tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176955812024-03-23T13:56:40.703-04:00The House of SimonCarrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-56315901726536433982013-10-17T11:41:00.001-04:002013-10-17T11:41:07.403-04:00I have started posting again on a new blog. With the loss of Simon, I didn't want to continue on with this one. If you'd like to visit me at my new space, you'll find it here - <a href="http://justtheeats.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Just The Eats Ma'am</b></a>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-72002357861068006462012-10-01T18:44:00.006-04:002012-10-06T23:52:07.090-04:00Simon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisld3_wWSKVEElErpRfS8gZtQxTHsJ6LSFgcb4NYQRNsol4BRMrrBBeF7kBf3LhwRfESAJmpmc7uBfeWqKYbjeYGXsnPriCuEypFtwuOr0XvufYUFxdOeHmkdkPNsnQyg2xW57/s1600/P1140135_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisld3_wWSKVEElErpRfS8gZtQxTHsJ6LSFgcb4NYQRNsol4BRMrrBBeF7kBf3LhwRfESAJmpmc7uBfeWqKYbjeYGXsnPriCuEypFtwuOr0XvufYUFxdOeHmkdkPNsnQyg2xW57/s400/P1140135_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>SIMON JAMES</strong></span> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">27 May 2003 - 10 August 2012</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very much missed, Forever in my heart, NEVER forgotten</span></strong> </div>
Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-36431690286557444652012-06-03T12:29:00.001-04:002012-06-03T12:29:17.514-04:00Comfort At It's Finest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been busybusybusy; first packing up our household and getting ready to move to our new home and then unpacking on the other end. Sorting through belongings and filling up boxes seemed like a daunting task at first, but I used the opportunity to purge and I gave away/dontated/threw out so much STUFF! I'm working on a secondary round as I'm unpacking. </div>
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Moving is listed as one of the top stresses in a person's life, so comfort food is a must. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissgUQ_rkmN7cMJbJyJXfGbReOtDS-E-IyHYqkcn-jLdM1zgLpXchJT1zAY7xbq995MzcgixJnKr_vx-Rf5J6tiUUIaYdpWB9jGr0XxvmCAuBhXUdnLcuDEHK9pVKiaFqu6Z64/s1600/P1160476_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissgUQ_rkmN7cMJbJyJXfGbReOtDS-E-IyHYqkcn-jLdM1zgLpXchJT1zAY7xbq995MzcgixJnKr_vx-Rf5J6tiUUIaYdpWB9jGr0XxvmCAuBhXUdnLcuDEHK9pVKiaFqu6Z64/s400/P1160476_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />One of my favourite comforts is pot pie. In this one, I used some left over veggies, cubed veggie burgers, made a "beefy" gravy and topped it with puff pastry. Quick and sooo yummy! </div>
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<br />Grill master Jim made this delicious sandwiches for us. He grilled up some peppers, zucchini and red onions, made a garlic mayo and piled eveything, along with some crumbled feta, onto ciabatta buns he toasted on the BBQ. <br />
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These were incredible! <br />
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<br />Here's something that I've made quite a few times and it always turns out so tasty, it makes me wonder why I don't make it more often. It's <a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Fat Free Vegan Kitchen's</span></strong></a> ribz done in a sweet and sour orange sauce. It's really easy to do and half of the recipe of sauce is used on the ribs and the other half is used for the vegetables. Genius! If you'd like the recipe, you can find it <a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/05/seitan-baked-in-sweet-and-sour-orange.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">here. </span></strong></a><br />
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Even though we've had unseasonably warm weather all winter, there have been a few rainy, drizzling ones thrown in just to remind us that it's spring. Those dull days just scream for a soulful pea soup. I really like <a href="http://www.govegan.net/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Sarah Kramer's</span></b></a> version from <strong>La Dolce Vegan</strong>. It contains just a few ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen already, a bit of simmering time and then into your belly! It warms me up right to my toes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8bYTyqG2vQNtsyfMzo47DYUAdtGWzYRDRqtKgYSZ8yqkfcl7TMg9MirfizabTQAMYbYHbFUM-jNCmlnICKj_8hjU0L2Z-bTsxI28N6TCro9CNva9l34O2uyUAit-2Ms2Ezo4/s1600/P1160082_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8bYTyqG2vQNtsyfMzo47DYUAdtGWzYRDRqtKgYSZ8yqkfcl7TMg9MirfizabTQAMYbYHbFUM-jNCmlnICKj_8hjU0L2Z-bTsxI28N6TCro9CNva9l34O2uyUAit-2Ms2Ezo4/s400/P1160082_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bread pudding is very homey, but I find it kind of blech. Jazz it up with panatone and cinnamon syrup and you've got my attention. Sadly, panatones are only ever found at Christmas time, so I'll get a couple of really good quality ones, slice them in half and freeze them. I saw <a href="http://www.giadadelaurentiis.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Giada De Laurentiis</span></b></a> make French toast with panatone on one of her shows and that enticed me, so we now have that on Boxing Day morning for a little extra special breakfast. After looking through some of Giada's other recipes on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">The Food Network</span></strong></a> site, I found one for panatone bread pudding. It uses the same yummy syrup as for the toast and this is bread pudding pushed to the nth degree! <br />
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<br />Liqueurs are a nice sweet, warming, flavourful way to finish off a meal. Navan vanilla liqueur is one of my favourites and it was lovely as a nightcap after the bread pudding.<br />
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<br />Simon says his new yard is great! He loves to go out and play with Daddy & help him with the BBQ. But he doesn't much care for helping Mommy with unpacking. *sigh* Off to do more.....<br />
<br />Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-45913165184935920532012-04-08T15:03:00.001-04:002012-04-08T15:03:12.997-04:00Let Them Eat Vegan (Warning - Pictures Galore)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://vivelevegan.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Dreena</span></strong></a>'s book is almost ready for release! May 1 is the official date, There is going to be a special 'Buy On' promotion, so keep checking Dreena's blog for more info. </div>
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<br />Even though I was honoured just to test recipes for her, Dreena was kind enough to send all of the testers a copy of her book. The cover is great and there are some full-colour photos inside that are truly mouth-watering. <br />
In this post, I'm going to show you some more of the dishes I made while testing. Get ready because there are A LOT of photos. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFyvfSZ2stU8mE2kU4NEPFUgnxps2GSJdCrjetrN2CXgbn-upNwntt1ctrRy2Q_WVnGj4FN_NKP9QtfJF1_t2JHGwOJjgiLE2ImwaxwyJaseyLL6IOKPkgSBLI7SXADK2DFY0/s1600/Tomato+Artichoke+Pasta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFyvfSZ2stU8mE2kU4NEPFUgnxps2GSJdCrjetrN2CXgbn-upNwntt1ctrRy2Q_WVnGj4FN_NKP9QtfJF1_t2JHGwOJjgiLE2ImwaxwyJaseyLL6IOKPkgSBLI7SXADK2DFY0/s400/Tomato+Artichoke+Pasta.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><strong>Tomato Artichoke Pasta</strong></div>
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<strong>Boulangerie Potatoes with Sautéed Fennel and White Beans</strong></div>
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<strong>This is how it looks on the inside. Yummy!</strong> </div>
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<br /><strong>"Hello Vegan" Bars</strong> </div>
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<br /><strong>Anise &Coriander-Infused Orange Lentil Soup (this is elegant dinner party fare)</strong></div>
