Thursday, April 16, 2015

Baked Mushroom & Lentil Burger 

After a long 6 weeks without a computer…..I’m back:D!!  Gavin had attempted to fix my laptop (very unsuccessfully I might add) and so it’s been in the shop since then.   It’s a bit of a sore subject with him, so I won’t get into the details.  Nevertheless, it’s been such a long haul but I’m very happy to be back.  Nothing much new life-wise for me over here-I feel kind of boring, but that’s how life goes! 

Monday, February 23, 2015

Coconut Chicken & Vegetable Curry

It’s been just under a month since I last posted, but I’ve come back with something that I hope you will love as much as I do!

It’s been feeling SO much like spring lately, the roads are almost cleared, the sun is shining and the Nordic trails are still in good condition (I went for a ski the other day and the conditions were perfect!).  Life is SO good lately!  Gavin and I are beginning to run again, and it’s been so nice to get my feet on the pavement and go!  I’m not fast by any means, but it’s good to get out.   Gavin bought me a Fitbit Surge for Christmas-I’m loving it’s GPS qualities. I don’t have to carry my phone anymore while running! :D Do you have a Fitbit? PM me and we can be friends!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Slow Cooker Beef  & Vegetable Minestrone

At the risk of sounding like a whiner, it’s SOO frickin’ cold outside!  I can’t stand these rapid temperature drops-it’s been so hard to properly adjust.  It was way below -20 this morning, and I didn’t want to leave the house.   But, we did anyway and froze out butts off.  I think my only savior was keeping this soup in mind-knowing it would warm me up for days on end! J

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

General Tso's Chicken

I haven’t posted any Asian-inspired meals lately, and I think it’s about time to do so.  I love cooking with chicken-and anything spicy usually gets my attention.  This is a lightened up version of General Tso’s chicken which means that there’s no deep frying involved.  Perfecto!  The sauce is slightly spicy, gingery and quick to make-less than an hour so it’s easily a weeknight meal. Serve with rice and you’ve got a perfect weeknight staple.

Looking for more Asian-inspired food? Check out below!

Mongolian Beef

Mom’s Lemon & Soy Sauce Chicken

Japanese Inspired Vegetable & Tofu Soup

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

Thai Chicken Pizza

Yakisoba with Egg

Monday, August 18, 2014

Skillet Lasagna

Okay, so here’s the deal-I RARELY cook pasta-type dishes.  But for some reason, I decided to put this one back to back with the Blackened Seafood & Chorizo Pasta.  I have no idea what’s going on, but I think I need my head checked.  Just kidding!

Gavin LOVES lasagna, but I find it’s a tad expensive and time consuming to make, so I’ll only make it for special occasions.  But this, my friends, changes all of that. 

Because:  a) it only takes 45 minutes to make. 

                b) it’s super easy.

                c) inexpensive.

                d) minimal prep.

&, lastly,   e) one skillet…say what! 

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Blackened Seafood & Chorizo Pasta

It’s been a really, really, long time since I made pasta-I had to double check when was the last time I made it (10 months ago!).  The weather’s been warm so I’ve been avoiding cooking for quite some time-hence why I haven’t posted anything lately.  Summers close to being over and I’m already dreading it….there’s just so much more I want to do! 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Cheesy Quinoa & Cauliflower Bake

My first experience with quinoa that I can remember is Marlina making this recipe.  It was a hit in our house and gone fast-too fast!  This was before quinoa became so popular.  I think what I most liked about it stands true to this day-it’s healthy & you can feel good about eating it.  Quinoa is definitely one of my favorite grains to work with-I love using it in salads or as a main dish. I love the vegetables added to this dish-I don’t eat a lot of cauliflower & leeks and the combination works out perfectly.  Plus the cheesy cheddar & dill flavor-you can’t beat thatJ Yum!  I’ll be sure to make this before I work-great leftovers & lunch!

P.S. Happy Canada Day! 

