What makes the perfect summer day even more perfect? It's juicy, it's flakey, packed with flavour and has the perfect golden colour. Intrigued? I am talking about 15-minute fish burgers with creamy slaw.
Caramelized Onion and Herbed Goat Cheese Flatbread
Need proof that quick and simple vegetarian dishes can pack a punch while also filling you up? Well, all you need to do is whip up a quick caramelized onion and herbed goat cheese flatbread!
Caramel Cheesecake Brownies
There is something so completely satisfying about a thick, fudgy brownie. These caramel cheesecake brownies are totally indulgent and worth the effort, so toss that prepared brownie mix to the side and head to the store to grab these simple ingredients.
Sheet Pan Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs
There is nothing that beats a quick weeknight dinner that is bursting with flavor, and this sheet pan soy-glazed chicken thighs does just that. It needs about 30 minutes to sit in the marinade - no resting overnight or prepping before heading off to work - and packs in so much flavor. Easier and healthier than take out, but just as satisfying!
Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage, Broccoli Rabe and Roasted Red Peppers
Orecchiette pasta with sausage, broccoli rabe, and roasted red peppers is my new go-to pasta! It's such a great mix of spicy, sweet, and crunchy, and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. A weeknight game changer, for sure!
Tandoori Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
Why do insanely flavourful meals loaded with chicken and vegetables have to be super complicated to make? Well, stop what you are doing right now because 30-minute tandoori chicken sheet pan dinner is on the menu tonight! Buh-bye take-out.
Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Heart Cookies
Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate love this year with these adorable chocolate-dipped shortbread heart cookies. They are sure to bring a smile onto your hunny's or friends' faces.
Curried White Bean Crostini with Toasted Pepitas
It's New Year's Eve tomorrow, and you are scrambling for the perfect holiday appetizer to serve at your big bash. Well, say hello to the most perfect answer! Curried white bean crostini with toasted pepitas. Sophisticated ingredients, simple to make, and never disappoints.
Glazed Brown Sugar Bundt Cake
No one will be able to resist this perfectly sweet and moist brown sugar bundt cake or the sweet glaze drizzled on top. The secret to making glazed brown sugar bundt cake irresistible? Use Greek yogurt or sour cream. It creates the most decadent and rich cake you can imagine.
Butternut Squash Galette (Free-Form Tart)
This butternut squash galette (free-form tart) is the perfect meal any time of day! Serve it with a fried egg for breakfast or alongside a big salad for lunch or dinner. Just try to stop after one slice - I bet you can't!
Warm Lentil Salad with Butternut Squash and Shiitake Mushrooms
This warm lentil salad with butternut squash and shiitake mushrooms is the most comforting vegetarian main! You can serve it with roasted chicken or salmon, but I love how completely satisfying it is on its own.
Pumpkin Pie Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze
Pumpkin spice - is there any other flavour more indicative of the arrival of fall? Once you start seeing those pumpkin spice lattes arrive at Starbucks or pumpkin recipes all over your favourite blogs or in restaurants, you know that sweater weather and boots are just around the corner, if not already here. So we are celebrating the arrival of fall this year with pumpkin pie bundt cake with cream cheese glaze, and I cannot be more excited!
Back to School Turkey Pinwheels
Happy September! It's that time of the year where you are getting the kids ready for back to school, or you are getting ready to go to work after a long summer vacation, or you are getting ready for game day season to start up again. Well, one less thing to think about is food. Back to school turkey pinwheels are bite-sized finger food perfection and will make back-to-school lunch planning for the kids OR entertaining guests at lunchtime OR serving appys on game day a total breeze!
Sheet Pan Miso Salmon with Bok Choy and Sweet Potatoes
Sheet pan suppers are the newest trend for easy weeknight meals, and for good reason. Besides having incredibly easy clean up, each ingredient flavours the others as they cook side-by-side, and you're left with unbelievable bursts of flavour in every single bite. Sheet pan miso salmon with bok choy and sweet potatoes in no exception.
