Inspired by the iconic marble statue the Venus to Milo cocktail unites both establishments, MARBL restaurant and Mademoiselle Champagne Bar.

This elegant champagne cocktail combines notes of chamomile, citrus, spice and earl grey offering a refreshing palette teaser, to begin your dining experience.

Shaken to perfection with some edible flowers as a finale touch, I have to say this was one of my favourite drinks.

Ingredients:

• Tanqueray 10

• Cocchi Rosa

• Oleo Saccharum

• Sparkling

• Earl grey mist

Daniela Butcura

The post Venus De Milo appeared first on Your Better Life.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Here’s my take on the traditional guacamole with a little of a kick! Enjoy.

• 3 avocados – peeled, pitted, and diced

• 1 lime, juiced

• 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• 1/2 cup diced leeks

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• 3-5 cherry tomatoes, diced

• 1/2 cup diced pickled Jalapeños

• 1/2 tablespoon of Jalapeño brine (optional)

In a molcajete or medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix in leeks, cilantro, tomatoes (I use tomatoes as a garnish on top because my husband doesn’t like them). Stir a little bit of Jalapeño brine for more of kick. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavour, or serve immediately.

Daniela Butcura

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Beet hummus is a beautiful pink colour and it is delicious! Serve creamy beet hummus as a dip with your favourite corn chips or vegetables or as a spread on your favourite sandwich. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

·      1 large roasted beet – cooled and peeled (peel can be removed easily once the beet cools)

·      1 can white beans

·      Zest of 1 lemon

·      Juice of small lemon

·      ½ tsp salt

·      2 cloves of garlic minced

·      2 Tbsp nut butter

·      ¼ c extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1.     Cut beat in quarters and place in food processor. Blend well.

2.     Add remaining ingredients – except olive oil. Blend well.

3.     As mixing slowly pour in the olive oil.

4.     Taste and adjust as needed.

5.     Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Kathy Watson

The post Veggie dip: beet hummus appeared first on Your Better Life.

Ingredients:

·      2 ½ lbs peeled and cubed potatoes

·      4 slices bacon

·      ½ head of green cabbage, chopped

·      1 large onion, chopped

·      ½ c non dairy milk of choice

·      Salt and pepper to taste

·      ¼ non dairy butter substitute of choice, melted

Directions:

1.     Add  cubed potatoes to saucepan with enough water to cover. Once the water comes to a boil, cook the potatoes until tender – about 15-20 minutes.

2.     Drain and mash the potatoes with milk and salt and pepper, set aside.

3.     Over medium high heat cook bacon until evenly browned in a large deep skillet.

4.     Save the drippings. Crumble the bacon and set aside.

5.     Saute the cabbage and onion until soft and tender in skillet with bacon drippings

6.     Fold the cabbage, bacon and onions into the mashed potatoes.

7.     Place potato mixture in a large serving bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in melted non-dairy butter substitute.

8.     Serve immediately and ENJOY!!!!

Kathy Watson

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Suzanne’s Norwegian Apple Pie

My sister made this and it was a big hit! Yummmmmm!

1.     Beat 2 egg whites together until fluffy.

2.     Slowly add the following and beat until stiff peaks form.

·      ¾ c white sugar

·      1 tsp vanilla

·       1 tsp baking powder

3.     Slowly stir in:

·      ½  flour (My sister substituted almond flour)

4.     1 c chopped apples

5.     Pour into prepared pie plate and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Kathy Watson

The post pi day! appeared first on Your Better Life.

Need a dairy free caramel sauce? Try this coconut milk version, you wont regret it!

Ingredients:

2 x 14 oz cans of unsweetened coconut milk

1 1/2 c golden brown sugar

1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt

Directions:

1. Over medium heat whisk coconut milk, sugar and coarse salt in a heavy skillet until the sugar is dissolved.

2. increase the heat to medium-high and boil the mixture until it is reduced to 2 1/2 cups. Stir occasionally. (Should take about 20 minutes to reduce.)

3. Pour into small jars. Before covering make sure the sauce is completely cooled.

Kathy Watson

The post Dairy Free Coconut De Leche appeared first on Your Better Life.

