Oodles of Noodles

Who doesn't like pasta? Anyone? No? Didn't think so.

The question is, how do you like your pasta?

Cold?

Hot?

Creamy?

Herby?

Salty?

Spicy?

Plain?

Cheesy?

Healthy?

White pasta?

Whole Wheat pasta?

Spinach/Vegetable pasta?

The possibilities are quite endless.

Here is one way to make your pasta.

Cold. Herby. Healthy. YUM!

MacaCrazy Salad

This pasta is packed with veggies, flavour and whole lot of zing. Not your traditional, boring mac salad.

3 cups of dry pasta (your choice but spiral, conchiglie, rigatoni are my reccomendations. They hold sauces nicely)

1 Red Pepper

3 small pickles (sliced and diced)

2 sticks Celery (chopped)

1 cup Cherry Tomatoes

1/2 Cucumber
1 avacado, sliced

Dressing:

1 cup Mayo

3 Tbsp Dill Mustard

3 small pickles (sliced and diced)

1/4 cup Ranch Dressing

1/2 cup Sour Cream

1 Tbsp Dill

1/2 Tbsp Parlsey (fresh, chopped)

1 Tbsp Cilantro

2 tsp salt

2 tsp pepper

Cook pasta with 1 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp of oil.

Chill pasta in fridge.

Chop and dice veggies.

Mix up dressing.

Add pasta with veggies, and dressing.

*suggestion: add choice of favorite cheese, either Parmesan or Asiago.

Candy Cane Cookies

Candy Cane Cookies
1 cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Vanilla
1/4 tsp Peppermint
2 1/2 cups Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup crushed Candy Cane
2 Tbsp Sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350〫
2. Beat butter and sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for Candy cane and sugar.
3. Chill for 1 hour.
4. Seperate the dough into 2 balls.
5. Roll one of the balls in red food colouring.
6. Take a chunk of the pink dough, and roll into a rope.
7. Take a chunk of the white dough, and roll into a rope.
8. Cut the ropes into 4" increments. 
9. Intertwine the 2 coloured ropes around eachother, and shape into a candy cane shape.
10. Put on cookie sheet.
11. Crush candy cane and add to sugar in a small bowl.
12. Take crushed candy cane and sugar mixture and sprinkle over each cookie.
13. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Homemade Toffee...YUM!

Homemade Toffee
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup butter
1 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment.
2. Find a large saucepan.
3. Add in all ingredients except for vanilla.
4. Cook over medium heat until boiling. 
5. Once boiling, cook for around 20 minutes.
6. After 20 minutes, take off the stove and mix in vanilla. 
7. Pour onto cookie sheet with parchment.
8. Cool and enjoy :)

             Optional: melt chocolate chips and 1 Tbsp Parafin wax over heat. Pour over toffee.

Bulls Eye

Bulls Eye

2/3 cup Butter

3 cups Peanut Butter (smooth)

Add enough Icing Sugar to roll into balls.

1. Harden in fridge once calls are rolled.
2. Melt chocolate chips and Parafin wax together (1 Tbsp)
3.  OR 
4. use Dark Chocoate Dipping Wafers (Thrifty Foods Bulk Section).
5. Insert toothpick into the ball, and dip twice in the chocolate.
6. Put on waxed paper or parchment once dipped.
7. Cool. 
8. Serve.

If there is a peanut allergy, use just butter, vanilla and icing sugar instead for the balls.

Christmas Fudge

(this one is the same as above, minus the toppings and nuts)

Christmas Fudge

3 cups Sugar

3/4 cup Marg

2/3 cup Evaporated milk

340g chocolate chips

200g marshmellows (melted)

1 cup chopped nuts

1 tsp Vanilla

1. Use a 8" x 8" pan.
2. Combine first 3 ingredients in saucepan. 
3. Bring to boil, and boil for 5 minutes. 
4. Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients.
5. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

My choice of addition to top:

• Melt marshmellows in a bowl with 1 Tbsp of oil.
• Put warm marshmellow ziploc bag and cut end off. 
• While still hot/warm, drizzle over the fudge.
• Crush chocolate chips into chunks, and sprinkle over warm marshmellow (must do this while marshmellow still warm or it won't stick).
• Chill for another 30 mins. 
• Slice and serve.

Hint of Curry, Lots of Flavour

 So weird thing. I have been having many cravings for curry in the last 6 months (and no, I'm not pregnant...lol...because I know you all went there).

