Author Archives: Anne's Favourites

About Anne's Favourites

I have almost half a century of experience creating beautiful food in the kitchen. An undergraduate degree in Nutrition at the University of Guelph and 7 years as a bakery owner expanded my experience with food which culminated in the creation of "Anne's Favourite's", a comprehensive collection of my favourite recipes.

Chicken Veggie Burgers

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These chicken patties are a little more work than plain ones but they are worth every bit of extra effort because of the added flavour and nutrients.

Chicken Veggie Burger

Chicken Veggie Burgers Click here for pdf version

Sautéed Vegetables:

1 tsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, finely chopped

1 sweet red pepper, finely chopped

1 cup mushrooms, chopped

1 tomato, seeded and chopped about 1/2 cup

Meat Mixture:

2 lbs ground chicken or turkey

1 egg

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp savory

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs or cracker crumbs

sautéed vegetable above, cooled

Cook onion in oil on medium low heat until soft then add garlic and cook a little longer.

Add carrots, cover and continue to cook on low until they are starting to soften then add

mushrooms and peppers and cook until liquid is starting to evaporate about 20 minutes.

Add tomato, paprika, savory, salt and pepper and cook a little longer then cool before

mixing with meat.

Mix ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs and cooled vegetables until uniformly  distributed.

Using a half cup measure form into patties and freeze. You may grill them without freezing

but they are a little more difficult to keep together.

Grill over medium heat until no longer pink.

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Bacon Cheese Dip

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If you are getting together with friends on the first long week-end of the season you may want to kick off the summer with this simple dip. Make it up ahead of time and heat it when you are ready to party!Bacon Cheddar Dip

Bacon Cheddar Dip

Canadian cheddar and bacon in the same appetizer is a good combo to celebrate Canada’s 150th and your family and friends will love it.

1  pkg (8 oz)  light cream cheese, softened

1/2  cup mayonnaise

1/4  tsp thyme

1/8  tsp black pepper

1  cup shredded Cheddar cheese

3  green onions, chopped or 3 Tbsp chives, reserve some for topping

8  bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Beat cream cheese until smooth and light.

Add mayonnaise, thyme and pepper and continue beating until smooth.

Stir in cheese, green onions and crumbled bacon.

Transfer to an 8 inch pie plate or 3 cup oven proof dish and sprinkle reserved green onions or chives.

Bake at 350 degrees for about15 minutes until bubbly and starting to brown around the edges.

Serve warm with crackers and raw vegetables.

Lemony Lentil Soup

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Lemony Lentil Soup

This month marks my first recipe column in the “Rural Voice” magazine.http://www.northhuron.on.ca/the-rural-voice-magazine-subscription

My goal is to present at least one new recipe along with several trusted favourites from my cookbook.

The column in the Rural Voice is general and will include recipes that still use wheat but I plan to include the gluten-free adaptations in the blog for those of us following a Celiac diet.

My first month’s selections for spring, with the fresh taste of lemon, all work well without wheat flour: lemon curd, meringues  (see recipe under Pavlova on this blog) and Lemony Lentil soup. Recipes for lemon curd and meringues are in my cookbook but the Lemony Lentil Soup is a new favourite.

I would never have considered this combination of lemon and lentils without the encouragement from my son. Try this lemony lentil soup for your health and enjoyment or just for a change at dinner!

Lemony Lentil Soup for pdf version click here

Nick and his wife raved about the soup a friend served them, which had quickly become Satomi’s favourite. My feelings were a little bit hurt that it surpassed my soups in their favour and I admit to being quite sceptical even when I did finally give it a try but it turned out a winner!  It pays to go outside our comfort zone sometimes. Adapted from the cookbook Whitewater Cooks: Pure, Simple and Real, this recipe is, indeed, simple, healthy and unbelievably delicious. With the flavour of lemon and dill it seems light and refreshing despite being packed with nutrients. It has become a staple in my soup freezer. The original recipe says it is good chunky or smooth but I definitely preferred the smooth version and enjoyed it even more the second day. Thank you Pat and Emily!