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<strong>French Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvSrBZXnlOnKKW0Iymcqzi_m6K-mbAJR6xnMeX3aJf8v44g-YxoDQ7mdEQ1Yi_UHhSIibqa5_9qymiGIYvPTY44oCp1xhhC6UbOZJ3zW3ShyBXH-iFQbj-odahE0_JYsvkuOi/s1600/Double+Chocolate+Chippers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvSrBZXnlOnKKW0Iymcqzi_m6K-mbAJR6xnMeX3aJf8v44g-YxoDQ7mdEQ1Yi_UHhSIibqa5_9qymiGIYvPTY44oCp1xhhC6UbOZJ3zW3ShyBXH-iFQbj-odahE0_JYsvkuOi/s400/Double+Chocolate+Chippers.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><strong>Double Chocolate Chippers</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6ApUPGbEVsvbT_NJ5SgFqEqVXpLSsq_Iz7iLdQz2xTUeA2tzrISCMoH-oJY50ytNbX6OqLBxmXoFSeBIgmaAdPUG53JYUn8MdUt1eGLPBYAmGpT3xAHOKu2mTCrSq0xkFG6J/s1600/Troll+Cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6ApUPGbEVsvbT_NJ5SgFqEqVXpLSsq_Iz7iLdQz2xTUeA2tzrISCMoH-oJY50ytNbX6OqLBxmXoFSeBIgmaAdPUG53JYUn8MdUt1eGLPBYAmGpT3xAHOKu2mTCrSq0xkFG6J/s400/Troll+Cookies.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><strong>Troll Cookies</strong></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-uHMKRIkJLNxtOegYGsEE_tFqaiOzsTho7X-6L3qndApg27EUGTlBh5l2Zf6uBhIu6aB1aMZNIOElssY_lRtUXvxh_a9CCHa0V0Z1mz1qZtt6ljkUcMYhKl0bxbaBTiaFsnd/s1600/Three-Bean+Salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-uHMKRIkJLNxtOegYGsEE_tFqaiOzsTho7X-6L3qndApg27EUGTlBh5l2Zf6uBhIu6aB1aMZNIOElssY_lRtUXvxh_a9CCHa0V0Z1mz1qZtt6ljkUcMYhKl0bxbaBTiaFsnd/s400/Three-Bean+Salad.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Three Bean Salad</strong></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UYn8-zYIZh3BARcM9Kt1O1HQA3OWYhmVcTZS_358WOnj6rnQjTiyLI0eS-8qphra3xJSggUi2LYanzh6_tcalSYxpiZeJwpUPrHECmj1QGPMph6Yt-CixuoMgVsP0I9Xl5mX/s1600/Artichoke+and+White+Bean+Dip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UYn8-zYIZh3BARcM9Kt1O1HQA3OWYhmVcTZS_358WOnj6rnQjTiyLI0eS-8qphra3xJSggUi2LYanzh6_tcalSYxpiZeJwpUPrHECmj1QGPMph6Yt-CixuoMgVsP0I9Xl5mX/s400/Artichoke+and+White+Bean+Dip.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /><strong>Artichoke and White Bean Dip</strong></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xqqDhKXBSNsHwpBPaZNpKZe7gqMLgb4eWkaY6JPNb5YjsOc2m1Tb0FvN9Kq3ReL-8DaZhCVCXfqeouj8H0yXh8ThzCntl_Fdd_sIxwKdudm0w3s6x_kksH3kZWTpqVP3HV3L/s1600/~Artichoke+and+White+Bean+Dip,+Baked~.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xqqDhKXBSNsHwpBPaZNpKZe7gqMLgb4eWkaY6JPNb5YjsOc2m1Tb0FvN9Kq3ReL-8DaZhCVCXfqeouj8H0yXh8ThzCntl_Fdd_sIxwKdudm0w3s6x_kksH3kZWTpqVP3HV3L/s400/~Artichoke+and+White+Bean+Dip,+Baked~.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Artichoke and White Bean Dip (baked)</strong></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibqxe23UE0bKSVG5I-HvorHK3zgnbG_wHgRC-QJKRBe0AiHAWDfLPiXohHcsT_0hJSrtMNZenlPnNHVQYJlr_fCnMzxgFFsN_mA-iTCtwcu8ATosv17PUSY5KFagvdEV7E1o8/s1600/Yellow+Sweet+Potato+Chickpea+Pie+with+Basil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibqxe23UE0bKSVG5I-HvorHK3zgnbG_wHgRC-QJKRBe0AiHAWDfLPiXohHcsT_0hJSrtMNZenlPnNHVQYJlr_fCnMzxgFFsN_mA-iTCtwcu8ATosv17PUSY5KFagvdEV7E1o8/s400/Yellow+Sweet+Potato+Chickpea+Pie+with+Basil.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Yellow Sweet Potato Chickpea Pie with Basil (this alone is worth getting the book for)</strong></div>
<div align="center">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49rKKzMpADx-SrR-ElJFD0HHBGsNIYB6AoRrCLB2-hbRAuTw0BZ6GaGU3PwKZcB3xX-rTa3DOvvPQNRwyVqC7iOWlZo5PQCqOm3hwB7mMKMYBRknGJFLguNJwCQOUFsXXbbrT/s1600/Roasted+O+&+V+Potatoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49rKKzMpADx-SrR-ElJFD0HHBGsNIYB6AoRrCLB2-hbRAuTw0BZ6GaGU3PwKZcB3xX-rTa3DOvvPQNRwyVqC7iOWlZo5PQCqOm3hwB7mMKMYBRknGJFLguNJwCQOUFsXXbbrT/s400/Roasted+O+&+V+Potatoes.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong>Roasted O & V Potatoes</strong></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW5Q5VfVmXanZiCQ7dwWQcewfE3zEUaJF2x2lmCh8ujUnrqjs45XsBk_PFncNWLueiiP3t2fwTLZ1JFPaRZpGfoH1bqVxwX210q0wuEEJsuKoaWIvoNjL1bZEzsfd_BuCKZHS/s1600/Oat+%E2%80%98n+Applesauce+Muffins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW5Q5VfVmXanZiCQ7dwWQcewfE3zEUaJF2x2lmCh8ujUnrqjs45XsBk_PFncNWLueiiP3t2fwTLZ1JFPaRZpGfoH1bqVxwX210q0wuEEJsuKoaWIvoNjL1bZEzsfd_BuCKZHS/s400/Oat+%E2%80%98n+Applesauce+Muffins.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Oat 'n' Applesauce Muffins</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8TLlxVDh4_K3zXmeQja-xate-Os-XaYdB-LfxuC7vsua5tbTX6CTLRIvyWR3zBw7eZkyvYHtjSiMvUBArcSlT-PFnARp3gA2ZuTqWOBAdV7Z2162uyTRkw0bVmcXSvFgCyvm/s1600/Olive+Oil+Almond+Muffins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8TLlxVDh4_K3zXmeQja-xate-Os-XaYdB-LfxuC7vsua5tbTX6CTLRIvyWR3zBw7eZkyvYHtjSiMvUBArcSlT-PFnARp3gA2ZuTqWOBAdV7Z2162uyTRkw0bVmcXSvFgCyvm/s400/Olive+Oil+Almond+Muffins.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong>Citrus-Scented Almond Muffins</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXXt7jcqwyRFW-gudUFdWorVLs665j1iA4NX7y7Vuv0WSpt3armxiPA20L5EAap0HBuRcX9md5oJ5rV6sRZJWNCGm4IytdPVjkStqVR7F_R51gFF_9bJaav_82lILsBnn-v1M/s1600/Pumpkin+Chickpea+Cauliflower+Curry+with+Cauliflower+and+Fresh+Cream+Sauce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXXt7jcqwyRFW-gudUFdWorVLs665j1iA4NX7y7Vuv0WSpt3armxiPA20L5EAap0HBuRcX9md5oJ5rV6sRZJWNCGm4IytdPVjkStqVR7F_R51gFF_9bJaav_82lILsBnn-v1M/s400/Pumpkin+Chickpea+Cauliflower+Curry+with+Cauliflower+and+Fresh+Cream+Sauce.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Pumpkin Chickpea Cauliflower Curry With Fresh Cream Sauce</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhrCOWb8uKSLhyphenhypheneku6PVz7vy_xUhQw8KkcawxpD33t8Wdf-H30N8cfvDAbo9grWhb_KXgLsOBEDmrw1wqfjr_5FP7QZxgR4SA49BqgnWTEm57l5SgeMLQOUhvwN5rJQFwsbNk/s1600/Oven-Sweetened+Beets+with+Sage+and+Pistachios.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhrCOWb8uKSLhyphenhypheneku6PVz7vy_xUhQw8KkcawxpD33t8Wdf-H30N8cfvDAbo9grWhb_KXgLsOBEDmrw1wqfjr_5FP7QZxgR4SA49BqgnWTEm57l5SgeMLQOUhvwN5rJQFwsbNk/s400/Oven-Sweetened+Beets+with+Sage+and+Pistachios.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /><strong>Oven-Sweetened Beets with Sage</strong></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDnw9_fk2YuRk_Mrn4e26ZjnlbM2hVl840l-iSE2mcz5enQKuBpkx25gNJ_BD1CoELsHzFE2Wg_wkWkvK8gyjxxhJU4BeHYaPKCmnImkf4usvRT5T1zxxNbL4_tA2Wkby4mTq/s1600/Lentil+Loaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDnw9_fk2YuRk_Mrn4e26ZjnlbM2hVl840l-iSE2mcz5enQKuBpkx25gNJ_BD1CoELsHzFE2Wg_wkWkvK8gyjxxhJU4BeHYaPKCmnImkf4usvRT5T1zxxNbL4_tA2Wkby4mTq/s400/Lentil+Loaf.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div align="center">
<strong>"No-fu Love Loaf"</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PUYnAcpHipdNMefuXw0N0lK4vXSclAej4WzmLjtpeTddNE1IfIMHuKx-_Q4TDUDeI_8GVQESH_8RkjTzjdTOoVpd0wZiCZ6OJ8-3yWKYOG_zWxcZQB_gnQDtxkR8KxTHmMhn/s1600/Creamy+Barley+Risotto+with+Thyme+and+Star+Anise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PUYnAcpHipdNMefuXw0N0lK4vXSclAej4WzmLjtpeTddNE1IfIMHuKx-_Q4TDUDeI_8GVQESH_8RkjTzjdTOoVpd0wZiCZ6OJ8-3yWKYOG_zWxcZQB_gnQDtxkR8KxTHmMhn/s400/Creamy+Barley+Risotto+with+Thyme+and+Star+Anise.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong>Creamy Barley Risotto with Thyme and Star Anise</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmsb6slCwn3-ZUN1JlhWVlVNf2_ZWQZ1SG_cR3jcx0WHFluvW6kY1-s8Bre0SG5gj03DXtFy2oA_5V0nZWyNhr3BI0RBT9oHgYKozVNC2r1bqHX7xpCpkty57hdtuuvlJ2R4M/s1600/Simplicity+Asparagus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmsb6slCwn3-ZUN1JlhWVlVNf2_ZWQZ1SG_cR3jcx0WHFluvW6kY1-s8Bre0SG5gj03DXtFy2oA_5V0nZWyNhr3BI0RBT9oHgYKozVNC2r1bqHX7xpCpkty57hdtuuvlJ2R4M/s400/Simplicity+Asparagus.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
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<div align="center">
<strong>Simplicity Asparagus</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7I_lOt96R0N3YnD1bW3E5q85Sx-U3T137yimpNYJQfJ8myPMWXPUUkUc39k6xm8RU7Favw9ebJ_UR31Rhksk-lTa_0XJpGQ6mLUOxUGChILD9RxpV0q9Odja4m4jZ3jF2OyVC/s1600/Orange-Almond-Cranberry-Chip+Biscotti.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7I_lOt96R0N3YnD1bW3E5q85Sx-U3T137yimpNYJQfJ8myPMWXPUUkUc39k6xm8RU7Favw9ebJ_UR31Rhksk-lTa_0XJpGQ6mLUOxUGChILD9RxpV0q9Odja4m4jZ3jF2OyVC/s400/Orange-Almond-Cranberry-Chip+Biscotti.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Orange Almond Cranberry Chip Biscotti</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu975eIyrDL70LoNOfoU9AH5YkajdD0sRXdbfawsxO9uBdLfNAb-yWmHPu6clDmEsK5-d-w_eJE9lB6fSzaS6Eli-9wijhp1onw10-uzRgBZ-BT0jvxMnFQ0jnwTBls5yawJm3/s1600/Lemony+Luscious+Almond+Cake+with+Almond-Maple+Sauce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu975eIyrDL70LoNOfoU9AH5YkajdD0sRXdbfawsxO9uBdLfNAb-yWmHPu6clDmEsK5-d-w_eJE9lB6fSzaS6Eli-9wijhp1onw10-uzRgBZ-BT0jvxMnFQ0jnwTBls5yawJm3/s400/Lemony+Luscious+Almond+Cake+with+Almond-Maple+Sauce.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong>Lemony Luscious Almond Cake with Almond Maple Sauce</strong></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk-Eddl8XNJjE-t7zCwnOXHFZZmwGAvfBxoZm3en91rtaiP4pbpOEV2LAaKZsQYfV8QiHOApi_X8oArhD3AoZlP-j3D8skQdhZ1i0v9_l5dCapu4Zr2kZ_ksY0A5U8TYOv9Kj/s1600/Duo+of+Roasted+Fennel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk-Eddl8XNJjE-t7zCwnOXHFZZmwGAvfBxoZm3en91rtaiP4pbpOEV2LAaKZsQYfV8QiHOApi_X8oArhD3AoZlP-j3D8skQdhZ1i0v9_l5dCapu4Zr2kZ_ksY0A5U8TYOv9Kj/s400/Duo+of+Roasted+Fennel.