Dressing or dip, this versatile Herby Ranch Dip is creamy and delicious, easy to make, and uses ingredients you have on hand. This herby ranch dip is where delicious meets practical! It was developed with my usual zero waste cooking habits at the forefront of my mind, but with the need for a tasty summertime dip that goes with everything. Inspired by the first fresh chives sprouting in my herb garden, this herby ranch dip is designed to help you waste less food, such as wilted herbs and dairy dregs, and at the same, time, eat more vegetables. It’s going to become your go-to dip recipe for spri ..read more

A rustic, comforting fish chowder that comes together easily and is ready in under an hour. My new favourite chowder is fragrant and brothy, filled with chunks of haddock and tender white potatoes. A maritimer should always have a handy chowder recipe at the ready, however I’ve found that most are overly thick and cloying. This white fish and leek chowder is rustic and wholesome, mostly because it features affordable fish instead of a pot full of seafood. However, if you’re looking for a shellfish extravaganza, try my Simple Cioppino or head straight for an East Coast Seafood Boil. This simple ..read more

Ten recipes for cooking and baking with the versatile winter beet. Inspiration for every meal of the day, plus dessert. Beets are coming home with me at every farmers market these days. Not merely because there’s less selection for locally grown vegetables in February, but beets are a winter staple in the Simple Bites kitchen. With my Ukrainian heritage, I come by my love of beets honestly; it’s just in our DNA. However, it was my years as a fine dining chef that opened my eyes to the versatility of this humble root vegetable. I had one mentor who’s favourite vegetable was The Beet and we feat ..read more

Batch cooking helps these Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls come together quickly. It’s a well-balanced weeknight dinner that the whole family loves. We eat a lot of big nourishing power bowls in January. It just works well to have pre-cooked food stashed in the fridge and freezer, and family members can build their own dinners. These versatile chicken meatballs can be prepped in big batches and frozen, ready for when you need a fast meal. They are light and full of flavour, thanks to fresh ginger, green onions and a splash of sesame oil. The Versatile Chicken Meatball In January, we eat from the pa ..read more

“Some say that home cooking is doomed, but I am convinced that the golden age of home cooking is yet to come…In this world of screens and anxiety, to talk about cooking feels like something that is real and honest and good.” Bee Wilson, The Secrets of Cooking Five years ago I wrote How (and why) to Start a Cookbook Club. It was a response to the questions I was frequently asked about my newly organized group here in Halifax, a sort of dinner-club-slash-book-club. I’m thrilled to say that we are still going strong, with many of our original members, and several delightful new additions. We’ve ..read more

Among the seemingly infinite wisdom of Bee Wilson’s new book, The Secrets of Cooking, a simple life hack for the best omelet recipe jumped out at me. Friends, better and easier omelets are just a step away, thanks to one ingredient. As food writers collectively predict their culinary trends for the new year, I’m, yet again, serving up a classic dish: the omelet. Sure, I’m curious about hot new flavours and fads, but there are some foods that deliver nostalgia, comfort and nourishment, and that is appealing to me. Paired with a slice of cinnamon swirl spelt toast, and a light green salad, there ..read more

I can’t quite remember when Italian chopped salad became synonymous with Christmastime in our home, but as soon as I see the radicchio display at my local market in December, my mind goes right to this Nancy Silverton favourite. It’s a pre-Noel staple, balancing out the sugar high of my annual cookie swaps, and sticking around long after Santa’s visit to help us use up leftover meats and cheese from the deli drawer. The Italian chopped salad is a holiday lunch for all when no one wants to cook and a pot-luck mainstay for casual gatherings with friends. This famous chopped salad has taken many ..read more

It’s official. Cranberries are my favourite Christmas holiday flavour. I love the vivid pop of colour and bright, tangy flavour they bring to every dish, both sweet or savoury. ‘Tis the season for this local fruit, both wild growing and cultivated in bogs all around Nova Scotia. Whether you enjoy them fresh or dried, cranberries deserve a spot on the holiday table. In this cranberry recipe round up, I’m showcasing some of my favourite recipes from the Simple Bites archives to inspire a kitchen project or two. From easy appetizers to breakfast bakes, showstopper desserts and preserves, there’s ..read more

by Aimee I whipped up a particularly delicious sandwich the other day. A lunch for one, now that we are back in a school/work routine. I had used up leftovers, with favourable results, and it got me thinking about food waste and how much of it can be avoided. So I sat down here to share how to build a better sandwich. Of course, I ended up expanding on the subject. The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is tomorrow, Sept 29. Today feels like a good time to revisit the topic and share some of my best strategies for the home cook. International Day of Awareness of Foo ..read more

by Aimee Summer is flying by. The wild blueberries ripening on my own lakeshore are an indication that peak berry season is here. I’m prepared for this sweet time of year, with my jam jars washed, and the chest freezer ready to be refilled with strawberries, raspberries and more. Here’s a blueberry recipe round-up to inspire you in the kitchen as we head into late summer! From comforting muffins to a classic cobbler, there’s a special recipe here to enjoy today. Blueberry Recipe Round-Up Most people associate Nova Scotia with prime seafood, but I think it’s the wild blueberries that are the se ..read more