There's something about Mexican food that has always got my saliva juices flowing. The crisp tasted of cilantro, the heat of chipotle peppers and the crunch of a great tostada. When I was wandering down the aisles at my local grocery store this past Mother's Day (yes, that is what I requested - a few hours to poke around the store on my own without little hands reaching out of the buggy or the constant whine of "mom, can we get this and this and this?") I noticed this great product from a company called Charras. They are Corn Tostadas which are Mexican corn tacos. They come in a variety of flavours and are really versatile. So far I have snacked on them plain, dipped them into various things like salsa and guacamole, made them into "open-faced" tacos, spread them with avocado and sprinkled them with cheese and even crumbled them over a spicy gazpacho soup. Love them! The whole family likes them and with a fairly long 'best before' date, I'll be stocking up on them to take them to the cottage this summer. A nice cold Margarita and these to munch on may just become my favourite summer snack! Ole!

Ah, those little hand crafted cards that say “I love you mom”. Or the pencil holders glued together with hearts and the letters MOM. Or what about the paper mâché vase that holds those delicate crumpled paper flowers? If you have even the slightest inkling of what I’m talking about then you too have been privy to those special little presents that we as moms receive from our kids on Mother’s Day. As I type this I am looking at my “Best Mom” trophy that my 5 year old son made for me last Mother’s Day. It’s a Popsicle stick work of art that has great big globs of hardened glue hanging off of it and blue paint strokes that I’m told says “Best Mom”! My desk is small and somewhat cluttered with bits of paper, recipes, class notes and the odd hot wheels car but no matter how much I throw things out to maintain some sort of neatness I never part with my trophy. It takes pride of place right next to my computer screen. Helps me to remember on those days when I need a little boost that maybe I am doing an okay job as a mom to two small boys and even if it’s just for one day a year, they know it too! Here’s a recipe for Daffodil Cake that you can make for that special mom in your life or even with your kids to enjoy together this Mother’s Day. Enjoy!

Daffodil Cake*
Makes 1 cake
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
· 10 egg whites
· 1 ½ tsp cream of tartar
· 1 tsp vanilla
· ½ tsp salt
· 1 ½ cups sugar
· 1 ¼ cups sifted cake and pastry flour
· 4 egg yolks
· 2 tbsp sugar
· 2 tbsp orange juice
· 1 tsp grated orange rind
· Whipped cream and fresh strawberries – optional garnish

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar, vanilla and salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, 2 tbsp at a time, beating well after each addition until sugar is dissolved and egg whites hold stiff peaks. Combine flour and remaining ½ cup sugar and fold gently into egg whites.
2. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg yolks, 2 tbsp sugar, orange juice and rind until thick and lemon coloured. Fold 1/3 of the egg white mixture into yolks.
3. Spoon alternate mounds of white and yellow batters into an ungreased 10” tube pan. Gently run spatula through batter to give a marbled effect.
4. Bake in a 375F/190C oven for 35 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
5. Invert cake in pan on a rack until cool. Remove to serving plate.
6. Serve cake on it’s own or with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

* Recipe adapted from The Canadian Living CookBook

Many years ago May 1st or May Day was a magical time to welcome spring. The night before May Day children would dance in the woods and make crowns of daisies. The next morning a tree would be chosen to become the May Pole which would be painted and decorated with flowers , ribbons and bright handkerchiefs. A May Queen would be chosen to lead the villagers in a dance around the May Pole celebrating spring. Whew! Sounds like a lovely tradition but a lot of work!!
My family’s May tradition revolves more around opening the cottage, cleaning out the cupboards and pantry and starting to stock them with a summer’s supply of easy but delicious staples to make my summer eating and entertaining a breeze. Having the advantage of starting fresh with a bare pantry every spring allows me to pick up all those great new items that I can’t wait to try out without feeling guilty about the amount of food that’s already in the pantry! Ingredients like pina colada shortbread, gourmet smoked salts and mango chipotle sauce will definitely grace my cottage pantry and table this summer.
If your kitchen or pantry is in need of a kick start but you don’t know where to begin think about our newest service The Kitchen Companion to help you out. We offer Personalized Kitchen and Meal Coaching designed to help get you organized in all facets of the kitchen. I’d be happy to discuss your needs with a free phone consultation today. I’ll help you make room for that Black Guava Daiquiri Jam and also show you how to use it!
So whether you choose to dance around the May Pole or simply put up the patio umbrella pole, enjoy the start of spring and pour yourself a cold drink....enjoy!

People often ask me what tools could I not do without in the kitchen. I think they expect me to ream off a whole list of gadgets and gizmo's but quite frankly there are really only a few essentials that I need. A good sharp chef's knife, a large easy to clean cutting board, a heavy bottomed saucepan and my poultry shears. Yep, I may be a simple knife girl but ever since my wonderful Aussie mom gave me a pair of poultry shears a few years ago I've been addicted to them.

Now as the name says these light weight but strong shears will make quick work of cutting up a whole chicken, snipping through those bones and joints like they were toothpicks. But there are many other uses as well. Great for all types of bones and hard to cut items such as seafood, string, food containers and more. Expect to pay about $45 but believe me once you get a pair you'll be "shear" happy!