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: …
easy recipes
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: …
Entertaining this Spring? Make it a Breeze.
I’m always on the lookout for simple, crowd-pleasing desserts that I can add to my repertoire – but often, it’s easier said than done. Admittedly, I’m a creature of habit and tend to revert to my old, faithful standbys; desserts I can make with the ingredients I have on hand. Because really, what’s worse than discovering you have 18% – or worse, 98% – of the ingredients you need to make a sweet concoction?
Of my many staple showstoppers, one does stand out: Banana Walnut Bread Pudding. As long as I have ripe bananas on hand – and truthfully, with two young boys, bananas are a fixture in our fruit bowl – I can always make this much-loved brunch food. My secret ingredient? Almond Breeze Vanilla. …
What’s in YOUR Minute Maid Lights Mocktail?
Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
Last week, I shared with y’all details from the Minute Maid Lights brunch in Toronto. I’m ecstatic that there are so many cocktail and mocktail lovers among us! And as promised, I’m back today to share the recipe for Nadine Hughes’ Lemon Ginger Punch, which will, by all accounts, change your life. Love lemonade? Love the sharp, spicy bite of ginger? This drink is for YOU.
half English Cucumber, cut into thin rounds
Small handful of fresh mint leaves
1 lemon, cut into thin rounds
7 cups Minute Maid Light Lemonade
2-3 cups Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale
Crushed Ice
This recipe is so simple to follow, you’ll find yourself making the punch over and over again. (Clearly, I speak from experience.) You can also add your own touches, like substituting basil for mint, or adding fresh raspberries. …
Make it Yourself: Kid-Friendly Butter Chicken
Saucy, savoury and aromatic, Butter Chicken has long been a crowd-pleaser and takeout favourite. I’m usually hit with a craving every few months; the sudden desire to swirl warm, fresh naan in the pungent, rich tomato sauce is enough to make me drool.
And while it’s a close second to Chicken Tikka Masala when it comes to worldwide popularity, Butter Chicken does have one distinct advantage: not only is it delicious, it’s kid-friendly too.
In fact, given the choice between chicken fingers or tender morsels of delicious Indian cuisine, my boys will choose the latter every single time. They love the creamy, flavourful sauce and the little bit of heat is well tolerated by kids of all ages (Reid first developed an affinity for the dish at 8 months old!). Additionally, all of the aromatic spices (garam masala, cumin and chili powder) are mild for young palettes; Butter Chicken contains no curry powder, fenugreek or cardamom – spices that tend to have an acquired taste.
The prep work is slightly longer than an old mac & cheese but the payoff is well worth it – a potful of delicious goodness that yields 4-6 servings (and tastes better the next day). This recipe (adapted from allrecipes.com) is slightly “Canadianized” for most palettes – believe it or not, you can find the spices anywhere, even Walmart! Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 shallots, finely chopped (substitute: 1 small white onion)
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoons minced ginger
1 teaspoon garam masala (do NOT substitute curry powder)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup 1% or 2% plain yogurt, stirred until smooth
1 cup (250 ml) half-and-half (10% light cream)
1 cup (250 ml) tomato sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch salt
1 pinch black pepper
1 tablespoon vagetable oil
8-10 Maple Leaf Prime boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garam masala (do NOT substitute curry powder)
1 pinch cayenne pepper (omit for a milder dish)
handful of chopped cilantro, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté shallots until soft and translucent. Stir in butter, lemon juice, minced garlic, minced ginger, 1 teaspoon garam masala, chili powder, cumin, ground coriander and bay leaf. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce and cook for and additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in yogurt and half-and-half. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with cayenne, salt and pepper; stir. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken thigh pieces and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, season with 1 teaspoon garam masala and a pinch of cayenne. Stir in a few spoonfuls of sauce, and simmer until liquid has reduced and chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add cooked chicken to pot of sauce. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes on medium-low heat, or until thickened. Garnish with cilantro and serve with fresh naan or over basmati rice.
Tips:
– Be sure to stir the yogurt before adding it to the sauce, or it will separate and make the sauce grainy.
