Pizzettas with Apple, Maple Ham, Pecans, and Old Cheddar Cheese

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 18 min
Serving: 4 – 6

Ingredients:

• 200 g (2 cups) Armstrong Old Cheddar Shredded Cheese
• 125 g (1/2 pack) cream cheese, softened
• 15 mL (1 tbsp) maple syrup
• 10 mL (2 tsp) fresh thyme
• 12 miniature naan-style breads
• 500 mL (2 cups) maple ham, cubed
• 125 mL (1/2 cup) roasted pecans, crushed
• 1 tart green apple, julienned

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F).
2. In a bowl, combine half the Armstrong Old Cheddar cheese with the cream cheese, maple syrup, and thyme.
3. On a work surface, spread the mixture over the naan breads.
4. Top with ham and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
5. Cook on the middle rack for 6 to 8 minutes, until the tops are slightly golden.
6. Top with pecans and julienned apple.

The post Recipe for Pizzettas with Apple, Maple Ham, Pecans, and Old Cheddar Cheese from Armstrong Cheese appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Verity Club opened its doors in a beautifully restored heritage building on Queen Street East. More than 20 years later, it has grown into a thriving community for professional women. What’s especially remarkable is that Aitken and her team built the membership entirely through word-of-mouth and referrals. To this day, the club does not advertise, yet continues to welcome women in a warm, non-exclusive environment. Today, Verity is home to approximately 700 members representing a wide range of professions and backgrounds.

Verity Club offers spaces for women to work, connect, and recharge. Mastermind groups provide opportunities for thoughtful conversations on everything from business strategy to personal growth. Over the years, the club has welcomed guest speakers who share insights on timely and relevant topics. Most recently, economist and climate expert Diana Fox Carney (and yes, the spouse of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney) spoke with members.

And Verity is so much more than a private club. The impressive 65,000-square-foot building, once a chocolate factory in the 1850s, is also home to a private members-only restaurant, lounge, and speakeasy. There’s a state-of-the-art fitness studio, a tranquil pool area, and the ever-popular Sweetgrass Spa, which is open to the public. The building also features four beautifully appointed hotel rooms available for members and visitors alike, welcoming guests from as far away as Japan and across Europe. To call Verity a hidden gem almost feels like an understatement.

But it’s not just the beautiful space that makes Verity special—it’s the people and the way they treat people. During a recent tour and lunch at Verity, Aitken reminisced about how her own experience as a high-powered executive in the Financial Industry influenced and inspired what she wanted in Verity Club. She mentioned her experience with how clubs would automatically defer to men at business dinners or meetings.  Making decisions, even on wine or presentation of the final bill, were more often automatically deferred to the men, even though she was the one in charge. She eliminated that awkwardness that made any woman feel lesser than. Whoever was in charge of the meeting is the one in charge of all decisions unless otherwise stated.

It was also heartwarming to hear how many staff members have been with her for years. Each has their own story, including the concierge who warmly greets members at the front desk. Aitken spoke about how important the support of both her family and her staff has been to Verity’s success and longevity. That sense of care is evident throughout the club, with a team that genuinely wants members to feel comfortable and at home. It’s a reminder that exceptional service comes from every level of an organization. From the moment you step foot inside Verity, it feels less like a private club and more like a welcoming home combined with the attentiveness of a five-star hotel.

The club’s facilities are thoughtfully designed to support both business and relaxation while fostering a strong sense of community. Quiet workspaces with private offices allow members to conduct confidential conversations when needed. Boardrooms and meeting rooms can be reserved for team gatherings, while gallery spaces showcase the work of local artists. The event spaces regularly host everything from business functions to private celebrations. I mentioned to Aitken that I had attended several trunk shows here featuring my friend and talented Canadian fashion designer, Diane Kroe.

Sharing the building with GEORGE Restaurant makes the visit to the Verity Club even more special. The four-time Michelin-Recommended restaurant, led by Executive Chef Lorenzo Loseto, has been a favourite on Toronto’s dining scene since 2003. It’s one of those restaurants that always surprises even the most seasoned food lovers. Committed to fresh, local ingredients, Loseto’s signature “double-sided” tasting menu means your meal won’t be the same as the person seated next to you. Think of it as two unique tasting experiences unfolding simultaneously.

With its exposed brick walls and soaring ceilings, GEORGE offers a contemporary yet welcoming atmosphere. In the summer, the twinkle-lit courtyard patio is pure magic and one of the city’s most charming outdoor dining spaces. Tucked just steps from Toronto’s historic Old Town and Financial District, it’s a beautiful oasis that’s well worth discovering.