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong>Duo of Roasted Fennel</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0seSch23dbYbunfMyHnpIJ5UbhloBfihujrcUaU_IigkZLAZczquCO18Eg8hS6_jBZtx9dj0TWE1QYufkbKgAg6l7E5RmcNSZC1Fdw93yCai94fn2q6IIYG-KkjVZELOZomI/s1600/Fab+Cakes+with+Smarter+Sauce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0seSch23dbYbunfMyHnpIJ5UbhloBfihujrcUaU_IigkZLAZczquCO18Eg8hS6_jBZtx9dj0TWE1QYufkbKgAg6l7E5RmcNSZC1Fdw93yCai94fn2q6IIYG-KkjVZELOZomI/s400/Fab+Cakes+with+Smarter+Sauce.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /><strong>Fab Cakes with Smarter Tartar Sauce</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong>BBQ Sunflower Tofu</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdungHzVCDSSdQ_4YBGw9VHTcFB7iH1_hoEnboMiU65ra2NYTzkLtFdGgDBQorItzJDLTgaoCfYGrkOuRUsrycAv8D6Ym29yaFqZZIJZWDaW3bmaFPiG0utt-7WHz6sUyyXTPQ/s1600/Indian+Inspired+Rice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdungHzVCDSSdQ_4YBGw9VHTcFB7iH1_hoEnboMiU65ra2NYTzkLtFdGgDBQorItzJDLTgaoCfYGrkOuRUsrycAv8D6Ym29yaFqZZIJZWDaW3bmaFPiG0utt-7WHz6sUyyXTPQ/s400/Indian+Inspired+Rice.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Indian-Inspired Rice</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwFB9xBBMFmexxjiaQBJEr0LWZrqPtxTUpsl2EUntR1tPZZDFtUDokCFl6YfmKGMRX3IvSeQr9sq8JXdX10g8zakMQTyC-8xviCczzCsHcUURP5fqe6s_FcGqOfRuwRUsQHaz/s1600/Chocolate+Orange+(Terry's)+Cookies+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwFB9xBBMFmexxjiaQBJEr0LWZrqPtxTUpsl2EUntR1tPZZDFtUDokCFl6YfmKGMRX3IvSeQr9sq8JXdX10g8zakMQTyC-8xviCczzCsHcUURP5fqe6s_FcGqOfRuwRUsQHaz/s400/Chocolate+Orange+(Terry's)+Cookies+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookies</strong></div>
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<br /><strong>Gingery Cookies</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIEPwdrcVl2RMONdZuBrD87B4g-DwNhw0btpk3Y6MydRUn2gDIkQ75M-3DMvAmx-r52Nh_fM5VMMPtfuq7__QZli5IlUfKnTd_4Ljikksoes4ZIYm7tc6Ublzez1i_kQKyRkM/s1600/Krispie+Chip+Cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIEPwdrcVl2RMONdZuBrD87B4g-DwNhw0btpk3Y6MydRUn2gDIkQ75M-3DMvAmx-r52Nh_fM5VMMPtfuq7__QZli5IlUfKnTd_4Ljikksoes4ZIYm7tc6Ublzez1i_kQKyRkM/s400/Krispie+Chip+Cookies.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Krispie Chip Cookies</strong></div>
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<strong>Welsh Cakes</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09120ffTyf4TeofhTYp9xGA6XQDHKV0iYMsvcq2e_vyELVWoT-k3zR7y5qWTcn_jxJrY5fcoJsYJrWgfXQS_JFBb7YRcsGFa9JlkSXGyYCr2m5Q1p1eNz2XJOj8Kf4DjHFxSH/s1600/Chickpea,+Artichoke,+and+Potato+'Bliss+in+a+Dish'.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09120ffTyf4TeofhTYp9xGA6XQDHKV0iYMsvcq2e_vyELVWoT-k3zR7y5qWTcn_jxJrY5fcoJsYJrWgfXQS_JFBb7YRcsGFa9JlkSXGyYCr2m5Q1p1eNz2XJOj8Kf4DjHFxSH/s400/Chickpea,+Artichoke,+and+Potato+'Bliss+in+a+Dish'.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Chickpea and Artichoke "Bliss in a Dish"</strong></div>
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<strong>Fresh Orange Cake</strong></div>
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<strong>Fresh Orange Cake</strong></div>
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<strong>Strawberries 'n' Cream Ice Cream</strong></div>
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It all looks good doesn't it? Dreena even has a whole chapter on just ice cream! You should also check out her new website at <a href="http://plantpoweredkitchen.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Plant Powered Kitchen.</span></strong></a></div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-41095734222210847262012-03-07T16:23:00.003-05:002012-03-07T17:02:17.712-05:00I've Been Baking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dynise over at <a href="http://urbanvegan.net/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Urban Vegan</span></strong></a> posted <strong>Cranberry Cornbread Squares</strong> that she'd made and it looked so delicious, I had to give it a go. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc2qRgWE3vduYW2zUUaMBT-yZ7WUf2lvJVqwuttQzlV-x2nWjZ7UdHJL-KcmD3EzHW5UcvtMMjS7SN-pLVIL6_SO-_Gvie-twKmt85OCupszi1zT9w1IZSLuQF0055TGos92d/s1600/P1160262_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc2qRgWE3vduYW2zUUaMBT-yZ7WUf2lvJVqwuttQzlV-x2nWjZ7UdHJL-KcmD3EzHW5UcvtMMjS7SN-pLVIL6_SO-_Gvie-twKmt85OCupszi1zT9w1IZSLuQF0055TGos92d/s400/P1160262_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mine didn't look quite as nice as Dynise's, but the taste made up for it. Just a touch sweet, these are great for breakfast, a snack or even dessert.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPuNTXsUEXH-H25DlpTbN0VeIbpryCA-pfSth1DYKNurcKoWVfUyn4OVXwke-n9O4pbNwpIzTrmr-Il6aHpBmh84mGxVUGTwsmCPUpa-2YWmTy42IDNHI-Q2FbiUNBBJHM33u/s1600/P1160277_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPuNTXsUEXH-H25DlpTbN0VeIbpryCA-pfSth1DYKNurcKoWVfUyn4OVXwke-n9O4pbNwpIzTrmr-Il6aHpBmh84mGxVUGTwsmCPUpa-2YWmTy42IDNHI-Q2FbiUNBBJHM33u/s400/P1160277_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /> If you'd like to make these, the recipe is <a href="http://urbanvegan.net/2012/01/lower-fat-cranberry-cornbread-squares.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">here.</span></strong></a><br />
<br />Did you know that <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Fathers-Daughter-Delicious-Celebrating-Togetherness/dp/0446557315" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Gwyneth Paltrow wrote a cookbook?</span></strong></a> I saw it at the library and decided to check it out. Although there are quite a few meat dishes in it, there are still a lot that are vegetarian or can be converted to "veg."<br />
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The first thing I flipped to was a recipe for <strong>Spiced Apple Crumb Muffins</strong> and as a huge plus, I had all of the ingredients on hand. <br />
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There was a glaring omission in the recipe. It tells you to make the crumb mixture, but then never tells you what to do with it. I assumed that the crumbly mix got sprinkled on top before baking, so that's what I did. It seemed to work out OK. <br />
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<br />Made with spelt flour, soy milk, no refined sugar and lots of cinnamon, these tasted really good, but were extremely crumbly. When I tried to cut one in half to show the inside, it just fell apart. One also disintegrated when I was taking it out of the pan. These are not the thing of elegant snacking. <br />
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<br />I then tried <strong>Banana Walnut Muffins</strong> also made with spelt flour, barley flour, maple syrup and brown rice syrup. <br />
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These were supposed to have raisins in them, but I opted for just the nuts. These seemed a little bit dry, but held together much better than the other ones. These are not a sweet muffin, but perhaps if I'd added the raisins... I've had better, but may try to tweak this to my liking because it is a bit on the healthier side. </div>
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<br />I'm willing to try a recipe or two that are not baked goods since the above two didn't impress me a whole lot. Dynise's cornbread is much better than Gwyneth's muffins. </div>
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<br />This is a tried and true recipe for oatmeal cookies. It never disappoints. It's from my old Betty Crocker cookbook (copyright 1978). The pictures in it are so '60's, and the recipes may seem a bit dated, but it is hands down, one of my favourite cookbooks. It's full of the kind of comfort dishes I grew up on. The cookie recipe, as written contains no eggs. There is buttermilk, but that is easily substituted. The original doesn't call for chocolate chips, but I just went a little wild and threw some in. The recipe makes a huge batch, but is easily halved. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FARM-STYLE OATMEAL COOKIES</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups packed brown sugar</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup shortening (1/2 margarine and 1/2 shortening is nice)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup buttermilk</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp. vanilla</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 cups quick-cooking oats</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (I did part whole wheat)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp. baking soda</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 tsp. salt</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat oven to 375F. Mix brown sugar, shortening, buttermilk and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten cookies with the bottom of a glass dipped in water. Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. </span></strong><br />
