Any Occasion Dark Fruit Cake

20 Tuesday Dec 2022

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This is a very moist and easy fruit cake to make.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups dried prunes (6 oz), chopped
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped dates (6 oz), chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups dark raisins (8 oz)
  • 1 1/4 cups golden raisins (6 oz)
  • 1 1/4 cups currants (6 oz)
  • ¾ cup butter
  • 1 cup dark or golden brown sugar
  • ¾ cup molasses
  • ½ cup coffee liqueur, or ½ cup strong black coffee (You can also make an instant coffee)
  • Zest and juice of 2 oranges or a combination of oranges and lemons
  • 1 cup chopped glace cherries
  • 1 cup candied citrus peel or pineapple, mango or papaya (I use a combination of each)
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans (7 oz), roughly chopped
  • 2 tsp allspice
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp powdered ginger
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 3 tbsp cocoa (Yes cocoa) it melds well with the coffee but doesn’t taste chocolatey)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup ground hazelnuts or slivered almonds or walnuts
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda

Note: This cake is a combination of all your favourite fruits and nuts, so substitute as you wish.

Prepare pans: I use 2 loaf pans. lightly butter the pans and then line with parchment paper. You can cut two pieces and line up then down then up the other side. Then use the remaining piece to line the bottom and up the sides in the other direction.

If you use a round springform pan, lightly butter sides and bottom. Line bottom with parchment paper then the sides with a strip of parchment paper.

Directions

  1. Melt butter over medium heat, add the dates, currents, prunes, raisins, molasses, brown sugar, spices, coffee or coffee liqueur, orange zest and orange juice in a large saucepan.
  2. Bring everything to a low boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and allow to cool down (about an hour). This is so when you add the eggs they will not become cooked eggs
  4. When cool, add in beaten eggs
  5. Sift in cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and flour
  6. Add all the ground nuts and the cooled boiled mixture
  7. Fold in the cherries, citrus peel and candied fruit
  8. Pour into the prepared baking pans.
  9. Decorate with pecan halves and candied cherries.
  10. Bake at 300 degrees F. for about 1 1/2 hours. depending on the pan size.
  11. Test for doneness with a tooth pick. This is a challenge due to the fruit sticking to the tooth pick.
  12. Remove from oven and allow to completely cool.

Note: If your candied fruit are too dry, add them while cooking the prunes, raisins etc. This will add back the moisture.

Options:

You can spread some of your favourite marmalade over top when the cake is still warm.

Or poke small holes in the top and bottom and pour about 4 oz of your favourite alcohol such as a flavoured brandy, rum or whiskey. Half on top and half on the bottom. Wrap several layers of alcohol socked cheesecloth.

Or soak your fruit in alcohol instead. Here is a link to show you how. Use the fruit above and soak according to directions in video.

Wrap cake in several layers of plastic wrap and store in a cool place

Enjoy

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Pecan Pie/Tarts Please

11 Sunday Dec 2022

Posted by in Baking, Dessert, wrks4me - Recipes

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This is an holiday favourite. The kids and family ask for it whenever we gather.

Ingredients

  • Unbaked pie crust or tarts
  • Shelled pecan halves (approx. 2 to 2 1/2 cups)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup of dark corn syrup (optional 3/4 cup dark corn syrup and 1/4 cup maple syrup)
  • 1/2 cup of your favourite packed brown sugar (light, medium or dark)
  • 1/4 cup of melted butter cooled to room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon of table salt

Directions:

  1. Place pie shell or tart shells on a baking sheet in case of spillage
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Line bottoms of pie shells or tart shells with pecans
  4. Mix together all remaining ingredients
  5. Carefully pour to the top of shells

Bake:

  • Pie Crust:
    for 50-55 minutes in middle of oven (after first 20 minutes place a pie shield (silicon or aluminum foil) over edges of crust to prevent too much browning of edges
  • Tart Crust:
    for 20 minutes in middle of oven

Allow to cool as they are very hot. Serve at room temperature.

Enjoy

Based on Original recipe

Peanut Butter & Chunky Date Cookies

31 Thursday Mar 2022

Posted by in Baking, Dessert

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup (100g) rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (55g) almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup (125g) crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup (80g) maple syrup or sugarless table syrup
  • 1-2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
  • 3/4 cup chopped dates

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  2. Stir together the oats, almond flour, baking soda into a mixing bowl
  3. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup or sugarless table syrup, and vanilla.
  4. Add the chopped dates.
  5. Use a small cookie scoop and roll into balls
  6. Arrange balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon pad.
  7. Lightly press with a fork
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350ºF checking that the bottoms do not burn
  9. Place cookies on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes.