1  cup red lentils, rinsed and drained

1-2  Tbsp olive oil

1  large onion, chopped, more than 2 cups

4  cloves garlic, minced

2 ½  cups carrots, diced

1  tsp pepper

1/2  tsp red pepper sauce of choice, or to taste

1 Tbsp oregano, I have substitute 2 Tbsp pesto for the oregano and rosemary for a change

1 Tbsp rosemary, chopped

2  bay leaves

8  cups chicken or vegetable stock, homemade or low sodium

2  tsp salt or to taste

1/2  cup lemon juice

2  tsp lemon rind, finely grated

2  Tbsp fresh or frozen dill, reserve some for garnish if desired

1  cup Feta cheese, crumbled (optional – I do not bother with it)

  • Cook onion with olive oil in a large, covered pot on medium low heat until soft and translucent.
  • Add garlic, carrots, pepper, oregano, rosemary (or pesto) and bay leaves and continue cooking until carrots are tender crisp.
  • Stir in stock and drained lentils and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes until lentils are soft.
  • Remove bay leaves and puree soup.
  • Add lemon juice, lemon zest and dill and adjust seasonings.
  • Serve, topped with desired amount of feta and a sprinkle of fresh or frozen dill if you like

Serve 6

Tip: If you buy fresh dill for this recipe, wash, chop and freeze in a Ziploc bag what is leftover and use it as fresh dill in other recipes.

Tomato Dill Soup and Biscuits with 101.7 The One’s Julie B

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Be sure to go to 1017 The One’s website to enter the contest, http://1017theone.ca/contests/2017/01/its-soup-month-julie-b-makes-soup-with-anne-mann/, to win one of my cookbooks, Anne’s Favourite’s. I had lot’s of fun making Tomato Dill soup with the “Soup Queen”, Julie B!  Thank you to Kelly Thompson for doing such a wonderful job of editing the video to give you a quick lesson on making soup and stock.

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Preparing for the video and making the soup reinforced what I already know – it is so easy to make your own soup and such a worthwhile investment of time for such a nutritious and delicious outcome.

Chicken Stock  annes-chicken-stock Click here for pdf version

Even if you are a novice I highly recommend you try making your own stock and freezing it in quantities that you will use. I never buy chicken bones because I freeze bits and pieces from day to day cooking until I have a couple of pounds which is enough to make stock. If you cook a whole chicken just throw the neck into a freezer bag for stock and of course the carcass works also if you are cutting the meat off the bones. I always keep a watch for chicken breasts with the skin and bone and buy them. I debone and skin them keeping the unused portion for soup. This makes a really rich stock since I am no pro at deboning so lots of meat is left attached! Other times I buy whole chicken wings and keep the cut off tips for stock. Some places you can even buy the backs and necks which work well. When drumsticks are on sale you can use a few of those. You can also buy a whole roasted chicken for dinner and save the carcass from that for soup… so no excuse for not trying some home made chicken stock.

Tomato Dill tomato-dill-soup Click here for pdf version

 

 

Tourtiere with Potato Pastry

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The potato crust for tourtiere was one of the delightfully, successful gluten-free adaptations of my Christmas favourites. This crust adapted from Kingston’s Chez Piggy cookbook written by restaurant and bakery owners Rose Richardson and Zal Yanovsky is amazing. We used it for the tourtiere topper at the bakery and cannot believe I have not come across something similar elsewhere. It is a bit more work having the potatoes cooked and cooled but not if you think about it with your dinner prep the night before. Since it translated so well with gluten-free flour I now use it for all my savoury crusts. It is a delight to roll and work with.

