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The Amazing Pomelo – A How To Tutorial

The Inspiration of Urbnspice Series

I live in the Okanagan Valley in beautiful British Columbia. Now that the colder weather has arrived, I truly miss the abundance of seasonal fresh fruit. There are a number of alternatives now available in the grocery stores that are unique and delicious. One of the seasonal fruits that are currently available at this time of year are pomelos, which are similar in appearance to a grapefruit but larger. A Pomelo is an interesting citrus fruit native to South and South Eastern Asia. What is noteworthy about pomelo – the largest cultivated citrus fruit, is that it is an original citrus species from which a number of cultivated citrus fruits were hybridized from.

Pomelo is often described as a mild tasting grapefruit. In this post, I will address some of the unique characteristics of pomelo. I will teach you how to prepare and use a Pomelo. I will discuss not only the fruit of the pomelo but also the peel and the pith – all of these pomelo parts have their usefulness.

How to Buy a Pomelo:

When purchasing pomelo, look for a fruit that feels quite heavy for its size, and is unblemished with no soft spots. It should be kept refrigerated and used within a week. The pomelo that I purchased was a sweet seed-free pomelo, however, there are varieties that are very tart. Eating the sweet pomelo fruit is a refreshing treat as it does not have the bitterness of a grapefruit and has a slight sweetness. The thin peel of the pomelo is very fragrant and useful in candied peel, mild marmalade and confectionery. The fruit of a pomelo is in its core, surrounded by a thick layer of spongy pith. Unfortunately, the pith is often discarded. In this post, I will outline a very interesting option regarding how to effectively use the pomelo pith.

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Chicken, Millet and Spinach Appetizers

By Denise Pare-Watson

We all have a repertoire of appetizers that we make year after year. These recipes are family favourites that we look forward to making and sharing. Sometimes, it is nice to change things up a bit. This recipe for Chicken, Millet and Spinach Appetizers was developed because I was looking for a way to incorporate lean ground chicken into a lighter first course or appetizer. The final result was this recipe for Chicken, Millet and Spinach Appetizers – a delicious, attractive and lean recipe.

Millet was chosen as an ingredient in this recipe for several reasons – it binds well with the delicate texture of the ground chicken and it is also gluten-free and inexpensive. Millet is an ancient seed that one-third of the world uses in their diet because it is rich in iron, B vitamins and calcium. The chlorophyll from the spinach and parsley tints the ground chicken mixture to a unique green colour. This makes the appetizers a colourful addition to the holiday season due to their garden-fresh appearance. I encourage you to try this delicious appetizer – not only for the holidays but all year around.

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Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas

By Denise Pare-Watson

This recipe for Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas is Grey Cup Party food at its best! It is quick and easy to put together, but more importantly, delicious! They are little pizzas made in a handheld form. Make lots – your guests will be clamouring for more.

Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas | urbnspice.com

Make lots! They will disappear very quickly!

I was involved in a food challenge a few years ago that wanted us to develop original recipes for the Little Potato Company. On my blog, you will find the results of my creativity including a family-sized version of Smashed Potato Pizza, as well as Sausage and Potato Stuffing, Bacon Cheese Potato Cups and Potato Crusted Quiche (all gluten-free recipes). I have re-invented the Smashed Potato Pizza and made it into small appetizer sized pizzas. These Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas have the crispy edges that are so appealing and flavourful. Toppings are kept simple given the well-seasoned smashed potato base; sliced grape tomatoes, chiffonade of basil, sliced green onion, mozzarella and bocconcini cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Don’t forget to serve the Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas with Dressed Up Sour Cream….

Gluten Free Pate Brisee

By Denise Pare-Watson

As a pastry chef, Pâte Brisée became one my favourite go-to pastry recipe because of its buttery, flaky texture. I use this pastry to make all types of pies and tarts. This pastry adapts well to gluten-free, hence my sharing of this Gluten-Free Pate Brisee. You can prepare this pastry using an electric mixer, or by hand using a pastry cutter. One of the benefits of making this pastry is that you can use it right away – not the usual case for typical pastry doughs because most need to be refrigerated before you can use them. You will find that the results are excellent as the pastry holds up and browns well in the oven, which is commonly an issue with many gluten-free pastries.

Gluten Free Pate Brisee tarts | urbnspice.com

Gluten Free Pate Brisee Mini Pickle Pie

Refer to my links for creative ways to use this gluten-free pâte brisée such as Pickle Pies or Australian Meat Pies, or even the Ultimate Maple Butter Tarts. I use Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Baking Flour for my gluten-free baking….

Pickle Pie, Please!

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Inspiration of Urb’n’Spice Series

What can I do when my adorable three-year-old grandson asks me to make him a Pickle Pie? His Momma was not sure where he came up with the idea for Pickle Pie. Apparently, he babbled about pickle pie for a whole day before she sent me this endearing video. To be honest, as a chef, I was very intrigued and as a grandmother, I would do anything for the little guy. I am always up for a challenge, so I set to work on figuring out how to fulfill his plea for pickle pie.

Presenting: The Pickle Pie Video Request

When I started my pickle pie quest, I wanted to develop a recipe with little children in mind. No fancy ingredients, just good tasting food that would appeal to all ages. Potato, cheese, pickles and pastry evolved into the key ingredients and when combined together, an irresistible flavourful potato filling was the end result. The flaky pastry just added to its overall appeal.

