Baked

Hello everyone! Did you have a nice weekend?

I baked some Fruit and Nut Biscotti over the weekend - not too sweet and it can last for a couple of weeks. Not that I expect this will be sitting around for long. ;)

I got the original recipe from Canadian Living, but have made a few changes. This version is gluten-free (would never know it!) and is minus the golden raisins as I'm not a fan of them. 

Fruit and Nut Biscotti - makes about 18 think slices

4 egg whites

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

3/4 cup gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)*

1/4 teaspoon guar gum*

1/3 cup whole almonds

1/3 cup shelled pistachios

1/4 cup candied orange peel (I had some left over from last week)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

* if using all-purpose flour, you use the same amount and omit the guar gum

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line the bottom and sides of a 9"x5" loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. 

In a large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, and beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla.

Sift together the flour and guar gum and sprinkle half over top of mixture. Fold in, then add remaining flour mixture. If using all purpose flour, sift flour directly over top egg white mixture. Add the almonds, pistachios, orange peel, and cranberries and fold in. Scrape mixture into prepared pan, and smooth out top.

Bake until firm and pale golden, 35 minutes. Let cool in pan, on rack, for 15 minutes. Remove from pan, peel off paper and allow to cool completely. Wrap and place in freezer until firm but not frozen, 30 minutes. Using a sharp (seriously sharp)  serrated knife, cut into thin slices, about 3mm thick. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, 1/2 inch apart, and bake in a 300f oven for about 18 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow to cool on baking sheet on a cooling rack. Enjoy!

Back soon!
Janis

I'm a little bit country

Well, Kyneton has proved to be a pretty fabulous little town. Love it. No big box anything here, just great independently owned shops, cafes and restaurants. Piper Street is where it's at.

Newly opened Kabinett is owned by Melissa MacFarlane and Frank Moylan, previous owners of the Royal George Hotel in Kyneton. Incredible mix of vintage pieces sourced mostly from Eastern Europe and Australia. I adore this shop. I have my eyes on a vintage map of Australia, and two happy blue enamel light fixtures (not pictured unfortunately).

 
Little Swallow Cafe has quickly become our spot for coffee and delicious breakfasts. Love the decor, so simple.

If you visit Kyneton, and you should, check out no. 2 sweetheart for pretty organic fashion and beauty products (I'm wearing a sweet little bamboo top right now!), Slow Living is a great restaurant that uses local organic produce and meats and makes a fab coffee too.

Have to dash. Off to Tahbilk to sample a few wines today. 

A Perfect Fall Evening

My friend, Sarah Mousseau, is showing her beautiful paintings at the Silk Purse Gallery in West Vancouver.  Last night we went to the opening, and it was a perfect night.  The gallery sits right on the beach so we could walk outside, with our wine, and watch the sunset. 

I've attached the invite and a few of the paintings.  The colours are so soft and soothing.  Not to mention, a number of them are geishas. Love geishas. You can reach Sarah at sam.mousseau@gmail.com. The exhibit runs until October 4th.

Almost Fall

It's been pretty busy since I returned from my shoot in the Kootneys, now it's the weekend. Looking forward to sleeping in.

The other night, I checked out the Comrags trunk show in Gastown.  Comrags is a Canadian fashion label - beautiful clothes.  I went with my friend Nikki, and we actually behaved ourselves. I've been to these kinds of shows before. On one occasion, I woke up the next morning to find a cute little shopping bag containing a very tiny dress, a few plastic wine glasses, and a pencil with the name of the new shop on it, beside my bed.  My memory was a bit hazy, so I gave the dress a go but I couldn't get it past my shoulders.  Let's just say the refund policy wasn't good.  This episode was the on set of my post purchase doubt syndrome (P.P.D.S.). I never drink at these things now.   I would love the following two frocks though.

Well, as we head into a beautiful weekend, I leave you with a shot of a rusty, vintage bicycle I saw while having a day in the country with my friends Heather and Midge (a.k.a. Lily).

Have a lovely weekend!

Menu Tasting at Habit

Last night, the chef and owners of Habit (I'm related to a number of them) had a menu tasting. Modern Canadian food is how they describe the menu. Lots of wine and fantastic food, made for a bit of a sleep in this morning.  I took a few shots, then decided I should put the camera down and just eat and drink.

Habit reopens this Sunday - finally.  Rob, my husband, has been busy creating artwork for the walls as well as a paper mache deer head.  It's all looking great, but I'll be happy when it's done and we're not tripping over piles of orange tissue paper, and tubes of acrylics!  

See you at Habit!

Salt Cod Cakes

Lamb and Pork meatloaf

Veggie Shepherd's Pie

Buck the deer head