DOW: Cosmopolitan

In honour of the release of Sex and the City 2, we naturally had to make a cosmopolitan this week.

• two parts vodka
• one part Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur)
• one part cranberry juice
• 1/2 part lime juice

Put all ingredients in a shaker full of ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Flour Bakery + Cafe

Locals rave about Flour Bakery + Cafe and for excellent reason. When I was in Boston last month, my host took me straight to this wholesome spot for lunch my first day visiting. The minute I walked into this sunny, high-ceilinged, friendly, granola-hipster spot, I was smacked with the certainty that this would be a good meal.

Healthy Hostess Cupcakes from BabyCakes

On a recent trip to New York City, a visit to the famous BabyCakes bakery was on the itinerary, but we just ran out of time. Their first cookbook is BabyCakes: Vegan, (Mostly) Gluten-Free, and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York's Most Talked-About Bakery. Erin McKenna has figured out how to bake, and bake fabulously, without our most common baking building blocks. Her positive attitude is a relief and an inspiration to those of us working through our own food restrictions.

DOW: Soy Smoothie

A nice way to slip in some fruit, protein and calcium on a Sunday...

Comfort Me With Apples

At times I would like to be Ruth Reichl, surrounding myself with gorgeous, local ingredients and concoctions each day. Living each day around food, opening her own restaurant and then putting it all down on paper. Dreamy. 

DOW: Red Lion

A version of this recipe won a contest back in 1933 in London, England.

Recipe:

• 1 oz gin
• 3/4 oz orange liqueur
• 1 oz orange juice
• 2 tsp. lemon juice

Combine in a shaker of ice.  Strain into a cocktail glass.

Sticky Buns

When I order cinnamon rolls at a bakery, I can't help but call them "sticky buns," which often results in looks of perplexity or even pity. It's from all those years reading about my old childhood friend, Paddington, the quirky little bear who lived in London and loved sticky sweet foods.

Nick Sushi

There are lot of sushi joints in Vancouver, but this may very well be the cutest. Not only is it tiny, with five tables and some window seating, but the decorations are precious.

Vanilla Sugar

An easy way to add luxury to the everyday. Split open a ton of vanilla beans ~ as many as you can afford, drop the gummy vanilla beans into white sugar and toss in the pods to boot. Voila!

DOW: Twin Fin Wines

We don't remember when we discovered this California winery, but ever since, we've enjoyed these inexpensive, easy-drinking wines.  So far, we've tried their Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.  Currently, they make six different types of wines; in addition to the ones we've tried, they have Merlot, Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

Allergy- and Kid-Friendly Meatballs

worcestershire sauce, black pepper, oat bran,

ground sage, thyme, garlic powder

Many parents find it difficult to get their kids to eat enough vegetables. Since taste buds of children are more sensitive than those of adults, children find many common vegetables like broccoli and spinach too bitter. A common strategy is to hide the vegetables so that only a subtle taste comes through and blends with other foods.

Dulce de Leche: Millionaire's Shortbread

Our friend, Kelley, is to be credited for scrounging up this recipe. Who knew such a luxurious item as Dulce de Leche could be so simple step by step to make at home? It is sufficient to play with the dulce de leche alone and use it to top off your ice cream at night. The more advanced Millionaire's Shortbread recipe below is actually very easy to make as well. The ingredients are a bit on the pricier side; however it is totally worth it and will impress all.

Gaia Bistro

It was just time to return to Gaia Bistro. This amazing Mediterranean/middle eastern place is one of the best restaurants in Kerrisdale. Yes, it was empty when we first arrived shortly before noon on a sunny Monday in May, but when we left, every table was taken. We were excited to see that a patio was under construction. We'll have to return in the summer and try to snag an outdoor table.

DOW: Sidecar

Running low on cognac, we had just enough to make sidecars this week.

Recipe:

one part brandy or cognac
one part orange liqueur
one part lemon juice

Combine in a shaker of ice.  Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a strip of lemon rind.