tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179249207276433412012-01-28T08:19:17.778-05:00Follow young Montrealer Allison Sklar on her quest to becoming a domestic goddess! Each post shares recipes, tips, tricks and entertaining stories.Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-25679474707134618272012-01-26T22:26:00.002-05:002012-01-26T22:27:46.275-05:00

Readers, friends, fellow bloggers, Mom... I'd like you all to meet Swiss Chard. She's a lovely leafy green that tastes just like spinach, only slightly heartier, and possesses the most photogenic stems I've ever seen. I've shied away from Chard in the past, burdened with a fear of all that is unknown and green after an unfortunate mishap with raw rapini. To my sweet surprise, this chard did not

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-78577809367170076092011-12-27T12:18:00.000-05:002011-12-27T12:37:20.562-05:00

Ahhh... the holidays. Between shopping, wrapping, cooking, planning, organising, cleaning, shovelling, discovering that you've got a big hole in the toe of your boot only after you step into a puddle of slush... sometimes it begins to feels like there aren't enough hours in a day. Many people also tend to pack on the pounds at this time of year, going from one gathering to the next, stuffing 

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-68517053739309374152011-12-04T23:28:00.013-05:002011-12-05T00:00:35.170-05:00

Ahhh, December! No, I don't ski. And no, I don't like the cold. I don't even celebrate Christmas (Well, not technically. Though the tree in my living room would beg to differ.) Typical joys of the season aside, I am personally excited by December because it means that roasting season is in full swing! Now, many of you omnivores may be asking, well, what on earth can a silly vegetarian possibly

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-8253475533067615902011-11-27T10:26:00.001-05:002011-11-27T10:27:30.260-05:00

Spice and sparkle: two things that my winter cannot be complete without. I'm not talking spice in the form of cayenne & capsicum. I'm talking cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves. Whether you've got lattes-a-brewin' or cookies-a-bakin', nothing beats the cold weather comfort derived from something warm and spiced. The fragrances alone are enough to entice you to curl up under a blanket in front

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-59427338385274410592011-11-21T10:32:00.002-05:002011-11-27T08:57:29.275-05:00

Juice cleanses (also known as juice fasts or juice feasts, depending on who you ask) seem to be all the rage these days. Popping up everywhere from celebrity gossip rags to health food blogs, many raw foodists, foodies, and everyday people swear by them. I've read multiple claims that a diet consisting of fresh juice will cleanse everything - from your skin, to your palate, to your colon, to your

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-83569092836163749382011-09-03T07:13:00.011-04:002011-11-27T08:58:05.613-05:00

Sometimes, the best tasting foods are the messiest ugliest most aesthetically unappealing ones. Prime example: Sloppy Joes. Visually, Sloppy Joes resemble a bread bun that's regurgitated a hamburger onto itself. And, living well up to their name, these babies will dribble down your chin, pour down your wrists, and splash all over your brand new cream coloured pants. But, there is a reason why

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-42614453444063274572011-08-27T23:13:00.014-04:002011-11-27T08:58:22.004-05:00

What is the most logical thing to do after making a vow to eat healthier? Bake a zucchini cake loaf, obviously. Because, hey! Zucchini is green, and it's a vegetable, and I'm supposed to eat more green vegetables, right? Thought so. So, what inspired me to make such a loaf today? Alas, I've been living in this little town village in Australia for the past few weeks, and well, when I'm not working

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-66008739504096030742011-07-02T16:40:00.007-04:002011-11-27T08:58:46.851-05:00

Hats off (or, if you're fair skinned like me, hats on) to my very favorite friend, Summertime. This summer, I've got my health in mind more than ever. So far, I've begun the season on a good foot. I'm on my way to achieving some fitness goals (I'm now able to run almost 2k without stopping!) Also, seeing as the (typical Montreal) bipolar weather hasn't allowed me to obtain much of a tan, I've

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-5025396453010710902011-06-12T20:22:00.006-04:002011-09-03T07:55:34.755-04:00

Nothing says summer like a fresh, hot corn on the cob. Sitting around with friends at a cookout, rolling the cobs in butter, burning the tips of my fingers. Chomping down, sucking out each and every kernel until it's filled up all of the gaps in my teeth. Sweet sweet corn, how I've missed thee. Though tonight, there is no cookout, there is no sunshine, and there is no BBQ. No. Tonight, I find

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-22271429007515879732011-05-14T13:40:00.007-04:002011-08-27T18:41:03.431-04:00

Spring is a funny thing in Montreal - it peeks it's shy little head out after what seems like an eternal winter, usually in the form of a garden bud, or a tiny blade of grass that's managed to push it's way through the snow. And then, just when we have that little taste, our excitement climbing along with the temperatures - winter snarls, hurling it's nasty breath at us to ensure us that it is

