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Food

Cooking with Love: Wild Mushroom Risotto, featuring Kilne Cookware

February 7, 2023 By Lena 1 Comment

*PROMO DETAILS BELOW* Save money with Kilne’s Love to Cook Sale!

Food is my love language. The simple act of preparing food is cherished in my family; cooking for others is the most enduring way to show devotion. Today, whether I’m creating a chef-inspired dish or assembling a simple sandwich, I know that when I’m serving a meal, I’m really saying “I love you”.
With love on my mind: a recipe for Wild Mushroom Risotto, one of my go-to “Date Night In” meals. Risotto is easy to make but requires patience and persistence. There are no shortcuts, but with care and attention, it is always worth the effort.

Kind of like love, right?…

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Filed Under: Food, Lifestyle Tagged With: #kilnecooks, everything pan, everything pan review, kilne, kilne cookware, kilne everything pan, kilne everything pan review, kilne knives

Strawberry Caprese Salad with Toasted Walnuts

September 18, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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: …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: easy recipes, Strawberry Caprese Salad with Toasted Walnuts

The Best Egg Salad

September 6, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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: …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Conestoga Farms, easy recipes, egg salad sandwich

Roasted Strawberry Sheet Pan Cake

August 14, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: ontario dairy, recipes, roasted strawberries, strawberry sheet pan cake

Bhurji – Indian Scrambled Eggs

August 3, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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! …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: bhurji, Conestoga Farms, egg recipes

Kid-Friendly Egg Bites

July 14, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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 …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Conestoga Farms, egg bites, egg recipes

Put the Sizzle in Summer with Tex-Mex Burgers!

July 12, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: bbq recipes, burger recipes, canadian beef, furlani foods, furlani garlic toast, tex mex burgers

Candied Salmon Nachos

May 17, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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! …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Candied Salmon Nachos, tostitos

Grated Egg Avocado Toast

May 16, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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: …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: avocado toast, Conestoga Farms, egg recipes, grated egg avocado toast, recipes

Mexican-Style Bison Stuffed Peppers

May 6, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: bison, bison recipes, ground bison recipe, Mexican-Style Bison Stuffed Peppers

Crispy Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce

April 18, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

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 …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: asian recipes, Crispy Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce, meatless monday, recipes, tofu recipes

Eggs Around The World – Savoury Egg Curry

November 29, 2021 By Lena 12 Comments

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. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Conestoga Farms, egg curry, indian cooking, Indian Food

Simplify Weekday Mornings with Evive Smoothies!

August 31, 2021 By Lena 12 Comments

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! …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: evive, evive smoothies

Five Cool Tips for a Backyard Ice Cream Bar

July 18, 2021 By Lena 8 Comments

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! …

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Filed Under: Featured, Food Tagged With: canadian dairy, chapman's ice cream, diy ice cream bar, ice cream bar, premium ice cream

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread – Introducing Kilne

November 25, 2020 By Lena 13 Comments

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. …

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Filed Under: Food, Lifestyle Tagged With: #kilnecooks, home chef, kilne, kilne cookware, kilne knives

Back to Routine: Eggcellent Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas

October 1, 2020 By Lena 7 Comments

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! …

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Filed Under: Family, Food Tagged With: burnbrae farms, Canadian Eggs, easy meal ideas, EGG Bakes!, egg creations, kids meals

A Better Way to Breakfast – Flourish Pancakes!

July 14, 2020 By Lena 13 Comments

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? …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: breakfast ideas, flourish pancakes, Healthy Breakfast Ideas, pancake mix

The Most Delicious Way to Elevate Your Burger

June 30, 2020 By Lena 9 Comments

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. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: barbecue, bbq meal ideas, furlani foods, furlani garlic bread, furlani garlic toast

This Spring, Break Out of Your Shell! Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas

May 27, 2020 By Lena Leave a Comment

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! …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: animal faces, breakfast bowl, burnbrae farms, egg whites, eggs2go, kid-friendly recipes, mexican breakfast bowl, recipes, simply egg whites

Kids in the Kitchen: Make this Easter EGGcellent!

April 6, 2020 By Lena Leave a Comment

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. …

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Filed Under: Family, Food Tagged With: baked eggs, easter meal ideas, Easter Recipes, easter weekend, easy easter crafts, egg chicks, egg cups

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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