Apple Pudding
I’ve posted a couple of other pudding recipes like this that are saved to Instagram highlights. It’s funny, pudding in North America is a bit of a dire thing in my opinion – flavourless stuff that comes in a plastic container. Pudding in the UK / Ireland often refers to dessert. These pudding cakes are so delicious, it’s a bit like “pudding” underneath with cake on top. This is a lovely apple one – and if I haven’t said it before, apple anything in my books is always worth making. It is equally as delicious with pears.
February #awnmondays
A good non-stick and cast iron pan can be the start of many great meals. A well-seasoned cast iron pan is functional for so many things from roasting meat, to baking off flatbreads, to making the perfect sauce. A good non-stick pan is great for anything eggy – fried eggs, omelettes, scrambled eggs and so much more. A cast iron pan will last a life time of cared for well, rub gently with oil after each use before storing and re-season them as needed. I use Lodge cast iron in my kitchen.
Introducing #awnmondays
Every Monday I’ll be posting a tip, a favourite kitchen tool, ingredient, cookbook, producer or recipe. Follow along and be sure to tag us if you’re using these tips and recipes!
Awn Kitchen – The Story
There have been so many new followers on social media, new newsletter sign ups and new enquiries so I thought I would share a little background and introduction.
A Year with COVID
I have contemplated writing this blog for some time. I struggle writing it for a few reasons – because I don’t want to come across as ungrateful, or that I am looking for either pity or praise, I also want to be mindful to those who are experiencing this pandemic in...
Update on the Space
I’ve had people reach out and ask for more detail about the space, where we are at, why it’s taking so long etc., so I thought I would write a little (big) update here – from how it started to where we are today. I had an idea of what was involved in finding, designing and building a commercial space, but had you told me I would have started this project when I did and still not be done, I’d have told you that you were crazy! I very much appreciate that everyone is excited and wanting to see updates with progress, and I promise we are getting close to being able to share progress beyond a framed space and an opening date soon!
Seed Starting
Starting seeds is always one of my favourite things to do in the spring. I have had loads of questions about who I buy my seeds from and why so I thought I would share a little post about seeds and some of the other equipment that you need.
Homemade Butter
I must admit I have set out to whip cream and ended up making butter more than once – a reason I often whip cream by hand to ensure I have my eye on it! Making butter from scratch is so simple, quite satisfying and a fun thing to do with kids.
Awn Kitchen is Hiring
Well, it’s finally time to start digging into the wild world of hiring a team during a global pandemic! A little bit of background that might be redundant to some but is important to mention. Awn Kitchen is expanding after five and a half successful years of running a cooking school out of our home kitchen to a retail space in the community of Lansdowne. The space is something we have worked hard to create through lots of time, dreaming and planning – it’s one but two, a workshop and café. It’s divided into two so that both spaces can work independently to one another, but they can also work together when needed. We searched for over a year to find the perfect space and really do feel we have found it, now we just need to build the perfect team as the construction on the space starts to wind down.
Marmalade Cake
This recipe can convert a marmalade hater, it’s brilliantly flavoured with orange and delicious with cream or pouring custard. Light and airy, it can be served with tea or as a dessert.
Ending 2020 With a “Re-rebrand”
It came to my attention the previous logo was too close to that of another Canadian brand and I had to make the tough decision to rebrand again. Although the logo is new, Awn Kitchen still stands for all the same things. This new look will be integrated into...
Traditional Mince Pies
Perhaps one of my favourite Christmas treats!
Quick Pickled Jalapeños
Quick pickled jalapeños are a great thing to have in the fridge to use as a little heat with so many things!
Awn Kitchen’s Moving!
It’s official, Awn Kitchen is expanding to a commercial space on the south side in 2021! 2020 will be a year for us all to remember, that’s for sure. Like so many, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. At the start of the pandemic I really tried to focus on the...
Zucchini + Lemon Pasta
This recipe is inspired by a Bon Appetit recipe.
Flour Tortillas
Homemade tortillas are so easy, a fun thing to do with kids and are super quick to make.
Zucchini Fritters with Minted Yoghurt
This is a versatile recipe – they can be served as a canapé, side or main.
Why Ireland?
I’ve been dreaming of Ireland lately, not sure what it is. The cooler temps, all this wind, a craving to get on a plane and travel? One of the most common questions I get asked is why did I go to culinary school in Ireland? It’s funny because lots of people don’t give Ireland credit for good food, but Ballymaloe Cookery School would change anyone’s mind on that. I went to Ireland for so many reasons, not at all knowing just how much I’d get out of the course.
Tomato and Honey Salad
This is one of my favourite ways to showcase my backyard honey to students in workshops. It’s a great recipe for the bounty of tomatoes that you may have ripening in your basement in cardboard!
Awn Kitchen’s Urban Honey Bees
Three summers ago I decided I wanted to get honey bees. It’s not quite as simple as just making the decision to get bees in the city of Edmonton, there is a bit that goes into it – sourcing the bees and equipment, taking a course, getting permits, etc., which I wrote a bit about last year. I didn’t want honey bees for honey but because they’re pollinators and the most interesting, fascinating insects to learn about.
Last year was my first year with bees and looking back it was an easy year. We had to do a late season split of our hive which meant we had two weaker hives rather than one strong. The resources they had worked so hard to build (honey and pollen) were left theirs for the winter, except for one and a half frames of excess honey after condensing the hives.