Healthy Choices. Grateful Mindset.
Flat beans and potatoes, braised together in flavourful broth is the perfect addition to your weeknight rotation. It’s an easy dish to put together in less than 30 minutes. Vegans love the hearty vegetable combo but you can also bulk it up with your choice of protein. A personal fave for me is to add
Let’s talk about this incredible summer side – fresh from the farm strawberry and asparagus salad. It offers a mixture of complimenting flavors from the smoky grilled asparagus, to the juicy strawberries, tied together by the salty feta. Simply dressed in extra virgin olive oil, a sweet balsamic glaze and tangy lemon, this salad is
Check out my new, one-pan recipe. It’s a filling and fibrous mix of garbanzo beans with assorted green vegetables. A sauce of earthy tahini balanced out with sweet honey and lemon freshness coats the elements, tying all the flavors together. Whether you use it as a side dish or main, you will love how quickly
With spring in full bloom let’s reminisce on (and look forward to resuming) time with friends taking in the beautiful weather, enjoying drinks and apps on the patio. My friends, asparagus is in season and this Panko breaded asparagus appetizer is all the feels of outdoor patio season. It’s so easy to put together and
Looking for a colourful but simple side? Elevate the classic cooked carrot by using rainbow carrots, a beautiful aesthetic to any plate. In this dish of roasted rainbow carrots, I used simple honey balsamic vinaigrette to dress the carrots before roasting. The extra sugars caramelize, enriching the flavor. Carrots are the sweet addition to just
This maple glaze in this recipe is a versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of vegetables, fish, chicken or pork. The sweet and zesty maple mustard combo also makes for a top contending dipping sauce when heated and reduced. But for now, let’s focus on this maple glazed salmon that is flavourful,
This is an old family recipe for Italian Easter bread. Also referred to as Pane di Pasqua, the bread is a traditional loaf prepared during the Easter holiday. You will love how easy this sweet egg bread comes together. My favourite way to serve is with boiled eggs and Italian cured meats. The combination of
Spring is here and I’m excited to share this delicious mushroom and leek quiche recipe! Enjoy savory egg, grilled leeks and an earthy mix of shitake and oyster mushrooms in a flaky pie crust. The baking portion of this recipe takes time for those who have it to spare so feel free to have the
Here is a couscous salad with feta and grilled zucchini to excite your taste buds. It uses Moroccan couscous as a subtle canvas to the salty feta and grilled veg. The spiced garlic lime vinaigrette and abundance of fresh herbs induce a bold flavor into the mix. I love the combination of mint and parsley
Minestrone is an Italian soup of mixed vegetables in a tomato-based broth, typically including a rice or pasta. For this recipe, I used tortellini (a pasta stuffed with meat or cheese) with a combination of zucchini, carrot and spinach. I love using flat green beans in minestrone but chose to take a different route with
Polenta is an Italian dish of cornmeal made in a variety of ways. You can serve it hot and creamy or allow it to cook then solidify before grilling, baking or frying. For my vegan friends I chose to share a vegan polenta recipe that uses a plant-based ragù of mushroom, spinach and beans (among
A recipe that checks off all the boxes for what makes a great salad. Bold flavor, refreshing crunch, creamy dressing, and packed with enough fiber and protein to keep you feeling full. I would like to share with you my red lentil salad recipe. Red lentils are accompanied by pearl barley and mixed with a
Check out this recipe for flavourful braised beef short ribs. Featuring Caribbean flavors, the braised ribs, are covered in saucy deliciousness that offers a punch of heat (but can be adjusted if that’s not your thing). Braising the meat makes for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that will have you wondering why you didn’t double up
A shrimp pasta dish is one of those dishes I can count on when I’m stuck for what to make. Frozen shrimp defrost quickly and the ingredients are so easy to cook off, no previous prep required. Having the shrimp thawed before you get in the kitchen to cook is the planner’s advantage, and can
Preparing meat is a time consuming task. There is a preparation in itself when handling animal proteins and then, of course, the preparation of everything else, before the actual cooking process. I love when meat is prepped and ready to go on a busy day. And these tiny turkey meatballs are an amazing prep hack.
