I am in love with the holiday season, the baking, the social gatherings and the holiday movies, it all makes me SO happy!

Not only do I love cooking and baking for my family and friends, one of my other favourite things to do is search for the perfect gift for the people I love.

Inspired by my gift-giving, my favourite local shops and love for cooking I’m sharing with you my go-to gifts for the holiday season.

For the foodie in your family this cookbook, A New Way To Dinner, is filled with easy, everyday dinner recipes and helps you meal-plan too

For those who love a little sparkle, Flora Italia is a Calgary-based company creating beautiful jewelry (you may even have to gift yourself something it’s so gorgeous!)

If you want to get creative in the kitchen make a batch of my marshmallow pops as gifts

For those who like to stay-in, this Vintage Dominoes set or this fun vintage Clue boardgame will add some fun entertainment

The perfect hostess gifts are these Snowy Pine & Balsam Fir Candles that smell like Christmas

For the tea-drinker in your life any of these tea blends

For the coffee-drinker enjoy some of the best local coffee from Calgary with a coffee subscription

Something to keep the traveller in your life organized, this compact traveller kit

We can’t forget the kids! For the kids in your life (or the kid in you) this classic holiday tale, The Polar Express

And for something truly Canadian, this Hudson’s Bay Classic Throw Blanket

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

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

To this day, these Lemon Squares are still one of my favourite holiday treats; they’re a nice change from some of the richer desserts during the holidays and also great as a sweet gift.

These also make a lovely Spring-Summer dessert too!

Prep time: 20 minutes
Equipment:  square 8×8 pan
Servings: 25 squares

Ingredients:
Base:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup melted butter

Filling:
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
juice & grated zest of 1 large lemon

Instructions:

Base:
Pre-heat oven to 350F. Combine dry ingredients (flour, brown sugar, rolled oat) and mix with a fork.

Melt the butter and mix into the dry ingredients until combined.  Press into the bottom of the pan firmly.  Bake for 5 minutes and set aside.

Filling:
Grate the zest of the lemon and then juice the lemon, set aside.  Whisk the eggs in another bowl.  In one more separate bowl, combine the sugar, flour and baking powder.  Add dry ingredients into the eggs and mix.  Then mix in the lemon rind first, then the lemon juice.  Pour the mixture over the baked crust and bake for 15-20 minutes – it should be just golden around the edges of the pan.

Set aside to cool.  Once cooled, sprinkle with icing sugar and cut into squares.

Cook’s Note: If you package these up in parchment and a tightly sealed container, you can freeze for 2-3 weeks. Take the squares out about an hour before you’re going to serve and enjoy!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Lemon Squares appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

1. Williams Sonoma Bourbon BBQ Sauce / 2. The Craft Cocktail Party / 3. Gilded Monogram DOF Glass / 4. Williams Sonoma One Pot of the Day Cookbook / 5. Lunch in Paris – A Love Story with Recipes / 6. Mercado Fruit Cart / 7. Acacia Wedge Server / 8. Cookbook Stand / 9. Kicking Horse Coffee – Cliff Hanger Espresso Roast / 10. ‘But First Tea’ Teacup / 11. Raised Bloom Measuring Cups / 12. Kate Spade Tidbit ‘Sayings’ Plate Set

**All of the items I’ve listed above are just because I love them – none of them are sponsored. I’m not affiliated with any of the companies. I just love to talk about the items I love to use in the kitchen**

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Case in point, this super SIMPLE bark which of course includes two of my favourite things – Pistachios & Chocolate!

It’s a bit of a salty-sweet combination that I just cannot resist and would make an easy and delightful gift this holiday season. But, maybe keep a bit of it for yourself too.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Equipment:  baking sheet & medium pot/pan

Ingredients:
2 tsp coconut oil
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup salted pistachios, shelled & roughly chopped

Instructions:

First, lay down a piece of parchment paper to cover your baking sheet.

Next, shell pistachios (if needed), then roughly chop.

Put the coconut oil at the bottom of the pot, then add the chocolate chips. Heat on low heat, stirring constantly as the mixture melts.  Continue to stir until fully melted and then take off the heat.

Pour onto the parchment paper, spread out to about a quarter-inch and drop the pistachios on top.

Place in the fridge for one-hour.  Remove and break up to desired size.  For longevity, store in the freezer & take out for about a half-hour to hour before serving.

Want to use this as a gift? Line whichever container you choose with parchment paper, fill with bark et voila!

Cook’s Note:  You can truly use any ingredients you desire to mix in & make this bark your own! Get creative! Some of my favourite combinations:
– Cherry & Pistachio
– Mini-Marshmallow’s & Graham Crackers
– Toffee & Salt
– Coconut

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Pistachio-Chocolate Bark appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.