Berries for Breakfast!

Blueberries, Strawberries, and Bananas with oats and yogurt..a a little squeeze of lemon juice!

Chicken Jalfrezi

I have so much love for Indian food I don't even know where to start.  The Indian style of cooking is exactly what I crave. Sauces with a variety of perfectly blended spices, unique tastes, a range of colours, sweetness, and heat. Made with either beef, lamb, chicken, veggies, etc. Served with rice and Naan bread. I love a dish with lots of fixings so I prefer to have some pickled chilies (or pickled mangoes) as a side. You really have to cook from the heart when making Indian food, it can't be rushed, it's all about FLAVOR! ..and for me SPICE!

Ingredients:

3 large chicken breast (cubed and made into Tandoori Chicken Skewers)

a few glugs of olive oil

1 large onion, diced

3-4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 inch piece of minced fresh ginger

1 green bell pepper cut into strips

1 red bell pepper cut into strips

1 green chili (whole)

2 cardamom pods

1/2 jar of "Patak's Mild, Medium or Hot Curry Paste"

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp paprika

2 cans of diced tomatoes

1/2 cup of whipping cream

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

salt & pepper

Directions:

Prepare Tandoori Chicken (see link above).

Heat a large pot to medium heat.  Add a good amount of olive oil.  When the oil is heated add the onion, bell peppers, ginger and cardamom pods and a dash of salt. Once the onions are translucent and the peppers soften, add the garlic. 

Continue cooking for another minute then add the curry paste, turmeric, garam masala, paprika and the green chili pepper. Mix together and let the oils release from the curry paste and the spices blend together.

 

Cook for a few minutes then add the diced tomatoes, some salt and pepper.  Wait for the sauce to start bubbling then turn the heat down low and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir in the whipping cream, add the BBQ Tandoori Chicken, wait a few minutes then turn the heat off. Stir in the cilantro.

Serve with Basmati Rice and/ or 

Naan Bread with a side of "Patak's Chilli Pickle" (my absolute favorite)

 

Tandoori Chicken Skewers

It's Summer so I'm going to get as much use out of that BBQ as I can!  I'm on my way to making my Chicken Jalfrezi, and I've decided to pull out all the stops. I've grilled some Tandoori Chicken and will use that later to add to my sauce!  Although this is obviously great on it's own.. even add some peppers to the skewer or marinate different chicken parts like legs or full breast or even rotisserie chicken would be amazing! Either way my version is very simple, I've opted to use the "Patak's Tandoori Paste" and followed the recipe on the back.  I may be cutting corners but it tastes great and works just fine for me Jalfrezi (saves me some time as well).

Ingredients:
3 large chicken breast cut into cubes
4 tbsp of "Patak's Tandoori Paste"
2 tbsp of plain yogourt

Directions:
Mix the ingredients together and put the chicken and the tandoori sauce into a zip-lock bag and marinate for 3 hours or over night for best results.

String the chicken onto some skewers and throw them on a low heated BBQ turning every so often and brushing on some of the leftover marinade until cooked through.

Les Beignets

An easy snack to make, these little donuts are best freshly made. There won't be much use for them the day after. The recipe makes 18, perfect accompaniment with tea or coffee for big family and friend gatherings.

Ingredients:
2 cups of flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter
about 1/2 cup of oil for frying
a couple big handfuls of icing sugar


Directions:
In a bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder together then add the sugar.
  
In a separate (larger) bowl, mix the egg and milk together well then gradually add the dry mixture then beat in the melted butter to make a soft dough.
   
Place the dough onto a lightly floured board or counter top.  Knead the dough until smooth and elastic.  Divide the dough into 18 even sized balls.  Pat the balls down into somewhat flatter disc shapes.  Use a floured handle of a wooden spoon to push holes through the center of each ball..make sure the hole is open enough.

Pour a couple centimeters worth of vegetable or canola oil into a pan and heat to about 375 degrees F.  Fry the Beignets in batches, over crowding the pan will cool the temperature. Once golden brown on one side flip and fry the next side until cooked through. Then place them onto a dish with paper towel. Let cool for 5 minutes or so and cover with loads of icing sugar!

Lunch! My Chicken Wing Recipe and Blue Cheese Dressing..in a Burger.

Here's my lunch! I have some blue cheese dressing leftover so I put some chicken breasts on the BBQ and grilled them in the same hot sauce mix that I used on the wings (see HOT BBQ Chicken Wings for sauce and blue cheese dressing) Then I grilled some onions and put it all on a bun with lettuce and tomato.

Samantha's African Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

I got this recipe from my sister Samantha, and now I think I make it more than she does. It's so good and so simple.