This meal will satisfy any inkling for delish chicken!

I very rarely buy pre-made dressings because I find the intensity of the taste has dissipated by the time it reaches my house. 

However, I am in love with this dressing because it is fast, 

easy and really packed with flavour. 


VH Indian Market Mango Curry Sauce

(Sorry for the really bad quality picture)

I'm not a big fan of the spicy curry, so if you're wondering how this tastes, 

here's my best description:

Tangy, mildly curry flavoured, a hint of fruit, creamy/milky.

Please go out and buy this item which is now a staple in my kitchen.

You can choose to eat these all seperately, or you can layer them together.

Layered

Brown Rice

Tired of boring rice, with no flavour, and lots of butter and salt?

Try this, which is the only way I like my rice.

(I haven't tried the Uncle Ben's flavoured rice, but I'm sure this tastes similar, less the salt, preservatives, BPA, etc.

• 3 Tbsp Chicken Broth Concentrate (per cup of rice)
• Add fresh chopped Parsley (or dry if none on hand)
• 1 tsp of Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 1/2 clove Garlic

Add in all ingredients, cook rice. No butter needed :)

Mango-Curry Chicken

YUM YUM YUM!!

• Slice 2 chicken breasts into small strips
• Cook in non-stick pan for 6 minutes, flipping chicken bits once
• Add "Mango Curry Dressing"
• Cook for another 8 minutes (to marinate the chicken)
• Serve over a bed of rice or Asian noodles.

Crumbed Potatoes

A different twist on the traditional potatoes

2 Lbs Yellow Yukon Gold Potatoes (they pack the most flavour)

         (Chop into 2" x 2" x 2" squares. Boil these in water for 15-20 minutes)

Put potatoes in saucepan or non-stick pan, and coat with:

• 5 Tbsp Butter
• 1 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Pepper
• 1-1 1/2 cups of Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs (or panko)

Cook over medium heat for 10 mintues, until slightly browned.

Root Vegetable Medley 

Amazing and healthy veggies, caramlized to perfection.

• Carrots
• Parsnip
• Butternut squash
• dash salt
• dash pepper
• butter

1. Julienne*  vegetables.
2. Put in Cast Iron Pan, with 1 inch water.
3. Cook until water is almost gone.
4. Add butter, salt and pepper.
5. Continue cooking until slightly browned/caramelized.
6. Turn over every 2 mins.

*Slice veggies until they are matchstick thin, and rectangular in shape.

Sponge Toffee Delight

Sponge Toffee Delight

Sponge Toffee Delight

2 1/2 cup Sugar

2/3 cup Corn Syrup

6 Tbsp Water

2 Tbsp Baking Soda

2 tsp Vanilla

*tip* pre-measure the baking soda and vanilla before hand so you can toss them in at the end. Once you add them, the reaction is extremely quick!!!

1. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Use a large, heavy duty saucepan.
3. Add all the ingredients except for the baking soda and water.  
4. Bring to a boil over medium heat.  
5. Using a candy thermometer, bring the temperature up to 300〫
6. Once it reaches 300, take off the burner. 
7. Once baking soda and vanilla are added, dump onto the parchment paper and let cool.
8. Once cool, break apart either with a knife or rough break with hands.
9. Drizzle with Chocolate Dipping Wafers  (dark and white chocolate, avail. at Thrifty's in the bulk dept)

Smoothie Bliss....

This is the healthiest, creamiest, most nutrition-packed smoothie, 

but it has the most important 

ingredient.....it tastes DELICIOUS!!!!

No more being able to taste those gag-worthy things that are so good for you, 

but so bad at the same time!

Well this smoothie defies those odds.

 I promise you. 

Like I said in my "About Me" post, my promise to you is that these recipes 

will ALL taste amazing. 

So give it a try, and your body (and taste palette) will thank you :)

Super Healthy Yummy Smoothie

Can you just feel the goodness?

Feel free to mix it up with different ingredients

             

                  This is my favorite "liquid" to add to the smoothie, it's Organic "Mango Lemonade" and its a healthy way to add some liquid to your drink.

My other favorite ingredient. This has all the stuff that tastes disguisting, 

but is disguised by all the fruit flavours overtaking it.

 It has things like wheat grass, jerusalem artichoke, 

spurilina, barley grass, 

wheat sprouts, etc.

Check out their website (www.odwalla.com). You can find this drink at Superstore.

