Unicorn cupcakes (I used Duncan Hines White cake mix)

Divide the cake mix into 4 bowls

Add the colours using a clean tooth pick every time - do not contaminate the dye with cake batter.

Stir until colours blend.

Spoon the colours into the baking cups.

I did 2 layers of cake batter drops.

I only have a 12 cup muffin tin so the extra batter went into a small spring form pan.

random placement of coloured batter.

Cooked - I use a wooden skewer to test for doneness.

the colours stayed separate!

always cut the rounded top off of cake, flip it over onto the levelled part, then decorate

Banana cake - UBC ponderosa cake (BHE degree 1979

a favourite, easy method.  Measure using dry measures and wet measures. Baking is chemistry

Gather all of the equipment and ingredients together. PREHEAT oven to 375 (Bake for 25 minutes)

I freeze my older bananas (2 per bag) I take them out of the freezer for 30 minutes, them smash them by hand.

dry ingredients in the bowl, wet in the measuring cup

The chocolate chip magic

spray the pan, put 1/2 of the cake mixture in the pan, cover with the chocolate chip mix

Dot the remaining cake on top. Connect the dots to smooth out the dough.

Test with a skewer or sharp knife to make sure it is cooked - enjoy!

blueberry crisp (tapioca starch as a thickener)

I am putting my favourite recipes into one book 

I heat the 1 cup of the berries + water  in the microwave for 2 minutes on high to extract juice.

I stir in the sugar that has been mixed with the starch (to prevent lumping) then boil 2 minutes until thickened.

Tapioca starch thickens more than cornstarch. You can find with Asian groceries.

I was a little short on blueberries so picked the blackberries, blueberries and currants out of a blend.

I stirred the frozen berries into the cooked mixture.

not a sweet mixture

Remember to use a dry measuring cup and pack down the brown sugar.

I always use Alton Brown's suggestion of a grater for ice cold butter 

I use my hand to combine the topping

I bake in my counter top convection oven

Sesame seed brittle

So many recipes on line! the corn syrup stops crystals from reforming after you melt the sugar

Always have  your ingredients ready before starting - measure carefully! I took the seeds our, cooled them on a plate while I prepared the sugar mixture.

Do not stir, let the sugar melt, stirring adds crystals back into the liquid mixture

add vanilla and butter

The measured baking soda goes in - what a reaction! Do not overstir

lots of bubbles

stir in the toasted sesame seeds

stir, just until combined

NEVER put it onto a plate!!! It needs to be put on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. The heat alone could have cracked the plate!!  had to chisel it off to eat it.........

Confetti salad - weight watchers

I googled the recipe: tasted it for the first time July 2nd. Always follow a recipe exactly, using measures the first time you make it.

zest from a fresh lime, then used a reamer to get the juice.

I substituted in Lima beans for soya/edamame 

Push the stem of a pepper down with your thumbs. it easily comes away without taking the pepper with it.

Sharpen your knife every time you chop, mince, dice, makes food prep so quick and easy.

Leave the root on the onion, cut in 1/2, root to stem. Always cut with food laying flat.

I forgot to buy fresh cilantro!  You needs 4 times LESS if you used the dried version.

I added the dressing before the cut vegetables.

Add the cumin seed, stir and let sit in the fridge until serving time.