White Chocolate Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

The Magic of Christmas is in the air with these White Chocolate Cranberry Shortbread cookies. Can you feel it? 

Wanting another holiday cookie recipe? Try my White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Shortbread always brings back memories of Christmas for me. Having grown up in a large family these where always sure to be there on the living room table for everyone to enjoy! Along with Ginger Snap Cookies and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.

I miss those days honestly, when my Grandma and older folks where around and all of my family lived in one city.

Personally, I just love the Christmas Season because this is about the only time that I really start to embrace the colder months. 

The nights get darker fast and everyone stays inside in most parts of Canada. 

However, that does not stop people from celebrating as they decorate their houses with pretty lights that light almost every street. 

Which creates a warm glow in the dark of night and creates a warmth only Christmas brings. 

It is just so pretty when the snow hits these lights because it literally glistens.

Creating a magical joyful feeling that is hard to ignore, I have even seen many Ebenezer Scrooge’s change overnight with the help of someone’s offer of warm cookies.

What is Christmas without a little home baking?

And if you ask me shortbread is definitely something that can’t be skipped.

Nothing beats homemade shortbread, so I encourage you to try them this year. Once you try these cookies, I’m certain you’ll be requested to make them again. 

And the nice thing is you can make these ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.

Where you can bring them along for others to enjoy wherever you may go this holiday season.

Having tried several shortbread recipes throughout the years, I’m now sharing one of my favorites with you.

The combination of the soft and flaky shortbread, along with the tartness from the cranberries and sweetness from the white chocolate make this cookie so lovely.

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

You will need: directions in the recipe card below.

  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 cups butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1-1/2 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER’S White Chocolate (6 oz.), chopped
  • 1-1/2 cups dried cranberries

Wishing you and yours’s a Joyful and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Notes: After cookies are completely cooled, place in airtight container or plastic freezer bag.  Keep the dough refrigerated if you are going to be making these in batches. Also keep in mind the dough is not meant to be sticky like other cookies this is shortbread after all.

LOOKING FOR MORE CHRISTMAS DESSERTS?

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Best Tourtiere Recipe

This Best Tourtiere Recipe also know as Tourtiere de Maman is a Canadian meat pie that is spiced. And is the perfect recipe to accompany your holiday festivities. 

Looking for another festive dish? Then your gonna want to try my Baked Holiday Ham dish or my Beef Mushroom Wellington or even my Recette Sheppard’s Pie.

Gather your friends and family to enjoy a stress-free comfort meal, with my French Canadian Tourtière 

WHERE DID TOURTIERE ORIGINATE

Tourtiere originated from Quebec from as early as 1600.

And is traditional served during the Christmas holidays. 

IS TOURTIERE FRENCH

Yes, French Canadian.

WHEN IS TOURTIERE EATEN

Nothing beats this pie on the table on Christmas day, well next to some mashed potatoes and gravy of course. Or my popular Shredded Brussel Sprouts recipe!

Tourtiere spices

  • 1 tbsp Savory
  • 1 tsp Ground cloves
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Sage
  • 1 tsp Thyme
  • 1 tsp Celery Salt
  • 1 tsp Season with salt and pepper

Note: not everyone likes Cinnamon in there meat pies, so to each there own. 

How To Make Canadian Tourtière 

  • Start with a pyrex baking dish that is 9.5 x 1.6 deep.
  • Then make the butter crust (see recipe card)
  • And the pie filling
  • Stuff the Tourtière and bake at 375 f for 45 minutes till golden brown.

CAN TOURTIERE BE FROZEN

Yes, as long as the meat that was used was fresh not frozen to begin with. 

So how do I know how to make a traditional Tourtière you may be asking?

Well, I am Canadian, but not Acadian. And have strong French roots on one side of my family.

What is Acadian you may be asking? Acadian peoples originate from eastern Canada.

They actually are the ones who created this recipe to begin with. Then the French out there ran with it and it is now known as a French Canadian or Acadian dish.

This particular recipe for my best Tourtière Pie has been past down from my Great Grandma who was 100% French Canadian. And her ancestors are all from Newfoundland and Labrador territories. 

I have been gifted with her original recipe which was hand written by her a few decades ago.

And, so I had to share it all with you here. 

Growing up Canadian, I was influenced by many cultural groups and thus foods so it wasn’t like I stuck to just one type of food then or now.

