• Salsa Ranchera
    SAUCES AND DIPS

    Salsa Ranchera

    Salsa Ranchera is a great basic tomato-based table sauce that can be used to serve with tacos, huevos rancheros, or just served with corn chips! I roughly use a classic recipe by Diana Kennedy as a guide for my Salsa Ranchera. Diana Kennedy is a great resource for Mexican cooking, in case you haven’t heard of her. Her cookbook The Art of Mexican Cooking is a classic and one that I use and refer to often. We cook Mexican food quite frequently around here – it is one of my favorite cuisines. I love to have a variety of salsas to choose from for tacos and this Salsa Ranchera is…

  • Jack & Coke BBQ Sauce
    SAUCES AND DIPS

    Jack & Coke BBQ Sauce

    This Jack & Coke BBQ Sauce was created in an attempt to come up with a great summer BBQ sauce. I had made BBQ sauces before with the addition of Jack Daniels, which had me thinking about a Jack and Coke. That’s where the inspiration came from. The addition of orange juice and zest brightens everything up and chipotle peppers at a smoky hint of spice. Make a double batch and keep some on hand for all your grilling needs this summer. This sauce would be wonderful on BBQ ribs! It is so nice out here in Calgary today. We are still dealing with Coronavirus, so unfortunately not much company…

  • Basil Pesto with Pistachios and Pecorino Romano
    SAUCES AND DIPS

    Basil Pesto with Pistachios and Pecorino Romano

    Pesto is a great way to highlight beautiful fresh herbs. Great to use as a dressing for a simple pasta, or it would even be great as a topping for fish or shrimp. This Basil Pesto with Pistachios and Pecorino Romano is so good. We used it today as a delicious addition to our Caprese Style Grilled Cheese This Basil Pesto with Pistachios and Pecorino Romano is also great tossed over pasta for a quick and simple supper. You can store homemade pesto the freezer for up to 3 months. If you do want to freeze, just leave out the cheese and add the cheese once defrosted before use. If…

  • Guacamole with Roasted Poblano
    SAUCES AND DIPS

    Guacamole with Roasted Poblano

    Who doesn’t love Guacamole? This Guacamole with Roasted Poblano is so simple to make! The Roasted Poblano Peppers add a nice flavor to the mix. Poblanos are a really mild chile, so don’t worry about this being too hot! Of course if you like spicy, feel free to add some more jalepeno into the mix. Avocadoes can brown quickly, so if you want to make this ahead of time, press your cling wrap right to the surface of the guacamole to ensure that no air gets through and you can store it in the fridge for a few hours or so. 2 ripe avocadoes juice from 1-2 limes 1/4 cup…

  • Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce
    SAUCES AND DIPS

    Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce

    Chimichurri sauce is one of my all-time favorite condiments! It pretty much goes with anything – meat, fish, potatoes, roasted veggies, rice…anything!. In the summer months especially, when we are BBQ’ing more frequently I typically keep this sauce on hand regularly. This Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce is a bit of a twist on the original. This sauce originates in Argentina and Uruguay and is used as a condiment for grilled meat. It is authentically made with parsley. I love it with parsley too, but I had some cilantro to use up, so I made it with cilantro today, it is delicious with parsley as well so I encourage you to try…

  • SAUCES AND DIPS

    Thai Night and some Hoisin Peanut Sauce

    We were going to take the kids out to a movie last night – but instead decided to save some cash and rent a few at home – and I decided to make some Thai Food to go along with.  I actually prefer to stay home sometimes and watch a movie in the comforts of home – you can wear your pj’s, cozy up on the couch – and make some kick ass movie night snacks for a fraction of the cost. When we were kids my Mom used to take us to the movies – very occasionally.  Mom used to cut costs and have us ‘sneak’ in our own…

  • SAUCES AND DIPS

    Blueberry BBQ Glaze

    I love days when there is nothing on the schedule. It is a glorious feeling to wake up and leisurely make coffee, read a magazine, fiddle in the kitchen, stay in your jammies if you like. Those are my favorite days. My husband and I have both been lucky the last few days to have days like that – which we both don’t see very often between work and having 3 children. It was awesome – can we stay here forever? I made an apple cake this morning before running to town to run a few errands with my husband – a recipe I found on another blog called Not…

  • SAUCES AND DIPS

    One Minute Salsa

    I have to share this quick and easy salsa recipe – for all those that own a food processor or a blender- I would say goodbye to store bought salsa for good – this is so quick, easy and fresh that you can literally throw together in just a minute.  We eat alot of salsa in our house and I had wanted to can some this year – but didn’t have the chance to.  I found this recipe and I am hooked – no more store bought salsa for us.  It tastes so much better than the store bought and only requires a few ingredients that you may already have…

  • SAUCES AND DIPS

    “Guac Meets Hummus”

    This dip is an cross between a guacamole and hummus – and is ohhhh so creamy, healthy and delish – give it a try – you’ll love it!! It’s fall…and the leaves are changing colors – such a beautiful time of year.  I love to take fall pics – so I will be dragging my boys out this weekend for some shots (much to their demise) – that is once I get my house back in order.  We are going through renos right now – and it is sure a messy process – but it is looking so much better! Anyway, I made this yesterday – because I was busy…

  • SAUCES AND DIPS

    Labneh (Yogurt Cheese)

    I first tried Labneh as a teenager, and fell in love with it’s tangy taste.  A middle eastern friend introduced me to this.  We ate it spread on a pita bread with scrambled eggs, fresh tomato, cucumber and green onion.  This is an awesome breakfast and Labneh is so much healthier than a cream cheese.  It is unbelievably easy to make.  Give it a try.  You could also stir in some fresh herbs or roasted garlic and drizzle on a bit of olive oil and serve as a dip (with warmed pita or veggies).  Ingredients Plain Yogurt (1 big container) 500ml (use the variety with no added gelatin etc.)Pinch of…