I’ve been obsessed with many things over my lifetime, but one habit I’m not willing to kick is my new-found penchant for making Vietnamese Pho at home. Quite simply, the combination of richly flavoured broth, comforting noodles and spicy beef or chicken is just too good to resist. And now that I can make it myself, whenever a craving strikes – let’s just say that I *may* have found a new hobby.
Last night, we made it with frozen Kobe beef meatballs and copious amounts of Thai basil. Verdict? Heaven. However, if you look closely, there’s another Nu addition to my noodle bowl – namely, the noodles! Now what would you say if I told you that one suggested serving of NuPasta – which 210g, a full package! – is only 25 calories and gluten-free? It’s TRUE! NuPasta is an incredibly healthy alternative to traditional pasta dishes, and it couldn’t be easier to make. …
healthy eating
Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup) – The Fast Slow Pro Way!
NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
Growing up, it was the most horrific small appliance in my mom’s arsenal of horrific small appliances. I can still picture it: a turbulent aluminum contraption, rattling, hissing and spurting bursts of steam violently until I was certain it would explode, blanketing the kitchen with shards of beef bones and perfectly flavoured broth.
My few encounters with my mom’s pressure cooker was enough to put me off them for life.
However, rave reviews for Breville’s Fast Slow Pro started popping up everywhere. A modern day combination pressure and slow cooker, which moms like me – with no HAZMAT or ninja training – were using with ease and producing mouth-watering results… it was almost too good to be true! I had to check it out for myself, and Breville graciously obliged, sending over a Fast Slow Pro for me to experience.
Folks, I am in love. Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup), made on my very first try with the Fast Slow Pro. It was flavourful, authentic-tasting and ready in under an hour.
I suppose the first, and most important, fact to share is that today’s pressure cookers are nowhere near as frightening as models from years past. Breville’s simple controls and exclusive dual sensor technology remove the guess work – detecting when and how the pressure should be released, while monitoring time and temperature for perfect results every time, no matter the dish. …
Make it Better with Bertolli!
Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
There are a few brands in my pantry that I consider “iconic”. At the top of that list: Bertolli Olive Oil.
Renowned as the world’s leading brand of olive oil, the Bertolli tradition began in 1865 in Italy in the small town of Lucca. There, Francesco and Caterina Bertolli opened a trading shop underneath the family home, where they sold olive oil.
Thank you, Francesco and Caterina, for bringing deliciousness into the homes all around the world for more than 150 years. From full-bodied to mild and sweet, the Bertolli range has an olive oil for all my cooking needs. 
Salads, pasta dishes and grilled vegetables come to life with Bertolli Originale or Gentile Extra Virgin Olive Oil. For an all-purpose cooking oil for stews and sautés, I always reach for Bertolli Classico Olive Oil for its mild olive taste. And when I want a light tasting all-purpose oil with a very high smoke point (including deep frying and baking), I can trust Bertolli Delicato Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil.
And now, Bertolli introduces 100% Olive Oil Sprays! Available in Extra Virgin and Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil, these new products offer the versatility of 100% olive oil for both raw and cooked dishes, with the convenience of portion control and just 4 calories per spray. Plus, they are all natural and contain no gas propellants. …
Less Bun. More Flavour! Easy Breezy Back-to-School Breakfast
NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
Normally, when I tell people that my kids don’t like breakfast, their reaction is quite predictable.
Really? But breakfasts for kids are so yummy!
I’ve never heard of a kid not liking breakfast!
OMG, my kids are starving in the morning! Aren’t yours?
And so on and so forth.
Thing is, my boys just aren’t interested in eating at all when they wake up. If I sit them at the breakfast table, they’ll play with their food. If I let them camp out in front of the TV, they’ll ignore their breakfasts completely. I’ve tried bribing, begging and everything in between… and still, they don’t eat.
So, I decided if I can’t beat ’em, I’d join ’em. I started thinking about foods they do love to eat – and how they love to eat them. And I realized that my boys really are finger food people; they like to select, dip, repeat. I made it my mission to create a well-balanced, dippable meal that they’d enjoy.
First, it had to be loaded with protein. Breakfast meats like bacon and sausage are great… in small doses. I simply don’t want to create an environment where high-sodium foods are a dietary staple. So I turned to my old stand-by: Greek yogurt. Loaded with protein and calcium, it’s the perfect breakfast food! I selected an Oikos Banana Greek Yogurt as I figured it would be pleasing to young palettes. Then, to up the protein content even more, I added a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter. Could there be a better combination? I think not. …