– You can adjust the heat by adding more/less cayenne pepper. 1/4 teaspoon will yield about a “6” on the heat scale; add slightly less or omit the pinch added to the chicken if you’d like to tone down the spice. And taste your sauce! Remember, you can always add more but can’t take it out.
– If you have an Indian or Indo-Pakistani market in your area, stop by and pick up some garam masala from them; it’ll have a more authentic flavour than the supermarket variety. A small bag is around $3.00 and will last up to a year.
– Yes, using Maple Leaf Prime chicken thighs really does make a difference; plump, juicy and tender – I won’t make this dish with anything else.
What are some of your favourite kid-friendly chicken dishes? Do you regularly enjoy new and delicious ethnic cuisines with your family?
Make it Tonight: 5 President’s Choice Faves
Earlier this year, I had the unique opportunity to receive a guided tour of Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens by Chef Mark Russell, Executive Chef, and Nema McGlynn, In-Store Dietitian. The purpose of the tour was to identify food superstars and ways to make new and exciting choices – and, I happened to receive some insider tips straight from the culinary geniuses!
Today, I’d love to share how I’ve incorporated some of their suggestions into family favourites, in addition to letting you know about some of the hottest NEW items in the President’s Choice Insider’s Report. So without further ado, here are my Top 5 President’s Choice Faves for Summer 2013!
1. PC BLACK LABEL HATCHO MISO MARINADE
A game changer? You bet it is. Made with an authentic combination of black miso, sake and toasted sesame, use this rich, Japanese-inspired marinade to add a bold, sweet-salty hit to a wide array of beef, pork, chicken and seafood dishes. It’s now my go-to enhancer when making Malaysian Chicken Wings: Mix 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, ground black pepper to taste, 1 tablespoon dried basil – and a generous dash of the Hatcho Miso Marinade. Toss mixture with 12-15 chicken wings and deep fry or bake, as you prefer. Salty, sticky and with just the right amount of savoury-sweetness, the marinade lends a “je ne sais quoi” to all Asian dishes and stir frys.
2. PC SEAFOOD SEASONING RUB
ONE step to perfectly seasoned seafood. Yes, just one step. Simply grab your favourite fish (we love salmon or rainbow trout), sprinkle on the seasoning rub, and bake. Et voila! No guesswork, no messy cleanup, and no excuse not to try it. It imparts a smoky, Cajun-inspired flavour with plenty of kick for spice enthusiasts. Also delicious with shrimp, grilled lobster tails and even chicken. On the side: PC Organics New Potatoes tossed with olive oil, dried rosemary and PC MEMORIES OF Sicilia Coarse Sea Salt.
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Join us for a #BreadJuicer Twitter Party!
If you were reading my blog just before the holidays, you’ll recall that I shared my recipe for a Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on WholeGrains Bread with Basil Goat Cheese Spread.
(Yes, it does sound delicious! And yes, I really do think you should try it. Lunch will never be the same.)
The basis of my post was a mission towards nutritious eating, and a humble request to start looking after your health. It was reminder that 2013 is the perfect time to make those small changes that help bring about long-term health benefits. It was a reality check when it comes to finding excellent food sources of vitamins, fibre and iron. In essence, it was a refresher course in good eats… WholeGrains-style.
Well, I’m excited to share that Dempsters has chosen my sandwich as the featured recipe on their new social website, Naturally Dempsters! That’s right – simply scroll down for a peek at my tasty creation. You’ll also find delicious submissions from other bloggers around the web (including sandwich recipes for Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Avocado, Chicken Divan, Mediterranean Chicken and Turkey and Veggie Crunch).
Next, head on over to the Dempsters Facebook page and watch their featured video, Gerry Dee Hijacks Juice Bar. (I promise, hilarity ensues!) If the laughs aren’t enough to make your day, when you’re finished watching, you can enter for a chance to win $3000 in FREE groceries. Now isn’t that a delicious way to start off 2013?
TWITTER PARTY ALERT!
