Chickpea Beef Stew with Orange

 We don't eat a lot of meat at our house.  Partly for health reasons and partly because Don and the kids don't really like it very much.  Recently I read a new blog where the author is aiming to complete 30 things before her 30th birthday.  It's an inspiring list and there were quite a few that had me excited to create my own list.  One of these items is to go vegetarian for a month.  My immediate response was "I could do that."

Spicy Maple Almonds

This past weekend we marked the end of Luke's hockey season with a team party.  It was time to celebrate the success, the fun, the hard work and time spent together.  Being a hockey parent is no small commitment.  Tryouts begin the first day of school in September and the season continues until the first of April.  Being a hockey coach is an even bigger commitment.

Bell Pepper & Sweet Potato Soup

I have had a few requests for more soup recipes on this site, but I've not been too keen to oblige.  Don't get me wrong, I think I eat more soup than the average person.  With the unseasonably warm spring we've had, it's been tempting to eat a lot more salads.

shakshuka

Ever had shakshuka?  A dish that can be pulled together quickly and economically and tastes great too.  It's been a standby supper, lunch, brunch and breakfast menu for some time in our family.  Essentially it is eggs poached in tomato sauce but once you taste it, you realize it is so much more.  I have seen a lot of variations of this recipe, some with feta, with jalapenos, with chickpeas... the list goes on.  I've tried a lot of versions but this is my current favourite.

Crispy Chicken with Grapefruit Honey Sauce

If you ever come to my home for dinner, you might be surprised by the comments made.  My children have been known to describe a meal as a "nice effort" and "good, but not my best."  As a parent, I am constantly striving to raise respectful and responsible children with excellent manners.  However, when it comes to food I tend to encourage my family to give feedback, both good and bad. 

Tri Colour Pepper Farro Salad

 Where do you find your food inspiration from?  Sometimes all it takes is a good sale to help me decide what ingredients I want to use. I am that lady who scours the reduced produce shelf or anything marked down for clearance. I am amazed at the perfectly good produce that grocery stores will put on clearance.

Cider Can Za'atar Chicken

 Who doesn't love a good ol' beer can chicken?  Such a simple way to prepare a juicy tender bird, but it's something I can not get sweet Luke to eat.  I always say Luke has the best palate of anyone I've ever met.  Although most people will tell you that beer can chicken tastes nothing like beer, Luke can pull that flavour out.  And at this stage, he doesn't like beer.  Not that we're complaining about our 9 yr old's dislike of beer flavour!

Barley Pomegranate Salad

Hands down, my favourite cookbook so far this year is Plenty by Yotam Ottelenghi.  Every single recipe in this cookbook has been amazing and this salad is no different.

Smokey Date Cheddar Scones

Ever since purchasing Kim Boyce's Good to the Grain I have been inspired to try different flours in my baking.  Some experiments have met with great success while others have been truly a flop. 

Yellow Split Pea Curry Soup

Something from  nothing- isn't that what we all want?  I love when I'm able to pull together a recipe from ingredients that I have on hand already.  Unfortunately, more often I'm inclined to pick up new products, use about half the package and then stick it up in the cupboard for another day.