A few months back we bought a smoker. Who would have said that I'd be so excited with this purchase?? Well, I wouldn't, but yet I was!! The following day, I went to the local butcher shop and purchased a brisket. I had been saying for months that if we ever bought a smoker, I'd give a shot at the brisket. The first attempt was pretty disappointing to me, even if all my boys liked it, I was not impressed. I had looked up a recipe online, and despite following it to the T, the meat was dry. So, because I don't call a failure a quit, I gave it another try.  This time, I followed my own lead ( the lead of a novice who knows absolutely nothing about smoking meat !!), and the brisket ended up being moist, flavourful and everybody enjoyed it (even me). During the summer months, as we were camping in Northern Vancouver Island, my husband was praising my briskets' skills to our neighbour, therefore I HAD to make one. So, as the challenge became an excuse to buy a smoker for

While grocery shopping I saw the flank steak was on sale. On the spot, I tried to find a way to make it so it would be a little different than a normal piece of marinated meat. I have a pot of fresh basil at home, some pine nuts and some olive oil: perfect for homemade pesto. I also have some cheese and a jar of sundried tomatoes ....... While the wheels were turning, I grabbed a pack of 2 steaks. Arriving home, I decided to prepare them, so they would be ready for dinner after spending some time in the smoker. Ingredients for filling :     .  1/ Pesto filling: 1 cup Basil leaves 1/2 cup pine nuts 1/4 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil     . 2/  Sun-Dried Tomatoes filling : 1 cup Sun-Dried tomatoes 3 slices of Provolone cheese Flank steak roulade: thin-cut bacon pound flank steak Salt and black pepper Don't overlook the tenderization of the meat, it's very important to thin it with either a tenderizer or any heavy piece of ki

What's best suited than an apple cake when receiving our neighbours for dinner?  I have been wanting to make one for a long time, but I never found the time ( that's a poor excuse !). Well, today I made one, and I'm very happy I did. Ingredients for the cake :  1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ( I use this one: Cannelle Flour as I'm gluten-free)  1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1/2 cup coconut oil ( you can use butter if not dairy-free)  3 large eggs ( 2 are enough if you don't use gluten-free flour)  ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 tablespoons rum 3 ½ cups peeled, cored and half-inch diced apples (about 2 large or 3 small apples) 1 tablespoon Demerara sugar (Raw sugar)  Combine all the dry ingredients ( except the sugar) in a large bowl. Beat the eggs for about a minute and add the sugar. Beat well and add the vanilla and rum Combine well and slowly add the melted coconut oil ( or butter)  Add the dry ingredients and combine. The batter will