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-90094799284626953502011-03-01T15:48:00.018-05:002011-03-02T13:33:01.032-05:00

Veggie burgers are not hamburger substitutes, I don't care what any restaurant claims. You can fire grill it, BBQ it, smother it with ketchup until you can barely taste it, but in the end, it's just not a beef patty. It's a veggie patty. Now, to my knowledge, chicken burgers do not try to be beef burgers and broccoli doesn't attempt to replace steak. So I must ask then, why do so many ground soy

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-77321731381459977852011-02-22T19:55:00.003-05:002011-09-03T08:00:15.647-04:00

There is one fantastical creature in the world that has blood running throughout it's body, and it is still considered to be vegetarian fare. Ah yes, the sweet, the juicy, the refreshing - blood orange. Blood oranges offer a magical pop of colour among the drab whites and greys of winter. They also offer superior antioxidant power compared to their plain orange counterparts, thanks to their

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-51129894146294169102011-02-22T07:05:00.002-05:002011-02-22T15:51:46.646-05:00

Mission of the week: I am going to attempt to buy absolutely no groceries for 7 days - with the exception of a few necessities if I absolutely need them (limited to eggs, greek yogourt and one or two fresh vegetables.) I believe that by posting this here, on the internet, where millions of people can read it, my commitment to my experiment has become slightly more real. Yeah, that's right, I said

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-57848925362684541002011-02-19T12:58:00.003-05:002011-03-02T13:34:25.795-05:00

Many of you might recall a little jingle from childhood, you know, the one that relates beans with flatulence a certain bodily function that shall remain nameless. Well, that little ditty also suggested that beans are good for your heart - and that was smack on! While it is widely known that beans are chock full of fibre, making them your digestive track's most powerful alli, a lesser known fact

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-53252893493122429112011-01-26T21:45:00.006-05:002011-02-13T09:30:01.768-05:00

Got some stale bread? Don't toss it, toast it! Then toast it again. Sprinkle it with some sea salt and spices, and boom - you've got yourself some fantastic croutons. I must warn you though - you may just turn into a crouton snob. Boxed croutons just won't cut it after you've had a taste of these babies. And, if you're anything like me, you'll want to use them to top just about everything off -

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-452656014532295342010-12-20T18:57:00.002-05:002011-01-26T21:13:57.025-05:00

This post will be short and sweet savory, so I'll just get straight to the point: walnut sauce blows my mind. A little while back, I had mentionned how I went to a restaurant where I was introduced to this mouth-watering delight served over linguine. I came home deciding that I would make this one day too. However, I decided that I needed to do more than just copy what had been served to me. I

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-32748857877322601672010-11-29T18:34:00.008-05:002011-03-02T13:31:39.418-05:00

Last week started off on quite a poor note for me: on top of having to deal with a broken bed and a wintery slap in the face in the form of an ice storm,  I had to deal with some less-than-pleasant stomach issues which landed me in the dreaded waiting room of a health clinic. The cherry on top of it all: I was instructed by my new doctor to stay away from both gluten AND dairy for "a couple of

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-89101244585623591162010-11-18T18:46:00.026-05:002010-11-29T21:35:57.083-05:00

 No, it's not oxymoron day.  So is it possible? Something that is gluten-free, vegan AND delicious? Well folks, today is the day that I've accidentally invented a gluten-free, vegan apple crumble. Ironically, it is also the day that I've made the best apple crumble ever. Be ready to have your world rocked. (But be advised, the picture really doesn't do it justice. At all.) Close your eyes

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-12341038833828177742010-11-13T17:39:00.007-05:002011-09-03T07:58:35.827-04:00

I've never liked lettuce. Being a vegetarian for so many years, this fact has often startled people.  Each time that I tell someone that I dislike lettuce, the reaction that I receive generally follows the same pattern. It begins with a baffled, "but how could you not like lettuce?" And is often followed by " So I guess you don't eat salad, then?" Ah, how I love receiving that follow-up

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-47549645503427949292010-11-08T20:58:00.007-05:002010-12-01T15:42:28.683-05:00

Rice wraps. If you haven't done so already, I strongly urge you to get on the bandwagon. Light and easy to work with, rice wraps are a fail safe go-to anytime that I need a quick-fix meal. Thanks to their neutral taste, they can be stuffed with pretty much anything that you desire. I could imagine them filled with any savory meal that you'd normally eat as a salad - for instance, some seared

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-59850428746582590772010-11-03T17:16:00.002-04:002010-11-18T18:47:47.221-05:00