Finish with either Mint Leaf or a slice of Orange

As you can imagine, feel free to switch up any ingredients that you like. 

Combine different flavour combinations,

 ~BIG TIP~ but remember to write them down as you do it, or you'll never remember what you put in it. 

Here is the recipe for the smoothie pictured above:

(along with all the nutrition info so you know how well you're treating your body)

Super Healthy Yummy Smoothie

1/2 fresh pineapple, sliced   (Vitamin E, Vitamin K(helps with blood clotting), Beta Carotene (eye health)

2 oranges, peeled and sliced   (vitamin C)

1 banana    (packed with potassium, an often lacking nutrient in our bodies)

Frozen mix: Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries    (anti-oxident berries, helps detoxify the body)

1-2 Mangos (sliced)    (fiber, selenium (helps fight against heart disease and cancer)

2 cups Watermelon   (vitamin A, Vitamin B6-helps body cope with anxiety/panic)

8 Strawberries    (magnese, Folate)

Liquid: 1 cup of Organic Mango Lemonade

Liquid Choices:  Yogurt, Skim Milk, 100% fruit juice, (think healthy vitamins/mineral drink like the Odwalla LifeFood (pictured above)

Blend on high speed for 2 minutes.

If you don't like seeds (there will be some in the drink) then simply strain.

Have fun taking care of your sweet tooth, and healthy mind/body!!!

Love the Lasagna

                                                              

Growing up, I never appreciated lasagna. 
I didn't know how much much work went into it. 

 I didn't know that it would one day 

be my favorite Comfort Food. 

I now know just how many veggies I can sneak 

into my little girls' tummies, 

without them ever even knowing it!! 

Every time you make it, add a new veggie, one that you've never tried. 

The idea behind this is that you get all the

 nutrition from a veggie that you/your kids 
would never ever eat on its own. 

Some of my favorite add-ins that my kids (or my husband for that matter) will never taste or find:

Swiss Chard (roughly chopped)

Butternut Squash (cubed)

Beets (mashed)

Beet Stems (chopped)

Herbs

Spinach (finely chopped)

Artichoke

Asparagus

Broccoli

The list goes on, make your own list :)

Make your food fun, and creative, focusing on 

unique and healthy foods! 


(Compliment your dish with a fresh Caesar Salad, Corn on the Cob, and Whole Wheat Garlic bread)

~This recipe combines healthy, with delicious and cheesy flavours.  Best flavour you'll find, especially with your own added veggies~

Deep Dish Lasagna      Makes 1 large lasagna= approx. 6 servings      

Tomato Base:
4 cups ground beef
1 sliced onion
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed

1 can of tomato sauce (bought, or canned tomatoes with tomato paste)

Your fav. herbs (parsley, basil)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 bunch of green onions

Choice of veggies: squash, spinach, etc (see list above, or create your own)

Pasta:

Choose your favorite pasta (I choose Whole Wheat, or Spinach)
12 pieces of Lasagna Noodles

Cheese Filler:

1 container of Cottage cheese

1 cup of pizza mozzarella

2 eggs

Pinch of salt/pepper

Choose your lasagna size dish.  I choose either a rectangular corning ware dish, or a glass 8' x 8' dish.


Preheat your oven to 375 ∘C.


Begin by boiling your lasagna noodles. Do this first so that you have it ready to layer (the tomato and cheese fillers don't take very long) and so that you can handle the lasagna noodles without burning your fingers.


Boil the noodles in a large saucepan, with 1 Tbsp of oil (so they don't stick) and 1 tsp of salt (this will be the only time you are able to flavour your noodles).


While they boil, begin your Tomato Base first.
In a medium saucepan, begin by browning your ground beef. After 2 minutes, add in your sliced onion. Then just after, add in your garlic, but only let it cook for 1 minute, otherwise your garlic will burn.
Next add in your tomato sauce and choice of veggies. Let simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavour infuse, and mingle.


Begin the Cheese Filler by mixing in all ingredients.


Note: If you noodles are too long (like mine are) measure them in the length of the bowl, and trim with a knife, accordingly.


Begin by lining the bottom of the casserole dish with your Tomato Base.
Then put on a layer of your Cheese Filler. 
Then layer your noodles, one butt-up against the one beside it.
Continue this layering until all the noodles have been used. 
For the last layer, put on the Tomato Base, and Cheese Filler, then no noodles. 
Top with Cheese and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
(If cheese begins to get too brown, just put lid on dish (or foil).)

