Canada | Kai Chronicles

October 13, 2013
by Jennifer Morton 3 Comments

How to make pumpkin pie

It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada and I’m feeling a bit nostalgic. I haven’t had a proper Turkey dinner since I left Canada. For years, I have been saying I want to do a big Thanksgiving turkey dinner but I’ve yet to pull it off. This year will be my closest attempt: BBQ chicken with mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, roast kumara, spinach, corn and peas. And then……..

A Pumpkin Pie Down Unda

Pumpkin Pie

This is an easy recipe and one that I’ve adapted from the original belonging to my sister, Virginia. It’s not sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free or guilt-free but it’s worth it. I’ll work-out extra tomorrow.

It makes one pie. Serve with whipped cream. Enjoy.

1/2 cup of rapadura sugar

1/2 tsp salt – I use Himalayan Pink

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp of cloves (I often omit this)

2 eggs (they better be free-range)

1 3/4 cups of pumpkin puree

3/4 cup light cream

1 unbaked pastry shell

You’ll need this stuff

Do this:

Make the pumpkin puree by boiling half of a small butternut pumpkin. I think other varieties will work too. Add as little water as possible but be careful to not let it run dry. When very soft, cool slightly before adding the cooked pumpkin to a blender. You can also use a stick blender and puree it straight in the pot. By sure it is smooth. Add a little water if too thick. Should be like baby food, maybe slightly thicker.

A puree close up

Using electrics beaters, mix the sugar and spices together.

Add the eggs, puree and cream.

Mix well on medium.

Mix it up

Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell. I cheated this time and bought one from the supermarket. My pastry is hit and miss. Next time though.

Ready for the oven

Bake at 200C for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 180C for another 45 minutes or until a skewer or knife comes out clean from the centre. Test after 30 minutes. Mine was ready then.

Straight from the oven. Cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Best served at room temperature or cold.

This is a very popular dish in North America and is very much associated with Thanksgiving and Autumn. I’d love to go back to Canada for a proper Thanksgiving Day dinner someday!

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!!

July 1, 2013
by Jennifer Morton Leave a comment

Best place to celebrate Canada Day

Last year I was lucky enough to spend Canada Day in the country’s capital, Ottawa. As you’d expect, the party was long and loud. It was my first time ever in the city so I felt like Tommy Tourist a bit, but really didn’t do much. Just being there is enough. My main reason was to visit my niece and to see the fireworks on Capital Hill. I did both.

We went downtown in late afternoon, well passed the party start time. The streets were a mess of patrons in red and white. It was a dream come true for me and words (and time right now) fail me so I’ll let my photos say it all.

Happy Canada Day to Canadians all around the world!!!

November 14, 2012
by Jennifer Morton 5 Comments

What’s Working for me Wednesday

This post comes to you courtesy of Fireball cinnamon whiskey.
I almost didn’t write a What’s Working for me Wednesday post because I developed a sore throat rather suddenly today. This is not just a sore throat either. It’s extreme pain and affecting my right ear as well.I cannot get an appointment at the local medical centre until 12:45pm on Friday.

I forced down about 6 spoonfuls of homemade chicken and leek soup then had to give up. It was far too painful to continue. I’m not worried about this factor. I embrace every opportunity to forgo food because it’s not very often that I do. Oh man, I’m in pain.

Thank goodness I had a brand new bottle of Fireball on the shelf. If you have not had the chance to try this fine alcohol from Canada, I urge you to do so. I’ve had 4 small shots so far this evening. Purely for medicinal reasons, I assure you. The following photos tell a story but please do not think it’s the whiskey making me wince and grimace; it’s the pain from swallowing anything. Believe you me, I feel much better since partaking in the shots. And it won’t stop at 4. I will go on…….

Fireball is what is working for me this Wednesday!!

WARNING: The following images may disturb some.