Cobb Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing

I think my favourite salad is a Cobb Salad simply because it has so many ingredients that I love all put together in such a colourful and beautiful display!  Traditionally this is served with a creamy dressing, but this lighter vinaigrette is so delicious that you won't imagine putting anything else on top of your salad!!

COBB SALAD WITH VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

Ingredients:

DRESSING

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp salt

1 tsp lemon juice

1 small garlic clove, minced

1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp dried mustard powder

3/4 cup of grapeseed or avocado oil

1/4 cup olive oil

SALAD

1 large container of mixed greens (choose one with 'sturdier' leaves like romaine, kale and endive)

2 baked chicken breasts, diced

2 medium tomatoes, diced (I used a mixture of a small yellow,red and orange tomatoes for colour)

3 hard boiled eggs, sliced

1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled

6 strips of bacon, cooked and diced

• In a blender combine the first 8 ingredients for the dressing.  Slowly add the oils in a steady stream.  Place in a serving container and set aside.
• Cover a large serving platter with the mixed greens.  Arrange the chicken, tomatoes, eggs, cheese and bacon over the greens in rows. Grind black pepper over top.
• Serve with the dressing and ENJOY!

Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

I had a crisper full of bits and pieces of a variety of vegetables, and Greg and I had a big lunch so we only wanted something light - this totally fit the bill!  Easy to put together, super healthy and delicious!

VIETNAMESE FRESH SPRING ROLLS

Ingredients:

Rice paper wraps

Any fresh vegetables you enjoy (I chose pea shoots, enoki mushrooms, Thai basil, yellow bell peppers, cucumber and carrots). Larger veggies such as cucumbers and carrots should be cut into thinly sliced matchsticks

Warm water in a medium-sized bowl

Sauce:

4 tsp fish sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tbsp lime juice

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp garlic chili sauce

• Combine fish sauce, water, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chili sauce in a small bowl.  Set aside.
• Place the rice wrappers, one at a time, in the warm water for approximately 5 seconds each, or until softened.
• Lay the wrapper on a clean, dry towel.  Layer vegetables on top of each other, down the middle of the wrapper.  Fold the right side of the wrapper over the vegetables.  Fold bottom of wrapper up toward the middle, roll the wrapper from right to left.  Place wrapper on platter or plate.
• Repeat for as many rolls as you want to make.
• Serve spring rolls with fish sauce and ENJOY!

*Another delicious sauce to create for these rolls is a Hoisin & Peanut Sauce.  3 tbsp Hoisin sauce combined with 1 tsp chopped peanuts!*
*The rice wrappers, fish sauce and Hoisin sauces can be found in the International section of most grocery stores or Asian supermarkets.*    

       

Quick Vietnamese - Style Chicken Pho

My husband, kids and I have been into the spicy Vietnamese soups (pho) lately in a BIG way.  I am suffering with a lousy head cold today so I thought a chicken pho was in order for dinner tonight!  This is super simple and while you can go more elaborate and make your own stock, using a low-sodium chicken stock is perfectly acceptable.  I had chicken thighs which Greg browned for me and then I thinly sliced, and I had my own stock in the fridge already...this made the pho really quick to make!

QUICK VIETNAMESE-STYLE CHICKEN PHO

Ingredients:

2 cups of thinly sliced, cooked chicken

8 cups chicken stock

1/2 white onion, thinly sliced

1/2 - 3/4 tsp Chinese 5 Spice powder

2 tbsp fish sauce

2 tbsp sugar (I used 1 tbsp agave syrup)

Thinly sliced shiitake or porcini mushrooms (optional)

1/2 lb dried rice noodles

 1/2 cup of chopped, fresh cilantro

4 green onions, thinly sliced

1 lime, cut into wedges 

Either sliced red chilies, or sambal oelek sauce

• Heat the stock in a large pot on medium low heat.  Add the chicken, onion, 5 spice powder, fish sauce and sugar.  If adding the mushrooms, add now.
• Once the stock is simmering, add the rice noodles and stir well.
• Serve the stock in a bowl, and top with cilantro, green onions, chilies, and lime wedge squeezed.
• ENJOY!
  