We’ll be talking Nutrition Naturally at a Dempsters #BreadJuicer Twitter Party on Thursday, January 24th at 9:00pm. Join us to find out amazing ways to incorporate fruits, vegetables and whole grains into a balanced diet.
Prizing is available to Canadians only. For your chance to win, RSVP below! Looking forward to partying with you!…
Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on WholeGrains Bread with Basil Goat Cheese Spread
Often, I spend copious amounts of time trying to come up with the perfect post title. It has to be catchy, witty and of course, it must subtly convey the topic at hand.
And other times, I just let the content do the talking. Such is the case with this Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on WholeGrains Bread with Basil Goat Cheese Spread recipe. I mean really, what more can I say?
This post is brought to you by Dempsters – and, your body from the year 2013. Sure, Dempsters supplied the delicious bread, but what does your body have to do with it?
Well, it’s a humble request to start looking after your health. It’s a reminder that 2013 is the perfect time to make those small changes that bring about long-term health benefits. And it’s a refresher course in the nutrition – for instance: Did you know that 1 slice of Dempsters WholeGrains bread contains this? ->>
In a society where wisp-thin celebrities turn up their noses at carbohydrates, here’s a dose of reality – Whole Grains, such as the ones found in Dempsters bread – provide so many nutritional benefits that are often overlooked in favour of skinny jeans.
The thing is – our bodies have a long memory. And as we age, they won’t care what we wore to our office holiday party in December 2012, but they will remember all the wonderful nutrients we’ve fueled them with over the years. Make 2013 the year you give back to your body with healthy, natural choices that promote vitality.
To start, here’s an easy, delicious recipe that is chock full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are essential for your health. I whipped this sandwich up today for lunch and just had to share! Add a healthy dose of Vitamin C, a splash of Calcium and a generous serving of deliciousness, and you’ve got a Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on WholeGrains Bread with Basil Goat Cheese Spread. Enjoy!…
Post-Holiday Reality Check: Life Made Delicious
Okay, Easter is over.
And you ate chocolate.
And more chocolate.
More…. and more…. chocolate.
So now it’s time for a reality check: An all-chocolate diet does not a supermodel make. Looking for some inspiration to kick-start a healthier way of life? I’ve selected these recipes from Life Made Delicious, my favourite source for easy recipes:
Grilled Margarita Chicken and Fruit Salad
Chicken gets a lime juice and tequila-coated toss in this flavour-packed salad. Olé!
I love mixing salad greens and fruit, especially when I can sneak in some goat cheese or toasted, spicy pecans. Substitute baby spinach for lettuce and you’ve got a splendid, nutrient-packed meal!
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Quick-cooking couscous lends to the 20-minute prep time of this Greek-style salad.
I will seriously eat anything Greek – especially salad. The mixture briny Kalamata olives, salt feta and fresh cucumber is always a winning combination in my books. Control the amount of fat by scaling back on the cheese.
Grilled Fajita Salad
No need to turn on the oven to enjoy this colourful and oh-so-delicious summertime salad.
Guaranteed to be filling – and delicious – I love Mexican-inspired flavours with beef. To add some creamy texture, consider thinly sliced avocado tossed in a simple olive oil and lime juice dressing.
Salsa Turkey Meatballs
Salsa and ground turkey makes this new twist on the traditional meatball both healthy and tasty.
Who says you have to stick to salad? Pair these meatballs with whole wheat pasta or brown rice, and you’re in flavourtown! A bonus: kids will have fun helping to prepare this dish.
For these recipes, and more delicious ways to eat right, visit Life Made Delicious.
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Life Made Delicious: Saved By the Dip
While I’m normally down for a good ol’ Oscar fest, this past weekend I was under the weather and overly cranky. In fact, given the option of just lying in bed all day with the shades drawn, I would have gladly secluded myself in my bedroom sanctuary. Alas, kids. And laundry. And life. And so, it was just Brad, Angelina, her right leg and me – among others – on Sunday night.
