A sweet twist on a summer classic – Strawberry Caprese Salad with Toasted Walnuts is sure to become a new favourite! It’s so simple to put together and combines peppery arugula with delicate, fresh local mozzarella (often referred to as bocconcini).
Dairy is a staple ingredient in our fridge, and it’s a key ingredient in so many of our go-to recipes – including the cheese used in this salad! Bocconcini is mild-tasting, creamy, and pairs perfectly with sweet strawberries and crunchy walnuts. If you’ve been looking for a new salad to add to your outdoor entertaining menu, this is it! Here’s what you’ll need: …
Food
The Best Egg Salad
Could this Egg Salad be eggsactly what you need in your life? It’s no yolk – you’ll love it!
I make this delectable spread with Conestoga Farms Free Run Omega 3 Eggs, which are enriched with Omega-3 polyunsaturates and produced by hens fed an all-grain diet enriched with flax seed. It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this lunchtime favourite pop: quality eggs, crunchy celery, savoury herbs and leafy greens! I love to serve this sandwich open faced, but that’s just because I prefer a towering heaping of the egg salad spread! Here’s what you’ll need: …
Roasted Strawberry Sheet Pan Cake
Since sheet pan cakes are having a moment and shopping local is *always* on trend, it’s the perfect time to try a Roasted Strawberry Sheet Pan Cake!
Made with fresh Ontario milk and sweet Ontario strawberries, every bite is a tribute to summer. I like to finish the cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar, but it’s even more delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! No matter how you choose to enjoy a slice, just remember to pair it with a glass of cold Ontario milk. …
Bhurji – Indian Scrambled Eggs
It’s one of my favourite meals from my childhood and today, my mom joined me in the kitchen! A popular street food in India, bhurji features savoury aromatics combined with smooth, delicious scrambled eggs.
The best way to elevate an old favourite? Use the best quality products possible! I love Conestoga Farms Free Run Omega-3 Eggs; they’re enriched with Omega-3 polyunsaturates and are produced by hens fed an all-grain diet enriched with flax seed. Indulge with me in Eggs Around The World and enjoy a plate of bhurji! …
Kid-Friendly Egg Bites
Get the kiddos in the kitchen, because this recipe is so simple to make! My own “Chef Reid” takes over to make Egg Bites, the perfectly portable breakfast or snack. Made with Conestoga Farms Free Run Omega 3 Eggs, they’re a great way to involve kids, as most of the prep work is easy for little ones to follow. And remember, the food you make yourself always tastes better!
1 carton Conestoga Farms Free Run Omega 3 Eggs
Assorted additions, such as chopped ham, onion, pepper, chives and bacon
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1 muffin tin, greased well …
Put the Sizzle in Summer with Tex-Mex Burgers!
Summer is in full swing, and nothing says #weekendvibes quite like a burger on the grill. But basic burgers beware: once you try my recipe for Tex-Mex Burgers, made with Canadian Beef and served on Furlani® Garlic Texas Toast, you may find yourself craving the sizzlin’ southwest flavour all season long!
We start with a thick, juicy Canadian Beef burger patty – kicked up a notch with the addition of fresh jalapeno and chipotle barbecue sauce – then top it with melted, gooey Monterey Jack cheese, freshly smashed avocado and sliced tomatoes. Served on Furlani® Garlic Texas Toast for an extra hit of savoury flavour, this may just become your favourite way to Friday. Serve with your favourite veggies and tortilla chips with salsa on the side. …
Candied Salmon Nachos
Let’s toast to the unofficial start of summer! I’m OBSESSED with these Candied Salmon Nachos – I can’t wait to share them with family and friends this long weekend!
Inspired by Chef Robert Belcham’s Salmon Candy with Tostitos, I simplified the recipe by using fresh jalapeños, store-bought teriyaki sauce and sriracha mayo. The result? A fusion of west coast salmon and Japanese flavours for a fun, unique appetizer! If you’ll be gathering with loved ones over the Victoria Day long weekend, trust me, this is the main attraction! …
Grated Egg Avocado Toast
My favourite new way to enjoy Avo Toast! I tried the trending Grated Egg Avocado Toast that everyone’s talking about, and trust me – I understand the obsession!
Tip: Use Conestoga Farms Free Run Omega-3 Eggs; they’re enriched with Omega-3 polyunsaturates and are produced by hens fed an all-grain diet enriched with flax seed. Adding cooked, grated egg to avocado toast easily increases the nutrition profile with protein and omega-3 fatty acids. I’m in love with the silky, smooth texture of grated egg – I honestly could enjoy this meal every single day! Here’s what you’ll need per serving: …
Mexican-Style Bison Stuffed Peppers
My favourite Mother’s Day gift? Time away from the kitchen! Thankfully I have two adorable sous chefs who are happy to help me create a special meal. Together, we made Mexican-Style Bison Stuffed Peppers using Noble Premium Bison – YUM!