However I’ve appreciated all that was taught to me along the way.

One fond memory I do have is that of my great grandma and grandma both in the kitchen together making Tourtière right before Christmas.

I must have been somewhere from 5-10 years old then. And I never knew how precious that memory would be for me as my great grandmother past shortly after. 

I also remember enjoying this dish during Christmas dinner over the years as my aunts always carried the tradition of making it. 

HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES A TOURTIERE MEAT PIE SERVE

One pie typically serves 8-10.

Over the years this recipe has been changed across the generations and each family does prepare it somewhat differently. In eastern Canada, most people there use pork or even rabbit in this pie. 

Oh and be sure to serve this CANADIAN TOURTIÈRE with a dollop of Ketchup. The kids will love that addition too.

PS: don’t skip on the potatoes they really help to hold the pie together. I hope you give it a try this holidays season and let me know what you think.

Could you serve a traditional French Canadian meat pie this Christmas? Could your family like it more than the more traditional Turkey? I would love to know.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

WHICH WINE WITH TOURTIERE

Whites, sparkling or reds all go with them a tourtière pie.

Note: You can freeze this ahead of time, and bring it to any gathering to bake fresh.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TOURTIERE

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

Beef and Mushroom Wellington

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 CRANBERRY STUFFING RECIPE!

Be sure to try these tasty recipes below!

  1. Pork Chops with maple syrup and apples
  2. Maple Bourbon Glaze Ham
  3. Brussel Sprouts with bacon
  4. Butter Herb & Parmesan Mushrooms
  5. Turkey Pot Pies
  6. Creamy Cheese Mashed Potatoes
  7. Honey Mustard Brussel Sprouts
  8. Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic
  9. Canadian Maple Butter
  10. Instant Pot Honey Glazed Carrots

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures

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Thick New England Clam Chowder Recipe

This may be the best Thick New England Clam Chowder recipe you have ever tried.

This is my go to recipe for New England Clam Chowder soup.

It is out of this world delicious!

WHERE DID NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER ORIGINATE 

It is said to have originate in NYC and was introduced by the French, Nova Scotian, or British settlers.

And this here is truly an authentic clam chowder recipe. 

I know because this is my favorite soup in the whole wide World.

I will eat this all day everyday if I could.

An when I say my version it’s quick to make, I mean it. 

WHAT IS NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

It is a milk or cream based clam chowder vs a tomato like another famous chowder called the Manhattan we have all known to love as well.

It is also thicker and made with butter, potatoes, pork in this case bacon, onions and clams.

WHAT DOES NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER TASTE LIKE

Creamy, thick, sweet and salty. 

HOW IS NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER MADE

It is really easy rather, you are simply adding everything to one pot to cook.

Dicing and chopping will take the majority of the time then let the pot do the rest.

Want to save some time with this soup?

Simply use frozen yet clams, there will be no shucking here.

You can have a huge pot of this soup ready to serve in 30 minutes time. 

This soup takes me right back to my childhood, where I used to eat this soup religiously.

I hope you give it a try!

However my family never made it from scratch so I had to settle for the canned stuff.

You know the soup that has way more potatoes than clams? 

Oh the things we remember eh!

My parents used to buy those cans for me by caseload because, they knew I would go through a case in less than 2 weeks.

Well looking back I sure was missing out, now I know how to make real clam chowder.

Long gone are the days of eating thick clumpy chowder from a can and having to add extra cream to it to make it creamy.

Clam chowder soup should be creamy and smooth and filled with clams and there juices. 

Not thick and clumpy and filled with mainly potatoes.

And please don’t add carrots to it, why do some people do that anyway? it’s so so wrong.

Yes there are some people who still prefer a thicker chowder and that is fine, feel free to omit the vegetable stock of that is you.

But please don’t add canned clams, using fresh or frozen is best.

The trick to making the best clam chowder is using fresh or frozen clams and cooking them for just a few minutes at the end to prevent them from becoming rubbery.

HOW TO MAKE NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER SOUP

  • So what are those secret ingredients?
  • Simply Old Bay Seasoning and some Red Wine Vinegar that we will splash in at the end.
  • The Red Wine Vinegar will give it that extra oomph and help tie this soup all together.
  • And clam juice (See below the kind I used for this recipe)

CAN NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER BE FROZEN

Most defiantly! 