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1 diced onion
4 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp of cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp of chili flakes (approx.)
2 cups of water
1 can of diced tomatoes
about 1 cup of peanut butter
salt & pepper to taste

Cut the chicken into cubes, season with salt and pepper. Put the chicken into a large pot heated to medium. Once the chicken is cooked on all sides, throw in the onions. Once the onions are translucent, add the garlic, cumin, cayenne, and chilies. After about a minute put in the 2 cups of water. Put the heat down to low and simmer for 5 minutes.  You can use chicken stalk instead of water for a more concentrated flavor, I know my sister does, but the water will also turn into chicken stalk after simmering in the chicken.
Add the can of diced tomatoes, simmer again for another 10 minutes or so.
Add the peanut butter, stir well, the sauce should be thick and creamy...if it's not thick enough add more peanut butter. Simmer again for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt & pepper, maybe add more chilies or cayenne if it needs it (the peanut butter takes away a lot of the spice).
Serve over rice.

Here it is! My All Time Favorite Pasta Sauce!!

I really have to force myself to make some other pasta at times because this really is my favorite, and also a huge hit every time I share it. I really don't even know what to call it. It's a Rose sauce with lots of fresh herbs and every time I make it, it's different. I guess the crazy thing about it is that is has cilantro in it, which I've personally never seen in a pasta sauce but works really well in this one.  You definitely have to try it!

Ingredients:
1 large chicken breast seasoned (it's great with Cajun spice or just salt and fresh ground pepper) 
2 Sausages, any kind really like spicy Italian, or Mediterranean, or Andouille, etc.

few tbsp olive oil
1 diced onion
5 cloves of minced or chopped garlic
1 can of chopped tomatoes
1 jar (approx. 2 cups) of Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce , bought or home made.
1 small handful of  fresh chopped Basil
1 small handful of fresh chopped Cilantro
1 tsp of Sriracha HOT Chili Sauce

*Try adding red wine to the sauce
*Try Gluten free rice noodles or I prefer some kind of Fusilli pasta because it keeps in all the thick sauce!

In one pan cook the seasoned chicken breast until fully cooked then slice the chicken thinly on an angle and put it back in the pan with a dash more seasoning then put aside.
If the sausage is precooked then slice it thin and on an angle and put into a large heated pot then once a little browned add the onions. If your sausages aren't yet cooked then before slicing them, put them in the heated pan until cooked all the way through then slice them and add them to the pot ...then add the onions.

Once the onions have softened, add the garlic, cook for a couple more minutes. Then once the sausage is cooked and the garlic is soft then add the can of chopped tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
Simmer on low for 10 minutes.

Now I put the water on for my pasta. Once the water's boiling and the pasta is in the pot, and the tomatoes has simmered, I mix the Alfredo sauce in with the tomatoes. Simmer on low until the pasta noodles are ready. Drain the pasta. Stir the basil and cilantro into the sauce. Add the Sriracha..salt and freshly cracked pepper.

Serve!

If The Weather's Right.. Plant Your Own Fresh Herbs!

Here's my beautiful Basil and Cilantro...two herbs I use everyday.

Grilled Pear, Walnut & Goat's Cheese Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette

I could eat a huge bowl of this Salad! It's sweet from the pears and crunchy from the walnuts..a great side!

For the Salad toss together:
2 Bosc Pears, peeled sliced and grilled in a pan on medium heat until golden and soft.
Baby Spinach, washed and dried
Goats cheese (or try feta, or blue cheese)
Walnuts

For the Dressing whisk together:
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
Juice of 1 large Orange
Salt & Pepper to taste

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Baking Mixes! (And My own Icing Recipe)

My boyfriend has Celiac Disease, and each time his mother travels to the States she picks up a bunch of Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cakes and Brownies.

Unfortunately not sold here in Canada yet so if you know anyone going to the States..this is really a great find!

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Baking Mixes

Easy Thick Buttery Icing! 
I'm really not a trained professional when it comes to cooking. I just do what works and what my instincts and greedy taste buds desire. And when it comes to baking, I rely on good directions.
But I really think i have this icing thing down! It's easy here is:

4 cups of icing sugar (whenever I try to half it, it turns runny)
2/3 cup of melted butter
1 tbsp vanilla
and just a couple tbsp of milk until you get a nice thick yet spreadable consistency

For Chocolate Icing:
add 1/3 cup of cocoa for light chocolate, 1/2 cup of cocoa for medium chocolate, and 3/4 cup for dark chocolate.

(you want it a little shiny from the butter -that's how much butter you need, and you want to taste the vanilla)

Pad Thai

Pad Thai is sooo delicious and good for you! Lots of protein too!
I cheat, I buy the sauce, whatever sauce looks the best. I use the VH Thai Market Pad Thai sauce because it's Gluten Free.

