High-Protein Banana Blueberry Muffins with Cottage Cheese for a Crowd

High-Protein Banana Blueberry Muffins with Cottage Cheese for a Crowd

Richelle Fortin

These Cottage Cheese Banana Blueberry Muffins are more than just a treat — they’re a wholesome, protein-packed snack you can feel good about serving to your family. By blending cottage cheese into the batter, you add a boost of high-quality protein that helps keep kids (and adults!) energized longer. Using ripe bananas naturally sweetens the muffins, allowing for less added sugar, while a touch of maple sugar brings subtle caramel-like depth and umami that makes every bite feel more satisfying.

Foolproof Angel Food Cake (12-Egg White Classic)

Foolproof Angel Food Cake (12-Egg White Classic)

Richelle Fortin

Light, airy, and impossibly soft, this homemade Angel Food Cake is a dream for any dessert lover. Made with 12 egg whites, a clever all-purpose flour substitution, and just the right amount of sugar, this recipe delivers consistent, beautiful results—without fancy ingredients or special flour.

Summer Strawberry Bars (Easy and Juicy Recipe for Seasonal Baking)

Summer Strawberry Bars (Easy and Juicy Recipe for Seasonal Baking)

Richelle Fortin
Strawberry Desserts, Produits Launaudiere, Desserts, Crowd Pleasers

Strawberry season is the sweetest time of year, and these Summer Strawberry Bars are the perfect way to celebrate it! Made with juicy, fresh-picked strawberries and a buttery crumb crust that’s both crisp and tender, these bars are ideal for backyard gatherings, potlucks, or simply enjoying at home with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whether you're craving something fruity and easy or need a quick dessert to feed a crowd, this no-fail recipe is your go-to.

No-Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie with Homemade Gelatin Glaze

No-Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie with Homemade Gelatin Glaze

Richelle Fortin
Desserts, Pies, Strawberry Desserts

Strawberry season in Quebec is short but glorious — and when those juicy red berries are at their peak, there’s no better way to enjoy them than in this classic no-bake fresh strawberry pie. The filling is made entirely of uncooked strawberries, tossed in a simple, homemade strawberry glaze that holds it all together in the most delicious way.

This pie has become a summer ritual in our family. I first discovered a version of it at a roadside diner, where I bit into a slice of pie piled high with fresh berries, glistening under a sweet strawberry glaze. No canned filling, no baking the fruit — just fresh-picked flavor at its best. This is my take on that unforgettable pie, perfected over many summers.

Strawberry Muffins for Your Family!

Strawberry Muffins for Your Family!

Richelle Fortin

Celebrate strawberry season with these soft, wholesome muffins made with juicy fresh strawberries, sweet ripe bananas, and protein-rich Greek yogurt. A touch of spelt flour brings a nutty depth while boosting the fiber content—perfect for busy mornings or healthy snacks. These muffins are naturally moist, thanks to the bananas and yogurt, and balanced with the tang of buttermilk for that bakery-style texture and flavor. Whether you're looking to reduce refined flour, sneak in some extra nutrients, or just enjoy a delicious muffin packed with seasonal ingredients, this recipe is a must-bake for the whole family.

Strawberry and Rhubard Summer Cobbler

Strawberry and Rhubard Summer Cobbler

Richelle Fortin
Comfort Food, Crowd Pleasers, Desserts, Strawberry Desserts, Traditional Recipes

When the first stalks of rhubarb meet sweet, juicy strawberries, it’s time to make the ultimate spring and early summer dessert: Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler. This classic recipe pairs tart fruit with fluffy buttermilk biscuits, all baked to golden perfection. The fruit bubbles up, the topping turns crisp and golden, and the scent? Irresistible. It’s perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream.

Hellmann’s Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake – Moist, Rich, and Foolproof

Hellmann’s Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake – Moist, Rich, and Foolproof

Richelle Fortin
Baking, Birthday cakes, Cakes, Comfort Food

Some recipes stand the test of time—and this one is a true classic in my kitchen. I first discovered it as a teen, printed right on a jar of Hellmann’s mayo. Since then, it’s become my family’s all-time favorite chocolate cake. Over the years, my handwritten copy of the recipe has collected its fair share of smudges and cocoa fingerprints—a sure sign of how often I return to it.

