The Leaf in a Page

 If I could hire a Town Crier to announce these squares to the world, I would. If you cannot afford to do that or there is no Town Crier in your community, feed some to the Mayor of your town. The word will get out! These are delicious and will be the hit of any gathering. We need say no more, except I want to say one more thing about these squares. I saw a similar square on Pinterest made with a packaged oatmeal mix.  I made these with the same recipe I use for date squares but changed the filling. So easy!  This recipe makes two 9x9?  pans. They are just yum! Make the jam part first.  3 cups hulled strawberries 3 cups chopped rhubarb 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch stirred in 1/4 cup cold water 1/4 cup fresh squeezed (seeded) lemon juice. Mix all in a pot on medium heat and cook until you have a moderately think filling. You will need to use something like a potato masher or pastry cutter to mush up your fruit once it softens. You ca...

  A Limoncello Tiramisu is a refreshing twist on the classic, replacing the rich coffee flavors with zesty lemon. Here' s how to make it: (Please read entire recipe and ensure you have all the ingredients. You will likely need about 6 lemons). This recipe is for an 11X13 pan. You could 1/2 this recipe and use a 8X8 pan. Ingredients: For the Limoncello Syrup: 1 cup (240ml) limoncello 1/2 cup (120ml) water 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar ½ cup (120ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice. Heat this mixture until sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool. You will have some left over. Another tip is to use 3/4 cup of limoncello and 3/4 cup of lemon juice.  Lemon Curd 6 large eggs 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar Pinch sea salt 2 tsp grated lemon 1 cup (240 ml) lemon juice from freshly squeezed lemons. (If you are short use ¼ cup of another citrus) Unsalted butter 175 g / ¾ cup ½ tsp vanilla Over low heat whisk eggs, sugar...

Classic Nanaimo Bars I always thought these delicious bars were difficult to make. Anything with three layers had to be, not only difficult, but time consuming. Guess what? Not so! All you really need to know, is how to warm something up, mix ingredients together, and spread the ingredients into a pan. Voila!  You don't even have to turn your oven on. The best way to quickly make these squares, or any square for that matter, is to measure all your ingredients before you start. Then you simply follow the instructions and before you know it, you have Nanaimo Bars. Bottom Layer Unsalted butter                                                          ½ cup        ...

If you find butter tarts too time-consuming try this butter tart square recipe which is a quick one to make. You do have to wait to eat them, as it takes time to set the topping. They are worth the wait and will satisfy your craving for the butter tarts. These squares are great to make ahead and bring to a gathering as your contribution. The sticky gooey topping on the shortbread bottom makes them an all-time favorite. These are also great for bake sales.  For an adult version, you could soak your raisins overnight in a 1/4 cup of rum.  What you need: 9x13 baking pan, bowls for mixing, parchment paper and spatulas. A pastry blender is great but optional.  Butter tart Squares Ingredients:  Base §   2 cups of all-purpose flour §   1/2 cup granulated sugar §   1 cup of butter (if you use unsalted butter add 1/4 tsp salt)   Topping §   1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled §   4 large eggs, lightly beaten §   2 cups...

Sometimes people just want a recipe and are bored with a back story because they need the recipe.  I prefer that too! Here is the lemon squares recipe and if you want to read why it is sharable then you must read the short story below.  Base All purpose Flour                      2 cups Salted Butter                            1 cup If you use unsalted butter add 1/3 tsp salt Granulated sugar                     ½ cup. Bring together into a crumble and press into a 9x13 baking pan. Bake 350F until sides are golden. About 15 minutes. Lemon Curd Eggs( large)               ...

  Holy Jalapeno Cheese Bread This is such a soft tasty loaf of bread. It could be made as a cheese bread if jalapenos are not your thing. I come from a family of 10. Mom struggled every day trying to find ways to feed us and the only spices we had in the house were turkey dressing spices, cinammon, nutmeg and cloves. Of course we had salt and pepper seasoning which made all the meat, potatoes, macaroni or kraft dinner tasty. As an adult living in the Halifax/Dartmouth area I finally tried jalapeno peppers on a plate of nachos at the restaurant called "The Thirsty Duck" (no longer in existence). It was my nursing class, after exam, celebration spot to go. It took several tries before acquiring a taste for the peppers. Once you do enjoy the taste of jalapenos this loaf of bread will give you just another chance to enjoy and celebrate any ol' accomplishment you choose. I wish there was another photo to share but be assured you will not be disappointed. Makes 3 loaves Bre...

  Winston Knot Challah baking in the oven.   Challah is a Jewish Celebration Bread and has much significance to the culture. It is often braided with three strands standing for truth peace and justice. Twelve humps on a braid stand for the miracle of 12 loaves for the 12 tribes of Israel. If you shape your braid into a circle it means no beginning and no end. Each style are used in different celebrrations. The cultural meaning of so many breads gives us much to learn. Wait until I do the white bread post! For a spiritual meaning of the ingredients I found one from a web site: https://www.ohelsara.com/women-and-the-home/hafrashat-challah/the-symbolism-of-challah/ which reviews the ingredient and the significance of each. It is interesting, but the main point of bread for most is that we share it, it tastes great and it fills us. Challah has loads of protein because of the milk and eggs, which makes it especially perfect for sharing and filling you up. It makes a beautiful f...