Smoked Mackerel Fish Cakes
When the calendar changes to June, it's officially summer in my books. When I think of summer, I think of food, and for some reason when I think of summer food, I think of fish cakes. Maybe that's because of the large amounts of Filet-o-Fish's that I consumed as a kid... or maybe because seafood with freshly squeezed lemon juice on top kind of goes hand-in-hand with patio season and warm sunny days.
Grilled Chicken and Avocado Burritos
Cinco de Mayo has come and gone but can we still celebrate? I mean it is still Cinco de Mayo month, right? Well, we think so! Mexican food is one of my favourites so any excuse to make and eat this stuff is a big win for me. On a side note, we kind of had a huge hard drive scare here in China, but luckily after a few weeks and a lot of trouble, we were miraculously able to recover our files! These grilled chicken and avocado burritos were on that hard drive and were supposed to be shared for Cinco de Mayo, but it's kind of a dish that you can have all season long because chicken and avocado in a burrito is life.
Upside-Down Caramel Apricot Tart
Apricots are finally, FINALLY here and it's time to rejoice! To celebrate, I made an upside-down caramel apricot tart. Trust me, it's worth the wait.
Baked Pasta with Rotisserie Chicken and Shiitake Mushrooms
Baked pasta with rotisserie chicken and shiitake mushrooms is my personal hero. It's quick prep and cook time (under 30 minutes!) makes it easy enough for a weeknight meal, but has enough pizazz to be the star of your next dinner party. And the flavour - oh my gosh! Don't get me started on that!
Pickled Red Onion and Blue Cheese Spinach Salad
I don’t know about you, but I could eat spinach salad every single day. Here, the bold flavours of blue cheese, maple bacon, and dried cranberries compliment the pickled red onions, creating the perfectly balanced dish — salty, sweet, acidic. Every bite of pickled red onion and blue cheese spinach salad is the perfect bite!
Baked Mashed Potato Spring Rolls (JOEY Copycat)
Thank you Potatoes USA for sponsoring this post. Make a delicious and convenient meal for your family tonight with potatoes!
Baked mashed potato spring rolls. Yes you read that right. We are talking about the comforting flavours and textures of creamy mashed potatoes covered in a crisp crunchy layer of heaven. Somehow this combination works. It works really well.
Pecan Toffee Bars
Pecan Shortbread Bars are delicious strips of buttery shortbread topped with crunchy nuts. These homemade cookie bars are the perfect treat to enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or tea, or as a snack throughout the day.
The best part? You just to spend 10 minutes of prep before placing these in the oven to bake. Seriously, if you love shortbread, then you will love shortbread topped with pecans.
Why You'll Love these Pecan Toffee Bars
- It's quick and easy to make. These bars take less than 10 minutes to prepare with only 6 simple ingredients which you probably already have in your pantry.
- A lighter version of pecan pie. These pecan toffee bars will remind you of a much lighter version of pecan pie but with minimal calories. This is huge if you are like me and obsessed with all things pecan pie - from Classic Pecan Pie to Pecan Pie Bars to Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars.
- The perfect handheld snack. Because these bars are not super sweet, they classify in between a dessert and a snack. Which means that you can enjoy these as a snack any time of day. You can even sneak in a piece after breakfast.
Ingredient Notes
To make these delicious Pecan Toffee Bars, you will need the following ingredients:
- all-purpose flour
- sugar
- butter
- vanilla extract
- egg
- pecans - If you don't have pecans in your pantry, switch out the nuts with walnuts, slivered almonds, or chopped pistachios. Anything!
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a quarter sheet baking pan.
How to Make the Best Pecan Toffee Bars
- Combine ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, butter, vanilla, and egg yolk. Beat until blended well, scraping down the sides as needed. Spray a small quarter sheet baking pan with baking spray. Turn the dough out into the prepared baking sheet and press with the palms of your hand to even out.