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes (Gluten, Soy, Casein Free!!)

For a month I have been placed (willingly, I might add!) on a rebalancing diet which essentially means no wheat, cow's milk products, refined cane sugars, soy products, or yeasts.  This can be extremely tricky for the uninitiated - fortunately I have virtually been cooking this way for a year since my daughter India, and husband Greg, have also been on this diet and chosen to eat this way permanently because of how wonderful they felt afterwards.

I have my annual book club meeting tonight at the house of my girlfriend, Kathy (who is also on the same rebalancing diet!) and so, I decided to whip up these little treats for us to snack on!!!  They are really yummy and I obtained almost all of the ingredients at my local "Bulk Barn"!  The recipe comes from an amazing blog ~ gingerlemongirl which you should all check out!  As you can see from the photos, I made a dozen mini-cupcakes for the book club, and the others were for India and Devon as an after-school treat!!  This recipe will make a dozen regular sized cupcakes (there was one large and small cupcake that I didn't photograph as they are presently in my stomach!!!)

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES

Ingredients:

Cupcakes ~

1/3 cup brown rice flour 

1/3 cup tapioca flour

1/3 cup sorghum flour

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

3/4 cup sugar (I used coconut sugar)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 eggs, slightly beaten

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cupcake cups and dust pan lightly with sweet rice flour.
• In a medium sized bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. Make a well in center of dry ingredients. Add milk, oil, vanilla, and beaten eggs. Whisk together until combined and pour into prepared cups.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Do not over bake as these can dry out quickly!!
• Cool cupcakes completely before frosting.

 Frosting ~

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I used agave syrup)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 - 4 tbsp non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

Glaze ~

 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used Callebaut chips)

1 tbsp oil (grapeseed, coconut, or olive)

3 - 4 tbsp water

• In a large bowl mix peanut butter with powdered sugar. Add vanilla and non-dairy milk. You can add more or less milk to create the consistency you prefer.
• Spread peanut butter icing over completely cooled cupcakes.
• In another bowl melt chocolate chips and oil over a pot of simmering water, until melted. Whisk in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you get a drizzling chocolate sauce consistency. Drizzle glaze over frosted cupcakes.
• Serve immediately or chill.

Hot and Sour Soup with Bean Sprouts

I was feeling like I was coming down with a cold today, so I decided some healthy hot and sour soup would be perfect.  Having never made it before I headed out to the local grocery store and picked up the ingredients (as I live in a smaller rural community I didn't expect to find everything, but surprisingly I did!)  The complex flavours of this soup epitomize Chinese cooking as they include spice, sweet, sour and savoury...absolutely delicious, easy and I must say, I am feeling tons better after eating a bowlful!!!

HOT AND SOUR SOUP WITH BEAN SPROUTS

Ingredients:

1 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms (I bought a pre-sliced package)

1/2 cup enoki mushrooms***

1/2 cup finely sliced bamboo shoots

4 cups miso stock (I bought cubes as there wasn't miso paste available at the store, but you can also use a chicken stock, the soup will just appear lighter in colour)

1/2 package of firm tofu, finely diced

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp granulated sugar

1 tsp white pepper

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar

2 tbsp cornstarch

3 tbsp water

1 tsp sesame oil

1 egg, beaten

2 green onions thinly sliced

1 large handful of bean sprouts

• Place the bamboo shoots and mushrooms into a large pot with the stock.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, pepper, salt and tofu.  Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.  Mix the cornstarch and water in a separate bowl until well combined.  Add some of the hot stock and stir well.  Gently pour the cornstarch into the soup stirring well.
• Turn the heat off, add the sesame oil, green onions and bean sprouts.  Gently pour the beaten egg into the soup and stir.
• Serve and enjoy!

*If you want a little more heat in your soup, Add 1 tbsp of sambal oelek or dried chili flakes!

** If you are using dried shiitake mushrooms, place them in a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave to soften for 20 minutes.  Drain and use.