New to bison? It’s lean, super nutritious and has a slightly sweet, rich taste that I love. Bison meat is good for the planet because it’s raised without harm to the environment – as a mom, that’s so important to me, as I’m sure it is to you, too! In fact, bison is grass raised with NO antibiotics or added hormones. …
Crispy Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
Need a little Meatless Monday dinner inspo? Crispy Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce is always in our rotation! The marinade and sauce are so simple to make, and the best part is, you can’t really mess up when it comes to putting this recipe together. No, really – it’s almost completely foolproof and absolutely delicious!
Here’s what you’ll need for the tofu satay:
1 block firm tofu
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp dried basil …
Eggs Around The World – Savoury Egg Curry
From time to time, often when I least expect it, memories of the rich, fragrant East Indian dishes from my childhood come flooding to my mind. I’ll instantly run to call my mom, asking her to send the recipe or explain the cooking method. Sometimes, I’ll brazenly ask her to simply make the dish so I can come pick it up – we all know the best takeout comes from mom’s kitchen.
Recently I began craving Egg Curry, a humble dish served all over India thanks to its roots in vegetarianism and simple, accessible and affordable ingredients. For this recipe, I love to use Conestoga Farms Free Run Omega-3 Eggs; they’re enriched with Omega-3 polyunsaturates and are produced by hens fed an all-grain diet enriched with flax seed.
Traditionally, this dish would be made with eggs that were hard-cooked until crumbly. However, I prefer a creamier center; I usually set my egg timer for exactly eight minutes.
Tip: to save time, try Conestoga Farms Free Run On the Run Hard Boiled Eggs. They’re cooked and peeled, then packaged in a convenient twin pack, for an easy, ready-to-eat snack – no peeling required. …
Simplify Weekday Mornings with Evive Smoothies!
Parents, it’s crunch time.
Back to school time can be both exciting and exhilarating. Supplies have been purchased, routines have been established and after a long, lazy summer, kiddos are ready to be reunited with their classmates.
But weekday mornings? Still crazy.
The ongoing struggle with my boys is ensuring they have a nutritious breakfast – preferably that they can make themselves – that’s ready in a pinch. Thank goodness for Evive Smoothies!
Evive, the original blender-free smoothie, takes just 30 seconds to make – simply pop the cubes in a bottle, add your favourite liquid (juice, milk or water) and shake. I find the smoothie cubes are best incorporated when steeped in liquid for 15-20 minutes, so combine the cubes and liquid, let the kids continue their morning routine, shake… and YUM! …
Five Cool Tips for a Backyard Ice Cream Bar
Ah, summer. The season of tank tops and flip flops; when kids play until the streetlights come on and adults sip a drink (or two) on the patio. This summer I’m not taking a single day for granted! As much of the country continues to reopen, I’m looking forward to reuniting with loved ones safely.
For our first family get together, we created a backyard ice cream bar! The best thing about the set-up is that it’s so easy to organize and you can customize it to suit your preferences. It also gives us the perfect reason to indulge in our favourite Chapman’s Premium Ice Cream!
Here are five cool tips to create your own ice cream bar at home:
1. Plan your spread. At your next grocery run, grab a variety of candies, chocolates, nuts, sprinkles and syrups – basically everything you’d love as a topping for your ice cream. Then, select your favourite flavours of Chapman’s Premium Ice Cream – with its velvety smooth texture, rich creamy taste and sinfully delicious flavour combinations, half the fun is choosing which flavours to feature! My picks: Strawberry Shortcake, French Vanilla, Black Cherry, Caramel Praline, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Pistachios and Almonds Ice Cream! …
The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread – Introducing Kilne
In fact, a Kilne bread knife may be the best thing to slice your bread, too.
We’re all spending more time than ever in the kitchen, and trust me when I say that it’s MUCH more enjoyable when you have the right tools! I had been on the hunt for a new set of knives since spring, when I embarrassingly had to admit that our “starter set” of knives, hastily purchased when we were first married, were a) already 13 years old, and b) woefully inadequate to keep up with my unofficial new role as a prep cook.
Enter Kilne. Designed in Canada and crafted from high-quality German steel, Kilne knives are simply the best knives for home chefs. The highlight reel:
High Grade German Steel: Blades crafted from Chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel stay sharp for precision cutting.
Full Tang: Solid steel from tip to tail gives exceptional strength and perfect balance.
Ergonomic Design: Handle grip and bolster provide a secure hold, even with wet hands. …
Back to Routine: Eggcellent Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas
Whether your kids have returned to the classroom or are distance learning from home, one thing hasn’t changed: the need for simple, delicious meal ideas that your littles will love.