<br /><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Makes about 7 dozen cookies</span></strong><br />Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-34284555758792356032012-02-26T10:01:00.001-05:002012-02-26T10:01:07.050-05:00Quick Weeknight Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I bought a salad kit in the summer because I was wanted something different and I was feeling lazy. Once I got it all together, I thought....I can make this myself for a whole lot less. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHNK-iFvT02GX98GUrQVPw45E2LEAkcpIjs5J4L8wFSoFhxnwtJRFzCFPMbFzHhfvvKBp6pbG6r_CjrE6HgihsAtUdNX2eQurdDY7KdLhLKs4OwW4ZkUn4kSxZUylclgn-VUv/s1600/P1160047_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHNK-iFvT02GX98GUrQVPw45E2LEAkcpIjs5J4L8wFSoFhxnwtJRFzCFPMbFzHhfvvKBp6pbG6r_CjrE6HgihsAtUdNX2eQurdDY7KdLhLKs4OwW4ZkUn4kSxZUylclgn-VUv/s400/P1160047_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Voila! Arugula, flaxseed corn chips, mandarin oranges and creamy balsamic dressing. This is one tasty salad. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiqGnTB-bc-eZ4NmflFWszSPyCLMEIScFNE8v4F7wNXB-WsNpq-fnOYcDSgmH5TtRPPeoZAbF96ALDsNNhtl9IyGCRLhLiJMi999BRetm-l-Z66hfqRgXFly47q_rJMz0ytt-/s1600/P1160195_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiqGnTB-bc-eZ4NmflFWszSPyCLMEIScFNE8v4F7wNXB-WsNpq-fnOYcDSgmH5TtRPPeoZAbF96ALDsNNhtl9IyGCRLhLiJMi999BRetm-l-Z66hfqRgXFly47q_rJMz0ytt-/s320/P1160195_edited.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
<br />It was the starter for our meal that is one of my favourites from Sarah Kramer's book, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dolce-Vegan-Livin-Made-Easy/dp/1551521873/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330267918&sr=8-1" target="_blank">La Dolce Vegan</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5yVHBxwkYuYKZu_nyzX42jLfe4jpWVWU0u-G9uuW_xB1zjic8j5XvKGUm8qZVrtZII-jjXhscnVxgstzja507kB3abq8SYOn1pYwt54tOwJ0jsT2M5QKJdIyBpUlK9AL8DCF/s1600/P1160209_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5yVHBxwkYuYKZu_nyzX42jLfe4jpWVWU0u-G9uuW_xB1zjic8j5XvKGUm8qZVrtZII-jjXhscnVxgstzja507kB3abq8SYOn1pYwt54tOwJ0jsT2M5QKJdIyBpUlK9AL8DCF/s400/P1160209_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Looks nummy, doesn't it. And it takes no time to put together and not a whole lot of fussing either. Cherry tomatoes get tossed with oil and then topped with a garlicy, cheesy bread crumb topping. Roast those while you cook the pasta and chop the basil. Drain the pasta and dump the veggies & basil into the pot with the pasta. Toss it around, plate and sprinkle with cheese. SUPER EASY! SUPER DELICIOUS! <br />
We eat quite a lot of pasta. And we like wine. Those two things are a perfect match. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAMCKpV0bPRPkCdOOTAtH7LpNtRH3f1HTgLj9XvfWYv2HTCtLtqv6XhrOn5fRU4_tMUgy6VrEPWfYQBg4M9kLdDmnrFUI6ZhE8FqX98kZHqj41DHgoYKohWuldQtw6F13aN3V/s1600/P1160025_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAMCKpV0bPRPkCdOOTAtH7LpNtRH3f1HTgLj9XvfWYv2HTCtLtqv6XhrOn5fRU4_tMUgy6VrEPWfYQBg4M9kLdDmnrFUI6ZhE8FqX98kZHqj41DHgoYKohWuldQtw6F13aN3V/s400/P1160025_edited.JPG" width="222" /></a></div>
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This tasty Italian wine is a <a href="http://www.vintages.com/vintages/essentials/collection/en/index.shtml" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Vintages Essential</span></strong></a> and at $14.95 it's a great bargin.Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-50264915775884692942012-02-15T12:01:00.000-05:002012-02-15T12:01:14.109-05:00Opa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I really like Greek food. (minus the eggplant - I'm not too keen on that). I saw these at the grocery store and thought they might come in handy some day so I tossed a box into my cart.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi7b56y6WjZYOnyLSmz1eDA-cTxUgxUr7M8ezm1o5NFrs2IjG5Oljb9fQv0EkT1qOzb1saUyhDGpWnXYYxinVYv9sGKbG_b9HC6SAF1FjVrw_rvM_GUseVU6YXrQEkZoOL8mW/s1600/P1160098_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi7b56y6WjZYOnyLSmz1eDA-cTxUgxUr7M8ezm1o5NFrs2IjG5Oljb9fQv0EkT1qOzb1saUyhDGpWnXYYxinVYv9sGKbG_b9HC6SAF1FjVrw_rvM_GUseVU6YXrQEkZoOL8mW/s320/P1160098_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />What follows is far from authentic, but had the flavours nonetheless. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhREFixQMILYl99dzyAZzTai0NBooH8Eof4QgkIkFybgKWWfyYSnZ4vyTclkFg_HAp0hmRNzpoqFLDT5fLKVL5yfEz_1ntu4rAzwCA63HmyOSReInF9QAfe-2i0QPsLWxpg0g/s1600/P1160109_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhREFixQMILYl99dzyAZzTai0NBooH8Eof4QgkIkFybgKWWfyYSnZ4vyTclkFg_HAp0hmRNzpoqFLDT5fLKVL5yfEz_1ntu4rAzwCA63HmyOSReInF9QAfe-2i0QPsLWxpg0g/s320/P1160109_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />I did make some<strong> </strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzatziki" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>tzatziki</strong></span></a> from scratch. There are some pretty good ones available pre-made, but they are expensive! Planning ahead a little bit and taking a small amount of actual prep time and it can be made for a fraction of the price. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NSBSgCmkpDj_VvBUJmZyYBX2Rjsfi_B0geZlEVbqyMZ6KDkwQjxLPH-PuYUOwCReZAgu_I8HpVBBBpNtmQrT5j-e8eZNNhaUZrkr8LAQmcCw31jLD4J_WMa2B2cvaitSCl4w/s1600/P1160119_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NSBSgCmkpDj_VvBUJmZyYBX2Rjsfi_B0geZlEVbqyMZ6KDkwQjxLPH-PuYUOwCReZAgu_I8HpVBBBpNtmQrT5j-e8eZNNhaUZrkr8LAQmcCw31jLD4J_WMa2B2cvaitSCl4w/s320/P1160119_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nice little plate of starters. The spanakopita were OK. A little bland, I would probably buy them again in a pinch, but they could be so much better. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuWGv-aZ1m5EhPgSXN5ZmSm8Zb-jL0eZKXg7oWs1W0Z7qW3yyNSf0W9w1YNu4YCd5Tqlm128SlaPeZQTw3KqRVWdcT5SYr_F3Rz4jtuKxuAANPBV5QNd2QJAqfY_gxg-cJx6n/s1600/P1160145_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuWGv-aZ1m5EhPgSXN5ZmSm8Zb-jL0eZKXg7oWs1W0Z7qW3yyNSf0W9w1YNu4YCd5Tqlm128SlaPeZQTw3KqRVWdcT5SYr_F3Rz4jtuKxuAANPBV5QNd2QJAqfY_gxg-cJx6n/s320/P1160145_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The lighting is kind of wonky on this one and I'm not sure why. Anyhow, on the side we had a North American version of a Greek salad. Notice a glaring omission? No tomatoes. I cannot eat fresh, raw tomatoes. I have tried numerous times, but I just do not like them. If they're in a salsa or bruschetta, I can eat them, but just cut up and tossed into a salad, or in a sandwich, no thank you! <br />
There is a Greek restaurant here in Burlington called <a href="http://www.sotiris-restaurant.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Sotiris</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>that I've been going to for years. They have the best salad dressing! I keep trying to re-create it at home, but I'm not having much luck. Anyone have a Greek salad dressing recipe that will knock my socks off?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNs7LoHRKfezYsDcNpmtl_94tTqpaYMz7rTGjbXmEx-S9FVi7OySdto11c5Y6JIeFN0OHq-W5cFkXNsxkWhrXNV0zBj9IQk2Q-OpjnAmYqVf0cXW8K84UAB82WhDM4F5L3haK/s1600/P1160102_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNs7LoHRKfezYsDcNpmtl_94tTqpaYMz7rTGjbXmEx-S9FVi7OySdto11c5Y6JIeFN0OHq-W5cFkXNsxkWhrXNV0zBj9IQk2Q-OpjnAmYqVf0cXW8K84UAB82WhDM4F5L3haK/s320/P1160102_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also grilled up a package of <a href="http://yvesveggie.ca/index.php/products/product/veggie_chicken_souvlaki_skewers/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Yves Souvlaki Veggie Skewers</strong></span></a> and had that on a pita with some of the tzatziki. (forgot to take a picture, but it was pretty much what you imagine it to be) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkIzpyye0U4bses03Ei9zdANCwSi_v7o6d2tR5DgEVPl0XTAEfP3mjVrYV4dSP6k80SXcc0MyMKs2_E5NxILMQehJBUVNDHGXAwm2xYT3wBx6EqEkLA_gZmY7tcLYcB08stN6/s1600/P1160131_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkIzpyye0U4bses03Ei9zdANCwSi_v7o6d2tR5DgEVPl0XTAEfP3mjVrYV4dSP6k80SXcc0MyMKs2_E5NxILMQehJBUVNDHGXAwm2xYT3wBx6EqEkLA_gZmY7tcLYcB08stN6/s320/P1160131_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Is there anything better than potatoes?! And Greek potatoes are soooooo yummy! Roasted with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano results in pure heaven. These are not a calorie-wise potato, but one bite of these and you'll be saying "Who cares?"<br />
