SugarLoveSpices

Asparagus croquettes (baked or air fried)

Nicoletta July 7, 2020

Asparagus croquettes (baked or air fried) are a delectable and fun idea to showcase the beauty of the seasonal asparagus. You will need asparagus, a potato, and some binding ingredients like egg, bread soaked in milk, Parmigiano, some melty cheese, and breadcrumbs. They are quite simple and oh so tasty! You can bake them or air fry them. We tried both and they are both just as delicious!

Do you need a tasty idea to wow your family and make your kids eat vegetables? Or maybe a fancy appetizer/side dish for your vegetarian friends? We might have just the recipe for you: asparagus croquettes, baked or air fried, crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside. You just cannot stop at eating one…

Cakes, Pies & Tarts, Dessert

Mixed Berry Lazy Day Pies

Loreto July 3, 2020

Mixed Berry Lazy Day Pies, amazingly cute and delectable pies that will surely bring a smile to whoever has one in front of them. These small bundles of joy host a flaky light melt in your mouth crust, some plump juicy sweet berries, and a luscious layer of mascarpone topped with wonderful meringue!

Music of the day: ‘Dessert Dreams’ by me.

Mixed Berry Lazy Day Pies, there are some things in life you can’t pass up, and these are one of those! They are made with pure joy and the most wonderful ingredients. The end result, smiling faces, and sounds of total appreciation and warmth! Sounds like a win-win to me!

Cookies, Dessert

French Palmiers with Homemade Puff Pastry

Nicoletta June 29, 2020

French Palmiers with Homemade Puff Pastry. I cannot imagine anything more scrumptious than a tray filled with buttery, delicious palmiers to accompany your tea time, dessert time, or -why not- sweeten up your breakfast. Pretty easy to make, you need puff pastry and granulated sugar. These ones, I made with homemade puff pastry and they literally melt in your mouth!

Song of the day: C’est si bon – Thomas Dutronc, Iggy Pop, Diana Krall

French palmiers. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Even though these cookies look pretty elegant, they are not hard to make. Let me tell you, once you’ve made puff pastry from scratch, nothing can scare you. Homemade puff pastry makes sweet crunchy cookies that simply melt in your mouth. If you feel like it, I have included pictures and a “how to make puff pastry”. Don’t want to sweat over homemade puff pastry (for now)? Store bought puff pastry works just fine, but make sure you get one made entirely from butter.

Gluten-free, Side Dishes, Vegan/Vegetarian

Fagioli in Umido, Pan-steamed Beans

Loreto June 25, 2020

Fagioli in Umido, Pan-steamed Beans, a plethora of bean flavor and texture bringing back memories of my childhood and my father’s passion for cooking! Simple, natural, and so lovely!

[This post is sponsored by Ontario Bean Growers. We’ve been compensated but -as always- all opinions are our own.]

Fagioli in Umido, Pan-steamed Beans. Are you a bean lover? Then this dish is one for you to try, however, be prepared for the incredible levels of flavor and texture. The aroma alone will encapture you into its simplistic natural essence and an end result of pure foodie fulfillment!

Cakes, Pies & Tarts, Dessert

Delicious Cherry Almond Cake

Nicoletta June 22, 2020

Delicious Cherry Almond Cake, juicy sweet cherries explode in your mouth as you take a bite into this simple loaf cake made with a mix of wheat flour and almond flour. A sprinkle of raw cane sugar in the buttered loaf pan gives a beautiful golden color and a caramelized outer edge. Take advantage of cherry season and bake this delicious cake, perfect from breakfast/brunch to dessert.

Song of the day: Changes = David Bowie

There were a few bonuses of being “stuck” in Italy during this pandemic. Certainly, one of the perks was being able to get wonderful fresh fruits that I wouldn’t normally get in Canada till later in the season.

Soups, Stews and Sandwiches, Vegan/Vegetarian

Hot and Sour Asian Soup

Loreto June 17, 2020

Hot and Sour Asian Soup. This bowl of pure incredible, exotic, fresh, comforting bliss delivers a wonderful punch of flavor and so many different textures. Your taste buds will be alive and excited with every spoonful of this Asian soup. Sweet, sour, punchy, creamy, what else can I say!

Song of the day: Spirits in The Material World – The Police

[This post is sponsored by Mushrooms Canada. We’ve been compensated but -as always- all opinions are our own.]

Hot and Sour Asian Soup. Do you like mushrooms? Well, in this soup we have enoki, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms all bathed in a spicy-sour broth alongside brilliant grated ginger, soft tofu, bean sprout and so much more! Craving a warm comforting meal for some of these cooler nights that we are having? I have just the bowl of pure goodness made purely from my heart and a lot of inspiration from trying different Asian soups.

Breakfast and Brunch, Fish and Seafood, Gluten-free

Aguacate Relleno (Stuffed Avocado with Smoked Salmon and Egg)

Loreto June 10, 2020

Aguacate Relleno (Stuffed Avocado with Smoked Salmon and Egg), a beautifully fresh, rich, luxurious dish that is inspired by this month’s destination in Eat the World: Colombia!

Song of the day: “Otra Noche” by Aurelio Gallardo.

Aguacate Relleno (Stuffed Avocado with Smoked Salmon and Egg). Here’s a dish that can be served for breakfast or lunch. There is nothing like a trio of avocado, egg, and smoked salmon. Vibrant colors, equally tantalizing in taste and texture. Come with us and discover Colombia through food!

Gluten-free, Side Dishes, Vegan/Vegetarian

Potato Salad Deluxe with Grilled Avocado

Loreto June 7, 2020

Potato Salad Deluxe with Grilled Avocado. When I think of this type of salad, I think summer, outdoor gatherings, and nothing but smiles and fun times. I wanted to play a bit creatively and added some very interesting and tasty twists to take this from the norm potato salad to something luxurious!

Song of the day: “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Croft.

Potato Salad Deluxe with Grilled Avocado. This dish is the perfect accompaniment to an outside BBQ meal. Loads of flavor and texture from purple cabbage to boiled egg and some nice hits of char from the grilled veggies including a grilled avocado, not to mention a wonderful mayo mustard dressing that adds just the right amount of creaminess to take this salad right over the top!

Breads, Breakfast and Brunch

Strawberry Jam Spelt Brioche Bread

Nicoletta June 4, 2020

Strawberry Jam Spelt Brioche Bread. If you like toast and jam, you are going to absolutely love this! Imagine a soft, mildly sweet, spelt flour brioche bread with a swirl of luscious homemade strawberry jam. Ideal for your breakfast/brunch, snack, and dessert.

Song of the day: “Simply Irresistible” by Robert Palmer.

I don’t know about you, but jam is always there, on my breakfast table. Homemade jam for the most part, whether mine or my dad’s, to spread on toasted bread, fetta biscottata, crumpet or English muffin; to top on pancakes or waffles; to fill a cake or crostata. In this case, a delectable homemade strawberry jam creates heavenly swirls of luxurious brioche bread made with spelt flour.

Older Posts

Instagram