Brian Francis

Author/Eater

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Bazaar-o-Rama 2022 Week 2

November 13, 2022 by Brian Francis

This weekend, I drove three hours to a bazaar. But I had good reason. My hometown church was having its annual bazaar.

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November 13, 2022 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
4 Comments

Bazaar-o-Rama 2022

November 06, 2022 by Brian Francis

It’s been a long two years, but I’m happy to say that bazaars are back, baby! I can’t tell you the joy I felt the other day, stepping into my first church basement since COVID, and smelling that percolated coffee.

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November 06, 2022 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
10 Comments

Best and Worst Apple Cider

October 07, 2022 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

It’s not autumn until you’re unwedging your front teeth from a candy apple, dodging drunk wasps, and wearing your new parka when it’s 28 degrees outside. It’s also not autumn until you’re enjoying a glass of apple cider and poking your eye with a cinnamon stick every time you take a sip.

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October 07, 2022 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
8 Comments

Best and Worst Macaroni Salad

June 28, 2022 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

Summer is many things for me: Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil, thongs, roller skates, and boardwalks. (In that order.). But summer is also about food. And nothing says summer to me like a good helping of macaroni salad on a soggy paper plate.

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June 28, 2022 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
7 Comments

Cool Whip Easter Eggs

April 15, 2022 by Brian Francis in Crafts

Colouring Easter eggs as a kid was always stressful. You ran the risk of your eggs cracking while they boiled. Then you had to mix the PAAS food colouring tabs in separate bowls. Then you had to deal with your mom hovering over your shoulder, saying, “If you stain my counter, so help me God…”

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April 15, 2022 /Brian Francis
Crafts
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Best and Worst Panettone

December 08, 2021 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

Being married to an Italian means I’ve been exposed to different Italian holiday traditions over the years. Like eating fish on Christmas Eve, wearing red underwear on New Year’s Day for good luck and, unfortunately, Limoncello.

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December 08, 2021 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
84 Comments

Thanksgiving Paper Bag Cornucopia

October 07, 2021 by Brian Francis in Crafts

Recently, I came across a copy of Woman’s Day “Best Ideas for Christmas” magazine, published in 1976. It featured recipes like Avocado Ring with Crab-Meat Dressing, as well as an assortment of holiday craft ideas (never underestimate the versatility of a paper towel roll).

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October 07, 2021 /Brian Francis
Crafts
Comment

Best and Worst Commercial Pastries

June 13, 2021 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

For most people, elementary school was a time of learning, exploration, and growth. For me, it was about the joy of finding a cellophane-wrapped Twinkie in my lunch box. Or a Hostess Cupcake. Or a Wagon Wheel. If grades were given out for glucose-fructose and guar gum consumption, I would’ve been the smartest kid in class.

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June 13, 2021 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
17 Comments

Best and Worst Chocolate Easter Bunny

March 26, 2021 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

For some people, Easter represents a time of rebirth, redemption and hope. For me, it’s about chocolate. Specifically, chowing down on chocolate bunnies while wearing my Easter bonnet.

But with so many varieties and price ranges to choose from, which bunny is the best?

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March 26, 2021 /Brian Francis
Taste Tests
20 Comments

Best and Worst Egg Nog

December 20, 2020 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

For better or worse, eggnog is a divisive holiday beverage. (Even more divisive than Coffee Mate’s Frosted Gingerbread.) Hate it or love it, there’s no middle ground. But what turns people off eggnog? The nutmeg? The phlegmy texture? The raw egg origins? Or maybe it’s that, on the French side of the carton, it reads “lait de poule” which translates in English to “chicken milk.”

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December 20, 2020 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
24 Comments

Holly Cookies Recipe

November 29, 2020 by Brian Francis in Recipes

Bazaars may have been cancelled this year on account of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean the bazaar fun has to stop. Throughout the month, I’ve been posting my best bazaar finds of all time and recipes for some bake table classics.

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November 29, 2020 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
Recipes
Comment

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares Recipe

November 22, 2020 by Brian Francis in Recipes

COVID-19 might have stolen church holiday bazaars this year, but it hasn’t stolen their spirit. All November, I’ve been posting classic bake table recipes for you to make at home as well as showcasing some of my best bazaar finds over the years.

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November 22, 2020 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
Recipes
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Chocolate Haystacks Recipe

November 15, 2020 by Brian Francis in Recipes

Bazaars may be cancelled this year, but I’m keeping the spirit alive by featuring a weekly bake table recipe for you to make at home, as well as some of my favourite bazaar treasures I’ve acquired over the years.

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November 15, 2020 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
Recipes
Comment

Church Windows Recipe

November 08, 2020 by Brian Francis in Recipes

Church holiday bazaars may be cancelled this year, but that doesn’t mean the fun needs to end. All this month, I’m featuring a bazaar bake table classic recipe, taken from my collection of community cookbooks, along with my best bazaar finds over the years

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November 08, 2020 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
Recipes
1 Comment

Shortbread Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe

November 01, 2020 by Brian Francis in Recipes

I’m heartsick about bazaars being cancelled this year. Damn you, COVID-19. Where will I get my cabbage rolls? Where will I buy my next tea cozy? Where will I flirt with women named Bea across a knit table?

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November 01, 2020 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
Recipes
Comment

Best and Worst Sugar Cereal

August 16, 2020 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

Sugar cereals have always had a bad rap. But I think it’s undeserved. Often, a heaping bowl of sugar, corn syrup and high monounsaturated canola oil is the best way to start your day.

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August 16, 2020 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
12 Comments

Beanie-Weenie Bake Recipe

May 12, 2020 by Brian Francis in Food

Every year since the dawn of time (or so it seems), I host an annual Caker Christmas party. I invite Italians to make – and eat – caker dishes. At the end of the night, I ask them to vote for the night’s best-tasting dish. For them, it’s like asking to choose the least offensive smell at a flatulence convention.

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May 12, 2020 /Brian Francis
Recipes
Food
1 Comment

Tortilla Pizza Recipe

April 26, 2020 by Brian Francis

Another week, another exciting Caker Cooking recipe!

With everyone self-isolating, many parents are dealing with kids at home 24/7. And parenting is a lot harder than when I was growing up in the '70s. The main difference being that, these days, parents are supposed to pay attention to their kids.

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April 26, 2020 /Brian Francis
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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

April 17, 2020 by Brian Francis in Food

When it comes to times of stress and hardship, few things provide comfort like the combination of cheese and potatoes.

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April 17, 2020 /Brian Francis
Recipes
Food
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JELL-O Pudding Easter Eggs Recipe

April 07, 2020 by Brian Francis in Food

I used to have a food blog called Caker Cooking. In 2014, I shut it down. But tough time calls for good eating. And given the state of the world right now, who couldn’t use some comfort food? So, for a limited time, I’m bringing Caker Cooking back.

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April 07, 2020 /Brian Francis
Recipes
Food
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