Is Verity really just for women? Membership, yes. But Aitkens laughed as she pointed out a few men in Verity’s space. They would have to be invited by members in order to use the meeting spaces, casually or for business, as well as Verity’s own restaurant and patio space. Who wouldn’t love to feel comfortable and be treated well?

The post Why VERITY Toronto Is One of the City’s Most Inspiring Women’s Clubs appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Blueberry Lavender Yogurt Popsicles

Serves: 6-8, depending on mould sizes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) blueberries
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) orange juice
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) liquid local honey
• 1 tsp (5 mL) cornstarch
• 1 tsp (5 mL) dried lavender
• 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) local vanilla Greek yogurt

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine blueberries, orange juice, honey, and cornstarch over medium heat, stirring often and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes; remove from heat and using a fork, mash blueberries slightly.
2. In a mortar and pestle, grind lavender to a slightly chunky powder. Stir into blueberry mixture and let cool completely.
3. Spoon yogurt and blueberry mixture alternately into molds and insert sticks. Place in freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight until solid.

The post Recipe for Blueberry Lavender Yogurt Popsicles from Dairy Farmers of Ontario appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Bacon and Onion Smashburger

Prep Time: 25 min
Total Time: 45 min
Serving: 2

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of Armstrong Medium Cheddar cheese slices
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 4 slices of bacon
• Vegetable oil, for cooking
• 2 hamburger buns
• 450 g ground beef
• Pickle slices
• Shredded iceberg lettuce

For the sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp relish
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix all sauce ingredients together. Chill until ready to use.
2. Heat a BBQ griddle or plancha and drizzle with a bit of oil. Add the diced onions and bacon slices.
3. Brush the hamburger buns with vegetable oil and toast them on the griddle. Remove once golden.
4. Divide the ground beef into 4 equal balls. Place them on the hot griddle and press them down with a burger press or spatula.
5. Flip the patties halfway through cooking and top each one with two slices of Armstrong Medium Cheddar cheese slices. Cook until the cheese is melted, and the patties are fully cooked.
6. To assemble: Spread sauce on the inside of each bun. Layer with grilled onions, two cheesy patties, one or two slices of bacon, pickles, shredded lettuce, and the top bun.
7. Give it a gentle press to let the flavours mingle… then dig in without waiting!

The post Recipe for Bacon and Onion Smashburger from Armstrong Cheese appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

To mark the occasion, Barilla Canada is bringing back its annual Pastaport Contest, giving Canadians the chance to win a trip for two to Italy and an F1® Race Weekend experience at the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026, valued at $16,000 CAD. As part of Barilla’s global partnership with F1®, the campaign celebrates Domenica Italiana — the Italian tradition of gathering around the table with family and friends to share a meal. Inspired by flavours and culinary traditions from across Italy, Barilla’s regional recipes are designed to bring Canadians together over comforting, home-cooked Italian dishes like these hearty stuffed shells.

Four Cheese Lasagna with Gorgonzola, Ricotta, Mascarpone and Grana Padano

Serves 7

Ingredients:

• 1 box 1 box Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagne
• 1 ½ cups Shredded mozzarella (for melt + structure)

For the sauce

• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 Small onion, finely diced
• 3 Cloves garlic, minced
• 500g Ground beef
• 1 jar (650–750 ml) High-quality tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• To taste Salt & pepper
• Optional: pinch of chili flakes

For the Cheese Layer

• 1 ½ cups Ricotta
• ¾ cup Gorgonzola
• ¾ cup Mascarpone
• ¾ cup Finely grated Grana Padano (plus extra for topping)
• 1 Egg
• Salt & pepper
• Optional: chopped fresh parsley or basil

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
2. Sauté olive oil, diced onion, and garlic. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Then stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt & pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened.
3. In a bowl, mix ricotta, gorgonzola, mascarpone, grated Grana Padano, egg, salt & pepper until smooth and creamy.
4. To assemble the lasagna, spread a layer of sauce in the baking dish, then add Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagne. Layer sauce, cheese mixture, and shredded mozzarella (about 1½ cups total).
5. Repeat for 3–4 layers, finishing with sauce, mozzarella & extra Grana Padano on top.
6. Bake at 375°F for 30 mins covered, then 15–20 mins uncovered until golden + bubbling.
7. Let rest for 10–15 mins before slicing and serving.

The post Recipe for Four Cheese Lasagna from Barilla Canada appeared first on Toronto Guardian.