Wondering what the cutest dish on the blog is right now? Well, it's these mini meat pies with soy sauce right here. A flakey puff pastry stuffed with delicious, juicy and flavourful meat inside. Thanks hubby, for another amazing dish.
Healthier Caramel Apple Fall Cheesecake
This right here, ladies and gentlemen, are what fall dessert dreams are made of....decadent and light, homemade healthier caramel apple fall cheesecake. It is made with a graham cracker crust, coated in caramel sauce, and topped with caramel apples and almonds. Heaven.
Apple and Arugula Flatbread
Apple, arugula and pecans... these ingredients are just meant to be put together. Throw in some crispy flatbread and warm, melty aged cheddar, well that's what we call magic. You seriously can't go wrong with apple and arugula flatbread.
Easy Homemade Apple Hand Pies
When your family has a big apple tree in their yard, you make apple recipes all month! Today's feature, brought to you by my hubby Danny, are easy homemade apple hand pies (proud wife over here)! These are basically apple pie in a different form, or what I like to call "apple pie calzones". They are stuffed with tender, sweet cinnamon apples, and wrapped in crispy, flakey, buttery crust.
How to Make Apple Hand Pies
To make these little hand pies, you will need to gather the following refrigerator and pantry staple ingredients:
- pastry dough - made with flour, sugar, butter, salt, ice water
- apples
- butter
- cinnamon
- brown sugar
- flour
- egg
- salt
How to Fold Hand Pies
The most complicated part of this recipe is figuring out how to roll out the dough and fold it into little hand pies. But once you figure out the first one, the rest will be much faster and easier. Here is what you need to do:
- Place apple filling at centre of dough.
- Fold over dough, leaving ½-inch overlap. Push down to seal the filling. Fold over the overlap and press down to seal.
- Crimp the edges using your fingers (or a fork).
What else is so great about this recipe? Well, you can make this ahead of time. Just prepare the hand pie crust and the apple filling and store them in the refrigerator. When you are ready to make and bake, you assemble the hand pies and bake!
Storing Apple Hand Pies
Baked apple hand pies can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. It can be stored for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator.
You can also wrap them tightly with aluminum foil and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw and re-bake at 350 F for 5-10 minutes.
Serve these warm apple apple hand pies as is, or with a scoop of your favourite flavour of ice cream on the side. I just can't wait to make these again… and again!
Banana Nut Bread
Nutty banana bread is the perfect fall recipe. It's warm and comforting, and just the perfect compliment to a warm cup of tea or coffee on a cold, rainy fall day. The combination of ripe bananas, crunchy walnuts, sweet and tangy raisins and dried fruit creates a soft and moist loaf that is truly irresistible.
Brussels Sprouts Salad with Warm Lemon Anchovy Vinaigrette
Have you ever eaten raw brussels sprouts? I'm not talking about biting into one whole, but serving them thinly sliced in a salad? They're perfect - they're sturdy enough to hold their shape, even when shredded, but are far less bitter than biting into heartier, leafy greens.
Healthy Fish and Chips with Homemade Tartar Sauce
So this summer, while my husband has been off on paternity leave to help take care of our little one, he has been working up a storm in the kitchen, and I am so okay with it! He literally tries something at a restaurant and then recreates it at home. I've gotten so used to him whipping up some amazing recipes that I am really dreading him having to go back to work. His latest creation is healthy fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce. I mean... come on! Proud wifey over here.
Spinach Tomato and Prosciutto Pizza
Did you know that you don't need to make a trip to the frozen aisle of the grocery store in order to make pizza at home? Of course you know that. But did you know that you can make pizza from scratch in about 40 minutes (plus extra time to allow the homemade dough to rise)? Well now you do! Let me introduce you to my new best friend: spinach tomato and prosciutto pizza.
15-Minute Fish Burgers with Creamy Slaw
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.