***Enoki mushrooms are miniature button mushrooms that grow in fibrous clumps.  Simply pull off the desired amount, trim the ends and use!

Basic Waffle Recipe

As the vegan recipe only made two waffles, I made these for the kids (because Greg and I gobbled up the other ones!!)  This is an old stand-by recipe that comes from "The Complete Canadian Living Cookbook" and works perfectly every time!

BASIC WAFFLE RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk*

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tbsp coconut, vegetable, grape seed or avocado oil

• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.  In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk and butter.  Pour over flour mixture and stir until just combined.
• Heat waffle iron and set at desired temperature.  For each waffle either spray the waffle plates, or lightly brush with some oil.  Pour 1/2 or 1/4 cup (according to the manufacturers directions for your waffle maker) of batter and spread to the edges.  Close lid and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp, golden and steam stops.
• Serve with pure maple syrup and butter, or fresh berries, applesauce, whipped cream, ice cream, chocolate sauce...the topping possibilities are endless!

*If you do not want to buy buttermilk (as it comes in large quantities, usually), you can add one 1tbsp of fresh lemon juice to each cup of regular 2% milk.  Let sit for a few minutes so milk can slightly curdle/thicken, before using*
 **Any leftover waffles can be frozen for use later!  Just place small squares of waxed paper between the waffles and seal inside of a freezer bag.  When you are ready to eat them, simply place waffle halves in a toaster!**

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

For some reason my kids have been on a complete peanut butter kick lately?!  Anyway, before they headed off to school today they put in a request that I try and make peanut butter cookies for their after school snack.  Now, anyone who knows me knows that I am a self-confessed non-baker.  So I pulled the jar out of the cupboard and went online.  This recipe comes from the Kraft website and it is by far the easiest recipe EVER!  I have already tasted one cookie and they're yummy!  Next time I am adding chocolate chips!!

EASY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

• Preheat oven to 325F.
• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients until well mixed (I used my hand mixer).
• Roll dough into 1 1/2" balls and space 2" apart on a greased cookie sheet.  Flatten each ball with a fork (to give the cookie it's traditional cross-hatching on top!), and place in the oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven and let cool on a rack.
• ENJOY!

 

Dutch Apple Pie

This has to be one of my favourite apple pie recipes - it is super-easy and I have received LOADS of compliments on it (one of my friend's sons told his Grandmother that it was way better than hers! LOL!)  Since we have an abundance of apples on our snow apple tree this year (at least that's what variety I have been told they are!), I whipped up one of these ~ much to the family's delight!!!

DUTCH APPLE PIE

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup butter, melted
Filling:
2/3 cup sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 cups cold water
3 cups diced peeled tart apples
1 tsp vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350F
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats and butter.  Set aside 1 cup for crumble topping.  Press remaining crumb mixture into an ungreased 9" pie plate; set pie plate aside.
• For filling, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and water in a large saucepan until smooth.  Bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until completely thickened.  Remove from the heat.
• Stir in apples and vanilla extract.  Pour into crust; top with reserved crumb mixture and Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
• ENJOY!!!

 

Leftover Mashed Potato Muffins

These savoury muffins and a nice breakfast treat, or with soups, stews or chilis!  Next time  you are making mashed potatoes for dinner, try throwing in a couple of extra potatoes so you'll have leftovers to create these tasty treats!

LEFTOVER MASHED POTATO MUFFINS

Ingredients:

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornmeal

4 tsp granulated sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp each ground black pepper & dried oregano

2 eggs

1 cup mashed potatoes

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup minced green onions (I use garlic scapes!)

1/2 cup finely minced red bell pepper

• Preheat oven to 400F.  Grease muffin cups; set aside.   
• In a large bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, pepper and oregano together.  In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, potatoes and milk until fairly smooth.  Pour over dried ingredients.
• Add green onions and red peppers to the bowl and mix until ingredients are just combined.  Spoon into prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in centre of the oven for 15 mins (or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of one muffin, comes out clean).
• Transfer muffins to a cooling rack and let cool.
• Enjoy with butter while still slightly warm, or with your favourite soup, stew or chili!!!