Getting everything together for the tortiere takes time and even more of it now that I move more slowly – haha – but seems well worth it when you can sit and enjoy time with family while it bakes by itself in the oven. I make a double batch and have enough for 2 dozen small tarts, a large pie and a small pie for just the two of us to try. The tarts are great for any potluck gathering because they can be served to both the allergic and non-allergic crowd without apology.

getting-ready

tortiere-with-potato-pastry – Click here for pdf version

Tortiere

  • 2 cups carrots, sliced tsp butter or olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped, about 1 1/4 cups
  • 1 rib celery, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp savoury
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped or 1 tsp dry
  • 1 1/2 cup mashed potatoes

Potato Pastry:

  • 1 cups GF all purpose flour*
  • 1/2 cup GF bread flour
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter
  • 1 cup cold mashed potatoes
  • 3 – 4 Tbsp milk
  1. For the filling cook carrots in a little water until they are tender crisp, set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid to add to the meat mixture later.
  2. Brown ground pork with bay leaf until it is no longer pink, then remove from pan and drain on paper towel.
  3. Cook onion in butter in same pan for about 5 minutes then add celery and garlic and continue cooking until soft.
  4. Add back pork then stir in salt, savoury and cloves with 1/2 cup of water from the carrots and continue simmering for about 20 minutes until most of the liquid is evaporated.
  5. Add cooked carrots, potatoes and fresh parsley, stirring until mixed.
  6. Cool to lukewarm while making pastry.
  7. For the pastry mix butter, flour, baking powder and salt with a pastry blender or your clean hands until lumps are the size of peas.
  8. Mix in cooled potatoes and milk to form a dough. This dough is lovely to work with.
    Divide dough into 2 pieces, roll into circles on plastic wrap to keep from sticking and line a 9 or 10 inch pie plate or 2 dozen mini tarts reserving enough for tops..
  9. Pour in cooled meat filling, wet edge of bottom crust, cover with top and seal and flute edges.
  10. Bake at 375°F about 1 hour, until crust is browned and filling is bubbling.

Making Butter Tarts with Classic Rock 94.5

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Classic Rock 94.5 hosts Nathan Marshall and Chris Fudali made the best butter tarts using my Aunt Marj’s recipe in “Anne’s Favourites” and just a little extra direction from me.

These guys are good! They say they have never made pastry before but they made it look easy. Either they are naturals or the recipe is practically fool proof or maybe a little of both!

The filling was perfect sweet and custardy even if the walnuts were whole (I neglected to suggest that the nuts be chopped). Whatever the reason my Aunt Marj would have been proud of the tarts made with her recipe.

There is still time to enter the draw to win one of my cookbooks so put in your name and pass along the information to someone else that might want to have a chance!

http://classicrock945.ca/contests/2016/11/classic-rock-94-5-bakes-butter-tarts-with-pastry-pro-anne-mann/

jason-chris-kelly

annes-classic-rock-tarts Click here for the recipe. Note this pastry is the original from my cookbook but I have a gluten-free adaptation on another post if you need it.

Thank you to Knechtel Food Market

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I would like to thank Brian and Kathy Knechtel for providing Lucknow with a wonderful grocery store for 29 years and for selling over 500 of my cookbooks while refusing to accept any commission or discount. Without their support Anne’s Favourites would have been a huge disappointment. Instead, it has given me more joy than I ever would have imagined when I printed and published it. I am sincerely grateful to them and the other retail locations that have carried my book and the over 13oo people who have purchased it!

Now that Knechtels is closed Anne’s Favourites will still be available at these retail locations:

  • Cliff’s Plumbing & Heating in Lucknow
  • Finchers in Goderich and Kincardine
  • Green’s Meat Market in Lucknow and Wingham
  • The Kitchen Cupboard and Icebox in Listowel
  • Sewing Galore in Wingham
  • Chesley Grocery Store

I can arrange to deliver or mail a copy to you if you call Cliff’s Plumbing & Heating (our business) 519-528-3913 or home 519-528-3500 (you may leave a message)

Cucumber Salad

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cucumber-salad-2

Cucumber Salad – for pdf version click here cucumber-salad

When the cucumbers are fresh and plentiful I love to make this delicious salad. It is particularly nice with the smaller cucumbers from your garden or the farmers market. I use my mandoline to slice them thinly but I it is easy enough to slice by hand also. Kat mentioned you could use a potato peeler for paper thin slices but I prefer them a bit thicker.