(Compliment your dish with a fresh Caesar Salad, Corn on the Cob,

 and Whole Wheat Garlic bread)

About Me.....

My passion for food began when I was young, but it was passed down and fostered by my grandmother, who is my inspiration and teacher.

My dad is a chocolate lover.  No, I really mean it. 

Not weak-in-the-knees kind of love....more like would-eat-too-much-and-get-sick kind of chocoholic.

I remember my dad would get home at 4:35 every day.

One warm day, little did he know I was scurrying around in the kitchen,

making his absolute favorite dessert: Cream Puffs.

These were no ordinary Cream Puffs,

they were

chocolate-inspired Cream Puffs.

They had squares of Caramilk Bar, 

(melted in the middle)

 then stuffed with a mix of

Whip cream  and Cream Cheese

(my own creamy concoction), then once in a pyramid on a plate,

              drizzled with Chocolate Sauce,

Butterscotch sauce,

and more Whip cream on top.

Drooling yet???

This was also the beginning of my quest to make things how I liked them, not how they "came."

I would tweak recipes, add this, take out that, adjust baking time.

I desired to make the food meet my taste requirements.

Cookies: Soft and gooey in the middle, crisp on the outside

Cakes: Moist, fluffy, layered

Brownies: Strong cocoa flavour, cakey top, gooey middle with Choc chunks throughout

That PassIoN also spills into my cooking.

Raising a young family, and my husband having special eating requirements,

I have experimented

 (and I mean REALLY experimented)

with what works, and what doesn't.

I will have lots of kids meals, adult meals, desserts, and even 

gluten/dairy-free recipes,

 as well as many vegetarian/vegan meals.

I will also do many budget-friendly meals because that is what we need.

My promise to you, is that it will taste amazing, be budget-friendly, and taste amazing!!

*DISCLAIMER*

I am unfailingly healthy with my cooking.

I do of course throw in some great fav's like Lasagne, and Pizza, but most of the recipies will be

healthy, mostly fast, and delicious!

So if you like what you read, and you like what you see...give them a try!

Wholly Waffles!!!

It began with love at first smell. Classy, I know...lol.

As my hubby and I were walking through the harbour in Downtown Victoria,

 the sweet scent of waffles caught my attention. We had walked by it many times, 

but this time we decided to try it. 

For $3, per 1/4 waffle, it was sweet love!!  

Ever since, I have been trying to recreate this awakening in my mouth, at home.

Today, I conquered!!!

What makes these waffles noticeably different?

1. They are made with yeast

2. It is of a dough, NOT a batter.

3. It contains *Beet Syrup* (or sugar) which caramelizes the waffle, on contact

 *asteric denotes the secret ingredients

Caramelized Waffles
1 pack of Yeast (equivalent to 2 1/4 tsp)
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups milk
1/3 melt butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3 cups of flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 beet sugar (or beet syrup)


-Dissolve yeast and sugar, in the 1/2 cup of warm water (this proof's the yeast). 
-Let that sit for 10 mins.
-Meanwhile,  mix up the rest of the ingredients. Once mixed, add in yeast mixture. 
-Beat just until combined. 
-Pour 1/3 cup (depending on size of waffle iron) into waffle iron. 
-Set timer for 2 mins.
-Enjoy!

The yeast adds an unbelievaly delicious taste to the waffles. The beet sugar helps to caramalize them.

~TIP~  Continue making waffles, and freeze what you don't use.  You can either heat them up in a toaster or back on the Waffle Iron. 

Truffles

Truffles
1/3 cup Whipped Cream
2 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Sugar
1/4 tsp Vanilla
4 squares Chocolate

1. Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil. 
2. Remove and add vanilla and chocolate. 
3. Stir until melted.
4. Chill until firm enough to handle (3 or 4 hours).
5. Roll into balls and dip in desired coating. 

Suggested coatings:
Sliced almonds
Crushed pecans
Cocoa
Icing Sugar
Crushed Candy Cane
Coconut

Hoping you'll stop by....

Welcome to my new blog, for your recipe viewing pleasure!

I  love finding new recipes and tips.

I love baking.

I love tweaking a recipe, so that I fits all of my wants and desires, in an edible format.

And I hope, that you will LOVE this blog enough to visit it daily, and share these recipes
 for your loved ones to enjoy!
And if you could once in a while let me know
 how you like it, that'd be swell :)