Halfway through the red carpet, my husband suggested that we put together a little Oscar appetizer to munch on throughout the 2-hour fashion parade and 3.5 hour awards ceremony. (Now that I think of it, that’s a LOT of television!) Thank goodness I’ve always got the ingredients for my favourite 7-layer Mexican Dip on hand. I’ve served the dip at almost every party I’ve thrown over the last 10 years, and why not? It’s easy to make, delicious, and there are never leftovers to worry about. NEVER.
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chili sauce
2 cups salsa
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 bunch chopped green onions
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Grab a 13×9 inch glass dish. Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth, and spread a layer at the bottom of the dish (1). Follow up with a thin layer of chili sauce on top – I prefer “A Taste of Thai Chili Sauce” (2). Next, spread on the salsa (3), green peppers (4), green onions (5) and black olives (6). Finish by sprinkling the cheddar cheese on top (7). The dip should be refrigerated for about 30 minutes before serving. It serves about 8-10… or 6 ravenous party guests. Oh, and serve with tortilla chips, of course.
I found a similar recipe for Tex-Mex Layered Dip from Life Made Delicious, and while I would have tried it on Sunday, I didn’t have Old El Paso Refried Beans or guacamole on hand. Next time! And, if you’re looking for more party food ideas, do check out the site – I’ve saved some pretty yummy-looking appetizers that I’d love to try!
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Last Minute V-Day Treats from Life Made Delicious
I don’t have a romantic bone in my body.
(Wait, that’s not strictly true. I bawl like a baby every time I watch A Walk to Remember.)
Let’s just say that I’m less about the “stuff” and more about “substance”. For example, I would scream if my husband ever spent $97 on Valentine’s Day roses, but at the same time, I expect to spend the day with him and cuddle together at scheduled intervals. So maybe I am romantic – I’m just not commercially romantic. Or maybe I’m just cheap.
Regardless, I’m a huge fan of homemade treats for Valentine’s Day. Breakfast in bed; hand-drawn cards, heart-shaped cookies, and of course, a large supply of cinnamon hearts. This year (just like every year) I’ve left Valentine’s Day until the last minute, so I’ll be baking up a storm tomorrow to show my love for my husband (and cake).
Since we already indulged in pie last week, I’m thinking these Valentine Parfait Cupcakes are just the ticket. And because the special day is celebrated by our two little guys as well, I love that the cupcakes are a kid-friendly option!
1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist Devil’s Food cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 tub Betty Crocker* Whipped fluffy white frosting
1 cup (250 mL) semisweet or milk chocolate chips
2 tsp (10 mL) shortening
Valentine’s decorating sprinkles or candies
Heat oven to 350ºF (325ºF for dark or nonstick pans).
Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Bake cake batter as directed on cake mix box, using water, oil and eggs.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about 2/3 full). Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre come out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Spoon frosting into decorating bag fitted with large round tip. Pipe dollop of frosting on top of each cupcake. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring once halfway through heating. Drizzle melted chocolate over frosted cupcakes; sprinkle with hearts.
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Life Made Delicious: Super/Supper Bowl
With Super Bowl 2012 just around the corner, there’s no shortage of recipe ideas for game day. From chips and dips, cocktails and coolers, and of course… NACHOS!… it’s quite simple to put on an enviable spread.
When I first found this Big Batch Chili-In-The-Oven recipe from Life Made Delicious, I had fully intended to go double duty – chili in a bowl for dinner, leftover chili on nachos for Super Bowl Sunday. I had high hopes for the recipe as it currently has 34 thumbs up, and I figured a few dozen people can’t be wrong.
Do you want the good news or bad news first?
Okay bad news. The bad news is that even though I pretty much followed the recipe to the letter, the texture of the chili is completely unsuitable for nachos. There is just SO much rice in the dish, I’d venture to say this is more like Cuban Dirty Rice than chili. There is just rice, rice and more rice everywhere. Yikes!
Good news. Whatever the heck this dish is, it is BEYOND FREAKIN’ DELICIOUS. We can’t get enough! I absolutely adore all the vibrant, pungent flavours that come through; smoky cumin, tangy tomato, fresh cilantro. And, the earthiness of the ground beef and beans. It’s like Chili 2.0: The Wrath of Rice. I will make this dish again, but I’ll either severely cut down on the white stuff or omit it altogether….