I hope you give it a try and if you do I would love to know what you think, just let me know in the comments below.  

Keep in mind if you wanting a lower fat clam chowder, you can always use all milk and omit the cream.

I would not recommend that personally but if your on a diet of some kind then by all means, it’s your chowder.

Don’t mistake this clam chowder with any other and definitely not it’s counterpart named the Manhattan clam chowder.

Which is good but made with a tomato stock rather than cream. I now make this soup in big batches so that I can enjoy it over a few days 🙂

What soup is your go to in the colder months?

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! If you made this recipe i’d love to hear how it turned out!  Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Pumpkin Hamburger Mac and Cheese

Looking for an awesome way to use Pumpkin puree? Well look no further than this delicious Pumpkin Mac ‘ N Cheese with Hamburger recipe. 

If you and your family like boxed hamburger helper, then trust me you have not tried nothing yet.

Because I do to but this stuff is does not even compare!

It gives it that extra creaminess everyone craves with a health benefits of pumpkin! 

So I hope the next time that craving hits for some good old mac n cheese? or some gold old fashion hamburger helper.

You think of this recipe instead, because it’s that much better and healthier for you.

Plus adding in the pumpkin helps to stretch out the meal even further.

So if your feeding a bunch of little ones, you will ample to serve.

This recipe definitely cannot compare to any of the box stuff I just mentioned above.

And that is because this is homemade and you have the say in what kind of ingredients are used.

Also we are adding a whole cup of Pumpkin puree which gives it so much extra flavor. 

Did you know Pumpkin puree is very good for you? It’s true, for one it helps to regulating blood pressure and is good for the heart.

Not The mention is packed full of feel good fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. So this Mac n Cheese is actually very good for you.

Once this recipe has been cooked, feel free to add 1 cup of panko bread crumbs on top along with some more cheddar cheese and bake it in the oven at 400 f for 15 minutes for something extra special.  Totally depends on the time you have and what kind of dinner your wanting to serve!

Also you can go ahead and bake two batches. Just double the recipe with my easy to use recipe adjuster above and then simply use two baking pans.

Comfort food made Healthy!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

Newfoundland Cod Au Gratin

Newfoundland Cod Au Gratin is a traditional recipe that comes from the Maritimes in Eastern Canada. It’s also super easy to make and absolutely delicious! 

Newfoundland Cod Au Gratin

If you’re looking for a excellent recipe that utilizes fresh or frozen cod fish, then you have just found it!

It is finished off in the oven or under the broiler till it gets perfectly browned.

I made my cod au gratin in two oven safe baking dishes, however you can also make this exact recipe in a 8.1in X 2.1in baking dish. 

Wanting to make more? Simply double the recipe with my easy to use recipe adjuster above in the ingredients section! Then you can use a large baking dish and serve more people with that!

WHAT IS COD AU GRATIN? 

Cod Au Gratin is a dish that originates from the maritime provinces in Canada, Newfoundland to be exact. It is a dish consisting of fresh cod, flour, bread crumbs, lemon juice, cheese, and other seasonings and spices.

Some people use breadcrumbs and onions, while others don’t. For this dish we used onion powder, panko bread crumbs and a little dijon mustard. It is all about personal preference when it comes to making this or any dish. 

We ask our Direction of Operation what he thought, about the dishes original origins. He stated that it is a well known fact that Newfoundland has a deep connection to it’s Irish and English heritage.

However he thinks that the dish was introduced by the French. What do you think?

If anyone knows indefinitely, we would love to hear about it! 

CAN I USE FROZEN COD FOR COD A GRATIN?

Yes, and that is what I used. Just be sure to defrost it and pat it dry prior to using. I find the best way to defrost fish is in a warm bath of water. Not hot and not cold, luke warm is perfect. 

HOW TO MAKE NEWFOUNDLAND COD AU GRATIN?

