Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Do yourself a favor, make these ! They are delish, and terribly addictive.This easy Cracker Toffee recipe usescrackers and a few common ingredients to make a very  good candy that’s sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey. Who could ask foranything more ??!!  You can make it more gourmet by adding chopped nuts or dried fruit to the top, or adding swirls of white or milk chocolate. You just have to really watch them while they are in the oven..they burn quickly ( I speak from experience ). They make such a lovely gift in a tin or box. Of course you always have the option of not sharing  just making them for your holiday table. I so hope you give these a try ! 1 cup butter (NOT margarine) 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I melt 2 chocolate tablets in the microwave) 40 saltine crackers (about) chopped almonds (optional) Heat oven to 200C / 400F. Line 12x17 cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray . Layer the saltine cracker...

I will warn you right now, this is a very addictive little recipe! It is a great appetizer, that wil have everyone fighting over the dish. With that said, this is however not very diet friendly, unless of course you consider the generous amount of spinach, and artichokes, both of which are vegetables! Any of the dairy products, could be replaced with lite/low fat options, without a hitch, if you wish. 1 can of artichokes (drained and chopped) 2-3 blocks of frozen spinach (thawed and drained) or more 1 small packge grated parmesan cheese ( about 1 cup) 1 bag of shredded cheese ( to your liking) 1 package cream cheese 1 small jar of mayonaise (or about 1 cup) 2-3 minced cloves of garlic salt and pepper to taste chili flakes to taste In a bowl, add the mayonaise, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, shredded cheese, and minced garlic, give everything a quick mix. Next add in the chopped, well drained artichokes, and the thawed, chopped, well d...

Cookies and Christmas, pretty much go together.....like....peanut butter and jelly! This was the first time I ever baked gingersnaps.....why did I wait so long to make these? They are divine, seriously, they were well loved by everyone, in less then 24 hours....they were ALL gone. Did I mention I baked about 7 dozen or more....so you see..they are really, really good. I must give you fair warning, they take quite a while to make, that´s just due to the quantity. I promise they are easy, but be sure to give yourself some time. The morning I made these, cutie pie ,  Mr.Michael Buble  crooned in the background, his wonderful Christmas album. So no rushing when you make these...choose a CD, pour yourself a glass of wine  some coffee, and bake away, even the littles ones can help. Baking cookies and making memories, not a bad thing at all. Gingersnaps 2- C. Sugar- 1-1/2 C. Oil 2 Eggs ½ C. Molasses 4 C. All-Purpose Flour 4 tsp. Baking S...

Around here, at our house, it's beginning to look  taste like Christmas ! These little tender, tasty cookies, are so festive, they make a wonderful addition to any Christmas cookie plate. And without a doubt, would even make a nice gift, for friends, neighbours, teachers, and the mailman. The kids helped out with these, unwrapping the candy cane kisses, and little hands love rolling the cookie dough in the sugar too. Really quick and easy, you should really try them, you won't regret it ! Candy Cane Blossoms (found here) HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Candy Cane Mint Candies 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine , softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons milk Red or green sugar crystals, granulated sugar or powdered sugar Directions 1 Heat oven to  180/350°F. Remove wrappers from candies. 2 Beat butter, granulated sugar, egg and vanilla...

Did you really think, there would only be ONE cranberry recipe ! If you know me by now, that's not like me to post only one recipe, besides I had to use up all these beautiful cranberries ! This was a winner as well, it has a lovely crumb, and once again tastes like Christmas. Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup margarine or 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 tablespoon orange zest 3/4 cup orange juice 1 eggs 1 cup cranberries, chopped ( fresh or frozen) 1/2 cup nuts (optional) 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 cup sifted powdered sugar enough extra orange juice, to reach drizzling consistency Grease/spray bottom only of a 8x4 or 9x5 loaf pan. Or use baking paper, my favorite option. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda Add margarine and mix until crumbly. Add peel, 3/4 c orange juice, and egg; stir until moistened Add cranberries and nuts. Po...

I really, think these should be called Christmas Scones ! That is what they taste like, it's what Mr.G said, right after biting into one...."these taste like christmas". It´s the combination of orange peel, and the tart cranberries...they even look festive. I seldom post recipes, that contain an ingredient, that cannot be bought on the island. This is true of the cranberry, it is not available to us through our grocery stores. These cranberries were a gift. The fact that these turned out so scrumptious,I just had to share. I think cherries, fresh or suger glazed would work really well here. Frozen, raspberries, or blackberries too, would blend in great. Sometimes in the kitchen, you have to, experiment, and make do with things you have on hand, and not be discouraged, by the things we don't have ( sounds like a life lesson to me).   Cranberry Scones ( from here ) Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon...

These were oh so very good. Sticky.Sweet.Garlicky ( yes thats a word ). My kids and husband loved them. Please feel free to add more garlic, you could add some heat as well, some cayenne, or chili powder. Try them , you won' t regret it. this is the recipe I used for these ! xo, Diana

These were fantastic, burst's of tart raspberries and little nuggets of white chocolate....perfect with a glass of milk or tea or coffee . I used the Blueberry Muffin recipe , using raspberries instead and adding white chocolate ( about a cup ) xo, Diana

I love Sunday lunch, love that its not rushed, but instead relaxed. We get to sit around and linger a little bit longer around the table. This dish was perfect for sunday lunch. It came together, because of the fresh ingredients, I had on hand, green onions and fresh coriander from our garden, red chiles given to me by this awesome friend , the limes I had bought during the week. I wanted them to pair with some new zealand green half shell mussels, and some coconut milk.  It was a real big hit, even the kids loved them, and that's always a blessing. I hope you give them a try, you won't regret it. I promise ! 2 tablespoons olive oil oil 3 green onions finely chopped or one small onion 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 to 5  kaffir lime leaves  2 small hot chile, seeded and finely chopped 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 kilo green shell frozen mussels, rinsed well juice of 1 lime or to taste soy sauce to taste (for salt)  Heat the oil in th...

Winter seems to have arrived early to our little island this year. We even got some hail...now you know that is has got to be real cold for hail...that's near enough to snow.....for us anyway !. Made this hot chocolate for my kiddo's as they all arrived from school...to help take off the chill. It's a winner, a very special treat, rich and creamy.... almost sinful !  White Hot Chocolate Ingredients 4 cups of milk of your choice 1 tsp. vanilla extract 8 oz. white chocolate, chopped into small pieces Stir together milk, vanilla and chopped white chocolate in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer. (Do not let it come to a boil.) Remove from heat and serve. Whip cream and cinnamon are optional ! xo, Diana

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields  John McCrae, May 1915

Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common... Celebrate it every day.                                     -    Sir Winston Churchill I am Canadian by birth, but I was born to portuguese parents, who left the little island of Terceira in the early 70's.  They moved to Canada like so many others before them, with very little belongings, a suitcase or two, some money, and some keepsakes, not very many things. What they did take along with them, in limitless amounts, was memories, stories, and tradtions. The first house I remember living in, not the one I was actually born in though, was in Toronto. We shared it with my paternal grandparents, who had immigrated to the USA, then joined us in Canada. I lived in Toronto, for about 6 years, on the outside our house was a suburban, canadian house, just like any other on Robinson Street, but inside, we were raised portuguese,...