This season, I’ve once again teamed up with Burnbrae Farms – a family favourite! – to showcase easy recipes you can make with the kids (or, if you have tweens like me, that they can make on their own!). Burnbrae Farms’ prepared egg products are made with the same delicious shell eggs you love, they just require less time and effort so you can easily incorporate them into your daily routine.
With the tasty egg innovation products available from Burnbrae Farms, there’s simply never been a better time to “Break Out of Your Shell”!
CHEESY BREAKFAST BARS
Cheese, ham and egg goodness in a handheld breakfast bar – yes please! My husband, our resident breakfast chef, adapted the Western Bars recipe featured on Burnbrae Farms’ website. Using two types of cheddar, diced ham, veggies, EGG Creations! Whole Eggs Original and a croissant base, he whipped up an easy and most delicious way to start the day! …
A Better Way to Breakfast – Flourish Pancakes!
I didn’t know I was looking for a better-for-you pancake and waffle mix, however, now that I’ve discovered Flourish Pancakes, I simply can’t go back!
Flourish Pancakes Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix, a proudly Canadian brand (based right here in Toronto!), packs 23g of protein, 7g of fibre and contains ZERO added sugar per serving. Based on the ingredients alone (which are all-natural, and include organic and non-GMO foods), I feel amazing about serving Flourish Pancakes to my family. In fact, we were recently treated to the LIMITED EDITION Birthday Cake flavour (the company just turned two!) and the mix is even made with all-natural sprinkles, such as green sprinkles made with spirulina, which means they contain no artificial colours either!
We decided to use the mix to make waffles, and since I just needed to add water, prep work was a breeze. Skipping the syrup, we instead dipped our waffles in natural colour candy melts for a flash of colour and birthday fun. Aren’t they just too cute for words? …
The Most Delicious Way to Elevate Your Burger
It’s officially summer! I don’t know about you, but this year, more than ever, I am ready for the heat!
Of course, like many other Canadian families, we’ll be sticking close to home this season. With several travel restrictions still in place, most of our daily jaunts will be to the backyard. But there’s nothing a delicious meal can’t fix! Since we’ll be grillin’ and chillin’ all summer long, I’ve come up with a simple and delicious way to elevate your burger.
Think outside the bun!
I know hamburgers are a family fave, and normally I wouldn’t try to mess with a good thing. However, I think I’ve found THE BEST way to enjoy your burger this summer – by swapping classic hamburger buns with Furlani Garlic Toast!
The combination of flavours is almost too delicious to describe. …
This Spring, Break Out of Your Shell! Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas
Spring 2020 is unlike any we’ve ever known. (Understatement, right?)
My son was recently assigned a writing task where he was asked to detail “positive effects” of staying safe at home. After spending time brainstorming, he presented a list to me – and at the top:
“I’m spending a lot of time cooking with my mom.”
Be still my heart! It’s no surprise that many Canadian families are rediscovering their love for home-cooked meals – and reveling in the bonding that comes with it – while we stay home. Since my boys now eagerly join me during meal prep, I’ve made it a priority to try nutritious recipes that keep them entertained and egg-cited about cooking! …
Kids in the Kitchen: Make this Easter EGGcellent!
Friends, read on for two simple ways to get the kids involved with Easter prep!
There comes a point in most children’s lives where they sincerely want to help out in the kitchen. (And let’s be honest: mini chefs are the best.) Whether it’s baking with mom or helping dad prepare breakfast in bed, the enthusiasm with which kids stretch their culinary expertise is downright precious.
So, what better time to let them shine than holidays? Involving kids in special occasion meal prep not only facilitates family bonding and expands picky palettes, it helps children hone a necessary life skill – cooking. …
Conquer “Fright Night” with Janes
Before I became a parent, I often scoffed when the term “Fright Night” was used to describe a busy weeknight. I mean, get it together! How crazy could a random Tuesday or Wednesday evening actually be?
Friends, I humbly beg for forgiveness, for I have seen the light.
Our family’s dynamic has changed through the years. Whereas we used to enjoy casual, unhurried dinners (actually eaten at the dinner table), today our demanding jobs and activities pull us in different directions. My husband is in sales, so he’s often on the road or working late. My job has no set hours; I could be working at 5:30AM or 11:00PM, depending on the day. Ryder has karate twice a week, Reid has coding twice a week, and they both have skiing and skating once a week. And yet somehow, the expectation is that I’ll produce a delicious, healthy meal that the entire family will love.
So, what if I told you that I’ve found quick and delicious, fully cooked and, most importantly, KID FRIENDLY foods that are ready when I am?
Let me reintroduce you to Janes. …