Susan's Red Cabbage Salad

My daughter Susan came across this recipe soon after moving to New York (2009). It's delicious and adds colour and crunch to a meal. Surprisingly, it's become a snack food for us!

Mix:

red (purple) cabbage shredded

Fuji apple grated

sunflower seeds

Dressing:

1 - 2 tbsp toasted cumin seeds (crush after toasting). Toasting intensifies the flavour exponentially! If you wish to eliminate one step, gently heat powdered cumin in a skillet.

juice of a lime

drizzle of olive oil

drizzle of soy sauce

red pepper flakes

Peanut-Ginger Chicken with Cucumber-Fruit Salsa

A delicious and simple chicken recipe from Vange, another part-time Mayne Islander. Perfect in summer.

12 chicken thighs (about 3 lbs)

1/2 cup boiling water

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 bottle of chili sauce (1/2 cup; would ketchup and red pepper flakes do?)

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp vinegar

4 cloves garlic minced

2 tbsp grated ginger

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients and pour into a large sealable plastic bag. Add chicken pieces. Marinade for several hours or overnight.

Drain chicken before grilling and reserve marinade. Simmer marinade (to make it safe for consumption) and serve alongside grilled chicken.

1 cup chopped fruit (mango, plum, pear, nectarine)

1 cup chopped seeded cucumber

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp oil

1 tbsp vinegar

2 tbsp finely chopped green onion and some grated red onion

Mix all ingredients, cover and let sit for 2-3 hours. Keeps in fridge for several days.

Tuscan Broad Bean Salad

This is from my dear friend Cherie in Winnipeg, who has a good eye for a new recipe that becomes a hit!

2 tsp lemon juice

1 or more cloves garlic

1/2 tsp salt & pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

1/3 cup asiago cheese

1 tsp lemon zest

3 tbsp thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes

1 can broad beans

Whisk lemon juice with S & P. Whisk in lemon juice. Drizzle in olive oil while whisking. Toss in cheese, zest and tomatoes. Stir beans into this mixture.

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

A recipe from the 80's!

3/4 cup margarine

2 cups (or less) sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp orange zest

2 cups coarsely grated zucchini

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup nuts

Use cake method for mixing. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 min. in greased bundt pan or 40 min. in 9X13 pan.

Drop chocolate chips somewhat evenly over warm cake, leave for a minute and spread melting chips for an easy icing option.

Impossible Pie

I got this recipe in 2009 from Rosie and Timmie, the fabulous cooks at the first silent retreat I attended at the Rivendell Retreat Centre, Bowen Island.

4 eggs

1/4 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 cups milk or almond milk

1 cup coconut

1 tsp vanilla

Place in blender and blend until completely mixed. Pour into buttered pie pan (or square glass baking dish). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. When done, crust will be on bottom, custard in the middle and coconut on top.

Pear Pancake

This is another family favourite from Bonnie Stern - a dish we've served for many years for weekend brunches at Victoria Beach and on Christmas mornings.

In a skillet (you may wish to bake the pancake in the same skillet), saute:

1 1/2 tbsp butter

4 firm pears (Anjou) cut up in small chunks

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup brown sugar

I add cranberries (dried or fresh) to add colour and tartness.

Whisk together:

3 eggs

2 tbsp. sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup flour

Spread the pears in an oven proof dish (or leave in skillet) and pour batter over the pears. Bake uncovered for 20-25 min in 400 degree oven. An iron skillet works well and adds drama to the table, but don't burn your fingers grabbing the handle!

Double the recipe to serve 5-6 people.

Blueberry Flax Pancakes

Blueberry Flax Pancakes (without blueberries) are a favourite of my son-in-law Mike. This recipe comes from Bonnie Stern and replaces her earlier Pear Pancake which was standard family brunch fare at Victoria Beach, Manitoba and Christmas mornings.

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup crushed flax seeds

1 tbsp. whole flax seeds

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

pinch of salt

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup buttermilk

4 tbsp. melted butter

2 cups blueberries

Mix dry ingredients. Combine moist ingredients and add to dry. Drop blueberries onto the surface of pancakes as they cook and prior to flipping over to finish cooking.

I serve blueberry sauce along with the pancakes. Simmer blueberries, sugar and a little water with grated orange zest (or bits of whole orange). Thicken with cornstarch and water mixture and bring to boil.