What makes it special? Mayonnaise. It sounds strange at first, but don’t let that stop you. Mayo is made of eggs and oil, both of which are essential in cake baking. Instead of adding them separately, this recipe blends them into one secret ingredient that gives the cake an unbelievably moist and tender crumb. It’s easy to make, hard to mess up, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Crispy Fried Steak with Creamy Mushroom Pasta (For Two)

Crispy Fried Steak with Creamy Mushroom Pasta (For Two)

Richelle Fortin
Cooking for Two, main meal, Pasta, Pasta Dishes

Steak is definitely a luxury for me, and something I truly savor—but I’ve found a way to enjoy it affordably, especially when my grandsons are visiting. This super crunchy fried steak served over creamy mushroom linguini is a personal favorite. I first made it with beautiful thin cuts of beef and my go-to Favuzzi linguini for two, then remade it for the boys the next day using their favorite: rigatoni.

Lilac Blossom Lemonade – Part 2 | Dehydrated Blossoms, Gentle Health Benefits & A Year-Round Recipe

Lilac Blossom Lemonade – Part 2 | Dehydrated Blossoms, Gentle Health Benefits & A Year-Round Recipe

Richelle Fortin
Health Benefits, Blossom Lemonade

Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) aren’t just for show—they've been used in traditional herbal practices, though quietly and without much fanfare. Here are a few gentle health notes:

  • Calming Aromatherapy: The soft scent of lilac is known to uplift the mood and help ease stress. A whiff of lilac-infused lemonade is like aromatherapy in a glass.

  • Digestive Tonic: Historically, lilac infusions were used in folk medicine to stimulate appetite and soothe digestive discomfort.

Homemade Lilac Lemonade – A Refreshing Floral Drink for Spring and Summer

Homemade Lilac Lemonade – A Refreshing Floral Drink for Spring and Summer

Richelle Fortin
BBq, Lemonades, Summer Vacations

The Charm of Lilacs in Full Bloom

In Quebec, late May and early June bring a fleeting, fragrant miracle: the bloom of lilacs. These old-fashioned flowers, often found lining driveways, backyards, and parks, burst open in clusters of lavender, pink, or white. Their sweet scent is unmistakable — nostalgic, calming, and powerful enough to evoke memories with a single breath.

And what better way to preserve this joy than by capturing it in a glass? Lilac lemonade is not only beautiful and refreshing, but it also brings that delicate floral aroma into the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and a handful of blossoms, you can toast the season in the most delicious way.

Authentic Liège Waffles with Pearl Sugar (Gaufres de Liège)

Authentic Liège Waffles with Pearl Sugar (Gaufres de Liège)

Richelle Fortin
Breakfast, Breads, Brunch

If you've only had “Belgian waffles” at a brunch spot or from a box mix, you're in for a sweet surprise. These Liège waffles are the real deal—rich, chewy, and studded with caramelized pockets of Belgian pearl sugar. Unlike the light and fluffy Brussels-style waffles, Liège waffles are made from a buttery brioche-style dough that’s folded with crunchy sugar pearls that melt and crisp up in the waffle iron. The result? A golden, slightly sticky waffle with addictive texture and bold flavor.

Creamy Homemade Mango Gelato – Easy Tropical Dessert

Creamy Homemade Mango Gelato – Easy Tropical Dessert

Richelle Fortin
Gelato, Frozen Desserts, Mango, Frozen Fruit

There is something about gelato that is reminiscent of all that is good in life. Gelato still has dairy products, it is much like ice cream, but what the Italians did differently from us, is that they use more more flavour in their mixture to start with, there is a true concentration of whatever flavour you wish to use and that makes it lighter and more full flavoured in your mouth, a real party of the taste buds.

🚗 A Family Affair: Crafting a Lightning McQueen Birthday Cake

🚗 A Family Affair: Crafting a Lightning McQueen Birthday Cake

Richelle Fortin
Birthdays, Birthday cakes, Kids Birthday Cakes

In 2018, my son Xavier and I embarked on a delightful baking adventure to create a Lightning McQueen cake for my grandson Sylbert's birthday. Xavier's meticulous attention to detail brought the iconic character to life, making it a memorable centerpiece for the celebration. This cake not only delighted Sylbert but also became a favorite among readers. Now, I'm excited to share an updated version of our tutorial, enriched with clearer instructions and tips to help you recreate this showstopper.

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