 

HOW LONG TO COOK COD AU GRATIN

  • You will want to start with some fresh cod or frozen that has been defrosted and patted dry.
  • Then you will want to set aside some shredded cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.
  • You will start by heating some milk in a small saucepan till hot, once the milk has reached that hot consistency. Remove it from the heat and create the roux.
  • Create a roux by heating the butter first then flour then whisking the milk in with a whisk to create a smooth texture. 
  • Turn up the heat to medium heat before adding in the parmesan cheese and dijon mustard. Then remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Place the fish in the bottom of a shallow baking dish and toss with olive oil then season with onion powder and salt + pepper.
  • Once the fish has been seasoned, simply pour over the roux and season with fresh dill. 
  • In a small bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs with olive oil and 2 tbsp of water and place overtop of the fish/roux.
  • Cover with the shredded cheddar cheese and bake at 350
  • Individual cod au gratin dishes should take about 30 minutes.
  • Larger dishes take a bit longer, be sure to check the center of the dish to ensure the fish is flaky and cooked before serving! 

I’m really surprised that I have never heard of this dish before, however Canada is a BIG Country.

And Newfoundland is located on the far east and I on the West. So I guess it makes sense, but now that I know of it.

I am forever hooked!! It is not only super simple to make and it is also a very healthy and a hearty meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

WHAT GOES WITH COD AU GRATIN?

  • Salad
  • Corn on the cob, frozen corn or another vegetable of your liking

I recently learned about this dish from another Canadian food blogger named Dawn who is over at Girl Heart Food.

She actually lives in Newfoundland and shared her recipe on her instagram feed last week, I was immediately intrigued and vowed to try it.

After doing some more research on it, I learned their are slightly different ways to make it. And so I used what skills I have in the kitchen and made my own variation. 

I hope you give it a try, because it is absolutely amazing!

CAN COD AU GRATIN BE FROZEN?

Yes, that is if you are using fresh cod to begin with. You will want to purchase the freshest cod possible, then you will make the dish exactly as stated.

However before freezing it, be sure to allow the roux to cool down completely before pouring over the fish and do not bake it. Safe that for the day you want to eat it. Remove from the freezer and simply bake at 350 for 45 minutes till done!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Inspired by two Newfoundland Canadian Bloggers, you can find their recipes here: Cod Au Gratincod au grati

Simple Swedish Meatballs

These Simple Swedish Meatballs are served over a bed of egg noodles in a creamy low fat sauce. A recipe that you and your family are sure to love. 

WHO SELLS SWEDISH MEATBALLS

Costco does but so does President’s Choice. 

So what does that mean? It means you can have creamy Swedish Meatballs on the table in less than 20 minutes! 

That is the reason I call these Simple Swedish Meatballs because really there is no fuss when it comes to making this popular recipe.

You can literally have this whole dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes! 

Making swedish meatballs this way becomes a weeknight meal savor if you ask me. Because instead of making these meatballs from scratch which take a fair bit of time and technique.

Your simply using some pre made meatballs that are fail proof and do not need to be baked. 

Your going to love this really inexpensive dinner option, trust me

This recipe serves a family of four or you can use my easy to use recipe adjuster and make it for more people if you like.

Your family will think you where slaving in the kitchen all day making meatballs when really you were doing other important things 😉

Keep in mind those pre made meatballs come in a package that has 907 grams. I only used 650 grams of those meatballs and that alone feeds four people. So taking that into consideration this recipe is also frugal!

The brand that I like to use is President’s Choice Swedish Meatballs. You can use your favorite pre made meatballs of course and even opt for a chicken or a vegan variety, totally up to you.

Swedish Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food and typically are served overtop a bed of large egg noodles, however you can serve them over mash potatoes as well if  desired. 

I like to saute the meatballs in butter and oil first which helps bring out the flavor more.

Then I will use that same butter and oil to make a roux for the sauce that turns into the most delicious gravy ever.

Also since I typically just cook for me and my partner, I often tend to make dinner for two, three or four people. This recipe will feed four people easily and get this.

Are you cooking for a larger crowd? or perhaps having to provide something for an upcoming potluck?

Then this recipe is sure to be a hit and everyone would be think that you spent a lot of time at it.

If you have a little more time and want to make your meatballs from scratch, I recommend following this recipe for making Classic Baked Swedish Meatballs.

Just be aware that it does take some time and technique, as sometimes they do fall apart while searing them. So cooking them in the oven is best if you are to make them from scratch.

Go ahead and indulge you deserve it!

Note: You can add 1/2 cup of cream to this dish around the time you add in the beef stock if desired. 

Adapted: Jo Cooks

I’m thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

 

Easy Ground Beef Wellington recipe

This Easy Ground Beef Wellington recipe is spiced just right and is family favorite in our house. With the additions of mushrooms and is something that can be whipped up in less than an hour since we are using some pre made puff pastry. 