Now here is a salad to satiate you through your workday. The chickpea base of this salad is great for highlighting the tangy artichoke hearts and salty sheep’s milk cheese. Chickpeas are nutrient dense and environmentally friendly legumes. They provide a fulfilling amount of fibre and protein making it a great team player in any
This peanut butter and banana oatmeal is made in 5 minutes, no lie. It’s something I can whip up on a weekday morning and everyone loves it, even the kids! Quaker is a trusted brand in our family so it only makes sense that we use Quaker Oats for our morning oatmeal. The 1 minute
Here is a healthy and vegan friendly recipe for mashed sweet potatoes. Mashed potatoes are the perfect pairing for just about any protein. Grilled meats are complimented by the creamy mash while sauces or gravies join forces with the potato as it soaks up that delicious flavor. However, the cream and butter used for this
Now here is a hearty chicken soup with so many different nutrient packed foods – an absolute must on the meal roster for cold and flu season. Bone-in chicken adds deep flavour to the broth along with lentils, sweet potatoes and rapini (also known as broccoli rabe). Unlike pureed soups or the classic chicken noodle
Potato wedges are an all-star comfort food and a win in the world of fast and easy meal prep. But then again, who doesn’t love a crispy potato wedge? That crusted skin on the outside, with that soft cloud feel of a mashed potato on the inside. These wedges are baked, not fried and make
Spaghetti squash is one of the many winter squash varieties. Winter squash, unlike summer squash have a thick inedible skin. This skin helps them to keep well as they are stored throughout the winter months, hence the name. This low calorie, high fibre veg is rich in vitamins and minerals and makes an excellent substitute
Here is a great side dish for meal prep. It is super easy to put together and pop in the oven. It stores well and tastes just as good on day 5 as it did on day 1, if not better. A vegetable bake is a really just cut veg, cheese and sauce getting up
Spreads and dips come in all flavours and textures and hummus is by far a leading contender in this category. Hummus is a creamy mixture of chickpeas, tahini, garlic and lemon. It’s super healthy, packed with plant-based protein and fibre among many other important nutrients. Keep it traditional or jazz it up with additions like
This fennel and pear salad is perfect for the fall. Salads are year-round superstars but seasonal ingredients are what make them top notch sides to your meal. Anise flavored fennel, sweet Bosc pears, bitter radicchio, earthy walnuts and fresh herb. This elegant looking salad is a great choice for when company comes over. Maximize the
I love easy dinners and this lentil soup is just that. The prepped chicken is always on hand in my freezer and pulling it out in the morning sets me up for and easy one pot dinner made in 30 minutes. Even easier when I make it vegan. (Not really a favourite for my meat
The season of fall has so much to offer in terms of harvest and seasonal produce. Squash and other gourds have a soft spot in my heart during this time of year. Super versatile, they can be roasted, mashed or puréed into a soups and sauces. In this acorn squash recipe, the squash is halved,
The motivation for this vegetable fried rice came from a combination of things. Firstly, I needed to utilize the existing produce in my fridge (as always). Secondly, I wanted to make sure my family enjoys the comfort food they love while sneaking in highly nutritious components. Kids are back in school; the warm summer weather
The inspiration for this bean soup recipe formed from the simple desire to use up a bunch of things I had in the fridge. You’ll notice a lot of my plates are inspired by this goal. I had leftover salted cod from a previous meal I made that week and leftover cooked beans used in
This apple cinnamon granola bar recipe is the perfect prep ahead back to school snack. They bars are nut-free making them school safe and approved by kids for their sweet taste. Kids can get involved to help since they are so easy and super quick to make. I use Nature’s Path organic puffed brown rice