Enjoy

Lemon, Garlic & Spinach Spaghetti

24 Thursday Mar 2022

Posted by in Main Dishes

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 4 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 4 Cloves garlic, sliced
  • 3 Cups baby spinach
  • 2 Cups grated Parmesan, plus extra for finishing
  • Juice of 2 lemons and zest of 1 lemon

Directions

  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions and save approx. 1 cup of pasta water
  2. Put butter, garlic and red pepper flakes into a large pan and cook over medium heat for approx. 2 minutes.
  3. Divide the spinach, parmesan cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest into 4 portions.
  4. Stir into pan one portion at a time and stir until spinach becomes wilted.
  5. Add a bit of pasta water to keep it moist.
  6. Continue to add each remaining portions one at time and continue to add pasta water
  7. Once everything is incorporated add extra parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste

Enjoy

Original recipe

Apple Pie Scones

11 Friday Mar 2022

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar, plus extra for topping
  • 1 Tbs baking powder
  • 1/2 Tbs cinnamon, plus extra for topping
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 2/3 cup apple pie filling, smashed
  • 3/4 cup milk

Instructions

  1. You can use a bowl or food processor
  2. If using a bowl: Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon and work in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. If using a food processor: Put flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon and cold butter into processor and pulse until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Take the apples out of the apple pie filling and smash them with a potato masher, fork or your fingers and mix into milk. Stir into the flour mixture until well combined.
  5. Pat into an 8″ circle on a lined or greased baking sheet, making sure the thickness is even throughout.
  6. Cut into 8 even wedges
  7. Sprinkle extra cinnamon and sugar over top
  8. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy

The Ultimate Turkey/Chicken Burger

11 Friday Mar 2022

Posted by in Main Dishes

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Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
  • ½ cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, divided
  • ½ small onion, finely grated and it’s liquid (That’s the secret)
  • 1 egg
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions:

  1. Mix together with either ground turkey or chicken, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
  2. Divide mixture into 4 patties
  3. Place remaining bread crumbs and put into a flat plate
  4. Roll patties in crumbs to coat them
  5. Heat oil in a pan and cook patties at medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes
  6. Turn over patties and continue to cook for about 4 minutes

Serve either on a bun or by itself

Enjoy

Dutch Oven Roast Beef

23 Thursday Dec 2021

Posted by in Main Dishes, wrks4me - Recipes

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Here is a delicious twist on a classic recipe (family favourite)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of beef broth
  • 1/4 cup of soya sauce
  • 1/4 cup of rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar or wine
  • 1 tsp garlic (sliced)
  • 1 large onion (sliced)
  • 2 washed carrots cut into 2 inch slices (peeling is optional)
  • Whole Peppercorns
  • 2 to 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (optional), I don’t use them
  • 2 to 3 sprigs of fresh thyme (optional), I don’t use them
  • 2 to 3 Tbsp of olive oil (or canola, or vegetable oil)

Directions

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  1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
  2. Put a dutch oven onto of the stove at medium-high heat
  3. Add 2 Tbsp of olive oil into a dutch oven
  4. Add onions and toss til lightly brown and remove and reserve
  5. Add carrots and toss til lightly brown and remove and reserve
  6. If necessary add some more oil and put roast into pot to sear
  7. Sear all sides of roast (about 1-2 minutes per side)
  8. Remove roast beef and add 1 cup of broth to delaze pan by scraping the bottom of the pan
  9. Put the roast beef, onions and carrots back in along with garlic and add enough broth to cover halfway
  10. Sprinkle top of roast beef with peppercorns
  11. Optional: add your herbs at the point
  12. Cover and put into the oven for 2-3 hours
  13. Check the roast, it is ready when it is tender fall-appart

Use stock to make a delicous gravy. Simply add a little corn starch or a heaping Tbsp of flour and 1/2 cup of water mixed together added to stock and heat till thickened. If not thick enough add a little more thickening.

Enjoy

Finding A Family Doctor In Ontario

08 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in wrks4me - Health and Grooming

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Note: this page is not meant to provide medical advice but as reference only

If you need to find a specialist or have some laboratory tests, you will need to find a family doctor, also known as general practitioner (GP). But if your doctor has moved away, changed disciplines, retired or has died, then you will need to find another GP.