You can definitely adjust the extras in this salad to your taste. I love dill so I almost always add a little fresh or frozen dill weed if I have it but if you do not like dill leave it out. We also love onions so always use red onion but it you are not so keen just use green onion or chives.

Kat’s Cucumber Salad

2 – 3     small cucumbers, peeled and sliced as thinly as possible, about 2 cups

2          Tbsp thinly sliced red onion (optional)

salt as needed

1/3       cup sour cream

1          Tbsp mayonnaise or whipped salad dressing

1          Tbsp white wine vinegar

1/4       tsp salt

3/4       tsp white sugar

1 – 2     Tbsp chives, chopped or green onion

1          Tbsp fresh dill weed (optional)

Freshly ground black pepper

  • Peel and slice cucumber and onion as thinly as you can or to your taste.
  • You may use a slicer or even a potato peeler but it is easy enough to do them by hand.
  • Sprinkle liberally with salt and let sit for at least 20 minutes.
  • Strain off liquid and discard. I let them sit in a strainer over a bowl for about an hour. Squeeze excess water out before dressing.
  • For dressing mix sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, sugar, chives and dill.
  • Pour over drained cucumbers and onion.
  • Top with pepper and adjust seasoning to taste.

Serves 4

Roasted Cherry Tomato and Sausage Pasta

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Roasted Tomato - Copy.JPG

 

Roasted Tomato and Sausage Pasta

I love the little orange Sun Sugar cherry tomatoes from William Dam Seeds www.damseeds.ca but in a good year they produce more tomatoes than we can use or give away since we have given all our friends and families their own plants to grow in the summer. They add a delicious taste and sweetness to tomato juice but sometimes I am not ready to make a pot of sauce so this pasta uses the excess and answers the question “what’s for dinner” in a very satisfactory way! It is adapted from Michael Smith’s “Cherry Tomato Penne” with a little more bounty from the garden added.

Roasted Tomato Sausage Pasta Sauce – For pdf version click here cherry-tomato-pasta

Nick recommended I try Michael Smith’s Roasted Cherry Tomato Penne and I was glad he did. I could not believe how simple and delicious this pasta dish was and it used a commodity that is difficult to preserve if you have an over abundance from the garden. Because I love roasted peppers and they are available at the same time as the tomatoes I included them with the sauce. I added the egg plant just to use them up one time and found they added a depth and creaminess to the dish that made it even better. This quick summer pasta dish has become a staple in our house.

1              Tbsp olive oil

8              cups cherry tomatoes, I use a mixture of red, orange and any chopped larger                              tomatoes if needed

1              red or coloured sweet pepper, coarsely chopped

1              small to medium egg plant, peeled and cubed (optional)

1              large onion, coarsely chopped

4              cloves garlic

6              garlic sausage (500 g) or sausage of choice – It’s fine to use up smoked sausage

salt and pepper generously sprinkled over all

8 -12       ounces  Gluten-free pasta shells or penne, I use an 8 oz box

1              large handful of fresh basil, about 4 stems, remove leaves and chiffonade

Grated Parmesan cheese as desired

  • Place olive oil, tomatoes, pepper, egg plant (optional), onion and garlic in a large roasting pan so vegetables are essentially in a single layer and roast at 400 °F for 30 minutes. I actually use 2 lasagna pans to spread them out and combine them after they are cooked.
  • Cut sausage into 1/2 inch pieces and add to roasted vegetables and continue roasting until sausage is browned, about 30 – 40 more minutes..
  • Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions when sausage is almost done.
  • To chiffonade basil leaves pile leaves together and roll. Cut through all leaves at once in narrow strips..
  • Toss basil in with roasted tomato mixture when pasta is done and top with grated cheese if desired.