- Add egg wash and pecans. In a small bowl, beat the egg white and brush it on top of the prepared dough. Add chopped pecans. You could add 1 teaspoon of sea salt along with the nuts for a different taste.
- Bake. Bake in a 275 F preheated oven for one hour, or until golden. Cut into strips immediately before the bars harden. Transfer bars to a wire cooling rack to cool.
Recipe Variations
- Change the nuts. If you don't have pecans in your pantry, switch out the nuts with walnuts, slivered almonds, or chopped pistachios. Anything!
- Add chocolate. You can pull the bars out 5 minutes early and add chopped chocolate or chocolate chips, then return to the oven and finish baking.
- Give it a salty twist. For a savory twist, add 1 teaspoon of sea salt to the top along with the nuts.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
How to Freeze
To freeze, arrange the shortbread bars in a single layer in an airtight container. Then add a layer of parchment paper and place another layer of shortbread cookies on top. You can also transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen.
More Shortbread Recipes
- Classic Shortbread Cookies
- Slice and Bake Pecan Shortbread Cookies
- Pecan Snowball Cookies
- Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
- Carrot Cake Shortbread Cookies
- Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies with Almond Glaze
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Tiger Prawns in Garlic Ginger Soy Sauce
Happy Chinese (or Lunar) New Year! My favourite thing about Chinese New Year is that my hubby will whip up a bunch of delicious Chinese dishes. This year he surprised me with my favourite perfectly cooked, juicy, tender tiger prawns in delicious garlic ginger soy sauce. So, of course I had to photograph and share his masterpiece recipe with you.
BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal, I’ve got you covered. Throw a couple things in the oven when you get home from work and within an hour you’ve got a gourmet meal ready to go. It's called BBQ chicken stuffed baked potatoes.
Crispy Baked Asian Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are the quintessential game day food, and for good reason! They’re so simple to make and in one batch you can feed a whole crowd. I usually make typical game day buffalo hot wings, but this year I am switching things up and giving my game day wings a bit of Asian flavour in recipe #3 of our Countdown to the Super Bowl series — crispy baked Asian chicken wings.
Baked Turkey Meatballs
When it comes to weeknight menu planning, meatballs reign supreme. Say good-bye to slaving away for hours in the kitchen and hello to dinner in under 20 minutes. Yes, 20 minutes from prep to table! It's called baked turkey meatballs.
Candy Cane Layered Cake
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year! It's the hap -happiest season of all! One of my favourite things about the holidays are the delicious festive treats. Every holiday party needs a showstopper and boy do I have one for you!! It's called candy cane layered cake!!
Garlic Rosemary Rack of Lamb
5 words. Garlic rosemary rack of lamb.
Easy One Pot Chili
Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of chili? I think not. Easy one pot chili, I am coming for you!
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Sauce
Once Thanksgiving is over, the focus turns to those leftovers! There is only so many classic turkey dinners that you can consume in a week. Put those leftovers to good use and make this delicious and festive, leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce. This stuff is drool-worthy good.
Chopped Pecan Pie
Sometimes you just don't want to serve the same typical desserts at your holiday table, yet you still crave those classic fall flavours. Pecan pie is my favourite holiday dessert and I have changed things up this year by giving traditional pecan pie a twist and using finely (or coarsely) chopped pecans instead of pecan halves to create a smooth crispy topping on what I like to now call, chopped pecan pie!
Slow Cooker Beef Stew Ramen
We officially had our first, although short-lived, snow fall this year. It is only the beginning of November! What is happening people? The good news is that it's time to bring out the slow cooker and enjoy more warm, comforting foods and soups at home. Foods such as flavourful, slow cooker beef stew ramen. Drool.
Apple Cardamom Cake with Caramel Pecan Butter Frosting
When you combine the warm and cozy flavours of apples, cardamom, caramel and roasted pecans together, something called magic happens. It is also called the perfect fall cake. Yes this is happening right now people! Apple cardamom cake with caramel pecan butter frosting.
