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.

8-Ingredient Creamy Orzo Risotto with Pancetta, Peas and Spinach

8-Ingredient Creamy Orzo Risotto with Pancetta, Peas and Spinach

Richelle Fortin
Comfort Food, Cooking for Two, Recipes for 2, Pasta Dishes, Pasta

When you're craving something comforting but don't want to spend all evening in the kitchen, this creamy orzo risotto with pancetta, peas and spinach hits all the right notes. It's the kind of dish that feels indulgent, yet comes together in under 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.

Instead of arborio rice, this quick risotto uses orzo pasta, which cooks faster and still delivers a luscious, silky texture. The pancetta brings a salty depth, while fresh peas and baby spinach add a welcome pop of spring colour and freshness. A touch of butter and shaved Parmesan finish it off with just the right amount of richness.

5 Ingredient | Sheet Pan Sausage and Sweet Potato Roast for 2

5 Ingredient | Sheet Pan Sausage and Sweet Potato Roast for 2

Richelle Fortin
5 Ingredients recipe, Comfort Food, Crowd Pleasers, main meal, Roasted Supper Meal

This 5-ingredient sheet pan sausage and sweet potato roast is my kind of cooking — simple, cozy, and full of flavour. Perfectly portioned for one or two people, it’s a no-fuss dinner that comes together in under an hour with minimal prep and cleanup.

I used locally made sausages from a nearby butcher (support local!) paired with sweet potatoes, grey shallots, grainy mustard, and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses for a sweet and tangy finish. Roasted all together on a parchment-lined sheet pan, it’s both rustic and refined, and easily scalable — whether you're cooking for 2 or 8.

Growing for Fall and Winter: A Garden with a Purpose

Growing for Fall and Winter: A Garden with a Purpose

Richelle Fortin
Gardening, Preserving

As spring unfurls her tender green fingers, I find myself planning more than just a garden — I'm planting the beginnings of meals shared on frosty nights, the spark of summer’s heat captured in a fiery sauce, the earthy comfort of roasted roots long after the leaves have fallen.

This year, I’m growing with preservation in mind. Each seed I tuck into the soil carries the hope of jars lined up neatly in the pantry, of flavors deepened by time, of nourishment ready when the earth sleeps.

Vintage Rum Cake

Vintage Rum Cake

Richelle Fortin
Cakes, Vintage Recipes, bundt pan cake

In honour of sweet memories and timeless flavors

This cake is a tribute to my parents, whose wedding cake was—of course—a rum cake. My father often reminded me, “They just don’t make them like they used to.” And he was right. This decadent dessert brings back all the nostalgia, the richness, and the celebration that a real rum cake should. Sweet, buttery, and infused with just enough rum to feel special, it's the kind of dessert that turns any Sunday supper or festive gathering into an occasion.

Buttery Lemon Brownies with Glaze – A Bright & Easy Spring Dessert

Buttery Lemon Brownies with Glaze – A Bright & Easy Spring Dessert

Richelle Fortin
Baking, Brunch, Cakes, Crowd Pleasers, Spring Desserts, Easter

Soft, citrus-infused, and topped with a tangy lemon glaze, these buttery lemon brownies are the perfect sweet treat for Easter, spring brunches, or any sunny get-together.

Say hello to your new favorite spring dessert! These Buttery Lemon Brownies are everything you love about a classic fudgy brownie—minus the chocolate and full of vibrant citrus flavor. With their rich, buttery texture and bright lemon glaze, they strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy.

Rustic Mediterranean Bread with Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Prosciutto

Rustic Mediterranean Bread with Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Prosciutto

Richelle Fortin
Bread Making, Homemade Bread, Italian Recipes

This Mediterranean Bread is the ultimate fusion of rustic homemade bread and bold, flavourful ingredients. Try it for your next gathering or as a special treat to elevate your everyday meals!

If you're looking for a bread that goes beyond the ordinary, this Mediterranean Bread is the perfect choice. Packed with vibrant flavors from roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and prosciutto, every bite delivers a satisfying mix of savory goodness. This bread is delicious on its own, making it a great option for picnics or casual gatherings, but it truly shines when dipped in high-quality olive oil with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or balsamic vinegar. Whether served alongside a meal or as a standalone treat, this rustic loaf will quickly become a favorite.

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