Asian Squash-Noodle Salad

Just like everyone at this time of year, I received quite a few zucchini in my CSA box from Cooper's.  I was wondering what to do with them (make brownies?  make a lasagna?) and then I found this recipe that I had torn out of a magazine ages ago.  I am SO glad I made it because all of us loved it ~ my son couldn't stop eating it!  It comes out better with a mandolin, but cutting it finely like I did is okay too!

ASIAN SQUASH-NOODLE SALAD

Ingredients:

4 zucchini, each about 10" long

2 tbsp minced green onions (I used garlic scapes!)

3 tbsp soy sauce

2 1/2 tsp sugar

2 tbsp dry Sherry or Scotch

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 tbsp finely grated ginger

• If you have a mandolin, cut the zucchini lengthwise into shoestring 'noodles'.  Otherwise, using a chef's knife, cut into 1/8" thick slices.  Stack the sliced, and cut them lengthwise into 1/4" strips.
• Steam the zucchini noodles for 5 mins or until tender.  Immediately rinse them under cold water to stop them cooking.  Drain well and put into a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients and drizzle over the zucchini noodles, tossing gently to coat.
• Serve and enjoy! 

Aparagus & Tomato Tart With Chevre

For Father's Day I held a brunch at the house and invited my parents as well as Greg's ~ it was a special Father's Day this year as Sunday was also my Father-in-law's 69th Birthday.  With all the incredible fresh produce that we've been receiving in our CSA boxes from Cooper's, I decided to create this tart as I had all the ingredients on hand!

  

ASPARAGUS & TOMATO TART WITH CHEVRE

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

4 tsp white vinegar

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup of half and half cream

1/4 tsp each salt and freshly ground black pepper

5 oz log of goat's cheese (chevre)

1/4 cup snipped fresh chives

4 plum or small tomatoes

4 spears of asparagus

• For the crust, place flour, sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse gently till combined.  Add butter and pulse until coarse crumbs form.  Add vinegar and pulse until mixture begins to form a ball.  Remove dough and gather into a ball.
• Lightly oil a 9" tart tin with a removable bottom.  Place dough ball in the centre of the pan and using the palm of your hand, press dough from the middle of pan to edges.  With your fingertips, press dough up the sides of the pan until the dough is even with the rim.  The pastry will be very thin.  Refrigerate for 30 mins.
• Position rack in bottom of oven and preheat to 400F. 
• In a medium bowl, whisk eggs.  Whisk in milk, cream, salt and pepper.  Crumble goat cheese into a large bowl.  Using the back of a wooden spoon, mash cheese.  Continue mashing while gradually adding egg mixture.  Mixture may be a little lumpy. Add in snipped chives.
• Quarter tomatoes lengthwise, cut out seeds and core.  Arrange tomato quarters in chilled crust in a circular pattern.  In between tomatoes, add asparagus pieces (trim end and cut into 1 1/2" lengths or smaller)
• Slowly pour egg mixture over top and swirl gently to evenly distribute chives over tart. 
• Place tart pan on a baking sheet and bake in oven for 35 to 40 mins, or until the centre of the tart is still a little jiggly.
• Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes prior to slicing.
• Serve warm or room temperature and ENJOY! 

Rhubarb Squares

This recipe came from a fellow CSA Member of "Cooper's CSA Farm & Maze" and it is nothing short of excellent!  My family absolutely loves this treat and eagerly look forward to the springtime when we receive fresh rhubarb in our CSA boxes!!!

RHUBARB SQUARES

Ingredients:

Filling:
3 cups rhubarb, chopped in 1/2" cubes
1 1/2 cups of white sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
Crust:
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, cold and cut into 1/2" cubes

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Combine filling ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook until thickened.  Set aside.
• Combine the first 6 crust ingredients in a mixer and mix well.  Add butter and process until mixture is crumbly.
• Pat 2/3 of the crust into a greased 8"x12" pan.  Add filling.  Sprinkle the remaining crumbs evenly over the top.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool and keep in refrigerator until ready to enjoy!

