Pickled Red Onion & Mini Cucumbers

Summer is on the way in my part of the United States… this recipe is quick, easy and is great for any lunch or BBQ…

Serves: 2 – 4

Estimated Marinate Duration: 24 Hours

Total Prep Time: 15 mins prep or less + 1 day to marinate.

Ingredients

  • 4 oz (approx) Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 T Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 Large Red Onion
  • 2 Mini Cucumbers

Directions

PREP

  • Mix vinegar and sugar in a medium bowl, until dissolved, set aside
  • Thinly slice red onion, set aside
  • Thinly slice mini cucumbers
  • Place sliced onion and cucumber into the vinegar mixture & mix
  • Move on to the Marinate portion

Marinate

  • Place onion and cucumber in a medium size leak proof container.
  • Shake contents well to coat
  • Sit in fridge, covered for 24 hours

Optional

Salt & Pepper

Serve Cold

Keep unused portions refrigerated.

Great alone & on sandwiches!

Plum Cake

India is an amazing place – a friend has shared this with me and I had to try!

Plum Cake

Serves: 6-10

Oven Temp: 320 F/160 C

Estimated Cook Time: 50 Minutes

Total Prep Time: 30 Min

Ingredients

  • 100 g Dark Chocolate Bar – Chopped Fine
  • 100 g Dried Prunes – Chopped
  • 50 g Dried Raisins
  • 40 g/1/4 C Walnuts – Chopped Fine
  • 1/2 C Port Wine (or) Sweet Wine of Choice
  • 1 t Powered Ginger
  • 1 T Powered Nutmeg
  • 1 T Powered Cinnamon
  • 20 ml/1-2 T Oil
  • 30 g/1 oz Cocoa Powder
  • 4 T Melted Butter
  • 3 Eggs
  • 100 g/1/3 C Granulated Sugar
  • 120 g/3/4 C Flour – Sifted
  • 1 1/2 t Baking Powder
  • Non-Stick Cooking Spray

TOOLS

  • Oven (baking appliance)
  • Baking Pan 8x4x2
  • Parchment Paper
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Ingredient Bowls
  • Chopping Board
  • Chopping Knife
  • Mixing Spoons
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups

Directions

  • Soak raisins for 20 mins in a warm solution of equal parts filtered water and sugar -drain
  • Heat wine in pan until warm
  • Once wine is warmed, remove from stovetop and add prunes, raisins and chocolate – stir well until all of the chocolate is melted/blended – set aside
  • Add ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and cocoa powder to oil – mix until well blended
  • Beat eggs 3 mins
  • Add sugar to eggs, beat 1 min
  • Add butter to eggs and sugar, beat 1 min
  • Add spices and cocoa powder to above mixture and beat 3 mins
  • Stir in wine and fruit mixture until well blended
  • Add walnuts and fold in (gently mix)
  • Mix flour and baking powder
  • Sift flour mixture into the wet mixture until well incorporated, do not overmix

BAKE

  • Spray non-cooking spray into baking pan
  • Line baking pan with parchment paper
  • Pour batter into pan
  • Place in preheated oven for 50 minutes

Once time is met, remove immediately and cover with foil to reserve moisture.

Can be served warm or cold and is excellent leftover.

This type of cake can be kept in the fridge for some time and freezes well.

ENJOY!

Birthday 2026

Eat Cake – Twice

Today is my birthday, a special occasion that deserves a moment of joy and indulgence; it’s absolutely fine to celebrate and even enjoy cake not just once, but twice!

Each slice is a reminder of the happiness that comes with embracing another year of life, surrounded by ones who share in the sweetness of the day.

I am learning to not be small or convenient, to speak even if my voice shakes, not to subscribe to always being accommodating and to own my intelligence and energy!

Hip Hip Hooray to another year around the sun!