<br />Full tummies left no room for dessert, so we had a liquid one. I loves me a <a href="http://www.webtender.com/db/drink/103" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Black Russian</span></strong></a> and Kahlua makes a limited edition flavour for Christmas time - <a href="http://www.kahlua.com/ca/flavors/#/ca/flavors/peppermint-mocha/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Peppermint Mocha</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: #990000;">. </span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YUeb_B_EgP07C-lGreWMh8BPG3h_Rfy_ow4AHKWrvXqpcfIlO8Mm_jjuCusOvxhvYgASSBn81vZYJSxMPp7SNa9D9a-A-MRRqaIwmAZ2x6KapZAF3mf4J28silfiQxmimTkW/s1600/P1160153_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YUeb_B_EgP07C-lGreWMh8BPG3h_Rfy_ow4AHKWrvXqpcfIlO8Mm_jjuCusOvxhvYgASSBn81vZYJSxMPp7SNa9D9a-A-MRRqaIwmAZ2x6KapZAF3mf4J28silfiQxmimTkW/s320/P1160153_edited.JPG" width="183" /></a></div>
<br />At first I thought it sounded kind of weird; peppermint mixed with mocha Kahlua? Last year we sold out of it and had people looking for it everywhere. This year, as soon as it came in, customers were snapping it up. So, curiosity got the better of me and I bought a small bottle. It's very nice. It's just a hint of peppermint and it's well balanced. It took my Black Russian to a whole new level. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5Q67LHQBQNbBiNTpSGpOWR5KTYp-9SBs3a_jGanPrWo7dCVa1iV-MNLt9YU_6rnb_JsLAz0XT3kzehAsnCsGZg7Gyhpu_ImarcFf5Eil-fgYp1OXAfn3m-RwehUxyQL0Ear_/s1600/P1160158_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5Q67LHQBQNbBiNTpSGpOWR5KTYp-9SBs3a_jGanPrWo7dCVa1iV-MNLt9YU_6rnb_JsLAz0XT3kzehAsnCsGZg7Gyhpu_ImarcFf5Eil-fgYp1OXAfn3m-RwehUxyQL0Ear_/s320/P1160158_edited.JPG" width="273" /></a></div>
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<br />CHEERS!</div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-54507628286084812102012-01-31T14:01:00.000-05:002012-02-01T10:32:12.672-05:00Celebrate Vegan (part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once again, I was honoured to recipe test for <a href="http://urbanvegan.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Dynise Balcavage</strong></span></a> for her new cookbook <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Celebrate-Vegan-Life-Affirming-Recipes-Occasions/dp/0762770678/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328033016&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Celebrate Vegan</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: #990000;">.</span></strong> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W3NEe25tFis9k0HoxVz99LHV3hAMLLDk_MXllZRyoBuAIdneWZNqbcVeCEU06BgNWJ6yTjvnJvZNI1_JhW1-mBEaX58eI6oXq-2OmiEZ5Kq4bb9lYnabRTGyYx8FGP9iyB-F/s1600/P1160091_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W3NEe25tFis9k0HoxVz99LHV3hAMLLDk_MXllZRyoBuAIdneWZNqbcVeCEU06BgNWJ6yTjvnJvZNI1_JhW1-mBEaX58eI6oXq-2OmiEZ5Kq4bb9lYnabRTGyYx8FGP9iyB-F/s400/P1160091_edited.JPG" width="338" /></a></div>
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Here's a sampling of what I made from the book. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ltd2BUwlTbgd_keY3NS2iPDlNi8F8q2Zo0Z7G48w0nt6oBH_G1DO8lgeQZB1myVBdXMp2DGV5q8bsipqZPduA0Ll-ggfPG5UZDWsDcAqHbZXhP7Yl0q2kcsHJhmpbIUkMjeG/s1600/Lemon-Champagne-Braised+Baby+Bok+Choy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ltd2BUwlTbgd_keY3NS2iPDlNi8F8q2Zo0Z7G48w0nt6oBH_G1DO8lgeQZB1myVBdXMp2DGV5q8bsipqZPduA0Ll-ggfPG5UZDWsDcAqHbZXhP7Yl0q2kcsHJhmpbIUkMjeG/s400/Lemon-Champagne-Braised+Baby+Bok+Choy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<strong>Lemon-Champagne-Braised Baby Bok Choy</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUGd4d7yh_-WfXGp-O_39-PHoG3LUv-wYI2s7MIT1iwjTO7OoeH3ifmP_bI-ptBMoFHCc5yj7kaybDTmWmETv0VTcM5Ls5qaGTDCXZp8b8wdhfH0UjDLsETlFWUsUcvFPSoDc/s1600/Pan-Seared+Tofu+with+Basil-Balsamic+Glaze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUGd4d7yh_-WfXGp-O_39-PHoG3LUv-wYI2s7MIT1iwjTO7OoeH3ifmP_bI-ptBMoFHCc5yj7kaybDTmWmETv0VTcM5Ls5qaGTDCXZp8b8wdhfH0UjDLsETlFWUsUcvFPSoDc/s400/Pan-Seared+Tofu+with+Basil-Balsamic+Glaze.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Pan-Seared Tofu with Basil-Balsamic Glaze</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxks-8oqr4cqAspr_YiIRA1kJB7DSwgHdyrjXNLzwhbHR2ki151rg9NX_reO3mUd2M-CIFRDE1VhCWVjr6eVbdKZbKXb-jQ-nxfdc3UyvjsOsmMYR9zC9epJOLdHMlkXGfWBb/s1600/Seitan+with+Quince,+Apple+and+Onion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxks-8oqr4cqAspr_YiIRA1kJB7DSwgHdyrjXNLzwhbHR2ki151rg9NX_reO3mUd2M-CIFRDE1VhCWVjr6eVbdKZbKXb-jQ-nxfdc3UyvjsOsmMYR9zC9epJOLdHMlkXGfWBb/s400/Seitan+with+Quince,+Apple+and+Onion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Seitan with Quince, Apple and Onion </strong></div>
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If you've never had quince, do yourself a favour and try it. It's very nice. I can usually find it in select grocery stores starting around the end of October. They don't hang around for long and usually by the end of November it's bye-bye. </div>
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<strong>Rutabaga-Fennel Clapshot</strong></div>
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<strong>Leftover Rutabaga-Fennel Clapshot made into patties</strong></div>
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<strong>Good Old-Fashioned Macaroni Salad</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkvzGKpF5pw2azOapMXXWEkx7Fpgj8NSOYTEBWYVgVCpLNrkLDKN7PLHHyTv6RkD8B8SMuiH9R8NrFU2voLciAE0FFmVVTxtVR06hRdn-eNweEHLPz1VFTVWQGHnLQjUaBkM/s1600/Sicilian-Inspired+Kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhkvzGKpF5pw2azOapMXXWEkx7Fpgj8NSOYTEBWYVgVCpLNrkLDKN7PLHHyTv6RkD8B8SMuiH9R8NrFU2voLciAE0FFmVVTxtVR06hRdn-eNweEHLPz1VFTVWQGHnLQjUaBkM/s400/Sicilian-Inspired+Kale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Sicilian-Inspired Kale</strong></div>
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This was one of my favourite recipes. Raisins and nuts send kale to heights like it's never known. Here I have it served over some brown rice, but I quite often make it just as a vegetable side. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4bUP_23UK3HfCsOxaifSXOxBesxbdMcbq4vTWUG9PdPICxWzyQIvRdOvJXzM6KEyG1vZWTHLMCAWkIf2KlkbHxIBbY3aUyfqM2-FQJwB9k-rZrLJlEKkLJ4cYEgiivtn4wgu/s1600/Orange-Soy+Seitan+Tenders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4bUP_23UK3HfCsOxaifSXOxBesxbdMcbq4vTWUG9PdPICxWzyQIvRdOvJXzM6KEyG1vZWTHLMCAWkIf2KlkbHxIBbY3aUyfqM2-FQJwB9k-rZrLJlEKkLJ4cYEgiivtn4wgu/s400/Orange-Soy+Seitan+Tenders.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Orange-Soy Seitan Tenders</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVm2rf14fSAeoLodyR0BCHmJBiTib4kmi5MWD2V2SESIh7sM5hkqaHk3fuiGDRP9wkjrFgjHj4_cfO16bLMX7BoJBnTfgt03XekoWrIX-aW4lrf-Jga7Wm9kWpPjmgSW2ITbG/s1600/Ramen+Noodle+Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVm2rf14fSAeoLodyR0BCHmJBiTib4kmi5MWD2V2SESIh7sM5hkqaHk3fuiGDRP9wkjrFgjHj4_cfO16bLMX7BoJBnTfgt03XekoWrIX-aW4lrf-Jga7Wm9kWpPjmgSW2ITbG/s400/Ramen+Noodle+Bowl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Ramen Noodle Bowl</strong><br />
A gazillion times better than that chemically packaged stuff. And not really a whole lot of work involved in this either. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IE0wfh0wfdzDvy2ebBAcFXI368YCxzjXFraIDPACvq_G-g31nPflHim45-42fxrwUIs2YeWnKGHs9ij-8vyEHwdNX9jAF-yEBfSDBlobHsHUrOh0kpKnScRl2Pobbiw5xoCQ/s1600/Potato+Kugel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IE0wfh0wfdzDvy2ebBAcFXI368YCxzjXFraIDPACvq_G-g31nPflHim45-42fxrwUIs2YeWnKGHs9ij-8vyEHwdNX9jAF-yEBfSDBlobHsHUrOh0kpKnScRl2Pobbiw5xoCQ/s400/Potato+Kugel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Potato Kugel</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOWCQAY1V_XbJY-csbId5YIAHx_R0lxHdm4mfKp7J5L6Q40lxiFox-B_mzDWcnGRbqMJmnSRR2B2u7EAenNjKtC5UN0slqNWnwfAd09W2u8LVnSmJ2tjhRN9kLYHRpIS2twGw/s1600/Lemon-Olive+Tempeh+Tagine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOWCQAY1V_XbJY-csbId5YIAHx_R0lxHdm4mfKp7J5L6Q40lxiFox-B_mzDWcnGRbqMJmnSRR2B2u7EAenNjKtC5UN0slqNWnwfAd09W2u8LVnSmJ2tjhRN9kLYHRpIS2twGw/s400/Lemon-Olive+Tempeh+Tagine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Lemon-Olive Tempeh Tagine</strong></div>
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I've been working hard on liking tempeh, but there have only been a couple of times where the recipe has made it tasty for me. This is one of them! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyDJQJKz1vx1hkEWvNIclwLAYiNkj0iuvz5Ct1CrTV3jsXgA9YdMoyu6rd3A9yvFkN4hpko3Vb-V4yw686cqdvsM-7QnH3yzGuxdxbYjd-gXwBh9PPxAurM_yQ2E04Xm_5oak/s1600/Summer+Squash+and+Applesauce+Muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyDJQJKz1vx1hkEWvNIclwLAYiNkj0iuvz5Ct1CrTV3jsXgA9YdMoyu6rd3A9yvFkN4hpko3Vb-V4yw686cqdvsM-7QnH3yzGuxdxbYjd-gXwBh9PPxAurM_yQ2E04Xm_5oak/s400/Summer+Squash+and+Applesauce+Muffins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxC8yqpGSiHV5fHzlR3mXm32zWYGv11wjLF2si-ZkS0x1wkfzO4hVBr4_xVICjmgLaAnwJpTY-foZbdiakxGGsAhkX6dxg0anhDnTepCkzaf08Aouqkbo34PhqJdi6eCTmE06/s1600/Summer+Squash+and+Applesauce+Muffins+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxC8yqpGSiHV5fHzlR3mXm32zWYGv11wjLF2si-ZkS0x1wkfzO4hVBr4_xVICjmgLaAnwJpTY-foZbdiakxGGsAhkX6dxg0anhDnTepCkzaf08Aouqkbo34PhqJdi6eCTmE06/s400/Summer+Squash+and+Applesauce+Muffins+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Summer Squash and Applesauce Muffins</strong></div>