Rhubarb Sour Cream Pie

RHUBARB SOUR CREAM PIE

Ingredients:

1 - 9" unbaked pie crust (deep dish is preferable)

4 cups chopped fresh rhubarb

1 free-range egg

1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar

1 cup sour cream

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup each of all-purpose flour and brown sugar

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

* Heat oven to 450F.
* Press pie crust into a 9" pie pan.
* Spread rhubarb in an even manner over the bottom of the crust.
* In a medium sized bowl, whisk egg, white sugar, sour cream and 1/3 cup flour until smooth. Pour over rhubarb.
* In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour and brown sugar. Stir in melted butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the pie.
* Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350F.
* Continue to bake for 40 minutes, or until edges have puffed, and topping is golden.
* The centre might be still somewhat jiggly, but once it is cooled completely it is perfect to slice and serve!
* ENJOY!

Classic Sweet Watermelon Rind Pickles

Funnily enough, as I went to the cupboard and took out a jar of these pickles, it occurred to me that I hadn't posted a blog entry about them?!  I suppose it was because they are such a foreign food to me that I wasn't 100% sure of how they were supposed to look and taste (as they tend to be commonplace in the southern States).  Armed only with my preserving book and a mountain of watermelon rinds I set to canning this odd, but tasty treat!  Hopefully when watermelon season returns, you will remember this posting and try it for yourself, because I can assure you the taste is unique and fabulous roasted with pork!!!

CLASSIC SWEET WATERMELON RIND PICKLES

Ingredients For Day 1:

16 cups cubed, peeled watermelon rind (about 1 large melon, rind cut into 1" cubes)

1/2 cup pickling or canning salt

Ingredients For Day 2:

2 sticks cinnamon, broken in half

4 cups granulated sugar

1/2 tsp whole cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

2 cups cider vinegar

2 cups water

• DAY 1:  In a large non-reactive bowl, layer watermelon rind and salt, using about 1/3 of each per layer.  Place a plate on top to weigh down rind.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hrs or up to 24 hrs.
• DAY 2:  In a sieve, working in batches, drain rind and rinse well.  Drain again.
• In a large pot combine rind and enough cold water to cover by about 1".  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  reduce heat and boil gently for about 10 minutes or until fork tender.  Drain well and set aside.
• In a large clean pot combine cinnamon sticks, sugar, cloves, nutmeg, vinegar and 2 cups water.  Bring to  a boil over medium heat, stirring often until sugar is dissolved.
• Add rind and simmer, gently stirring occasionally for 1 to 1 1/2 hrs or until rind is translucent and looks glassy.  Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, prepare canner, jars and lids.  
• Using a slotted spoon, pack rind and whole spices into hot jars, leaving 1" headspace and dividing spices as evenly as possible between jars.  Pour in hot pickling liquid, leaving 1/2" headspace and removing air bubbles. 
• Wipe rim and place hot lid disc on jar.  Screw band down until fingertip tight.
• Place jars in canner and return to a boil.  Process for 10 minutes.  Turn off heat, remove canner lid and let jars stand in water for 5 minutes.  Transfer jars to a towel-lined surface and let stand for 24 hours.  Check lids and reprocess any jars whose lids did not seal.

*For a deeper flavour, replace all or half of the granulated sugar with packed brown sugar.  The colour of the pickles will be a dark caramel!*
*If you prefer a milder spice flavour, just discard the whole spices instead of adding them to the jars!*

Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

This is one of those super-easy, mid-week meals that you can get on the table almost faster than it takes the rice to cook!  Also a little ginger at this time of year is always a good idea!!!

GINGER CHICKEN STIR-FRY

Ingredients

Marinade:

1 egg white, beaten

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp cornstarch

1/8 tsp white pepper

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" pieces

Sauce:

1/2 tsp cornstarch

2 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp granulated sugar

Stir-Fry:

1 tbsp plus 2 tsp oil, divided (I have been using "Olys" which is derived from cereal grains, but you can use vegetable or peanut oil)

1 medium green bell pepper, julienned

3 green onions, cut into 1" lengths

1/2 cup canned bamboo shoots, finely chopped

3 tsp minced fresh gingerroot

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (I didn't have any almonds this time, but usually add them!)

