Steamed vs Boiled Corn on the Cob

Steaming your corn on the cob will likely turn out better than boiling, especially with fresh summer corn.

Here’s why:

🌽 Steaming vs. Boiling

Steaming (your pot + insert) ✅ Keeps more of the corn’s natural sweetness and flavor

✅ Doesn’t wash out the sugars and nutrients into the cooking water

✅ Gives you a slightly firmer, “fresh-picked” texture

✅ Less chance of soggy kernels

✅ Easier to cook a batch of 8 evenly

Boiling ✅ Very simple and traditional

❌ Some flavor can move into the water

❌ Corn can become softer if left too long

My preferred method for your 8 ears:

Add about 1–2 inches of water to your pot (water should stay below the steamer basket).

Bring it to a strong simmer/boil.

Place the corn in the steamer insert.

Cover tightly with the lid.

Steam for 8–12 minutes depending on how tender you like it.

Remove and immediately add butter while it’s hot.

For extra flavor:

Add a teaspoon of salt to the steaming water (optional, steam doesn't have salt in it).

Toss a few fresh herbs (like parsley or dill) into the steamer water for a subtle aroma.

After steaming, brush with melted butter mixed with a little Mitch & Tonya’s SHORELINE All Purpose Seasoning for a Cape Breton twist.

One tip: don’t overcook it. Corn doesn’t get better after about 12–15 minutes — it starts losing that crisp, juicy bite.

For fresh Nova Scotia/Cape Breton corn in season, I’d choose steaming every time. 🌽

Tonya’s Easy No-Bake Lemon Cream Pie Bars

Tonya’s Easy No-Bake Lemon Cream Pie Bars

Makes: 12–16 bars

Pan: 9×9-inch pan

Graham Cracker Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup melted butter

¼ cup sugar

Directions:

Mix crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.

Press firmly into a parchment-lined 9×9 pan.

Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.

Cool completely before adding filling.

Lemon Cream Filling

Ingredients

1 (8 oz / 250 g) package cream cheese, softened

1 (14 oz / 300 mL) can sweetened condensed milk

½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)

1 tbsp lemon zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup cold whipping cream (or 1 tub whipped topping)

1 can of Whipped Cream (a little squirt before serving)

Directions

Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.

Slowly add sweetened condensed milk and beat until combined.

Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. The mixture will thicken as the lemon reacts with the condensed milk.

In a separate bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.

Gently fold whipped cream into the lemon mixture.

Spread over the cooled crust.

Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours (overnight is best).

Cut into squares and top with a little whipped cream and lemon zest if desired.

Work Lunch Tip (from Tonya’s perspective 😉)

For a cleaner “bring-to-work” bar:

- Freeze them for 30–45 minutes before cutting.

- Cut with a warm knife and wipe between slices.

- Keep refrigerated until serving.

Tonya's Fix Cape Breton COAL Pineapple Brown Sugar Lil' Smokies

Tonya's Fix Cape Breton COAL Pineapple Brown Sugar Lil' Smokies

Ingredients

2 (14 oz) packages Lil' Smokies sausages

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup pineapple chunks, drained (reserve the juice)

2 tablespoons Mitch & Tonya's Cape Breton COAL BBQ Seasoning

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, but adds a nice tang)

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (balances the sweetness)

Directions

Add the Lil' Smokies to the slow cooker.

In a bowl, whisk together:

Brown sugar

Pineapple juice

Soy sauce

COAL BBQ Seasoning

Dijon mustard

Apple cider vinegar

Pour over the sausages.

Stir in the pineapple chunks.

Cook:

Low: 3-4 hours

High: 1½-2 hours

Stir before serving.

Why it works

Your COAL BBQ Seasoning already brings smoky, savory depth, garlic, onion, pepper, and balanced sweetness, so it replaces several individual ingredients while adding a richer barbecue flavor. The pineapple caramelizes with the brown sugar into a glossy sauce that's excellent for parties.

Optional "Forge" Version 🌶️

If people like heat, make it with:

1½ tablespoons COAL BBQ Seasoning

1 teaspoon FORGE BBQ Spice

The FORGE adds a pleasant kick without overpowering the pineapple.

I think this has the potential to become another great Tonya's Fix recipe for your Facebook page. The combination of sweet pineapple, smoky BBQ, and those little sausages is exactly the kind of appetizer that tends to disappear quickly at potlucks and game-day gatherings.

Mitch & Tonya's Western SHORELINE Omelet

Here's a classic Western Omelet that works great for breakfast, brunch, or even supper.

Mitch & Tonya's Western SHORELINE Omelet

Ingredients (1 large omelet)

3 large eggs

1 tbsp milk or water

1 tbsp butter

¼ cup diced ham

¼ cup diced green bell pepper

2 tbsp diced onion

¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

½ to 1 tsp Mitch & Tonya's Cape Breton SHORELINE Seasoning (or salt and pepper to taste)

Instructions

Whisk the eggs with the milk (or water) and SHORELINE seasoning until well combined.

Melt the butter in an 8-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat.

Sauté the ham, onion, and green pepper for 3–4 minutes, until the vegetables soften.

Remove the ham and vegetables to a plate.

Pour the egg mixture into the skillet. As the eggs begin to set, gently pull the cooked edges toward the center, allowing the uncooked egg to flow underneath.

When the eggs are almost set, spoon the ham and vegetable mixture over one half of the omelet.

Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top of the filling.

Fold the other half of the omelet over the filling and cook for another 30–60 seconds, until the cheese melts.

Slide onto a plate and serve immediately.

Great with:

Buttered toast

Hash browns or home fries

Fresh fruit

A little ketchup or hot sauce if you like

Using your SHORELINE Seasoning gives the omelet a savory boost with herbs and spices, so you often won't need to add any extra salt. It also makes a fantastic filling for a breakfast wrap or sandwich.

FYI, Tonya said: it's a repeater

If she were to say: you don't have to make this again, it means it was terrible.

It's just our way of not insulting the cook.

Mitch & Tonya’s Cape Breton SHORELINE Muscles Cooked in White Wine

Mitch & Tonya's Cape Breton SHORELINE

Mussels Cooked in White Wine

Fresh Atlantic mussels, garlic, butter, and a splash of white wine come together with the light coastal flavor of Cape Breton SHORELINE Seasoning for a simple meal that tastes like the East Coast.

Ingredients

2 lb (900 g) fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small shallot (or ½ small onion), finely diced

1 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc work well)

1 Tbsp Mitch & Tonya's Cape Breton SHORELINE Seasoning

2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Juice of ½ lemon

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Rinse the mussels well and discard any that are cracked or remain open after being tapped.

In a large pot with a lid, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat.

Add the shallot and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Pour in the white wine and stir in the Cape Breton SHORELINE Seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Add the mussels, cover the pot, and steam for 5–7 minutes, giving the pot an occasional shake.

When the mussels have opened, stir in the parsley and lemon juice. Season with black pepper if desired.

Discard any mussels that do not open during cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious white wine broth, or spoon the mussels over buttered linguine for an easy seafood dinner.

Tonya's Tip: Add a splash of heavy cream at the end for an extra-rich, silky broth that's perfect for dipping bread.

This recipe would also make a great

Facebook post with the tagline:

"Simple ingredients. Fresh Atlantic mussels. One unforgettable East Coast meal with Mitch & Tonya's Cape Breton SHORELINE."

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