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Swiss Chard & Spinach Pie

 

When I was younger, we went to the farmers market every weekend-no excuses.  We used to sell coffee & tea.  We loved going every week, and part of the reason was that we got to purchase spanakopita’s from a local bakery.  We would buy and eat plenty of them-they were up on our favorite snacks!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Summer Berry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

 

Finding inspiration to eat healthy can be difficult if you don’t have the right salad..trust me, I know.   Even though I love each one I post on here, I need some variation.  I’ve had this recipe for quite some time now and we enjoy it every time I make it-it’s simple and comes together quickly!  The poppy seed dressing really makes this salad special, and gives it a refreshing and unique flavor.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Honey & Sriracha Baked Drumsticks

 

Happy Tuesday-did everyone (in Canada) enjoy their long weekend?  I got back to town on Friday morning and was excited to be home and rip apart our deck. I didn’t have to do that much-Gavin had taken care of most of it :D. It was a beautiful day-one of the best so far.  I can’t wait to have more this summer.  We will begin to rebuild the deck it next weekend and I’m really looking forward to it-we’ve needed to do it for a long time!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Baked Cheesy Refried Bean Taquitos

As you all know by now, I love Mexican food.  Everything about it makes my mouth water and my stomach grumble.   I love the spice combinations and bold flavors.  It doesn’t get any better than thatJ  These darlings are packed with refried beans, spices and cream cheese & baked in the oven.  Serve with a salad or some Mexican rice and you’ve got yourself a fine meal!

Monday, April 28, 2014

Mom's Lemon & Soy Sauce Chicken

My post about Fig Newton's got me thinking about my childhood.  There are a few foods that trigger memories, and this is one.  I remember my mom would make this chicken for special occasions-mainly for our yearly Filipino gathering and birthday parties.  I remember being dressed up in our best dresses (matching, of course!) and watching these beauties cook for hours on end.  The smell of them cooking was intoxicating-I loved it.  My mom, being Filipino, would make large quantities-enough to feed a crowd.  And there was barely any leftovers afterwards!  So I recreated this and made it for mom's 65th birthday-she loved it!

Monday, April 14, 2014

Chickpea Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

 

Last weekend, we went to visit Marlina & Hank’s new place.  We played Settlers of Catan (Marlina was very vicious during that game!), visited, shopped, and ate good food.  One of my favorite things I tried out was a chickpea burger.  It surprised me-I love a good veggie burger (such as my Big Bertha Burger), but haven’t found one since that would compare.  Anyway, this burger left me full for a very long time and more the next day!  I had to make one-so I came up with this one!

Friday, March 7, 2014

Chicken Gyros

I can’t even tell you the amount of times I’ve made this meal and have been unable to share with you all-the pictures weren’t quite right.  I’m very particular that way, but I'm sure most of you know that by now:).  I guess it was the same with the chicken taquitos!  I can never give it proper justice.  But since I am semi satisfied with the photos, I suppose I can share with you allJ  

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Baked Coconut Shrimp (Healthy!)

I don’t think I’ve posted many shrimp recipes, so this is definitely appropriate.  And it’s a good one!  My mom used to make shrimp all the time and it took years for me to develop an appreciation for it.  Unfortunately, she’s developed a slight allergy to it and can’t have it anymore.  What she used to make with the shrimp I can’t even re-create.  Mhmmm yum!  But trying to get any recipe from her is damn near impossible! J 

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Chicken fingers, among sandwiches, are one of Gavin’s favorite foods.  Chicken nuggets come pretty close, just because they are practically the same thing.  I’m not even joking.   It’s not unusual for him to order them when we dine out.  It’s kind of embarrassing-which is why I like going out for sushi.  Totally justifies itJ.  He’s such a kid at heart-I can’t help but love him! 

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

I have this crazy obsession with buffalo chicken.  I love it-maybe a little too much.   I can eat it for days on end.   It’s okay though, because I’m always excited to make it:D  One of my favorite salads of all time is this buffalo chicken salad I made last year.  I haven’t stopped loving it since!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Chipotle Bourbon Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders

This meal has two things that I rarely cook with-alcohol & my crockpot.  I don’t know why it interested me to begin with; perhaps I wanted to try something new.   I know crockpots are supposed to be convenient, but I get so worried that mine will burn down my house (irrational, I know!).  I’ve expressed my feelings in previous posts.  Still trying to remedy this-it’s so hard!! 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Sticky Orange Glazed Chicken Thighs

If you are drawing a blank on what to have for dinner, look no further. This meal has got you covered!!  It’s easy-peasy and perfect for a weeknight dinner.  It’s similar to my other orange-glazed chicken (I seem to have a thing for citrusy chicken) on the blog, except this one has a little bit of heat! 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Paella

I was introduced to seafood at a very young age.  My mom loved cooking with shrimp & at Filipino gatherings we would eat deep fried squid.  There was a lot more seafood-type dishes, but I never really questioned what it was.  I never even thought twice about eating it!  So it was no surprise that this recipe would pique my interest…and even though it does take some time & effort, it’s well worth it.  I truly have a warm feelings about paella-there is something so special & comforting about it.