Recipe: Caesar Salad Dressing - From Scratch!

Caesar salad - it's complex flavours and textures are so addictive, and made from such interesting ingredients.  Most people don't even know that there's anchovies are in there, or at least are supposed to be!  This is a  really easy dressing to make, and is so simple yet satisfying.  Store in a jar and it will last in your fridge for a week.  That's if you don't finish it all first....

Recipe: Better Than Ever Chicken

Roast chicken is a classic comfort dish.  In fact, most chefs say that would be their choice for their last meal - but sadly, it's so rarely done right.  All you need are a few ingredients and a slightly different technique.  You deserve to eat flavourful, juicy chicken!

Technique: Shucking Oysters

Oyster with Japanese Mignonette Sauce

I love oysters. Love, love, love them!  I once ate four dozen oysters as my dinner. Now that's love.  Having oysters at a restaurant or oyster bar can be pretty expensive - usually about $3 each.  So why not learn to shuck your own oysters and eat til your heart's content, or at least until you get a hand cramp.  It's a lot easier than you think. 

Recipe: Beef Curry with Potatoes

A lot of people are really intimidated by Indian food, but this is really just meat and potatoes - with a kick of curry!  Believe me, you can cook Indian food at home; and neither you nor your home with smell.  Read on for my tricks!

Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup

One of my favourite soups ever is Italian Wedding soup.  I even served it at my wedding!  There's just something so satisfying about this magical combination of meatballs, tiny pasta, and vegetables - topped with some freshly grated Parmesan.  A bowl hits every food group!  It takes a little bit of effort, but make a big pot and you won't regret it, I promise.

Techinique: Perfect French Fries

Salty, fried foods have a special place in my heart, but who doesn't love french fries!  Perfect french fries are surprisingly not as easy to make as you think.  There is a technique to it.  Read below for the secret.

Recipe: Pizza Dough - Two Ways!



There's nothing better than simple food done right.  Pizza is the perfect case in point, it's all about the ingredients - but you need a great dough to start!  Here, simple pizza dough you can make easily at home.  The best part, you can keep in in your fridge or freezer until you're ready.  It just tastes better when you make it.

Technique: Perfect Roast Potatoes

Potatoes:  inexpensive and versatile - there's just something about them that is so comforting!  Most people know how to roast potatoes, but this technique is effortless and uses very little fat.  Want to know the secret?

Recipe: Soft Bread Sticks

Ever finish a delicious meal, then look down on your plate and wish you had a soft piece of bread to mop up all that lingering sauce?  I know you have! This recipe is essentially like focaccia (but easier to make!).  You can leave it whole or slice it up as bread sticks.  It keeps well in an airtight container for days - if you don't eat them all sooner!

Recipe: Zuchinni Fritters

Zucchini fritters - like potato latkes but with much less calories and carbs.  Amazing! Aren't they adorable?  Think of them as a blank canvas.  They are a delicious vessel to be topped with sour cream, lemon zest, bacon, smoked salmon, caviar.... The possibilities are endless!

Techinique: Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

I know what you're probably thinking.... and no, I won't be teaching you how to boil water next.  Although this sounds very basic, a LOT of people (I will not name names) are over-cooking their eggs.  If your yolks have a greenish-gray colour on the edge or there is a strong sulfuric smell - you need to read my instructions!

Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Adobo Paste

If you buy canned chipotle peppers, adobo sauce is the what the peppers are stewed in.  I've always used the leftover sauce from my chipotle peppers, but I never thought to make my own! Duh!  Adobo sauce is a classic Mexican spice paste that is slightly smoky with a bit of bite, and it's great on pork, beef or chicken.  Making it fresh just doesn't compare!  It took me all of 2 minutes to throw together.  Pinky swear.

Technique: How to Trim Portabello Mushrooms

Portabello mushrooms are earthy and meaty, and unlike most mushrooms, they barely shrink from cooking!  Here is a quick guide on how to trim them so they will be ready for your next recipe.

Recipe: Easiest Cream Biscuits

6 ingredients and 10 minutes of work - that's all it takes to make light and fluffy biscuits.  I like to make these on the weekend for breakfast but they would go great with most meals.  Nothing beats fresh biscuits! 

Recipe: Potato Three Cheese Pizza

Okay, so this isn't exactly a recipe per se, since I use store bought dough and I don't really measure any of the toppings.... but I wanted to include this post to inspire you to move beyond your standard pizza toppings. Also, this pizza is simply scrumptious!  You won't even miss the pepperoni!

Recipe: Tortellini Vegetable Soup



Tortellini doesn't always have to served in your standard pasta sauce.  It can also be enjoyed in a light broth (and makes it more filling).  Another quick soup - using store bought frozen tortellini!  No one needs to know.  It'll be our little secret....wink!

