"Any Fruit" Shrub - for a refreshing summer drink.

I have been making shrubs for about one year now.  I read about them online and just had to try.  They are the most refreshing drink you could  have, especially in the summer,  when all the fresh fruit are in season.

So, what is a shrub anyway?  It's a fruit-based syrup, usually mixed with vinegar, to create a delicious, tangy flavouring for drinks.  I usually mix it with sparkling water but have seen some amazing cocktails using shrubs.

A little history on shrubs- in seventeenth-century Britain, the word referred to a fruit liqueur served with rum or brandy.  The version served in southern colonial America is closest to today's version, thanks to the addition of vinegar.

Shrubs are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence today, thanks to an increased interest in preservation and the swathes of mixologists looking to create unique and delicious cocktails in bars.

The recipe is pretty basic and can be used with most fruit.  I prefer the cold method of making shrubs and it is probably the most authentic.  Keep in mind that if you find the vinegar taste "too much", just let it mellow a few more days and it will balance itself.  Check out the Food52.com website for more shrub ideas.  Enjoy!

Going Bananas- Banana Upside Down Cake with Walnuts and Coconut

An easy, quick cake sure to become your family's favourite.  I always have frozen, ripe bananas ready for baking.  This weekend, I happily baked two banana breads and this very delicious upside-down cake- move over pineapple, banana is now king!

Unless I am baking for an upcoming dinner, I like to cut up my cakes and freeze in small portions.  If I thaw a whole cake, I  know that I will eat much more cake than is good for me.  But, a little piece is just fine and makes me feel virtuous and reasonable. HA!

This is another great recipe from Bake from Scratch, a great source of well-written and enticing recipes.  Highly recommended.

Cutting up my cake in small (maybe not so small) pieces for the freezer,
ready to snack on.

To make one nine-inch square cake

Caramelized Banana Bread

There are always frozen very ripe bananas in my freezer- ready for a quick banana bread.  The caramelized bananas topping this bread are well worth the additional step, adding another level of goodness. "Bake from Scratch" is my new favourite baking bible and this recipe is a great example of easy to follow instructions and delicious results.  Visit their website for online ideas.

Caramelized Banana Bread from Bake from Scratch

Makes one loaf

Oatmeal Banana Bread -

I have a great banana bread recipe, but I wanted to make it even healthier- so I added toasted oatmeal, maple syrup instead of sugar, and fresh blueberries.  Alton Brown's recipe introduced me to toasting oatmeal and I added my riffs... Enjoy!

Green Tea Lemon Power Bars- you'll get hooked on these!

When I fly, I love to take along healthy snacks- something that is hard to find on the airline snack cart.  These bars fit the bill.  I made a batch for my friend Susan who was off to South Africa a few years ago.  Next week, we're taking off for India - fourteen hours on the plane - and, of course, I am making a batch of bars.  They taste great, they are healthy, and they travel well.

These would be great to bring to the office, tuck into your children's lunch boxes, take along on a hike.

The list of ingredients is long, but the preparation is simple.  Feel free to substitute your favourite nuts, seeds, dried fruit... it's completely flexible.

Makes a lot of bars.