Blistered Jalapeño White Bean Enchiladas

Blistered Jalapeño White Bean Enchiladas
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These Blistered Jalapeño White Bean Enchiladas were almost mac and cheese. Yes, when I first envisioned a cheesy, jalapeño-flecked cream sauce, I thought it was destined for a pot of tubular pasta. But when I got to the other side of the holidays, I found myself pasta-ed out. I do find it interesting that I was still game for cheese, in spite of inhaling quite a bit of it during the month of December. Clearly, when it comes to cheese consumption, I was built to persevere. But pasta and I needed a hiatus, so enchiladas it was. I have no doubt pasta and I will be reunited shortly.

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Cannoli Arancini with Dark Chocolate Ganache

Cannoli Arancini with Dark Chocolate Ganache
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Consider this my New Years’ offering and my final post of 2020. And what better way to bid adieu to one of the crappiest, strangest years on record than with a Frankenstein of a dessert. These Cannoli Arancini are not the classiest things to grace a dessert table. But they are so good – achingly good. And yeah, no one asked for a weird hybrid of cannoli and arancini. But I like to think I filled a void the world didn’t know it had. Call it a public service or an affront to Italian cuisine. It all depends on your perspective…or taste level, I suppose. But if you’re down with unholy snack cross-overs, these Cannoli Arancini are for you.

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Five Spice Gingerbread Cake with Chestnut Cream

Five Spice Gingerbread Cake with Chestnut Cream
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Many thoughts ran through my head while I was constructing this Five Spice Gingerbread Cake. “Why am I doing this to myself?” was the loudest and most insistent among them. This whole over-the-top exercise began when I got the “fun” idea of doing a gingerbread diorama on a cake. And once that idea took root in my brain, I knew I was in trouble. I don’t make gingerbread – I’ve never even attempted a prepackaged house kit before this. And my experience with royal icing is…scant. But I’m stubborn, so I persevered and I am so glad I did.

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Sichuan Peppercorn Ribeye with Shiitake Gravy

Sichuan Peppercorn Ribeye with Shiitake Creme Fraiche Gravy
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For many people, Christmas looks different this year. Here in Toronto, we are in lockdown due to COVID, so I will be setting the table for two. Yes, two. Such a strange concept for me. Sure, I’ve set a small Thanksgiving table in the past, but Christmas? Most meals associated with Christmas aren’t built for two. So that’s where you have to get a little creative. Instead of turkey, you reach for Cornish hens or a duck. In the place of ham, you grab a couple of smoked pork chops. And in the case of prime rib, you have a multitude of excellent steaks to choose from. So without further ado, I present you with my version of prime rib for two – this Sichuan Peppercorn Ribeye with Shiitake Creme Fraiche Gravy.

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