Looking for another festive dish? Then your gonna want to try my Baked Holiday Ham or even my Recette Sheppard’s Pie.

Your family can enjoy this homemade recipe any time of the year.

But really makes the perfect addition to any Holiday meal.

FUN FACT: Beef Wellington get’s it’s name from a man named Arthur Wellesley who was the first Duke of Wellington. He had a victorious Battle on June 18 1815.

The Duke was given his title after defeating Napoleon Bonaparte the year before, and not long after he became Prime Minister. 

Traditional Beef Wellington was made with fillet steak inside. I have had that at a restaurant once and it was delicious.

However, I wanted to create something different. And mix the best of both worlds, beef and mushrooms. This recipe has now become popular on this blog, I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think. 

HOW TO MAKE HAMBURGER BEEF WELLINGTON

This recipe is made with lean ground beef, onions, mushrooms, eggs, panko bread crumbs, flour, red wine vinegar, worcestershire sauce and seasoned with fresh thyme and rosemary.

Be sure to use fresh thyme and rosemary in this recipe, it makes all the difference.

Also do not skip on the worcestershire and red wine vinegar it helps to merge all the flavors together. 

HOW TO MAKE PUFF PASTRY

I used a pre – made puff pastry to save time, (see below) The pre – made puff pastry I recommend is from Tenderflake. The box has 397 grams of puff pasty in it!

 

Simply remove it from the package, allow it to defrost for 1 hour and sprinkle with flour before rolling it out. 

Fill the pastry with the Beef and Mushroom mixture.

Brush with the egg wash.

And make impressions to the dough as so with a fork.

Looking for a FANTASTIC homemade puff pastry recipe?

I have one here in my in my “Turkey Pot Pie” recipe instructions.

You may be more familiar the more traditional “Beef Wellington” type recipes. Which have you using Beef tenderloin or fillet instead of hamburger.

However, this recipe is just as good and if you use brown mushrooms alongside the hamburger it becomes absolutely amazing.

You will be able to serve 3 peoples for dinner easily with this. And if your wanting to serve more, I would recommending make 2 of them. Which is not hard to do at all!

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Want more Christmas & Thanksgiving recipes?

Canadian Tourtiere Recipe

 
 

Also check out my roundup of Thanksgiving & Christmas Recipes from around the World or my 10 delicious stuffing recipes! for more inspiration!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures

Stay connected and follow along on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for all of my latest recipes!

 

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

This juicy and tender Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts are done one in the oven. Who doesn’t love deep fried chicken? It’s tender, crispy and full of undeniable flavor, but so is this.

I used to eat it allot, back in the day when I was young and really not paying attention to my diet. I used to get the take out kind, from one of my favorite chain restaurants which I won’t mention. I mean a lot, once a week at best.

However these days I like to make this kind of chicken at home, where there is no deep fryer involved. Plus instead of using chicken with the skin on, which of course you can do if you like. I choose the lean skinless chicken breasts most times when I am making this recipe. And let me tell you, this recipe is something AMAZING!

Some people like to marinade there chicken in buttermilk 24 hours prior to making oven baked chicken, however don’t. Even though this step helps to tenderize the chicken, I find it just adds more fat and takes more time, so I simply pound each breasts on a cutting board prior to tenderize mine.

Also there is a secret ingredient in this recipe, and that is the addition to the panko bread crumbs a package of kraft oven fry extra crispy chicken seasoning. See below for the exact brand I use. Serve with some honey mustard if desired! 

 

With this recipe, you can have 5 Crispy oven baked breasts done in under 1 hour. Wanting to feed more people? Simply double to recipe up and use two pans, easy enough eh?

Now get ready for the best oven baked chicken that is sure to knock your socks off. Your family will be surprised that there was no deep fryer used to make this delicious chicken.  And you can start feeding your family healthier one day at a time, without them hardly noticing the change. I hope you give my recipe a try and let me know what you think… could you switch to baked vs deep fried chicken now.

 

Extra Crispy Shake N Bake and Parmesan cheese. 

 

Note: Make enough to create a few meal preps bowls for the week ahead, simply add some corn to the bowls first then chicken on top. And then you will have the most healthiest southern style baked chicken and corn to enjoy later.

 

 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

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