I have roasted all the vegetables with the sausage for the sauce and frozen it to use in the winter and was really glad to have it for a quick meal.

Serves 6 – 8

http://www.annesfavourites.ca

Absolutely Awesome Drop Biscuits (Gluten-free)

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I have missed a nice biscuit or scone since being diagnosed Celiac so I was thrilled when a friend brought the Garlic cheese biscuits made with Betty Crocker’s Biscuit Mix https://annesfavourites.ca/2014/10/22/almost-famous-cheddar-biscuits-gluten-free/ .These are so good you do not have to make a wheat version for company! I immediately tried a homemade version of the same with my regular all purpose flour mix but they were very disappointing. Also tried my own recipe for biscuits with a gluten-free mix and they also fell short of my expectations and of course I searched the internet for other people’s ideas for biscuits and none was up to scratch but these…….ARE!!

Biscuits

I revamped my Bread flour mix based on the past year’s experiences and used it with a little extra potato starch but I think the real trick is using the eggs in place of some of the milk. The buttermilk definitely adds an extra element of flavour but I plan to try them with soured milk when I use up all my buttermilk. I’m thinking if it makes a difference I will freeze the buttermilk in correct quantities for this mix.
I am giving you the recipe for the plain drop biscuits and the garlic cheese biscuits. Either is a great complement to a hearty soup meal.
Enjoy 🙂
I have successfully adapted this recipe to Grace Gammie’s Scones and will try to get that posted tomorrow so you can treat your Valentine this week-end to an afternoon tea or use them as a delicious addition to brunch.

Plain Drop Biscuits Click here for PDF version https://www.dropbox.com/s/xmqps5zrmxb61at/Drop%20Biscuits.pdf?dl=0

2 cups GF bread flour*
1/4 cup potato starch
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 Tbsp GF baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1/2 cup raisins, shredded Cheddar or mixed peel (optional)

  • Sift flour, potato starch, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt in a bowl.
  • Cut in butter with a pastry blender or your clean hands until crumbs are between the size of peas and lentils.
  • Whisk buttermilk with eggs and pour over dry ingredients and mix with a fork until batter is combined.
  • Add cheese or fruit, if desired, and continue to stir until dry ingredients are incorporated and raisins are evenly distributed.
  • Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet or parchment paper. Bake in a 425°F oven for about 12 – 15 minutes until the biscuits are lightly browned and barely give when pressed on top.

Makes 13 – 15 two inch biscuits

*Bread Flour Mix

2 cups sweet rice flour
1 cup brown rice flour
1 cup white rice flour
1 cup tapioca starch
1/2 cup potato starch
1/2 cup millet flour

ALWAYS whisk or shake together before measuring.

Garlic Cheese Biscuits

Biscuits:Click here for PDF version https://www.dropbox.com/s/ebivagb6jzfj8tv/Garlic%20Cheese%20Biscuits.pdf?dl=0
2 cups GF bread flour*
1/4 cup potato starch
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 Tbsp GF baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Topping:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 clove garlic, crushed or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp fresh or frozen chopped parsley or 1 tsp dried
1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

  • Sift flour, potato starch, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt in a bowl.
  • Cut in butter with a pastry blender or your clean hands until crumbs are between the size of peas and lentils.
  • Whisk buttermilk with eggs and pour over dry ingredients and mix with a fork until batter is combined.
  • Add cheese or fruit, if desired, and continue to stir until dry ingredients are incorporated and raisins are evenly distributed.
  • Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet or parchment paper.
  • Bake in a 425°F oven for about 12 minutes until the biscuits are lightly browned and barely give when pressed on top.
  • Mix melted butter, garlic and parsley and brush on hot biscuits.
    Sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to oven for 2 – 3 more minutes until cheese is melted.
    Makes 13 – 15 two inch biscuits

Anne’s Favourites