Finding a family doctor these days, has it’s challenges. With increased corporatization, many family doctors feel overworked or overwhelmed by new regulations, changing technologies and patient assumptions. Remember, your health care provider wants to provide you with the best environment that supports best practice and work-life balance. Hence the trend towards a medical team approach.

That leaves you to locate a family doctor or medical services that addresses your needs. Remember to give yourself the time needed to find a Doctor or Health Care Provider, as this will be one of your most important relationships.

How To Find A New Doctor In Ontario

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) program finds physicians and nurse practitioners who are accepting new patients in their community. To register for the Health Care Connect program, call 1-800-445-1822, or visit the MOHLTC website for more information.

About 88% of the people who joined found a health care provider. However, there is no guarantee that a health care provider will be found or that they will take your entire family. Priority is given to those with urgent needs.

  • Ask a friend or family member who their doctor is and if they know whether they are accepting new patients
  • Check out the Community Health Services that service your area. Primary health care and prevention programs are provided through these centres by physicians and other health professionals.
  • You can also reach out by phone:
    • Telehealth: 1-866-797-0000
    • Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600

Resources for finding a doctor in Ontario

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO

Ontario’s Health Care Connect

Find a family doctor or nurse practitioner that are accepting new patients. This service requires that you remove yourself as a patient from your current heath care provider. Ask your health care provider if they are still willing to provide health care to you while you find a new doctor or nurse practitioner.

Health Care Options in Ontario

Things to ask a prospective health care provider’s office

  • Is the doctor about to retire soon?
  • How long have they been in practice?
  • Does the health care provider have capacity for children, entire families or seniors?
  • Where is the office located?
  • Is there public transit nearby?
  • Is there parking?
  • Are there Laboratory or Pharmacy Services in the building?
  • Is the office accessible, i.e.. have ramps or elevators for wheelchairs or walkers.
  • Does the health care provider have hospital privileges?
  • What are the options for after-hours or acute care?
  • If your primary health care provider is not available, who should you expect to see?
  • What’s the average time to get an appointment?

Meeting with your new health care provider applicant

  • Observe the waiting room, be mindful of wait times, the number of patients
  • The staff interaction with the patients and atmosphere
  • Listen to the health care provider’s responses and if they meet your expectations
  • Ask if there are any fees for forms etc.
  • If the health care provider is part of a team, and what are their clinics policies.

Questions to ask your old health care provider before they close their practice

  • What happens to your health records once you get a new provider. Will they be transferred to your new provider
  • If you don’t have a new health care provider, where to your records go, how do you get access to them and is their a fee to get your records

Cream Corn…So Easy, So Good

18 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Side Dishes

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Never buy canned creamed corn again!

Ingredients

  • 10 oz (280g) Frozen Corn
  • 2 TBSP flour
  • 2 TBSP butter
  • 1 cup milk or half/half
  • 2 TBSP sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions

  1. Over medium heat, put butter and flour into a pan and rapidly stir till combined
  2. When butter and flour are combined add milk
  3. When thickened, add sugar, salt pepper and finally the frozen corn

Cook till tender

Enjoy

Soft Dinner Rolls

26 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Baking

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Ingredients:

  • 4-5 cups of all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 2 Tbsp rapid rise, instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups of warm milk, 110 degrees F.
  • 1 egg
  • 5 Tbsp soft butter (for dough)
  • 2 Tbsp melted butter (to brush ontop)
  • Optional: Sesame Seeds

Directions:

  1. Put yeast & sugar in warm milk and put aside for about 5 minutes
  2. In a separate bowl add 3 cups of flour, salt, butter and egg
  3. Using a stand mixer with a hook set on low speed until the flour mixture is blended, then add milk mixture
  4. On medium speed add 1/2 cup of remaining flour until blended. Then add another 1/2 cup of flour. Repeat adding another 1/2 cup of flour until a ball of dough forms
  5. If necessary, add more flour, dough should pull away from sides and be soft and sticky
  6. Remove dough from mixer and put into a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or plastic wrap.
  7. Allow to rise in a warm area for 30 minutes
  8. After 30 minutes, remove from bowl and lightly punch down
  9. Divide dough into 24 pieces (approx 2 ounces or 56 grams)
  10. Form into balls (sprinkle sesame seeds on tops if prefered)
  11. Put onto a 9×13 inch lightly greased baking sheet and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Allow to rise another 30 minutes in a warm area
  12. Preheat an oven at 375 degrees F.
  13. Baked rolls for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. (If they become too brown, cover tops with foil)
  14. Remove rolls from oven and brush with melted butter
  15. Serve warm or store cooled into a plastic bag.

Based on the original recipe