FREE - Virtual Pasta Cooking Class

I always try to find a glimmer of light among the darkness. Amid everything that's going on the world right now, the light is this: we are all finding innovative ways to communicate and spend time with each other.

Invite your family and friend to this fun event- no matter where they may be. Call your Mom in New Brunswick, or your best friend from Manitoba. We've already built a great community through recipes - let's spend this Sunday in the kitchen - together. <3

If you'd like to cook along with me, here is the full recipe:

https://www.cookingwithjax.com/2014/06/easy-homemade-pasta.html

To join - click on this link from a desktop:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/239175723

Or download the Zoom App from a smartphone or tablet and enter:

Meeting ID: 239 175 723

You don't need a pasta maker to take this class - a rolling pin (or even a bottle of wine!) will do the trick!

Raspberry Jam

There's few things I cherish more in this world than spending time with my Grandparents.  They live in my favourite place on earth - Vancouver Island.  I live a full day's commute away from them, which involves a beautiful drive through my favourite highway (93 - Jasper to Banff), the Okanagan (hello fruit and veggie stands!), followed by a 2 hour ferry ride, and another hour's drive to get there.  The journey is nearly as fun as the destination! 

Shae’s Wonderade

Youth entrepreneurship is alive and well in Hinton. This upcoming Saturday June 22, Community Futures West Yellowhead is hosting “Lemonade Day” - a day focused on encouraging youth to open their very own business.  The program fully immerses youth into the experience of being a business owner and focuses on every aspect of entrepreneurship right down to writing a business plan, applying for business licenses and food permits, and developing their own unique recipes.  They are mentored every step of the way, and I had the privilege to be a part of the recipe development stage.  

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

Fried chicken is one of my ultimate comfort foods, and I feel like that probably rings true for a lot of us.  If I could pick the perfect meal, it would consist of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans from the garden, with a fresh fruit cobbler and vanilla bean ice cream for dessert.  Clearly I’ve given this some thought. 

Fresh Salsa & Guacamole

This month I want to focus on recipes that are meaning for sharing.  With the holidays upon us, potlucks and gatherings are aplenty, and I wanted to arm you with a quick an easy contribution that can be made a few days in advance, and can easily be integrated into nearly any menu keeping considerate of many dietary restrictions. 

Salted Dry Caramel

It was back in 2011, during my first year of blogging, that I first attempted to make a caramel sauce. Back then I didn’t know the difference between wet and dry caramel. After attempting a few different recipes and failing hard (have you ever seized sugar before? It’s not pretty), I found success in an unlikely place – a recipe that ended up being a mash up of Martha Stewart’s favourite caramel recipe… and Jimmy Fallon’s. This recipe has served me well - I’ve used it as a topping for lattes, ice cream Sundays, cupcakes, and even popcorn on one occasion. Though my trusted Frankenstein of recipes calls for the candy thermometer I can never find, and burns quicker than the window to use a ripe avocado, it has been my go to recipe for all things caramel for the past 7 years. That was until I discovered the beauty of dry caramel this summer. What is the difference between wet and dry caramel? I’m glad you asked.

Charcuterie Featuring Martin's Apple Chips

This post was sponsored by Martin's Apple Chips.  I received monetary compensation and product in exchange for this post. As always, all thoughts and options are my 100% my own, and I only work with brands that I use in my own kitchen.

This past week social media accounts far and wide were flooded with the traditional first day back to school photos. I really enjoy scrolling through my friend's posts, seeing how much their family's have grown since I last saw them, and feeling nostalgic when their kids are entering a grade I vividly remember.