Asian Pork Snack Wraps

I've written before about my audition for the Season 2 of the show Recipe to Riches.  In fact, participating in that process was the tipping point of me finally starting a blog.  The recipe I submitted was Hand Pies, in the category of Savoury Snacks.  Last winter, I was devastated when I learned I would not be on the show.  My recipe was in the top five, and out of that five, were the three chosen for TV.  To be so close to the action was tough to accept.  At the time I was desperate to know who they could have possibly selected instead of me and my hand pies.  I found solace in my family and friends who had cheered me along, sampled the multiple variations and developed my marketing plan.  And then, I turned to the web.  Lo and behold, there was this eloquent post from Lyndsey describing the same experience during season 1.  I was so comforted by her openness in sharing the hurt that accompanies being rejected when we put our dreams out for others to judge.  Of course then time passes by, summer comes and before you know it, Recipe to Riches is a distant memory.  The hurt fades and only the happy memories linger.

Sweet Potato Muffins

The other night I was tucking Josilin into bed and I snuggled up for a bit of a cuddle.  I'm well aware that the days are fleeting when she might want me to be hanging out in her room and chatting so I try to grab these opportunities as much as I can lately.  As we lay there talking about her day she leaned over and said "I love the way you smell mommy." 

Roasted Eggplant, Tomato & Black Bean Soup

 What to make to make in the inaugural use of my new Le Creseut dutch oven?  Spoiled this year with a beautiful gift of a dutch oven I was both nervous and excited to create something in this magical cookware.  Does it really make things better?  Well, the verdict is out on that but I will choose to believe all things made in this pot will taste better than any version before.

Jerusalem Parsley and Barley Salad

Every once in awhile a cookbook comes along that can truly change your perspective on food.  For me, that cookbook was Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi.  Not that this is an original or even surprising idea.  His take on vegetables pretty much took the culinary world by storm, with multiple accolades and awards.  When I heard that he had teamed up with Sami Tamimi to create a new book I crossed my fingers that it would be just as amazing.  Folks: these men do not disappoint.

Apple Butter Doughnuts



Making kids' lunches has to be the most thankless job in the world.  Even a person who loves to cook as much as me has little love for this chore.  At this point I could likely tell the kids to pack their own, but then I'd have to give up the control over what they're consuming.  There are a lot of things I will let the kids do on their own before I relinquish lunch making duty.

Butternut Squash, Wheat Berry and Pomegranate Salad

It's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend and I can hardly wait.  We will be surrounded by family, nature and of course good food.  Fall has always been a favourite time of year for me.  When Don and I were first dating, he asked me once my favourite season.  When I innocently shared my love of falling leaves and changing colours his response was "how can you love a season that is all about dying and decomposing?"  Maybe it's a fall birthday, the bounty of fall vegetables or so many happy memories of big Thanksgiving meals, regardless, it's still my favourite time of year.

Rice with Delicata Squash and Kale

With fall activities in full swing our calendar is becoming increasingly full.  Between swimming lessons, hockey and youth group commitments we are often eating in short windows of time before heading off to an activity.  It is during these busy times that I will try to have quick meals at the ready so there is no stress attached to meal times.  I really believe in nourishing the little athletes as much as possible. Don accuses me of being a little fanatical about this topic, but I figure there is no harm in trying to give our kids whatever advantage may come from a well fueled body.  I can't stand the thought of them being in the water or on the ice and wanting to perform but having their body fail them.