Greek Salad Hummus Flatbread
How is it already mid-August? Where has this summer gone!? After a 2-month break from work, I am starting a new job tomorrow. Which unfortunately means that my weekly posts will be going back down from two to one. Hey, it's quality over quantity, right? Well, quality is the theme of today's recipe aka. my new favourite appetizer. Greek Salad Hummus Flatbread. Yes.
This post was sponsored by Frontier Co-op. The recipe and opinions are my own. [Read more...]
Beef Shish Kebabs
If you are running out of ideas to make for your BBQ picnic this summer, look no more! Nothing completes the perfect summer barbecue more than juicy and tender beef shish kebabs. They are as amazing to look at as they are to eat! Meat and vegetables on a stick? Where do we sign up?
These juicy beef shish kebabs are made with beef steaks that are marinated in a lovely blend of cilantro, mixed herbs and garlic powder. Be sure to also toss your vegetables in little olive oil before skewering to prevent them shrivelling up and drying out on the BBQ.
Once marinated and skewered, these beef shish kebabs take 10-15 minutes to be grilled to perfection! All you have to worry about is figuring out what dishes to serve alongside these. How about some couscous or rice, roasted corn, a fresh green salad, or just on their own with a tall glass of refreshing sparkling strawberry lemonade? Yes, please!
This recipe is perfect for 2 people, but If you are planning to make more, simply double or triple the recipe below. Go wild!
Variation
These kebabs can be relatively lean when using beef steak which are trimmed of visible fat. But if you are watching your hips very closely, this recipe will work equally well with lean chicken breasts. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time to ensure that the chicken is cooked properly and thoroughly.
Szechuan Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Mayo (Cactus Club Copycat)
One of my favourite restaurants here in Canada is Cactus Club Cafe. And I kid you not, I order their spicy chicken lettuce wraps every time that I go there. Whether it's to share with my friends as an appetizer or to devour as my main course. This dish is always on the bill. So, I was inspired to recreate this favourite at home. I was pretty impressed with my results and now I am sharing it with you. Brace yourselves and experience Szechuan chicken lettuce wraps with spicy mayo!
Szechuan cuisine originates from southwest China in the province of Sichuan. The cuisine is comprised of bold and spicy flavours and these lettuce wraps are no exception. Each bite is bursting with bold and spicy flavours. Although this dish isn't very spicy compared to traditional Szechuan dishes, which are immersed in cups of chilli peppers. But that being said, these chicken lettuce wraps still have a little kick to them. I wouldn't recommend these for the faint-hearted.
Just imagine, crispy chicken strips coated in Asian flavoured breadcrumbs, yes I am talking soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. And it doesn't stop there. Toss the chicken in noodles, cilantro, green onions, sweet chilli sauce and sesame seeds. Wrap it all up in a piece of iceberg lettuce, dip it in homemade spicy mayo and crunch away.
How to Make Spicy Szechuan Chicken Lettuce Wraps
To make these lettuce wraps, here's exactly what you will need to do:
- Prepare the panko breadcrumb mixture. Heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and cook until they start to brown. Remove from heat and mix in soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Prepare the chicken. Fully coat each piece of chicken with flour, then dip into an egg and mayonnaise mixture, and lastly into the panko breadcrumb mixture. Place onto a lined cooking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Prepare lettuce wrap filling. Place chicken into a large bowl and add chow mein noodles, green onions, cilantro, peanuts, and sweet chili sauce. Toss to coat.
- Serve. Transfer mixture into serving dish and sprinkle sesame seeds on top and add some lime wedges. Serve with a head of iceberg lettuce, cut in half through the stem.
- Prepare spicy mayo. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, hot sauce, and lime juice together.
- Eat. Scoop a couple spoonfuls of the chicken mixture into a piece of iceberg lettuce, drizzle some spicy mayo on top, wrap it like a taco, and crunch away. Life does not get better than that.