So easy, you can make them everyday!

Ingredients:

·      Meatballs

·      Bacon, cut into small pieces

·      Cheese, cut into small pieces

·      Toothpicks

·      Optional: lettuce, pickles and tomatoes cut into small pieces

·      Favourite burger toppings eg. ketchup, mayo and mustard

Directions:

1.     Cook meatballs according to directions.

2.     Fry bacon and drain.

3.     Stack the toppings on a toothpick.

4.     When the meatballs are ready add them to the stack.

5.     I found the cheese melted without putting them in the oven, but if your cheese does not melt you could put them in the oven for a few minutes. You might have to remove some of the toppings for best results.

6.     Serve with your favourite burger toppings for dipping.

7.     ENJOY!!!!

Kathy Watson

The post Game Day Cheeseburger Stacks appeared first on Your Better Life.

My husband and I love yams! Our kids do not enjoy them as much as we do, but this Thanksgiving they fell in love with yams! I have done many Thanksgiving yam casseroles in previous years. I thought the marshmallow topped casserole would be a family favourite but it did not catch the attention of their taste buds like this one did! I hope that you enjoy this new family favourite!

Ingredients:

3 ½ lbs cubed sweet potatoes or yams (I roasted my yams.)

¼ c       brown sugar

¼ c       white sugar

2          eggs, beaten

½ tsp   salt

4 tbsp  butter or lactose free alternative, softened

½ c       milk or non-dairy alternative (I used cashew milk)

½ tsp   vanilla extract

Topping:

½ c       brown sugar

1/3 c    all-purpose flour (I used a GF flour mix)

3 tbsp  butter, softened

½ c       chopped pecans (I used this nut blender that I love)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Roast sweet potatoes/yams, (my preference) or in a medium saucepan with water to cover, cook sweet potatoes/yams until tender. Drain.

In a large bowl mix the sweet potatoes/yams together with the casserole sugars, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla extract. I used a hand mixer to make it smooth.

Transfer to a 9 x13 baking dish

For the topping, mix brown sugar and flour in a medium sized bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture is course. Sprinkle topping over the sweet potato/yam mixture

Bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is a light brown.

Enjoy!

Kathy Watson

The post Creamy Yam Casserole appeared first on Your Better Life.

As a child I loved playing the game “Ghosts In The Graveyard”. My friends and I could often be found playing this game around our houses. It was always great fun to see who found the ghost and who was able to run back to the safe place the fastest!

This delicious recipe is for “Ghosts In the Graveyard” that might be enjoyed after a fun evening of pumpkin carving or playing games.

Ingredients:

3 ½ c                    cold milk (or lactose free alternative)

2 packages           4 serving size Instant Chocolate Pudding

1-12oz                 Cool Whip or whipped topping of choice, thawed

1-16oz package   chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed (easy to crush in a small food processor or crush in a plastic bag with a rolling pin)

Directions:

• Make pudding as directed using 3 ½ cups of milk. Let stand 5 minutes

• Stir in 3 cups of the whipped topping and ½ of the crushed cookies.

• Spoon into a 9 X 13 dish and sprinkle with remaining crushed cookies.

• Refrigerate for one hour.

• Have fun decorating it with “tombstones” and “ghosts”.

QUICK TIP: Decorate your cookies and ghosts right before serving

Kathy Watson

The post Ghosts In The Graveyard appeared first on Your Better Life.

With Halloween just around the corner, I had to share this easy fun family recipe!

1. Something bubbly i.e. Sprite, 7-UP or Soda

2. Coloured juice i.e. fruit punch, grape juice

3. Something lemony i.e. lemon iced tea, lemonade

4. Something Ginger i.e. Ginger Ale, Ginger Beer

5. Spooky body parts! Ours are plastic, feel free to use candy.

   **Optional for the adults only brew, add your favourite Vodka or Gin**

Mix all the ingredients in…..don’t forget your evil laugh!!!

The innards of those which doubted you……and ice of course.

Daniela Butcura

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