The Ranting Cook

This blueberry lime jam is now my official blueberry jam. (Sorry mom). The citrus is a beautiful addition and cuts through the sweetness a bit. Note:  Be sure not to deviate from the ingredient measurements or methods-fruit pectin requires a certain amount of sugar, acid and cooking time to form a proper gel. Makes about 6 to 8 x 250 ml jars. INGREDIENTS: 4-1/2 cups crushed blueberries Grated zest and juice of 1 large lime (2 Tbsp juice + 2 tsp zest) 1 pkg (57 g) Original Fru

Calling all watermelon lovers. Oh yeah, all you tequila lovers can join us too! INGREDIENTS: 2 oz Tequila 4 oz Watermelon Chopped and seeded 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 1 oz Agave Nectar Splash of Lemon Juice INSTRUCTIONS: All in a blender. Zap a few times and pour into a glass with ice... #drink #easyrecipes #fastrecipes #bestrecipes #summerdrinks #watermelon #tequila #lime

After this crazy week in the news I need a drink or ten... INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 ounces gin 1 ounce Cointreau (orange liqueur) 3/4 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice optional: agave nectar or simple syrup for serving: lime wedge, coarse salt, ice *sometimes I use lemon or orange juice too. INSTRUCTIONS: If you would like salt-rimmed glasses, begin by running a lime slice (the juicy part) around the top rim of a glass. Fill a shallow bowl with salt, and dip the rim in the salt u

Usually during the summer, I tend to make more dishes in the slow cooker or on the grill.  to turn on my oven. A holdover from my no air conditioner days. Plus I want to spend more time outside in my gardens or soaking up the sun. Regardless of the season I really like to sleep in. These days however, thanks to Fonzie the puppy, I’m a very early riser and there’s nothing quite like eating a fresh blueberry muffin. While they’re good on their own or with a pat of soft butter,

As you can see by many of my recipes, I love Mexican food. It's usually simple, filling and incredibly tasty. If you don't like heat you can omit the jalapeños. Ingredients: 2 cups long grain rice 1 cup water 1 1/4 cups chicken broth 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice Instructions: Rinse the rice thoroughly with cold water and drain, repeat for 3-4 times until th

Although this Lime Cake with Blackberry Dauce is my favourite combo, don't lock this recipe in stone — this could make an equally tasty lemon cake with blueberry, raspberry or strawberry sauce or even a gentle orange yogurt cake, dusted with powdered sugar. The sauce is optional, but when you find that you have extra (you will, unless you halve it) it goes beautifully over ice cream or stirred into your leftover plain yogurt. INGREDIENTS: Cake: 1 cup whole milk plain unsweete

I am seriously loving my Instant Pot. At first I thought it was just another fad but I've changed my mind in a big way. I am amazed at how diverse the this product is and the quality of the food it produces. I've always liked the combination of chile lime with chicken on the grill but sometimes I'm just not in the mood to stand out there and actually do it. It took a few trys to get this one right in the Instant Pot but now it's destined to be a family favourite for sure. Ing

I love mixing lime with salmon, it gives these salmon recipes a great original taste. This recipe includes Japanese wasabi, you can adjust the amount you put in it according to your own taste. Don’t hesitate to add half of it, try the sauce then add the rest if you like it more spicy. When all wasabi is in the salmon sauce, it’s too late to go back. Kind of like when you actually said "I do". In general, when cooking, you should always trust your taste buds. It’s the best way

Marinating the chicken in a spiced buttermilk keeps it moist and tender. I love this marinade for juicy chicken thighs and thick pork chops. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup buttermilk 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper pinch cayenne pepper 8 pieces bone-in chicken 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon lime zest 1 tablespoon lime juice INSTRUCTIONS: In large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, 2 tbsp of the ci

I always get a little twitchy making a creamy potato salad on a hot day.  I have visions of giving my friiends food poisoning by accident. There are a few people I wouldn't mind doing it to, but let's face it, I don't invite them over for backyard bbq's. This potato salad is fresh and bright with a nice little kick in it. Perfect as a match for a nice Coconut-Lime-Jalapeño Chicken  Salad and a margarita . Ingredients: 1 pound baby potatoes juice of 2 limes 1 jalapeno, minced

This ones for my friend Dina. She says she only likes the classic version but I'm working on that :) Ingredients: 2 lemongrass stalks, extra pieces for garnish Big handful of mint (15 mint leaves), plus 2 sprigs for garnish 8 basil leaves, chopped 5-6 teaspoons sugar 5 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus 2 slices for garnish 6 tablespoons white rum crushed ice 8 tablespoons sparkling water, more as needed Instructions: Peel off the outer layers of the lemongrass. Use the back

In most circles it is agreed upon that a classic Margarita ingredients are tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice. But the eternal question is how much of each? As with most things in life the secret is proportion; balance is everything people. Having made many, many margaritas (don't judge me), according to all sorts of recipes, I have finally determined the best margarita in my books. Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. tequila (100% agave a must, preferably a "reposado") 1 1/2 oz. t

For Cinco de Mayo I usually make a batch of one of my favourite Mexican dishes, guacamole, but unfortunately I was too busy this year FLEEING FOR MY EFFING LIFE! Thanks to that stupid fire and being evacuated on May 3rd, I missed my yearly moment of Mexican heaven. No worries though, since my return I have made it a mission to drink margaritas and eat guacamole every chance I get At its base guacamole is mashed avocados and from there you can start adding more ingredients lik

Tilapia is a plentiful fish but it has the reputation of being dull and boring to cook with. Um no... I mean really, most meats and fishes can end up that way without a little creativity involved. I find with tilapia all it needs is a spice rub, this is not just for bbqing people! This technique works just as well indoors. Feel free to use this rub on chicken breasts or toss it with lightly oiled shrimp before cooking. Ingredients: 2 pounds asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut

Cinco de Mayo is the best. I mean it’s basically a holiday that has been hijacked by margaritas and guacamole, and, with all due respect to Mexico’s victory in The Battle of Puebla, I think we’re all ok with that. Because well…margaritas. I love theme parties and recently I was able to put my own spin on a bunch of pitcher-style margaritas for a group of friends at my camp. And in turn, I ate my weight in guac and chips. It was a win-win. When entertaining for a group of peop