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the egg white, soy sauce, cornstarch and white pepper.  Add chicken, seal bag and turn to coat.  Refrigerate for 30 mins.
• Combine the cornstarch, vinegar, soy sauce and sugar until smooth;  set sauce aside.
• Drain chicken and discard marinade.  In a large skillet (or wok), stir-fry chicken in 1 tbsp oil until no longer pink.  Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Stir-fry green pepper and onions in remaining oil for 2 minutes.  Add bamboo shoots and ginger; stir-fry 3 to 4 mins. longer or until vegetables are crisp tender.
• Stir sauce mixture and add to pan.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. 
• Add chicken and heat through.  Sprinkle with almonds and stir to combine.  Remove from heat.
• Serve over warm rice!

*I usually buy my gingerroot when it's on sale in the grocery store and then store it in the freezer so it lasts, is easy to grate using my rasp, and I always have it on hand.  Don't leave it out of the freezer too long though, as it will go mushy!!*

Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

My mother-in-law made her own pumpkin pie filling and then brought us a loaf of pumpkin bread that she made!  This inspired me to make my own and I must admit I used canned pumpkin (despite my best intentions to make my own from the pie pumpkins that we got from Cooper's CSA Farm & Maze).  This was such an incredibly easy, delicious and moist cake that we just gobbled it up!!!

PUMPKIN & CHOCOLATE CHIP BUNDT CAKE

Ingredients:

4 eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil

1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin

1 tsp real vanilla extract

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves or ground allspice

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups walnut pieces or chocolate chips

  

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease and flour a 10" bundt pan or tube pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix the eggs with a large fork until well blended.  Mix in the sugar. Add the oil in a steady stream, mixing all the while, until the mixture is thick and smooth.
• Mix in the pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, clove and salt. Add the baking soda and baking powder in pinches, breaking up any lumps with your fingers. Stir in thoroughly.
• Stir in the whole wheat and all-purpose flours just until blended. Stir in the walnuts or chocolate chips.
• Pour and scrape the batter into the pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Invert, remove the pan, and cool on the rack for about 15 minutes more.
• ENJOY!

Smashed Rutabagas with Ginger-Roasted Pears

I pulled this recipe out of a magazine ages ago and it has become a regular side dish at our table!  I must admit that the kids aren't so fond of them, but any adult I serve it to usually goes back for seconds!!

Rutabagas are the larger, waxed root vegetable that you will find in the markets - the flesh is an orange colour.  Turnips are small (size of a beet), white with a purplish colour to one end.  The flesh of a turnip is white. These two are often mistaken for each other!

SMASHED RUTABAGAS WITH GINGER-ROASTED PEARS

Ingredients:

4lbs rutabagas, peeled and cut into 1" cubes

1 1/2 tbsp EVOO

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger

1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

3 firm Anjou pears, peeled, cored and cut into 3/4" cubes

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

5 tbsp butter

1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

• Boil rutabagas in a pot of boiling, salted water until tender (approx. 35 mins)
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400F.  Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Combine extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), lemon juice, ginger and sugar in a large bowl.  Add pears and toss to coat.  Spread evenly on the lined baking sheet and roast until tender, turning pears frequently, about 35 mins.  Remove from heat and set aside.
• Drain rutabagas and return to the same pot.  Mash to a coarse puree.  Stir over medium heat until excess moisture evaporates, approx. 5 mins.  Add cream, butter, and thyme.  Mix in pears and any juices from the baking sheet.
• Season with salt and pepper. ENJOY!

This dish can be made a day ahead and transferred to a microwave-safe bowl.  Cover and chill.  Bring to room temperature and rewarm at 1 minute intervals in the microwave, stirring often.