Life Made Delicious: Stocking the Perfect Pantry
“There’s nothing to eat.”
The four most annoying words uttered by husbands and children… and sometimes mom (though we always say it in our heads and never out loud, right?). There’s NOTHING. to. eat.
And so those words are usually followed by the rustling of takeout menus and the husband asking “what do you feel like tonight?” And those actions are usually followed by a bill for $25.98 and the realization that if you do this just twice per week you’ve lost over $200 per month on absolutely nothing tangible. Yikes.
Good thing I learned how to stock the perfect pantry a long time ago. If you’re a decent cook, and have a few versatile ingredients on hand, you can always nip the takeout craving in the bud – and make a healthy, delicious, home cooked meal before the delivery man arrives.
In addition to easy recipes, Life Made Delicious offers a plethora of valuable tips, including a list of what you need for last minute meals. Here’s what they suggest:
In Your Pantry
Bread (buns, loaves, pitas and Old El Paso tortillas)
Bread crumbs (for stuffing and breading fish)
Pasta
Rice
Cereal
Canned beans
Canned meats (chicken, salmon, tuna)
Canned tomatoes
Pasta sauce (Alfredo and spaghetti)
Tomato paste
Canned broth (beef, chicken and vegetables)
Soup (canned or dry)
Peanut butter
Pickles and olives
Ketchup, mustard and mayo
Salsa and chips
Soy and marinating sauces
Hamburger Helper
Vegetable oil (canola and olive)
Vinegar…
Not So Tricky Homemade Halloween Treats!
Every year I tell myself that I’m going to find the time to make a super cool Halloween-themed treat.
(At least I consistently tell myself that I’ll do it. However, even more consistent is the fact that I never do.)
Well, that WILL change this year, because thanks to these spooktacular easy recipes from Life Made Delicious, I really think that I’ve finally found the right inspiration… and all the ingredients in my pantry.
These are just a few of my faves:
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| CHOCOLATE MUMMY COOKIES |
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| CREEPY CRAWLERS |
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| CHOCOLATE GREMLINS |
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| CHEESY CRESCENT GHOSTS |
I’m actually quite looking forward to making the Cheesy Crescent Ghosts, because with two little guys who’ll be sure to be buzzing from all the excitement, they can actually double as dinner :) I’m also loving the tip posted on the site: “Cook 1 clove garlic, finely chopped, in 1 tablespoon butter, and brush over dough before topping with cheese.” YUM.
And, don’t forget to check the Life Made Delicious blog for more easy recipes – including spooky snacks!
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
How Do You Make Life Delicious?
As a Life Made Delicious Connector (#LMDConnector), I’ve been sharing easy recipes, tips and offers to help make your life a little more delicious. After all, would you rather “live to eat” or “eat to live”? Place me firmly in the former camp, sister.
But other than whipping up a tasty new treat (we tried the Asian Soup Bowl With Chicken two nights ago – quite yum!) what are some of the other ways you work at making your life delicious? Do you make time for yourself, spend more time with your family, or perhaps simply enjoy the finer things in life? Or are you on the flip side – constantly trying to inject that “wow” factor into your day?…
Life Made Delicious Tutorial!
It’s no secret that I’m a Life Made Delicious Connector – or, in other words, a brand ambassador for healthy and delicious food. But I just realized that maybe y’all aren’t completely familiar with how awesome the site is, so I thought I’d provide the necessary deets to get you started!
1) Easy Recipes – It kind of speaks for itself, doesn’t it? If you are short on time but would rather bypass take-out for a nutritious, homemade meal, click on over and search through thousands of recipes and quick & easy ideas. The recipes are even broken down into Most Popular, Top-Rated, Today’s Tasty Recipe and more! Or, if you have an ingredient/occasion in mind but need further inspiration, you can also search by Main Ingredient, Meal Type, Occasion, Special Diet or Brands. It really is SO easy to find the perfect recipe!
