Are you in need of a last minute stocking stuffer, or host gift? I like making candy at Christmas to give as a gift; and it’s especially ideal if you need to round out a stocking, care package or cookie tin in a hurry. It’s also great to have on hand in case someone gives you an unexpected holiday gift. Keep it in a little tin and they’ll never know you didn’t specifically have something ready for them. 

This butternut squash, caramelized onion and feta tart is a cozy Autumn or Winter meal, perfect served with a green salad. The onions, squash and pastry can all be prepped in advance if you like, so that the actual tart comes together pretty quickly. Especially if you have done a bit of advance prep, it’s a totally manageable weekday dinner. But it’s nice enough to serve as a vegetarian main for a dinner party and feel a little bit fancy.

I love hot fudge sundaes; the contrast of hot and cold is incredible. I love how the heat melts little pools of ice cream, I love getting a bit that has cold ice cream and hot fudge in the same spoonful, I love how the fudge goes thick and slightly chewy and it cools.  

I was listening to an episode of the excellent podcast, Off Menu, when one of the hosts mentioned marmite garlic bread from Yard Sale Pizza in London. Off Menu is a great podcast hosted by two UK comedians, who talk to other comedians and other folks about their dream menus. It’s really funny, but also really committed to talking about great food. And really committed to the important debating whether meals should begin with poppadoms or bread. It’s a great podcast, you should check it out.

There’s a charming Italian restaurant in Coombs BC, which is a little drive up Vancouver Island from where I live. They have this herby lemonade that I get every time we visit and I wanted to recreate it so I could have it at home, it just tastes like sunshine and summer. Coombs in general is worth checking out - they have a lovely grass roofed market with goats on the roof keeping the grass trimmed and peering down at the tourists.

Sweetened condensed milk is a magical food. I love its ability to make easy, and super tasty, gooey, caramelly treats. I love it so much in magic bars (Hello Dolly bars or seven layer bars). It’s a pantry staple - if you have a tin of condensed milk you can probably make something incredibly delicious and deceptively simple to throw together. I also think that its deliciousness is best unlocked by a generous application of flaky salt. Condensed milk is very sweet and can tip towards almost cloying.