Asian Chicken with Vegetables

As I am sitting here eating a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with blueberries and cinnamon, and my apple sauce is 'doing its thing' on the cook top, I thought I would share with you an easy and DELICIOUS dinner that I made last night from the "Foodland Ontario" collection of recipes booklet that is available now (I got mine at Siloam Orchards, but I believe Cooper's CSA Farm & Maze also has them!)

All of my family loved this recipe (okay, so India loved the chicken and cabbage ONLY, but she still ate it!). I had a cooked whole chicken in the fridge from Cooper's, a Napa cabbage that desperately needed using, carrots and potatoes from the farm and just had to add store-bought mushrooms and water chestnuts! It's a low cal (200 calories/ bowl), high protein (20 grams), and fibre rich meal (5 grams) that is easy to prepare!!! Try it tonight!!

ASIAN CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES

Ingredients:

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks (I shredded my pre-cooked chicken)

3 cups chicken broth

1/3 cup naturally brewed soy sauce

2 tbsp granulated sugar

2 medium carrots, sliced diagonally in 1/2" slices

2 medium white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes

250g sliced mushrooms; crimini or shiitake (I used regular button)

4 cups thickly sliced cabbage

1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained (optional)

• Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok, over medium high heat and saute chicken for 2 to 3 minutes or until no longer pink.
• Add chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and cabbage; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in water chestnuts, if using, and heat until hot.
• Serve in wide bowls and ENJOY!

*I also had a can of bamboo shoots which I sliced and added to this dish, and I garnished with sliced green onions for colour!*

Raspberry & Custard Tart

I was invited to my friend Kathy's for an end of the summer dinner, so I offered to make my "Roasted Corn and Dill Potato Salad", as well as this delicious-looking dessert!!! This recipe comes from the LCBO's "Food & Drink ~ Summer 2010" magazine. It's actually quite easy...perhaps I am more of a baker than I thought!!!

RASPBERRY & CUSTARD TART

Ingredients

Custard:

1 cup milk

1 tsp real vanilla extract

3 free-range egg yolks

3 tbsp granulated sugar

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Tart:

3 oz bittersweet chocolate

1 baked sweet pastry shell (9")

2 cups raspberries

1/2 cup redcurrant jelly (I only had cherry and it worked fine)

1 tbsp sweet wine or brandy

• Heat milk in a heavy pot over medium heat until simmering. Remove from heat and add vanilla.


• Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until well combined. Stir in flour.


• Whisk milk mixture into egg yolks and return to pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Pour custard into a mixing bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin forming. Cool.


• Slowly melt chocolate in a heavy pot over low heat. Remove form heat and brush the inside of the baked pastry shell with melted chocolate. Place in freezer to solidify the chocolate.


• Pour cooled custard into shell. Arrange raspberries in circles on top of the custard.


• Place redcurrant jelly and sweet wine in a small pot and boil for 1 minute. Cool until glaze is room temperature, but still liquid. Drizzle or brush glaze over the fruit and leave the tart in a cool place until ready to serve.

Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

For my Dad's birthday on August 17th, I wanted to create a cake that would be memorable...and boy, was a giant cupcake just the ticket!!! I bought the cake pan from Zehr's and used a recipe from Anna Olson's "Sugar" cookbook. It was absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING

Ingredients

Cake:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup golden brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup water

4 oz (125g) unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2 tsp espresso powder

1 3/4 cups cake & pastry flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sour cream

Icing:

4oz (125g) cream cheese, room temperature

2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour 2 - 9" cake pans (or in my case, one giant cupcake pan!), shaking out excess flour. cream butter and sugars together until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
• In a small saucepan stir water, chocolate and espresso powder over low heat until melted. Allow to cool slightly before beating into the butter mixture.
• Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt and stir into batter alternately with sour cream. Divide evenly between the two pans and bake 25 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the centre of the cake, comes out clean. Allow to cool 15 mins. in the pans, then turn cakes out onto a plate to cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese until smooth, then stir in the sugar and vanilla extract. Ice both the centre and top & sides of the cake.
• ENJOY!!!!