Ingredients:
1 large Chicken Breast
1 bottle of Pad Thai Sauce
LEE KUM KEE Chili Garlic Sauce
1 whole package of Firm Tofu
2 scrambled Eggs
small handful of chopped Peanuts
small handful of chopped Basil and Cilantro
lime slices

First I thinly sliced 1 large chicken breast and put it in a non-stick pan on medium-high heat.
Once the chicken is cooked on the outside I added 1-2 tsp of LEE KUM KEE Chili Garlic Sauce. And a thinly sliced green chili pepper. Cook on medium-low until the chicken is done.
Then heat another non-stick pan to medium-high heat while the chicken is cooking. Add to the pan one whole package of Firm Tofu (diced into even cubes).
While all that is cooking away, start to boil some water for you noodles (One pack of Thai rice noodles..they only take a minute or so, once they're in the hot water)
And then...once the tofu has browned a bit put it into the pan with the chicken and use the empty heated pan to scramble two eggs. Then put the scrambled egg into the chicken and tofu, pour the whole bottle of Pad Thai Sauce into the mix. Add some chopped peanuts and chopped fresh Cilantro and Basil. Top it off with a squeeze of lime!

Just signed up for Jamie's Food Revolution!

I'm a huge fan of Jamie Oliver's! And his food revolution is a project I feel strongly about. I think society has gotten carried away in the fast paced lane and when it comes to food I think we should start to slow down, and take our time! We should just be more conscientious of what we eat, or are putting into our bodies. Even if it isn't the right choice we should always be aware of what we are eating. Because if we don't care about it "they" won't care either. And they'll continue to limit our options to cheaper, processed versions of food, in fact unless you cook from scratch, most of what we find in the stores I wouldn't even call food.. just a chemical replacement of the original thing.

Jamie's Food Revolution really gives you a feel for just how out of touch society has become with food. And also how simple it is to change this direction we're going in. People love to eat good tasting food. It's just that not everyone knows just how simple and rewarding it is to cook from scratch, no matter who you are, how busy you are, what your budget is or how skilled you may or may not be in the kitchen...anyone can cook great tasting meals from real ingredients.

How we behave, feel, respond to situations, all has a lot to do with what we eat or don't eat, and I think also, whether we take the time with preparing the food we eat. We need to become more conscious of ourselves and how we treat our bodies. It starts by being aware. Ultimately tuning in to what really matters within ourselves, could only make us better people and contributors to the rest of the world around us.

I want to encourage everyone else out there to get involved in Jamie's Food Revolution too, and Sign the Petition! When it comes to food -Let's get back to basics!


Sign the Petition! Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

HOT BBQ Chicken Wings

This time I just combined three types of hot sauces together..tossed it with the chicken wings and put them on the BBQ on low heat flipping them over consistently and brushing on more of the hot sauce blend each time (whenever they get dry). Doing this for about 30-40 minutes until the wings are tender and no longer pink inside. Then, take them off the grill, put them in a bowl and toss them in the sauce blend again.

*I used President's Choice Mild Buffalo Wing Sauce,
A great Hot Sauce I picked up in Key West, Florida, at this great place where you can sample over 100 different hot sauces! It's called "Peppers of Key West" And the hot sauce is called "Hot Sauce #1" it really is one of the best hot sauces I've ever tried! It's an aged red pepper sauce with lots of GARLIC! it's one of those "put it on everything" type of sauce. Like Tobasco, but better!..also gluten free.
The last thing I used was LEE KUM KEE Chili Garlic Sauce (only a couple tbsp, to taste)


Serve with Homemade Blue Cheese Dip:
Just combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/2 tbsp of white wine vinegar, 2-3 tbsp of squeezed lemon juice, and a few big pieces of whatever blue cheese you want, whisk it all together for a few minutes until the cheese has fully softened into the rest of the ingredients. Add a tbsp of fresh or dry parsley.

Potato and Sweet Potato Cajun Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees c. Slice 3 Potato's and 3 Sweet Potato's thin like your usual potato chips and bake them on a non-stick tray for 15-20 minutes on each side until crispy and golden brown. As soon as you take them out of the oven toss evenly in Cajun spice and serve with Sour Cream and Chipotle Dip (sour cream mixed with 1 mashed Chipotle pepper and 2 tsp of Adobo sauce!)

Ham, Swiss and Avacado Sandwich with Chipotle Mayo

I won't tell you how to put a sandwich together but here's what's in it:

Focaccia Bread or Sub Bread
Shaved Black Forest Ham
Swiss Cheese
Sliced Avocado
Canned Jalapeno peppers (sliced)
3 slices of Tomato
Homemade Chipotle Mayo (Mix together 4 tbsp of mayonnaise and about 1 tbsp of Chipotle Adobo sauce for one sandwich)