2) Videos – Are you a show & tell kind of person? Take advantage of numerous videos to help you master different cooking techniques that’ll make your life easier and more delicious. Also, be sure to check out the recipe videos for drool-worth meals you’ll want to make tonight!
3) Blog Made Delicious – Since food bloggers are our friends, get real advice and fresh recipe ideas that have already been tested in their kitchens – and approved by their kids! (I’m a big fan of Jennifer, the Domestic Goddess, but they’re all awesome!)
4) Tips & Ideas – Everything from how to plan the perfect Pirate P-aaar-ty to breathing life into leftovers. Some fabulous tricks that every mom should know! My Faves: Bake the boredom away, Don’t lose sleep over your kid’s sleepover, Packed lunches that pack a punch, Put down the phone; pick up a recipe.
5) Offers – Hello! Saving money is always in style! This week, save 50¢ on Bisquick Shake ‘n Pour.
6) Product Pantry – Get to know the family of General Mills products. Explore the brands, find out what’s new and check out the featured recipes that will have to rushing to your pantry.
Et voila! The perfect website to make life delicious.
“When you register for the Life Made Delicious website and email program, you open the door to exclusive recipes, offers and perks from your favourite General Mills brands.”
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
LMD: Hot Summer Trends!
Permit me to state the obvious: this summer has been HOT. In fact, we gave up BBQ’ing (gasp! I know!) a few weeks ago, because hubby couldn’t stand to be beside a 400-degree fire pit in 120-degree summer heat.
Alas, now that it looks like most of the stifling humidity is behind us, I decided to search for a few delicious summer recipes that I could share with friends and family. Of course I went straight to Life Made Delicious, and they didn’t disappoint! I found recipes for 10 summer trends that had me drooling at first glance.
Here are a few of my faves:
Banana Fudgy Pops: Who can resist the sweet combination of chocolate and banana? And popsicles just happen to be my sons’ favourite summer treat! These flavourful frozen goodies are made with soy milk – perfect for tackling dairy intolerance and for an extra punch of protein. A bonus: the prep time is only 15 minutes!
Green Garden Fries: At this very moment, I have asparagus and zucchini in my fridge just begging to be consumed. Separately, I was uninspired to eat my greens. But thankfully I came across this recipe for crispy green “fries” made from fresh garden veggies. Oven fried and served with a lemony Greek yogurt dipping sauce, they are the perfect summer side dish!
Mini S’mores Hand Pies: While the name of this recipe leaves much to be desired, I can’t deny that I am loving the combination of crunchy graham crackers, melty chocolate and ooey-gooey marshmallows. There’s even cream cheese listed as an ingredient – how can you go wrong? I have fond memories of stacking S’mores as a child; this seems to be a less messy, yummy alternative!
Click here to see the Top 10 Summer Recipes and trends.
I plan on making the Green Garden Fries this weekend, so I’ll be back with an update on their degree of yumminess! Until then!
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Life Made Delicious BBQ Prize Pack Winner!
Thank you to everyone who entered the LMD Celebrate Summer Giveaway. If you’re looking for new, mouth watering, and above all, easy recipes to try this season, look no further than Life Made Delicious!
(Pictured right are Fresh Strawberry Tarts… YUM!)
Up for grabs is a “Celebrate Summer Giveaway” pack, valued at approximately $100.
It includes:
Barbecue Utensil Set
Paper Plates & Colourful Napkins
General Mills goodies: Old El Paso, Cheerios (incl. Chocolate Cheerios), Fibre 1, Betty Crocker and Nature Valley
And the winner is #658 Erie! Congratulations!
Please send me an e-mail with your mailing address, including phone number, so I can have the prize sent to you right away. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and to Life Made Delicious!
Chex Gluten Free Now in Canada!
I’m one of those lucky moms who doesn’t have to worry about food allergies. Peanuts, shrimp, strawberries, wheat – throw ’em at this family and we’ll eat. But lately, I’ve started realizing that arrogance is ignorance, as more and more individuals are developing intolerance to foods later in life.
