Parsnip cake with orange frosting

What is more quintessentially winter than parsnips? Don't like parsnips, perhaps? But, do you like cake?

This is an interesting twist on carrot cake.


Ingredients

• 5 eggs
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup maple syrup

• 2 1/2 cups baking flour of your choice (gluten free, or whatever)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp baking soda
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts 
• 2 1/2 cups freshly grated parsnips (they brown quickly, so do it right before you put them in the recipe

Easy homemade gifts

1. Homemade peppermint extract

Take clean, fresh mint leaves, fill a mason jar, crush with the handle of a wooden spoon to release the oils, fill to the top with a clear liquor of your choice, and put on the lid. Let it sit for a month or two (two is better). Strain into gift jars. Give to your favourite baker.

Two meatball recipes

Pesto meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 bunch fresh basil, leaves only
• 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper
• 3 TBS coconut oil or butter, melted
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 pounds ground meat

Directions

Rhubarb crumble

I have waaaay too much rhubarb in the freezer and it needs to get used up.

Rhubarb Crumble

• Enough roughly chopped rhubarb to cover the bottom of your baking dish to a depth that makes you happy (but not too thick or it's going to be quite sour- unless you like that)
• 1/3c unsalted butter or butter substitute (unless you have salted on hand- no biggie)
• 3/4c ground almonds
• 1/3c honey, preferably local (non-store-bought has more flavour) or use a syrup of your choosing for the vegan option
• 1tsp vanilla extract (optional unless you have something gf)
• 1tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2c flaked almonds (if you can find unbleached all the better)