Look out, boy - I am currently infatuated with another.  Though I hate to admit it, I accidentally fell in love... While I long believed that I hated the nut, our paths crossed one faithful night. It was tough at first to crack him, but once he came out of his shell,  I felt completely satisfied. He was more tender than I had imagined, and though at first a little bitter, he became surprisingly

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-25891140987452564302010-10-08T16:16:00.007-04:002011-03-02T13:33:43.963-05:00

I. Cooked. Meat. After eight years of dragging my feet along the omnivore's bandwagon - picking at bacon crumbs, sipping chicken broth, dipping my potatoes in gravy and pretending that I didn't know that my favorite cheeses contained rennet  - I've finally hopped back onboard. I am officially a full-fledged meat eater. Well, almost. I decided that if I was going to begin eating meat, that I

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-58862143497161514542010-07-08T22:17:00.003-04:002010-11-17T07:33:09.985-05:00

Dear: Vegetarianism, We've had a good long run. Seven solid years. You've been with me through the good and the bad. You've helped me avoid heart disease, food-borne illness, and you've been an all-star in the battle against constipation. I can't thank you enough for everything. But, I have to tell you something. Veg, dear sweet love, I've been lying. To you, and to myself. This is really hard

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-1415830261561177172010-06-25T09:59:00.014-04:002011-09-03T07:47:33.666-04:00

Ta-bou-lee. Ta-bou-leh. Ta-bou-lay. However you'd like to pronounce it, this refreshing summer salad is a great way to get out of a romaine & iceberg rut. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, tabouleh is a middle-eastern/Mediterranean parsley-based salad often tossed with chopped tomatoes, onions and a generous amount of olive oil.I became inspired for this little toss during a recent

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-77469488620295374892010-04-03T09:31:00.015-04:002011-11-24T09:21:28.470-05:00

I've always had a thing for macaroons. Perhaps it's because they always come out at this time of year, so they remind me of warming weather and budding trees. Perhaps it's because they are often the only cookie on the Seder table that doesn't taste questionably like cardboard. Or, perhaps it's because I've never quite known what they are made of... and I've always been intrigued how a cookie that

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-53745681942883693392010-03-24T16:24:00.015-04:002010-11-18T19:10:53.976-05:00

I've always been known to keep a well stocked fridge and pantry. Among other basic necessities, you'll rarely find me lacking any of the following foods: assorted cheeses, frozen vegetables, multiple bags of pasta and jars of Classico tomato sauce. [A note on the latter: though I'm a stickler for homemade, those chefs over at Classico really know what they're doing. Though I wasn't paid to say

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-22790220542062271822010-03-21T12:27:00.019-04:002010-11-17T07:32:40.528-05:00

I am not one to make New Year's resolutions, but this year, I quietly promised myself that I would learn as many new skills as I can. This vow came in an effort to better myself as a teacher and an artist... and may also have been slightly backed by my desire to add some pretty pictures to my portfolio. So far, I have explored watercolour painting (frustrating, yet so pretty when it's done right)

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-36920968547272156912010-03-07T23:27:00.013-05:002011-03-01T22:02:31.486-05:00

Springtime: It's almost here. The weather is warming, the trees are budding and the sweet aroma of cow-dung fills the air. Ah yes, there is something about cow dung (or perhaps it is melting doggy doo) that triggers something nostalgic in my brain. I love spring! I love the colours, the warmth and the fashion. Most of all, I love spring because it means that summer is just around the corner!

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-29199036935096140452010-03-07T10:57:00.004-05:002010-11-18T19:06:02.046-05:00

However you pronounce it, Quinoa is one little superfood that packs a nutritious punch. If you're a foodie, you're probably familiar with the grain-like substance, often served warm in place of rice, or tossed into a chilled side salad. A little bit fluffier than couscous and slightly larger than millet, quinoa is surprisingly not considered a grain. Quinoa is in the spinach family, which might

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-71976719760144263632010-02-16T19:44:00.002-05:002010-11-18T18:50:43.383-05:00

Could it be? The words cake and healthy in the same sentence? While I'm usually quite indulgent when it comes to desserts (nothing beats the consistency created by creaming fresh butter and sugar), and I am often the first to dismiss "low-fat" recipes (never a fan of the spongey texture), this is one nutrition-packed loaf that'll have you going back for seconds! Possibly one of the most flavorful

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-57088263902225759332010-02-15T11:59:00.002-05:002011-12-29T03:15:02.684-05:00

I've had the most splendid week in the kitchen and I must tell you ALL about it! I began my cooking extravaganza by making my very first buttercream icing. Fun to work with, easy to make, lovely to look at, but unfortunately, not so lovely to eat. I just don't see the appeal of eating something that tastes like a stick of butter. Deciding then to stick with familiar classics, I made the absolute