For example, did you know that Celiac Disease, a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy, can develop at any point in life, from infancy to late adulthood? As I munch on my beloved piece of whole wheat toast this morning, I shudder to think I’m not exempt from the wrath of gluten.
Furthermore, 1 in every 133 Canadians suffers from Celiac Disease, and a recent survey disclosed that 71% of Canadians are looking for more gluten free options on grocery store shelves. Does this sound like you?
Chex to the rescue! Now in Canada, Chex offers two delicious options; Honey Nut Chex and Rice Chex Gluten Free Cereal. I’m already planning to make a fabulous, sweet and spicy Chex mix at our next get together, incorporating Rice Chex, roasted soybeans, corn tortilla chips and spices. And I’ll be quite the hero when I announce the snack is gluten, dairy and peanut free!
If you’re looking for easy recipes that are also gluten free, don’t forget to check out Life Made Delicious – you can also sign up for their GLUTEN FREE newsletter, and have recipes, coupons and more delivered right to your inbox.
Because I’m lucky to be a Life Made Delicious Connector, we received a Chex kit full of goodies (including the cereals to enjoy, of course). Now to be perfectly honest, my family enjoys Chex Gluten Free most simply dry out of the box. It’s absolutely delicious!!! For me, grabbing a handful of Honey Nut Chex is the perfect healthy snack, and Ryder has developed a night time routine:
After his evening bath, he tries to eek out a few extra minutes before bedtime by declaring that he’s hungry. Last week, I decided to entertain his ploy and brought him downstairs, putting a box of Rice Chex Gluten Free before him and instructing him to “eat”. Well, the cereal has now become Ryder’s preferred before-bed snack, and it’s become a tradition for me to sit with him while his hair dries and he snacks on the healthy goodness. Here he is last night, enjoying his “Chetz”…
(Can you tell that his mommy reads box labels? He always makes a show of scanning the box before digging in.) Since Rice Chex Gluten Free is low in sugar and high in iron, I don’t have a problem with him popping a few before retiring for the night.
Next on deck for me: these Favourite Chicken Nuggets (Gluten Free). They look absolutely scrumptious!
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Celebrating Canada Day with LMD!
I always tend to think of Canada Day as the “mid-point” of summer, even though school kids, eager to pack away their books for two months, would beg to differ. (School’s Out!)
And now, it looks like Canada Day is already upon us! This year, I wanted to pay homage to our great country by baking up a truly Canadian treat – Butter Tarts. It’s just one of the easy recipes I found at Life Made Delicious, of course!
My trusted Wikipedia has the following to say about Butter Tarts:
A butter tart is a type of small pastry tart highly regarded in Canadian cuisine and considered one of Canada’s quintessential desserts. Although primarily eaten and associated with the English speaking provinces of Canada, the history of the tart recipe has been traced back to the arrival of the filles à marier in Quebec during the 1600s, where the imported brides used maple syrup, butter and dried fruit to make a possible precursor to modern examples of the butter tart or the Quebec Tarte au sucre.
Translation: A whole lotta yummy.
Now I actually prefer the tarts sans pecans, and purists would agree that a simple combination of butter, raisins and maple (or golden) syrup usually does the trick. So as soon as the boys went down this evening, I whipped up a batch of Mom’s Best Butter Tarts. Normally I’d copy and paste the recipe, but since there are several detailed steps, please use the recipe link to check it out. FYI – I opted to bake the tarts in individual foil liners rather than use a muffin tin.
What I can tell you is that less than an hour later, I am seriously wondering how 12 of these sweet, delicious tarts will make it until Friday’s celebration. Yes, they’re sweet. And no, they won’t make it on anyone’s list of diet foods. But they’re one of Canada’s quintessential desserts, dammit! And thank goodness I have enough ingredients on hand to do it all over again!
For more easy recipes – including Canada Day-themed goodies such as Maple Cake, Maple Pecan Pie and more, be sure to visit Life Made Delicious!
I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.