And guess what? Our version is healthier because the chicken is baked and not deep-fried in a bucket of oil! Finally, a dish that you won't feel guilty about! You're welcome 🙂
Ginger and Scallion Dungeness Crab
When your husband takes on a new fishing and crab catching hobby, new seafood dishes are born in your house. We are lucky here in Vancouver for the abundance of Dungeness crabs in our waters. Yesterday my hubby came home with 3 crabs! He went straight to work in the kitchen and created this ginger and scallion Dungeness crab dish. Umm... yum!
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Cracker Bites
Do you know what the easiest bites to make are? I do. It's called smoked salmon and cream cheese cracker bites. It takes literally 10 minutes to make and about 5 minutes to eat! I probably eat about a dozen of them while I am making them. I mean.. come on! Cream cheese spread over a thin crunchy cracker topped with refreshing cucumber, smoked salmon and spicy arugula. How can you not?
Tomato and Mozzarella Tart
Looking for the perfect appetizer or light lunch? Look no further! Pair beautiful ripe tomatoes, decadent fresh mozzarella and jammy red onions together with a scatter of basil leaves and a pomegranate molasses drizzle to create what is known in simpler terms as a tomato and mozzarella tart.
Grilled Spicy Cumin Lamb Skewers
I love everything about summer. The weather, the patios, the outdoor activities and last, but certainly not least, the barbecues! Last weekend, my hubby and I went to the local Asian night market here in Vancouver. The night market has grown into a huge event full of hundreds of vendors. If you want any type of Asian street food, it is there. We have probably tried almost every single vendor! But each year, our go-to favourites are the barbecue skewers. My husband claimed he could make them better so I put him to the challenge. And boy did he do well. He made a batch of mouthwatering, juicy, grilled spicy cumin lamb skewers.
Chicken and Shrimp Dumplings
Soo this just happened. I made dim sum in my own home and scored some major wifey points. And I didn't make just any dim sum, I am talking juicy, flavourful chicken and shrimp dumplings filled with garlic chives, ginger, garlic, and a hint of sesame oil and soy sauce. My mouth drools just writing about it.
Dumplings are so easy to make. The mixture is easy and the cooking process is easy. What is time-consuming is the folding. It takes me at least an hour to fold this many dumplings. I make a big batch so that I can freeze them and use as desired.
Save for a super easy weeknight dinner? Check! ✓
However, if you just don't have the patience to fold 80 dumplings, simply get a family member to help you or just cut the recipe in half.
How to Cook Dumplings
There are three main ways to cook these dumplings: pan-fried, steamed and boiled.
- Pan-Fry: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add dumplings and cook 2-3 minutes until bottom is crisp and golden. Add water (enough to cover the dumplings halfway up), cover, and steam the dumplings for about 5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Steam: In a pot, bring water to boil . Place dumplings in steamer on top and steam for 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
- Boil: Fill a large pot with ⅔ water and bring to a boil. Add dumplings and cook until they float and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
Slow Cooker Moroccan Lamb Stew
5 words. Slow cooker Moroccan lamb stew. Juicy pieces of lamb slow-cooked to tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection, combined with a handful of spices, potatoes and chickpeas.
Just take a minute to take that all in.
Four Quick and Easy RITZ Cracker Recipes
Thank you RITZ Crackers for sponsoring this post. Be sure to check out RITZ Crackers, the delicious cracker for all your entertaining needs, at an Albertsons Companies store near you.
It is finally starting to feel like spring around here. Days are getting longer, birds are chirping, sun is shining... and to top it off, I am finally back home for good after completing a 6-month work contract in a town 2 hours away. Meaning, I can see my hubby all week long (not just on weekends) and I can start hosting some get-togethers at our place. And what takes the stress out of planning and hosting the perfect party? Four quick and easy RITZ Crackers recipes.
