nomnom / energy bites

If you’re just like me, you probably get hungry in-between meals and have to eat snacks to keep up. This week-end I did a little no-bake energy bites recipe with Marie Pier, and I shared it over on LC Living. We had a lot of fun doing it, it was super easy and it tasted awesome so that’s 3 good reasons to try them! Need I say more? I also used ingredients I rarely or never use like goji berries that I enjoyed discovering! You can see the full recipe here, and make sure you let me know in the comments if you try it!

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SWEET DELICACIES / COCONUT MACARONS

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Do you have a sweet tooth, too? If you do, you HAVE to try this recipe. Those delicacies make the perfect host-gifts and they’re guaranteed to be a hit on your next get-together! I know macarons can be scary to bake, but if I can make them, you can too! That why I wrote a new post on LCLiving to give you helpful tips I learned along the way. Perseverance would probably be my key word to achieve these, but I promised it is worth it! Read the full post on LCLiving, for my precious tips on macaron baking and this very sweet coconut macaron recipe!

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A sweet birthday treat

blueberry and white chocolate cupcakes

Last week, one of my co-worker celebrated her 23rd birthday. I made her those easy & delicious cupcakes for the occasion. We have this thing at the office that every birthday someone brings a sweet treat for everyone to share and enjoy at mid-afternoon break. I love this idea! Taking 15 minutes in a day to celebrate a friend while enjoying a home-cooked dessert is not much of an effort!

Since she’s very stylish and girly, I wanted to make cupcakes that reflect her style.  A few onths ago, Wholeport sent me those hard muffin cups and I thought they’d be perfect for her. A simple blue and purple ombre icing and a few homemade flags matched the cute polka dot cups just fine!

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The recipe
As simple as ABC, this recipe was created solely out of my love for white chocolate and blueberries. I already had those two ingredients at home, so I simply decided to add some (about a cup of each) to a store-bought white cake mix and bake it like instructed on the box (I figured those muffin cups need a little more baking time than ordinary paper liners). The berries and chocolate chips ended up ad the bottom of the cakes but they tasted like heaven anyway. Colleagues approved!

The ombre icing
I often get asked how I do this ombre icing that have been my signature on many cakes and cupcakes. I should do a tutorial but honestly it’s too easy to explain. Simply prepare two or three small bowls of icing mixed with food colouring to get different shades. Then randomly fill an icing bag by alternating colours (using white with 2 colours gives great results). When pressing the icing out of the bag the colours will mix and you will get a nice ombre.

 blueberry and white chocolate cupcakes

Will you guys try this? Let me know if you do! &do take time to celebrate your friends, families and co-workers :) It’s always appreciated!

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Cook it / Belgian onion soup

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Hey there! Today, I am presenting you one my favorite comfort food in the winter season,  with a personnal touch, a belgian twist! ha! There’s absolutely nothing like a delicous warm soup when we’re back from a cold day out. The onion soup is also the most heart-warming to me, but this one is special. I replaced white wine (too french!), by Belgian Dark Ale. hmmm! A pure delight !

WHAT YOU NEED:
  • 6 medium onions, peeled and finely choped
  • 3 shallots
  • 3 garlic clove, finely choped
  • 3 tablespoon of butter
  • 3/4 cup of Dark Ale (I used Leffe)
  • 8 cups of beef broth
  • 1 bouquet garni ( thyme, celery leaves and bay leaves)
  • Salt, ground pepper
  • 4 slices of french bread (1/4 inch thick)
  • 2 cups of grated swiss cheese
COOK IT:
  • In a large pot, over medium heat, fry the onions, shallots and garlic in the butter until dark golden. (approximately 30 minutes)
  • Deglaze with beer while scraping the bottom of the pot.
  • Add the broth and the bouquet garni. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes.
  • Preheat over to 200 °C (400 °F).
  • Bake the bread on a baking sheet in the oven.
  • Pour the soup in 4 bowls. place a piece of bread on each and cover with cheese.
  • Broil in the oven. (Warning: the bowls will be very hot)
  • Enjoy !

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Cook it / Belgian butter waffles

Hi there! Today is a great day, and I am sooo happy to share with you guys the new foodies column on the blog, and honored to introduce you to my dear Belgian friend; Xavier. He will be sharing (with the help of his kids, the cutest of all!) some awesome recipes with us from time to time. First up is one of his very favorite recipe of all time, and I can tell, it tastes delicious ! Believe me, Belgians know how to cook !  -M

 

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As kids, we all had colors, odors, flavours that marked our memories. That’s the reason for me to share this recipe as my very first on the blog. Not only did this recipe marked my childhood, but it comes from my grand-mother who taught it to my mother, who then taught me.

It is the perfect companion for a comforting glass of milk on the couch while watching a great movie or simply to accompany a good coffee with friends. Here is how to cook the butter waffles:

WHAT YOU NEED:
  • 500g flour (1 lb)
  • 375g sugar
  • 6 eggs
  • 250g butter (1/2 lb)
  • 2 sachets vanilla-flavored sugar
  • A waffle iron
COOK IT:
  • Beat the eggs in the mixer with the sugar.
  • Gradually add the flour.
  • Melt the butter and add it to the mixture.
  • Bake in the waffle iron until golden.

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Hope you enjoy your cooking and snacking ! Have a great monday!

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