I made two versions of this recipe – one was miniature pies and the second version was small turnovers that are the perfect size for a little guy to hold. Look under the “What Else Can I Do With This Recipe?” section to see the variation – miniature Pickle Pie turnovers.

I had fun with this unique request and I am delighted with the results. My taste-testers (my other daughter and her little ones) gave me a thumbs-up and an “Omgawd – we all adored the pickle pies!” If you try making these pickle pies – tell me what you think. I enjoy hearing from all my readers….

Herb and Butter Sunday Roast Chicken

By Denise Pare-Watson

I have some great childhood food memories of Sunday dinners with my family around a large dining room table. The conversation was always lively and animated given our French Canadian heritage. The aromas drifting from the kitchen always made my stomach rumble in anticipation of the wholesome home cooking. Some of my favourite family dinners were Mom’s pot roast, roast leg of lamb or roast chicken, surrounded by potatoes and carrots from the garden which were always cooked in the same pot. All of these meals had one thing in common – they were prepared and placed into the oven with minimal fuss and roasted slowly. Fast-forward to today; a roast dinner is still my favourite meal on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I love planning the entire meal from the main dish to the dessert using the heat of the oven to cook several items at once. Our oven meal is often accompanied by local oven-roasted butternut squash, potatoes or Brussel sprouts. If you are the same as me, the big attraction is always the main course. There is no doubt you will enjoy this recipe for Herb and Butter Sunday Roast Chicken, which has been adapted from a popular recipe.

Plated Roasted Herb and Butter Sunday Chicken

This recipe demands no attention once it is placed in the oven – it is a self-basting roasting technique. The bonus sauce from the pan juices is wonderful. Once you try it, I can guarantee that you will add this recipe to your Sunday Roast dinner repertoire. It is that good!

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Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Inspiration of Urb’n’Spice Series

Sometimes inspiration can be derived from necessity. Have you ever gone to the grocery store to purchase a specific ingredient or item and it ends up to be something entirely different than what you expected? This recipe was developed due to a case of mislabelling. I actually needed to buy mild Italian sausage, however, the package was mislabelled and I bought a spicy version instead. Not wanting to waste food, my original meal plan was altered to accommodate this Spicy Sausage and I created the following Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce.

The ingredients for this dish have originated from all over the world: Hot Italian sausage; Chinese Napa cabbage; Canadian mushrooms; Greek yogurt sauce and Asian inspired seasonings. It all comes together into a balanced fusion dish. I encourage you to try it as it is a delicious, quick and nutritious meal.

Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry | urbnspice.com

Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry served in a flour tortilla

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Malteser White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

By Denise Pare-Watson

Have you ever tried a Malteser? It is a confection with a history dating back to the 1930s! American Forrest Mars, Sr. invented the Malteser in England in 1936. They were originally described as energy balls, which were marketed to women as a slimming aid as they had much less chocolate than the chocolates of the day. This classic malt center candy is a tiny light-as-air sphere covered in milk chocolate. While I am not a huge candy consumer, I find these particular bonbons quite unique both in texture and in taste. I have created a cheesecake that incorporates Maltesers, along with white chocolate in the filling. Malteser White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes are an individually baked cheesecake that maintains the crunch of the Maltesers candy as well as highlights the chunks of candy. Try it! You will enjoy it!

Malteser White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

It is interesting to note that Maltesers are one of Canada’s top 10 selling candies, along with popular brands such as Crispy Crunch, Aero Bars, Glosettes and Smarties.

I have incorporated Maltesers into baking before. One of my favourite loaf recipes is Anna Olson’s Malted Milk Chocolate Cakes. I will make that recipe again soon. It is a hit at coffee parties. In the meantime, enjoy this cheesecake!…

Blenditarian Meat Turnovers in a Shortcrust Pastry

By Denise Pare-Watson

BLENDITARIAN CHALLENGE SERIES

Meat pies and turnovers are almost a religion in some parts of the world – the Australian Meat Pie is a very delicious example. My Blenditarian Meat Turnovers in Shortcrust Pastry is a meat-filled pastry, which is similar to the Australian Meat Pies. This recipe for meat turnover has been given a Blenditarian makeover with the addition of minced mushrooms and vegetables.

My favourite choice for the pastry is shortcrust dough because of its sturdy, crispy and buttery characteristics. When a pastry is eaten out of hand, a sturdier, lean pastry is most suitable. In this post, I will guide you through how to make a Blenditarian Meat Blend and a shortcrust pastry, which includes a gluten-free option. The tips and techniques provided will simplify the overall process to inspire the chef in you.

Jump to Meat Turnover Recipe

Jump to Shortcrust Pastry Recipe

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Shortcrust Pastry

By Denise Pare-Watson

One of my favourite doughs for meat pies, tarts, hand pies or meat turnovers is a Shortcrust Pastry because of its sturdy, crispy and buttery characteristics. When a pastry is eaten out of hand, a sturdier, leaner pastry is most suitable. In this post, I will guide you through how to make a shortcrust pastry. I also include a gluten-free option. The tips and techniques provided will simplify the overall process to inspire the chef in you.

Skip to Recipe

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