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-68348008831611023022010-01-12T18:40:00.002-05:002010-11-18T19:07:08.919-05:00

Although I'm mid-rushing-around-getting-ready to go out, I just HAD to come on here and tell the world about my fabulous concoction. Want a nutritional powerhouse breakfast that you can whip up in under a minute, no fancy tools required? Or how about an afternoon snack that'll kick plain old yogurt to the curb? Well, here it is, readers of the interweb! Apple Cinnamon Yogurt 1 cup plain yogurt

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-72854104105516891382010-01-10T23:23:00.005-05:002010-10-09T10:33:12.606-04:00

I have a serious disability: I am completely unable to go into a grocery store and buy only one item. Even if I only go there with the intention of buying one thing - I won't take a cart, and won't even grab a basket... I just can't help myself! The bright fresh produce, the meal ideas racing though my mind as I stroll down the aisles... It's all too good. Tonight, it started with flour. I needed

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-66359958610112836482009-12-27T13:31:00.007-05:002012-01-28T08:19:17.788-05:00

Chocolate. Fudge. Brownies. Need I say more? I could write a longer post, but you'd just skip it to get to the recipe anyhow, so I'll get right on down to business. Oh, did I mention... they're laced (with white chocolate, of course!) Ebony & Ivory Brownies an original recipe by Allison Sklar what you'll need • 1 cup (8 oz) butter • 2 ¼ cups sugar • 1 ¼ cups cocoa • 1 teaspoon

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-42479451307056231182009-12-23T18:18:00.000-05:002009-12-23T18:48:59.517-05:00

Recently, I hosted a highly successful cookie party, where I willingly consumed enough sugar to put someone into a diabetic coma. This inspired me - no, not to diet or exercise, but to bake even more! On that note, I'll get my exercise by walking around carrying groceries. Let's face it - the gym might make you feel good in the long run, but food makes you feel good right now.With classes finally

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-24386883800489499512009-11-02T17:06:00.011-05:002010-11-18T19:05:32.374-05:00

One of my favorite desserts is a simple pleasure: plain vanilla cupcakes. In search of the perfect little cupcake - moist, slightly dense but still fluffy, slightly sweet, rich vanilla flavour - I have tried countless white cake recipes. After combining the best of the best and tweaking it to my liking, I've perfected my very own recipe. I've aptly named it the "Best White Cake Ever." Tastebuds

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-54716934616342453412009-10-23T00:27:00.002-04:002010-11-18T18:56:43.230-05:00

The following is from ThinkGeek.com Just add food.Don’t you hate going through your day eating boring food that doesn’t taste like bacon? Cereal – doesn’t taste like bacon, sandwiches – Don’t Taste Like Bacon, salad – DOESN’T TASTE LIKE BACON. Now using a combination of magic and science, the world’s greatest minds bring you BACON SALT!!!! Bacon salt is a wonderful seasoning that can be sprinkled

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-6383988753590748042009-10-17T17:16:00.002-04:002010-11-17T07:33:57.565-05:00

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be 80 years old (or constipated) to enjoy raisins. Raisins get a bad rep most likely because they're dry and they resemble fingers that have been soaking in water for hours. The irony is that if you soak a raisin in water for a while, it'll plump right up. One of the secrets behind my ultimate oatmeal cookies: soak your raisins. That is, if you are

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-2174013501709788582009-10-14T19:31:00.002-04:002010-10-09T10:41:19.966-04:00

Cold nights call for warm food; Uneventful nights call for guilty-pleasures. Tonight turned out to be chilly as well as boring and my cravings were teetering between something fried and something roasted. Other than a rare handful of chips, or an odd (and usually regretful) midnight diner visit, fried foods are infrequently seen in my diet. So maybe it was the hunger that had been building up for

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-42005915895691909432009-10-12T15:49:00.009-04:002011-09-03T07:50:03.583-04:00

The arrival of autumn comes hand in hand with the comforting aroma of cinnamon in my kitchen. Handfuls of freshly-picked apples are constantly baking in some form in my oven. My apples have taken many forms this season: apple pies, apple crisps, apple sauce, failed-apple-crumble-turned-discovery-of-gigantic-apple-cookie, and, my absolute favorite, apple cake. Other than it's perfectly balanced

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-517924920727643341.post-77511371383712178012009-10-12T12:26:00.000-04:002009-10-14T21:27:24.077-04:00

Well, here it goes... my attempt at a foodie blog. I've decided to start this project because I've figured that this is one step up from posting photos of my dinner on Facebook. Cooking is my passion - well, one of my passions - and I'd love to share my experiences, successes and misfortunes in the kitchen with the world. (Or at least, with the small part of the world that cares to read about it.

Allison Sklarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462270438347142591noreply@blogger.com0