I went with a friend on a cross-country skiing adventure one day which included copious amounts of hot chocolate before and after our our outing.

I also enjoyed hunkering down inside on super cold days (I’m talking -30C with the wind-chill) and cooking tons of seasonal and comfort food.

This month I’m sharing with you some of the recipes I’ve been cooking, books I’ve been reading and other favourites from January.

We participate in a farmer’s share where we get local produce every other week and currently I’m obsessed with parsnips! Martha Stewart’s recipe for Roasted Parsnips is pretty much how we prepare them at home – I cannot stop eating them!

And along with roasting a ton of parsnips, we’ve also been into roasted broccoli. One of my fav recipes for this is from Killing Thyme where she roasts broccoli with garlic & parmesan.

I’ve been cooking a lot of recipes from Donna Hay’s cookbook, ‘Life in Balance,’ which I received for Christmas. Two of my fav recipes so far are the Tomato & Roasted Quinoa Soup and Chicken, Zucchini & Feta Meatballs. Both recipes include simple ingredients but also have massive amounts of flavour!

My curiosity gave in to find out more about a Danish lifestyle trend ‘hygge’ which translates roughly to mean ‘coziness.’ This book was just too beautiful not to read so I downloaded it to find out more about how to incorporate this into my own life – I will report back!

I also got a library card so I’ve been borrowing books like crazy, making my way through a massive booklist I have on my phone including ‘A Modern Way to Cook,’ by Anna Jones. She divides the book into 20 minute, 30 minute etc meals which is wonderful for weeknight dinners. Last week we made the Smoky Pepper & White Bean Quesadillas which were absolutely delicious.

And, not to be forgotten my husband’s and my birthdays are coming up!  We started a tradition a couple of years ago where we pick a cake recipe that we make for ourselves.  A couple of years ago we almost took it a bit far when we made this insane Bobby Flay Toasted Coconut Cake that legitimately took almost 3 DAYS to make! However, it was SO worth it.  This year we’re keeping things a little more simple. We’re going to make this classic Vanilla Cake with Caramel Pastry Cream from Anna Olson so stay tuned to my Instagram feed & Facebook page for updates on our birthday cake!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

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The post What’s In Season appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Last month I started a new monthly feature called ‘What’s in Season’ where I’m sharing favourites from recipes and kitchen tools to books and quotes, stores and restaurants, and accessories to name a few!

As we move closer to November I’m starting to cook more soups and cozy up in the house a bit more often. So, here are my favourites from the past month…

I already have William’s Sonoma One Pot of The Day Cookbook BUT this newer Soup of the Day is next level

This cake is made with PARSNIPS! Seasonal ingredient cake with a Blood Orange Buttercream

Of course someone had to create reading socks – YES, cozy socks that one must wear when enjoying a great book

I’m also obsessed with copper everything like these beautiful measuring cups

All of the plaid! You’ll come to know my love for anything plaid…I just bought these gorgeous plaid mugs & can’t wait to use them

These DIY gold painted vases I think would look beautiful for the upcoming festive season!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post What’s In Season – October appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

So, I wanted to share with you my list of favourite movies of which I highly recommend watching them whilst cuddling up on the couch with hot chocolate and popcorn.

Love Actually
I watch this while I bake, while decorating the tree, while relaxing, truly all. the. time

Elf
Will Ferrell as an elf, hilarity ensues

Christmas Vacation 
makes me laugh every. single. time

The Holiday
two words – jude law (ok but seriously, its just a super cute story)

Four Christmases
growing up our family would go to TWO Christmas dinners on Christmas day – this movie has FOUR, so I can relate

Fred Claus
sometimes unknown when I tell people but if you like Vince Vaughan definitely give it a shot

Home Alone
still a classic to this day

One Magic Christmas
truly a feel-good movie that I remember watching from a very young age

Polar Express
I loved the book growing up so the movie is a keeper

Scrooged
another one that not that many people talk about, more of a modern-day christmas carol

Perhaps you’ll find a movie on this list you haven’t seen before or be reminded of a great one you’ll want to watch again. Whichever it is, I hope you’re able to enjoy some down-time with a great holiday movie this season.

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Favourite Holiday Movies appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.