suzette roberts

// Suzette's Waldorf-y Holiday Salad

Because, there will be many variations along the way... It's pretty funny at times to reflect on decades past and how our food choices and eating habits have changed/ evolved with new and 'healthier' trends, as they set root in our society. Twenty-five years ago, we had the big, grand rave around brown rice, pilaf, and all things fiber-rich rice with the best of the best root vegetables,-- and from our backyards too if we were really 'getting into it'. I loved the entire idea. And being the curious child back then, I had to try it, and was willing to make some changes to my regular gluten-ful eating style moving forward, if things worked out...

// Milk Chocolate Mint Candy Cane Crush Ice Cream

'Tis the approaching season for a touch of mint with our more festive chocolate bites for a refreshing nod to our holidays. For this month's flavour: Milk Chocolate Mint Candy Cane Crush, I sifted rich Dutch-processed cocoa into warm milk and cream for a pure milk chocolate base, and swirled in crushed mini peppermint and spearmint candy canes into the freshly-churned milk chocolate ice cream, before deep freezing. The end result-- an energizing and elevating sensation with and throughout each deep, dark and decadent milk chocolate scoop. Our kids enjoyed the cool crunch within each silky spoon while our adults enjoyed the lighter mellow merriment of their minty moment. More behind-the-scenes beginning photos after the jump... Happy weekend. ~xx

 

// Tried It, Loved It: Alton Brown's Better Scrambled Eggs

More eggs... One of the many things I love about our farmers is their genuine affinity for keeping things simple, including luxury weekend scrambled eggs for breakfast, no milk desired. They love things in their purest form-- which also makes them easy to care for. While browsing through Southern Living's online mag last month, I came across this article, and with loving our weekend staple, decided to give it a try. I was hooked before the eggs were even cooked with the creamier egg mixture, after adding a teaspoon of said ingredient from Alton Brown's 2016 book: Everyday Cook. And of course it made very good sense. Here's how things progressed during a test run. It's become our new more flavourful breakfast-bite-must...

// Lemon Poppy Seed Olive Oil Slim Cake

The road to perfection is filled with lots and lots of practice. Did I say lots? Yes, I did. And as we stepped into the first full week of October, the lemon cravings returned, unexpectedly, with some poppy seed flurries in the mix. And I couldn't for the life of me figure out why, after a summer that met many citrus gatherings. And then I remembered this unexpected fun event, which feels like yesterday, and quietly thought some more... and came to the not-so-shocking conclusion that with our now shorter days (over in a flash), and longer evenings this time of the year, it was the body's natural balancing act in warding off any potential weather blues. And with that rationalization, all was understandable in the world again. And that's the short version of it.

 

The long version :) (I like teasing my sister Jan, with long versions-- drives her nuts!), includes a beginning with a brave desire to gluten-free all the little wonderfuls we love indulging in, keeping the flavour intact, and even taking it to the next level, with practice. And as all the whats and whys and hows and wheres collided, this Lemon Poppy Seed Olive Oil Slim Cake possibility, made with organic rice flour, and after 20 minutes of viewing all the variations of poppy seeds in the spice aisle (and there's more too, can you imagine?)-- was a go with this month's slim cake making adventures... Easy, quick recipe after the jump, and have a mellow weekend. ~xx

 

// Pumpkin Beef Soup

A funny thing happens when you make quiet 'arrangements' with the universe in all 'her' powerful, cosmic glory. She has a way of surprizing you when you least expect it, and throwing plans literally upside down--, but always in a good way. Such was the case when I started thinking of making a go for a long overdue pot of body-warming pumpkin beef soup, last month. Given the fact that we grew up on these soups even in the heart of our summer's draining heat and high humidity on the islands, it was almost unforgivable. But, yes there's a but,-- being picky with choosing the perfect right piece of rich orange-coloured cut pumpkin, I figured it would take a while (as in a few weeks), and teasingly whispered to the universe while at the market weeks ago, "I'll make a huge pot of soup when the right piece of pumpkin shows up." Well..., she showed up the very next weekend, so all bets were off for anything other than said soup with loved trimmings within the pot. A seasonal favourite, and the only time you'll get me to eat pumpkin, actually. This Caribbean-style pumpkin beef soup is wholesome, slightly spicy with the warmth of the scotch bonnet pepper and other flavourful adds, and super-filling to very last drop. The best part yet-- also kid-approved! :) More after the jump...

 

// Nutmeg Ice Cream

From the Moluccas, Spice Islands of Indonesia, and our West Indies (primarily Grenada), our warm, aromatic and slightly sweet-tasting nutmeg, made 'her' way into my never-a-dull-moment dreams one winter night. And I was curious, and thought it would be a fun idea to bring this flavourful spice I without hesitation always add to our fall custards and eggnogs, to a fuller, never-a-dull-moment when awake reality too. It's said that back in ancient times, the Greek and Romans used nutmeg as a 'brain tonic' with it being known to act as an adaptogen (a calm, sleep-inducing sedative, or a mood elevating stimulant), according to the body's needs. This is true. The first of three holiday frozen flavours: Nutmeg Ice Cream. I love its simple earthy appeal and the mellow warmth it generates within, all within that first 'magical' scoop. Can we ever call ice cream magical? For ice cream lovers, this is a happy no-brainer. :) More behind the scenes beginning moments after the jump... Thanks everybody, and have a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. ~xx