winter – Cocoa Bean The Vegetable

Clementine and Hazelnut Cake with Orange Blossom Buttercream

April 2, 2016

Sunshine is one of those things that Canadians never take for granted- especially in the dead of winter when you become hungry for light and to hear the birds sing. To celebrate the return of sunshine, I made a cake (how else would you celebrate?) that welcomes the incoming spring with orange blossom, and says adieu to winter with the last of ...

breakfast, condiment, sweet, winter

Lime and Persimmon Marmalade

March 6, 2016

Marmalade is a creation that is both sweet and tart- and I like to make my own as I prefer it more on the tart side. Especially when heavily slathered with hot butter and toasted baguette! This recipe uses limes which add a heavy citrus note, and is paired with persimmons. If you don’t know what persimmons are, they’re a large ...

main dish, recipe, vegetable, year-round

Whiskey Three-Bean Chili

January 27, 2016

Are you watching the super bowl next weekend? I’m not a huge football fan, but I do love the spirit and excitement it brings. My favourite part is cooking up some delectable delights that are enjoyed by everyone! But with the many dietary restrictions cropping up among friends, it can be hard finding something that suits everyone’s ...

autumn, main dish, recipe, sponsored, sweet, vegetable

Apple Butter Tacos with Mango Cilantro Salsa and Cream Puff Pudding Cake

December 8, 2015

I recently partnered with M and M Meat Shops to create some fun and festive recipes for the upcoming holiday season. And what fun it was! I scouted out their nearest location and, after visiting their website and reserving my items online (which is a great feature!), I went to visit their storefront. The staff was very keen to help me out- ...

breakfast, condiment, recipe, spring, sweet

Honey and Orange Rhubarb Compote

June 16, 2015

I grew up with rhubarb growing in great bushels in my backyard. A childhood friend would gnaw on the raw stalks- he knew well enough not to eat the poisonous leaves- but I found it terribly acidic and sour. My face would twitch and my eyes would water and my mouth would twist and close tightly as I waited for the experience to subside. Even ...

recipe, sweet, year-round

Guinness Cupcakes and Bailey Cream

February 18, 2015

I believe cupcakes will never fall out of trend. They clearly took the foodie world by storm (and the homemade donut-shaped cakes followed suited), but I honestly believe there will always be room in a chef’s repertoire for a perfect no-plate-needed cupcake recipe. But cupcakes do have a juvenile element to them, don’t they? I ...

collaboration, recipe, snack, sweet, winter

Traditional Dark Fruitcake

December 29, 2014

Fruitcake is one of those treats that is both traditional and yet constantly renewing itself, thanks to the freedom the recipe offers. Don’t like nuts? Forget ’em. Not a fan of cherries? Forget them too. A big fan of candied orange peel? Add more! My dear friend Rebecca will guide us through a dark fruitcake recipe, describing the ...

recipe, sweet, winter

Vanilla Cardamom Shortbread

December 23, 2014

Shortbread is a classic. For many, it’s a favourite! And although delicious, it often gets overlooked during holiday parties and is often the only lonely cookie left on the plate. But I’m here to change that. You’re welcome, shortbread. We’ve revamped this buttery and crumbly treat by adding extra vanilla extract and a ...

autumn, recipe, snack, sweet, vegetable

Butternut Squash Cake with Brown Sugar Cream

October 19, 2014

The opulent selection of squash and gourds at the Farmer’s Market is one of the most decorative and delicious parts of autumn. In fact, for Canadian Thanksgiving I even made them into place settings! This picture is from my Instagram account: Thanksgiving name tags done! 🙂 A photo posted by Cocoa Bean, The Vegetable (@cocoabeantheveg) on ...

breakfast, recipe, sweet, winter

Pink Grapefruit and Rosemary Cornmeal Cake

May 6, 2014

My friends Priscilla and Patrick are getting married in less than a month, and we had a bachelorette party for Priscilla last Saturday. There were lots of decorations (pink, pink, and more pink), dancing, drinking, and of course food. I made a lemon meringue pie (it was gone in a flash- no pictures to prove its existence unfortunately) and the ...