Recipe: Rice and Peas

If you've had Jamaican rice and peas, this version is quite different.  This is more similar to the Cuban or Puerto Rican style arroz con granules (litterally, rice with pigeon peas).  This takes about 40 min from start to finish, so give yourself some time; but the results are definitely worth it!  Rice does not need to be plain - kick it up with some flavour!

Recipe: Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Some of you may have noticed I don't bake much, but these lemon poppy seed muffins are a delicious exception.  The fragrant lemon with the crunch of poppy seeds is a classic combination, and just a touch of sweetness!

Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

This Italian dish was named after Bellini's opera Norma.  It's a classic Sicilian dish made with eggplant, tomatoes, basil, and ricotta salata.  If you can't find ricotta salata, you can substitute Parmesan or pecorino in a pinch.  If you think you don't like eggplant, this dish just might convert you!  It's a fresh and light - simply delish!

Recipe: Thai Soba Noodle Salad

This is a favourite lunch of mine.  Soba are Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour.  They are low in calories and fat, and high in protein.  They have a slightly sweet, nutty flavour are are delicious paired with my peanut sauce!  I like to use up leftover chicken for some added protein, but it can be omitted for a vegetarian meal.

Recipe: Oven Roasted Pork Ribs

Those of you who aren't new to my blog, may have noticed I LOVE pork! And since my barbecue is currently buried in snow, the oven will work just fine for some yummy pork ribs.  This recipe only requires about 10 min of active work and the oven does the rest.  It doesn't get much easier is that!

Recipe: Southwest Salad

This is one of my favourite salads. It's just so refreshing! A perfect compliment to so many dishes, especially spicy or smoky barbecued meat. YUM!  It takes a bit of effort to dice everything, but it's a great opportunity to brush up your knife skills!

Recipe: Chicken Pad Thai

Pad Thai should not be smothered in a bright red sauce.  I don't know even what that is.  Also any recipe that does not include tamarind, is not authentic.  This dish really epitomizes the complex flavours in Thai food - a bit sour, sweet, spicy and salty... but all perfectly balanced.

Recipe: Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

C'mon, bacon is the ultimate condiment.  It makes everything better! Even brussels sprouts. Anyone that thinks they don't like brussel sprouts needs to try this recipe. It's that amazing!

Recipe: Potato Leek Soup

Many versions of Potato Leek soup require heavy cream to add body; but in this version, a small amount of the soup is pureed instead.  This thickens the soup without all the calories or fat.  This is probably one of the easiest soups to make EVER.

Recipe: Minestrone Soup

Minestrone - means "big soup" in Italian and is named for the many ingredients in it.  There are really no set rules on what should go into a minestrone soup, but it is generally tomato based, with lots of vegetables and usually some pasta.  Here is my version, and it's a perfect soup to use up the vegetables slowly going soft at the bottom of fridge drawers!  Bonus: the soup can be made in 30 min.

Recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

This is a great make ahead dish.  It makes a light but filling lunch  - vegetarian, full of protein, and don't forget it's gluten free! 

Recipe: Thai Red Curry

Thai red curry sounds much more intimidating to make than it is.  The key is the Thai red curry paste - and that comes in a jar!  So easy!  Read on to see the simple steps.

Recipe: Pork and Shrimp Dumplings

Dumplings are like a gift - small pretty packages filled with deliciousness.  Now who wouldn't want to receive that?!  This recipe is really just a starting point - you can really get creative and make your own variations.  The possibilities are endless!

Recipe: Pasta with Sausage, Vegetables and Goat Cheese

Such a long name!  Please feel free to let  me know if you have a better suggestion.  Nonetheless, it's an accurate name - and a simple, delicious, dish!  Perfect for a busy week night, and surprisingly light in calories.  I timed myself, and not including the time to boil water, it was ready to eat in under 15 minutes.  So easy!  Intrigued, yet?

Recipe: Vietnamese Pho Soup

Lots of people love pho noodle soup, but usually afterwards you find yourself parched!  Making your own soup lets you control the salt and other additives, like MSG.  The soup will be full of authentic flavour and your body will thank you for this healthier version! Bonus: Making a big pot makes having seconds so much easier!

Recipe: Flour Tortillas

I know what you're thinking, "Why would I make tortillas when I can buy them at the store for just a few dollars?"  You're right, tortillas are inexpensive, but these are even cheaper, super easy to make, and I think - more delicious!!  This is a great recipe to make with children too, they'll love rolling them out.  Just think of how proud they'd be eating those oblong, handmade, tortillas!