate birthday cake? I used the trimmings to make a trifle.  It was incredible.

And then I baked whole wheat bread with my mother.  There were many many loaves coming out of the oven.  Nick drove me around the neighbourhood to deliver to our friends.  I was a bread fairy.