This mango salad is one of my favourite salads to make. It has ripe, juicy mango which adds so much sweetness to the hearty beans and compliments the refreshing crunch of the cucumber. No need to hype up this flavour combo; a simple vinaigrette is all you need. I mean, real simple, like salt, black
Sweet corn is everywhere in the summer and there are so many ways to use it. My little ones are simple people. Steamed and salted is how we roll. This salad recipe is a mixture of components added to freshly cooked corn on the cob but it is a great way to use up leftover
This chili lime tilapia recipe uses a marinade composed of just four ingredients. The marinade is a simple yet flavourful combination that is super yummy on chicken and fish. The secret star is none other than an Indonesian chili paste called Sambal Oelek. Combine it with onion, garlic and lime juice to spread over the
These frozen smoothie pops were originally inspired by my eldest child who is anaphylactic to milk and milk byproducts. Many of the dessert options out there for her were filled with so much sugar. We started making frozen smoothie pops which are thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family. They are a healthy alternative but most
These little guys are a mouthful of deliciousness. Cheesy mushroom and asparagus egg muffins made with bacon but can easily be swapped out for a vegetarian option. A perfect grab and go for busy mornings. They are super easy to prep ahead and store well for up to 4 days. Yields 12 muffins Ingredients: Eggs,
This gluten free “pasta” dish is simplicity on a plate. Zucchini noodles aglio e olio is quick to prep and even quicker to put together. Enough to fill you as an entree but also makes a rockstar side to the protein of your choice. Yields 2 servings Ingredients: Zucchini, 6-7 pcs, spiralized Heirloom tomato, 2
This is my personal spin on a classic pepperonata. I add the chicken for a heartier stew but feel free to swap out the meat as a vegetarian option. Quick prep and cook time make it perfect for weeknights. Yields 4 servings Ingredients: Roma tomato, 4 pcs, julienne Onion, 1 medium size, julienne Assorted field
Lamb in the spring time brings back years of memories and cultural traditions. Different parts of the lamb used in so many different ways. The shanks are tough meat and required a slow moist cooking method. Check out my recipe for braised lamb shanks. Yields 6 servings Ingredients: Lamb shanks, 6 pcs Olive oil, 30mL
My Timesaver Chicken Prep recipe is a secret I’ve been using for years to get through weeknight dinners. The pulled chicken and chicken broth are 2 different products created from 1 method which is another reason why I love it. Make it to portion and freeze, then pull out when you’re ready to use. Yields
Stracciatella is an Italian egg drop soup using small pastina or in this recipe, Orzo. I like to jazz it up with veggies and homemade turkey meatballs. Yields 4 servings Ingredients: Spinach, 2 bunches, stems removed Onion, 1 medium, diced Mushroom, 250 grams, sliced Garlic, 1-2 cloves, minced Chicken or vegetable broth, 8 cups Olive
Yields 4-6 servings Ingredients: 4 cups yam, cleaned and cut pieces 1/4 + 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup milk 2 eggs 2 pounds ground chicken or turkey 1/2 cup fresh coriander, chopped 6 cloves roasted garlic purée 2 cups onion, diced 1/4 cup flour 2 cups chicken stock 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 cups carrot,
Yields 4-6 servings Ingredients: 1 medium onion, medium dice 2 stalks of celery, medium dice 2 medium carrot, medium dice 4 roma tomato, medium dice 4 garlic colves, purée 4 cups spinach, raw 2 cups barley 1 pound beef, 1/4″ thick slices 1 spring of rosemary 1 sprig of sage 8 cups beef stock salt
Yields 4-6 servings Ingredients: 3 tbsp butter 1 pound leeks 1 pound yukon or russet potato 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1 bay leaf 1 cup 35% cream salt & white pepper to taste 2 cups of pumpernickel bread, cubed 2 tbsp garlic oil (see garlic oil recipe) 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese What