• Tabouli Salad with Chickpeas
    SIDES

    Tabouli Salad with Chickpeas

    Tabouli is a middle eastern salad, typically made with finely chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, onions and bulgar. I've switched it up a little here replacing the traditional bulgar for chickpeas and added in a little radish and feta. Dressed simply with a little lemon and olive oil. I've also used a spice here called Baharat which if you aren't familiar is a great little spice blend also used in middle eastern cuisine. Baharat is actually the Arabic word for 'spices'. I buy a blend at a spice shop here in Calgary but if you can't find it you can make your own. It is a blend of peppper, coriander, cinnamon,…

  • Honey Sriracha Salmon
    MAINS

    Honey Glazed Sriracha Salmon Bowl

    These Honey Glazed Sriracha Salmon Bowls are healthy and delicious, a perfect way to serve up a healthy meal, and who doesn’t love a good bowl? The sun is shining and spring is in the air. It’s gorgeous weather here in Calgary today. Doesn’t the sun just make you feel better? It does for me. I’ve been already dreaming about planting some seeds indoors to get ready for the garden this year. I made this really simple but delicious Honey Glazed Sriracha Salmon Bowl today. It’s great for a quick and healthy weeknight meal. Try not to overcook your salmon, it’s easy to do and it’s kind of yucky if…

  • Lemongrass Chicken Satay
    MAINS

    Lemongrass Chicken Satay with Coconut Rice

    Delicious Lemongrass Chicken Satay grilled on the BBQ and served with a spicy peanut dipping sauce all over a bed of creamy coconut rice. Serve it up with some sliced mango, cucumber, Thai basil, chili and extra sauce for dipping.  The weather is beautiful outside! Spring is officially here in Calgary. I’m sure that we will have a few more ‘freak’ storms before we are out of the woods, but for now I am going to enjoy this beautiful warm weather. I always get excited when winter comes to an end, and one sure sign of that is firing up the BBQ again and cooking in the great outdoors. My…

  • Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese
    MAINS

    Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese

    If you are looking to step up your sandwich game – try this delicious Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese. Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? My kids absolutely love them, and I do too. They are quick, easy and very satisfying. A great addition to a hot bowl of soup, or great just on their own for a quick and easy meal. I had bought a very large bag of spinach from Costco this week. So I’ve been pretty much trying to put spinach in everything to try to use it up. Luckily fresh spinach cooks down substantially, so it should be gone in no time. I came up with an…

  • Chickpea and Sweet Potato Curry
    MAINS

    Easy Weeknight Chickpea & Sweet Potato Curry

    This healthy and quick Chickpea and Sweet Potato Curry comes together in no-time for a delicious weeknight meal. Freezer friendly too, so make this ahead of time and freeze it for a busy night. I love curry. The blend of spices, the bold flavors, just perfect for a cold winter day. There is still lots of snow on the ground here in Calgary, but spring is just around the corner thankfully. I’m already dreaming about patio weather. Hopefully, this delicious curry will comfort us with this cold weather for now. I’ve cheated here and used a curry spice paste. I actually have to admit I have used this paste quite…

  • Cheesy Shells with Bacon and Broccoli
    MAINS

    Jared’s Cheesy Shells with Bacon and Broccoli

    Cheesy Shells with Bacon and Broccoli with a rich sauce made with Gruyere, Cheddar, and Mozzarella. Baked to cheesy perfection, the ultimate family comfort food. Who doesn’t love cheesy pasta? My middle son Jared was requesting that I make homemade mac and cheese for supper tonight, so I decided to enlist him as the head chef in the kitchen. Firstly, I wanted a break from cooking. But I also really want to try to teach him to cook a few things so that he doesn’t live off cereal and toast when he gets his own place one day. I have to say he did an amazing job tonight. This dish…

  • Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Honey and Harissa
    SIDES

    Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Honey and Harissa

    Roasted Brussel sprouts with Honey and Harissa are a great quick and easy side dish. Brussels sprouts have definitely come a long way from when I was first introduced to them. Back in the day, they were mostly served boiled…and boiled for much too long. They lacked a little something back then. Personally, my favorite way to cook them is roasted as I love the flavor that roasting them brings. Toss halved Brussel sprouts in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast them at around 425F on a sheet pan. They are wonderful with bacon. Parmesan, as you can imagine, is another worthy addition. I also enjoy them…

  • The Best Pumpkin Muffins
    BREADS

    The Best Pumpkin Muffins

    When I say The Best Pumpkin Muffins, I mean my favorite. The best is a little overused at times. But this is a really solid and delicious recipe. I feel like somewhere along the way, someone must have developed the idea of muffins as a way to enjoy cake for breakfast. Brilliant idea is all I have to say to that! These are great to have on hand for the kid’s lunchbox, or for a quick grab and go snack. They aren’t too sweet, but satisfyingly sweet enough. It may be a bit late for a pumpkin recipe. I know everyone kind of goes crazy with pumpkin everything in the…

  • Mexican Empanadas with Mushrooms
    APPETIZERS

    Mexican Style Empanadas with Mushrooms

    These Mexican Style Empanadas with Mushrooms are truly one of my favorite things to eat! They are so good! You can change up the fillings to suit your liking, but I always like to ensure they have gooey cheese included. Now I’m not sure that I’m using the correct name for these. I know in Mexico fried Quesadillas are made the same way, usually with Cheese and poblano and epazote added in. I also know there is something called Molotes which are kind of the same with stuffed masa dough filled with meat or chorizo with potato. But for now I”m just calling them empanadas (Mexican style). The first time…