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<strong>Pomegranate Cosmo</strong></div>
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What's a celebration without some cocktails?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzpVMw-VZVDjOVsthHBdvjodF21gy44GbTF7bxEUY7ndVBUFSQfJdkUtJHLyCUyzST6H0sCWfswGA_JbUKRuVyJ-0uIBj7ZVU0An1R4elwTd-8ty09WY3egE-_SkR3aa0Kw3i/s1600/Italian+Mojito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzpVMw-VZVDjOVsthHBdvjodF21gy44GbTF7bxEUY7ndVBUFSQfJdkUtJHLyCUyzST6H0sCWfswGA_JbUKRuVyJ-0uIBj7ZVU0An1R4elwTd-8ty09WY3egE-_SkR3aa0Kw3i/s400/Italian+Mojito.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Italian Mojito</strong></div>
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Another one of my favourite tests. Refreshingly delicious! </div>
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<strong>Buckeyes</strong></div>
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The classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter make these very appealing. This was one of Jim's favourites. He polished off most of the batch. </div>
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<strong>Limoncello Cupcakes</strong></div>
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Hands down the best lemon-y cake I've ever had. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyjjlaq4Cu9BudT8dILVSKIxHxWCpY6DCDWyrSb9PyTMMAiqKjVBGXd-QLQE45XpVpnLdvk6fjW2-fH44_eGRanjnAh7FRtSvyXVExwJtQ4FREULx8Me4UJXmHtCz7adh0Ktr/s1600/Blueberry+Pie+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyjjlaq4Cu9BudT8dILVSKIxHxWCpY6DCDWyrSb9PyTMMAiqKjVBGXd-QLQE45XpVpnLdvk6fjW2-fH44_eGRanjnAh7FRtSvyXVExwJtQ4FREULx8Me4UJXmHtCz7adh0Ktr/s400/Blueberry+Pie+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Blueberry Pie</strong></div>
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<br /><strong>Oatmeal Raisin Cookies</strong> </div>
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Are you interested in checking out Dynise's book yet? You should be!! I've got more pictures to share with you, so stay tuned. </div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-80059926300454336122012-01-25T11:09:00.003-05:002012-01-25T11:11:01.714-05:00Soup And A Sandwich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even though we've had an unusually warm winter so far, once the sun goes down, it gets a little chilly. What better way to warm yourself up than with a hot bowl of soup. I was craving roasted red pepper and tomato, so I got to work. </div>
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<br />First, the peppers. If you never roasted peppers before, don't be intimidated. It's easy! Just wash, remove stems, core & seeds. Place cut side down on a baking sheet. I line mine with parchment paper so it's a quick clean up. Put the peppers under the broiler and leave for 10-20 minutes or until the skins are blistered and black. You can then either put them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and leave to cool, or put them into a paper bag, fold the top over to close and let cool. This traps the steam and aids in removing the skins. You can also roast peppers on your barbecue and I've heard that if you have a gas stove, you can just do them over the flame. I might be wary of this method because as the peppers cook, they get soft and squishy and might fall apart. Then you've got a mess to clean up. </div>
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The tomatoes are done in the same fashion, only cut side up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMwOjY0MdHKkiqECxq9W8Us1zoNbBY_hxDo61QAUG2GkPSq8-pA4B5WnsTbPpZCyfkQKQ90FsOt0admha7uoGf8HSm4TtH_3pU6RUjEOKSps3POHCUqGtAfM0L2a8r-rQrzml/s1600/P1160030_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMwOjY0MdHKkiqECxq9W8Us1zoNbBY_hxDo61QAUG2GkPSq8-pA4B5WnsTbPpZCyfkQKQ90FsOt0admha7uoGf8HSm4TtH_3pU6RUjEOKSps3POHCUqGtAfM0L2a8r-rQrzml/s320/P1160030_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Here's my pot after it's finished simmering. The addition of onions, carrots and vegetable broth make it super yummy! </div>
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<br />An immersion blender makes puréeing the soup a snap. If you don't have one, a blender works just fine. You may have to do it in batches though to get a nice smooth consistency. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-bkPiEWx4IRDxG-rvQ99FV_Gg46aJ8UXYYE2o6lXDe4H_VU8uqOMO1K9VgxZKxJ7LAp9gPkW7YPYL8BLav9oqM2GRzHKKRukGjKZsx-sPIMVO0ribO-lIpswkdfZuFQ3bMdp/s1600/P1160057_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-bkPiEWx4IRDxG-rvQ99FV_Gg46aJ8UXYYE2o6lXDe4H_VU8uqOMO1K9VgxZKxJ7LAp9gPkW7YPYL8BLav9oqM2GRzHKKRukGjKZsx-sPIMVO0ribO-lIpswkdfZuFQ3bMdp/s320/P1160057_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Add some salt and pepper to taste and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, croutons, basil sprigs, whatever you think will make a nice presentation. This soup is soooo good. Elegant, fresh and quite rich tasting. </div>
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For the sandwich portion of the meal, I used a recipe from <a href="http://giadadelaurentiis.com/"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Giada DeLaurentiis.</span></strong></a> I really enjoy her show <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/everyday-italian/index.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Everyday Italian</span></strong></a> and I saw her make this on an episode quite some time ago. She used regular salami, but I knew I could recreate it with <a href="http://yvesveggie.ca/index.php/products/product/veggie_salami_slices/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Yves Veggie Salami Slices.</span></strong></a> This is a croissant panini with smoked gouda, parmesan, the salami slices and arugula. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcmhyMH-OAJaDi-wLWB5Lgi6UXtV73-hEGghmGhnjj2u-QhoDm_dTQF4vIwohNLNZRjIeGcfGOeY3FImD707mCczdyM938gjyxZqJFwzAq7qJH4aXY8D0E4EKg0vGSzgneRXO/s1600/P1160054_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcmhyMH-OAJaDi-wLWB5Lgi6UXtV73-hEGghmGhnjj2u-QhoDm_dTQF4vIwohNLNZRjIeGcfGOeY3FImD707mCczdyM938gjyxZqJFwzAq7qJH4aXY8D0E4EKg0vGSzgneRXO/s320/P1160054_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />I don't have a panini press, so I used my George Foreman grill which worked just fine. The cheese gets all melty gooey and it tastes fantastic. I've made these a few times and we always enjoy them. You can find the recipe <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/croissant-panini-recipe/index.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: #990000;">.</span></strong> </div>
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Even Simon agrees that this whole meal looks & sounds tasty! </div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-91209703059561947732012-01-17T11:46:00.001-05:002012-01-17T11:53:08.930-05:00Hopefully, A Return<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey bitches!! I had some family members over the weekend mention this blog and how I haven't posted for so long. It got me to thinking that I should pick it up again. I know, I know....how many times have we visited blogs that have been dormant for a while, then read a post saying "I'm back!" and then nothing. I've got my fingers crossed that I don't fall into that category. (BTW, it's very hard to type with crossed fingers).</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's something I made the other night that I've been making for years - <strong>Spicy Sausage</strong> <strong>and Potatoes</strong>. I can't even remember where I picked up the recipe (which I will include at the end of the post), but it was a loooong time ago. Back then, I was a meat eater and used Italian sausages. Now I use either </span><a href="http://www.tofurky.com/tofurkyproducts/sausages.html"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Tofurky Sweet Italian Sausages</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or </span><a href="http://yvesveggie.ca/index.php/products/product/spicy_italian_veggie_sausage/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Yves Spicy Italian Sausages</strong></span></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and I find they work just perfectly. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GvGWddB32Mr4VmZV6MaAdOeEqvjgAvRMPs9tOfEJKb6wI1_xdLYEufp4rBLmtNmpxoX8PYYO5hPYeENZo-BOheY-MbHX-wk30Hg7yKQan-1v8cm-KLgTJfHaeSJpshq8cMcn/s1600/P1000964_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GvGWddB32Mr4VmZV6MaAdOeEqvjgAvRMPs9tOfEJKb6wI1_xdLYEufp4rBLmtNmpxoX8PYYO5hPYeENZo-BOheY-MbHX-wk30Hg7yKQan-1v8cm-KLgTJfHaeSJpshq8cMcn/s320/P1000964_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add peppers and onions and this dish has it goin' on! It's done all in one pan, so less dishes to wash. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another thing I've been making for a long time and is a total comfort dessert for me is gingerbread. It might seem kind of old fashioned, but it's shouldn't! Tasty doesn't go out of style.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LhGSfJDQhnPpSdlpOxwY3fRt_8qvL_D8WlzzcY0rZYJZJ4WQzO93yCP5K6pEc6MWpTRi-Q0-zlwTk0IQApNjzzcz4acfQCLAvwYLS7BYeQAEqSP-GInNCh-nJ11R4gVq6JEH/s1600/P1010178_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LhGSfJDQhnPpSdlpOxwY3fRt_8qvL_D8WlzzcY0rZYJZJ4WQzO93yCP5K6pEc6MWpTRi-Q0-zlwTk0IQApNjzzcz4acfQCLAvwYLS7BYeQAEqSP-GInNCh-nJ11R4gVq6JEH/s320/P1010178_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I use my mother's recipe and this cake always comes out moist with wonderful warming spices. I substituted blended soft tofu for the eggs and I find it makes my baked goods even more moist. Try it! This can be topped with whipped cream or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. </span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">A nice little cocktail to finish off is something called <strong>Chocolate Covered Cherry</strong>. I discovered it in an old LCBO drink mix booklet and it is divine! It's got a pretty pink hue and it does taste like a chocolate covered cherry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is so yummy, it can even be dessert on it's own. It's very simple to make: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 1 oz. clear (also known as white) crème de cacao, 1½ oz. cherry brandy, 2 oz. milk. Shake fairly vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. You can garnish it with cherry if you like.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><strong>SPICY SAUSAGE & POTATOES</strong><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-2 tbsp. olive or safflower oil</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 pkg. veggie Italian sausages of your choice, cut into 1” pieces</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 small new potatoes, quartered*</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ tsp. pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">½ tsp. dried thyme leaves<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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1 cup sliced red onion</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">¼ cup chopped fresh parsley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">1 red or green pepper, cut into 1” pieces<o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat 1 tbsp. of the oil in a large skillet and add sausage.
Sauté until lightly browned. Remove from skillet and set aside. Add the
potatoes, pepper and thyme to the pan (and add more oil if needed) and cook
over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are browned
(10-12 minutes). Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook until potatoes are
tender (8-10 minutes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stir in the
remaining ingredients, including the reserved sausage, and continue cooking,
uncovered until the vegetables are tender-crisp. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*I will quite often use left over potatoes in this dish that I cut into decent sized chunks. You can then skip the step where you have to cover the potatoes and cook until tender.</span> </div>
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<br /></div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-71620655240880254822010-10-14T15:15:00.007-04:002010-10-14T15:26:58.646-04:00Recipe Testing!<div align="left">I volunteered my services again for <a href="http://vivelevegan.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Dreena Burton</span></strong></a> to test recipes for her upcoming cookbook and am truly honoured that she accepted my offer. This will be Dreena's 4th cookbook and it's going to be terrific!<br /><br />Obviously, I can't give away any of the recipes or a whole lot of detail, but what I can give you are teaser pictures.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 338px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525375074961325794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliuXNg87Yk4czl1AnLYsyCToQzvcoXjA682453sieSy1c7qNIiIHQunwtn2iXdpdTetoS9xf_-b3pKwVeGReGBUueLh87iB8-y5vS9-9IQ7IfB1FHBGEChbWXGXWdNmIHgqFo/s400/P1110850_edited.JPG" /> Up first, <strong>Nutty Veggie Burgers</strong>. These are super delicious! I would say they are the best burger/patty I've ever made from scratch. This recipe didn't require a lot of ingredients, or really much work.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525375305957280434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZEJ8H132mCRh_ug74rcF71uSpGdV-XWVJluru-oAT1FWfWAajjEvTrSeLV0kUvB-G_bRsX7FrF2kytwWiphhUPI38vJI42W9xqUjg_h71uSZAYtNgxnkmC6VrT5VNie2ocBZ/s400/P1110846_edited.JPG" />The burgers held their shape, didn't fall apart and were easy to flip in the pan. We had them fairly simple, on a ciabatta bun with lettuce, mayo, red onions and BBQ sauce. Leftovers were re-heated the next day and tasted just as delicious. (In a household with only 2 people, how food holds up to being re-heated on another day is a big deal. If we don't eat it for another dinner meal, I will take leftovers for my lunch.)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525375947471764674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXEV_v7ZrGSh5seMtDir4Vs_-9O8yHVyDjtMfVDN6hX6QLpw2KGlpbZjjBeMByHK_9rToPFK3imAu7ngUuQ57k9X-iuGy13OVPqAXLlQWQGz-JD3OaZU8rTzwUHfLk_ySjcNr/s400/P1110836_edited.JPG" /> <p></p><p>This is <strong>Lemon Infused Mediterranean Lentils</strong>. This savoury dish is different from other lentil dishes I've made. There is a lot going on and every bite made me want to take another one. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525374686249805042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibwUXix6ec3iu250ObVjHbHE6s8fAH_R9kyzM6dw3kjYKAh-ANnDWMGAbcgQb9fjGM1zUn95hpKxDCw-gVT7AZhcezQgWyPt0f2_hMdtzSAogBh_0ZHeLkq9mwco25D5c8NtS/s400/P1110397_edited.JPG" /> <p></p><p>More lentils in <strong>Fragrant Kidney Bean Lentil Dahl</strong>. It's certainly not Dreena's prettiest dish, but with lots of spices, it really is fragrant. Delicious with basmati and naan. </p><p>Of course, Dreena has made quite a name for herself with her baked goods recipes. He legacy will continue with the new book. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527974715755358354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJI6Clwu9GZ8qWecivnKZQDcbJnz2t0bqYHjb73lVRB2EpHGiL8dMuRfQpRgXnBKQVRK9wOm_ukuUEchan-k_krZ5tHmre8cGG1fqytA2sTAmSU2fv_F-f73svebsRo8ksTZg/s400/P1110889_edited.JPG" />Here we have <strong>Coconut Banana Muffins</strong>. These turned out beautifully!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527968525977460194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V70vatJ25LRV1eCSb46K6KIf9RzO01Ra5LyDKK9sfcM7ZglGJkIADPsAKdYY8AFOQsr5tX7ObnYq0wUHNvfi2zv30BQLIhwP3QXKrJYfPGX3NQFowKCbbYsdBV58KK0etrDb/s400/P1110895_edited.JPG" /> </p><p>A little sprinkling of sugar on top gave just an extra touch of sweetness.<br /><br /></p><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527967780678684002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2V_skv69-BMt6RIXoQy25s1k0Pf5RjROsfYl10hh-HrZPMDyKBicwMITpD0dLdCuQslpfmrRJY8RQeLYBei5e8KUPV59zz1ARb8v-pehs566s7A5JTCZSOMo_r370RGz6sRs/s400/P1110916_edited.JPG" /> Inside, nice and flavourful. We ate a few and I put the rest of them in the freezer for a quick grab-and-go snack and they freeze really well. Scrumptious!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525374526244199762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikPEnJBq4pP_R1AqPOZoNB17_yTeEAcLQRI4sU_oWFNHui6L5f8JFLceia5LDLtswgYA1MO1SXiZ1fywQmj8SQDSESmfXkJARJ0Ls801rb7eUOwPW9S8c2bxODgNQwl1A65a6/s400/P1110389_edited.JPG" /> Cake anyone?</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525373738429215346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1uENFn6hmXUrhoP8UGot76AoBFq8fTQsLj_HwzH1CCQDTYp3jyv2xSAs85p8EY2G2idMmGTS_r_Rd75WsKAdT2WsbAnavbV9y6ju2lX4ZxAwNwDkYfhU_hyHEh2PSOhCg9Dj/s400/P1110410_edited.JPG" /> </p><p align="left">This <strong>Pumpkin Spice Cake </strong>is a wonderful autumn treat. The layers are so moist and delicious. This could even be a birthday cake. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 373px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525374375801798018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHiV2HIJ_aneu6zi32NsPGXbOeUr_GhN8aVqIHwp5zELLG67ulp7J4bDKGVqwT7a8XcKtrICUPWVm-rb5orEj8VNVuxEg3_qY5ANDGmqqg8WCdytNjoa2Vc7kHS01frfN5FrS/s400/P1110402_edited.JPG" /> <p>Everyone that tried it really liked the flavour and texture of this cake. I used a generic cream cheese frosting for the outside, but Dreena is offering a few tasty icing recipes that would definitely be suitable for this cake. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525375457099538498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsDsdWQX6oGfjDBqN4brTr-amKv1_jpo2ZuR5hFzZA4bHMBQFtSruth7pdwuE9beGY_E-A7kh-i0FWiRzlpdq3tUNYl0XEKvpZ3L64M3TFBY6FCcg3nTiEMvmXxN6PgXwCOBM/s400/P1110797_edited.JPG" />If you like Banana Oat Bundles and have a love of chocolate (like Dreena and I both do!), you're going to be very happy to discover <strong>Cocoa Almond Jumbles</strong>. This is a super chocolately cookie that is better for you than most cookies. But, you don't feel like you're sacrificing anything!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525376669774457282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5Mw3WuYzQRAFYf2CLv9pSbbFrbOfEB2Y27EPsohTCGuavkX6AGxrFVqR_9rH1Zn0HkPwSAoj4HPlIqQ1V1OjNKmX13A-PMYE54itaOsGlaqSqUc4e1e1L_HMyzXA-zHGb5sq/s400/P1110808_edited.JPG" />I don't know if you can see this picture very clearly, but I wanted to show you the chocolately, nutty goodness inside. </p><p>If this little sampling hasn't gotten you looking forward to Dreena's new book, then stay tuned. There is more to come!</p>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-42609321836764653282010-09-30T14:42:00.002-04:002010-09-30T15:10:37.744-04:00Jerry, Roger & EatsOnce again, there has been a long time between posts. Sorry about that (again). Time just seems to go by so fast lately. I have been busy with among other things -<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520870603771192130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMC80nAwKVBtjFwmAG0WFnsyddDAEFUJ6sB8LO27E7IIs8Mc-Z884YgXhQFFAJNDUqOkEhYWHM2cQC3ocK3ytdMqoyQBKTSwCS1kY2-ECzPXdIJkzMps-tbsjtI5lE349_pEC/s400/P1110203_edited.JPG" />going to see Jerry Seinfeld perform his live stand-up act. Totally hilarious!! We laughed for an hour and a half. He makes the silliest observations & verbalizes it so well. I still rank "Seinfeld" among my top 5 TV shows of all time. Sometimes, that show is my life.<br /><br />My biggest event, BY FAR, was the Roger Waters concert.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EmN8TlHrS1N4gvoWJOvwH2b6WFpYYBPX_cW5lIybkuqe6HWbwV0Nelxep4SO3UrpVkceAAFY1ulUGH7vAaOXsECY-7EQWB_JzjxPuz0-AkwBqGRzNjcliGR_PMlw6bOzb4AM/s1600/P1110197_edited.JPG"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520869773506971426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA6kSLhwdNoSLywYr3R6BE0xx_9UaY_GdZXgnxI3cb9VXSwmKDno4QoAuMnmV8OjMTQGlaz8t2MSPq-TOBJVBZAxB-d9VJ1PACVhUjcDV_GEF6lvdUEwhJ-d_nfdZUUYhttpv/s400/P1100737_edited.JPG" />Can you believe it's been 30 years since <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">"The Wall"</span></strong></a>? (one of my all time favourite albums). I loved the songs, I loved the story, I loved the movie....and when I heard Roger Waters was doing an anniversary tour, opening in Toronto, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be there. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520543255242370290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99-QXvTQ_pQJF-DXTIliBgqmKcbC-j1Tm5L8kbnW6ZIDl8zj2r4W-XdAerJ7R9F3hn_X-Hp9Phaehl_zrwyWct51afny-7P7dyQ5lLaoPCq_vaGBu2ftBS7RLtxAjT6Auhyphenhyphen4p/s400/P1110466_edited.JPG" /> <div>What a FABULOUS show! Roger was in terrific form.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520541099403498818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPxamBJ113BppJf3M3-6jOP90TcZMH3GphoAV_-q-STi3aus1qky4HquvH1hQVNngzFYntflf3xFl5GA_u-DesUBcqOfikQJnUmXRabVgcM7XWa3xVuukVRItwJRCF6N9J0DM/s400/P1110490_edited.JPG" /> <div>He brought along the inflatables, wall projections, special effects, pyrotechnics, the pig - EVERYTHING! (except David Gilmour - boooo!!)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520540931777647570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbCSfTQEVpdxCP_Hes30OY4sWKWuQ5zorFP0K-xPmVsTWNK6rDmC5QRhmxWvC0-XS6xpJ4LjU1rnL1KdWurx65DgMEjI9xY5jm-wtSZfH0Prs3DlUIfzXy2lmBCeMu9P44rV2/s400/P1110557_edited.JPG" />The experience was mind blowing. Roger's voice was great. During the first half of the show, the wall was constructed brick by brick across the front of the stage.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520537949435946770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIxzF1UAmHQbaanVYTFuO9gyUhBB4RS8PDctXYUtS0rgA9T4tgUqwDcHVbFncQck4mKDhGNSwBEUWqC17W2FssFnJDVk4twM_uBez9lRNN6G9wgNYER_-mioZvtYbLflVf2fJ/s400/P1110768_edited.JPG" /> <div>And at the end, they tore it down. It was wild! Best concert I've ever been to. </div></div><br /><div></div><div>Anyhoo, as exciting as all of that was for me, probably not as exciting for you, so let's move onto a bit of food, shall we?<br /><br />I really like the <a href="http://www.eatshrinkandbemerry.com/section/view/?fnode=23"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Podleski sisters cookbooks (Looney Spoons, Crazy Plates, Eat Shrink & Be</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#990000;">Merry</span></strong>)</a> They are quirky cookbooks filled with lower fat/calorie recipes - a bit of healthier cooking, shall we say. They are NOT vegetarian, although they do have some recipes with tofu & a meatless chapter. A lot of the other recipes can be modified to be meatless. Anyway, one that is vegetarian is <strong>Mexican Lasagna</strong>.<br />(Sorry the photo is a little orangey. I didn't have the proper lighting setting on my camera.)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520528761999525010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1AgoKmr3wJ1EgTez8_IyRwQwhGtkL22iC3WbvJFf-dLl5ISEprpHNs2NuHpDZ1V6cPAW-oWTUTGVbr_LZpE7q4hWQpfH2f1oRXbisFhRyysWYzd7H26nzYjfTxg5Cma9cnPQ/s400/P1110207_edited.JPG" /> <div></div><div></div><div></div><div>This uses corn tortillas instead of noodles and lots of beans and veggies. It was really, really tasty! It did make a big pan and we had it for a couple of meals and I put the leftovers in the freezer. Not a good idea. It was all soggy and fell apart when defrosted. So I'll have to halve the recipe next time. </div><div></div><br /><div>I had a bunch of dill that was starting to wilt and needed to make something so I could use it up. I found one on the <a href="http://campbellsoup.ca/en/home.asp"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Campbell's soup site.</span></strong></a> It was supposed to be with chicken, so I just used <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&keywords=meatless+chicken&_requestid=692966&productId=19430PC"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">PC World's Best Meatless Chicken Breasts.</span></strong></a><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520528077307451266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3-uOJ3BRHkfjwrosFnOAmOlE0zxXVfC6LGuYqfyRdAPPBNncyHSk_b5UUKBihJpx2hgo2T-D90HZgb6GBmvns9E5hyphenhyphenD42AbPga2cuEQStWks2xhrBprpcKpoLGUu9rIjO4dU/s400/P1110161_edited.JPG" />I also got to use up some sugar snap peas I had in the fridge. Combined with red pepper, cream of mushroom soup (recipe said cream of chicken, but I used mushroom) and some noodles, this was quite good. If you'd like to make it, <a href="http://www.cookwithcampbells.ca/en-ca/Recipes/creamydillchicken.aspx"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">the recipe is here.</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></strong><br />Jim is not a big fan of cauliflower but, I found a dish that has won him over to the cauliflower side -<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520526688703996114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyLMZ4_-upZzwbSy4ygb1hgt57M6Qd0ejJcEyLMV3-g0iUPuXBUE7gSMx5hhjPtEsyICOMUpCWM2jyuW4NOytngWG77bQ0qwYYVJ3hE3AqVmuRGKFBopfKUzvjXSTWwbuzx1J/s400/P1100640_edited.JPG" /><strong>Red Lentil Cauliflower Curry</strong> from <a href="http://www.theppk.com/nomicon.html"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Veganomicon!</span></strong></a> He even had 2 servings of this. We had it with some basmati rice and Naan bread. It was sooo good. I took some leftovers for my lunch the next day and it heats up well in the microwave. 2 thumbs up on everything! (if I had an extra thumb, it would be 3 up for Roger) </div></div></div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-70609078163407545392010-09-07T18:14:00.001-04:002010-09-07T18:22:14.539-04:00Something New & "Chicken" MarsalaI've been working a lot of shifts and didn't have a whole lot of cooking time available. I thought this new product by <a href="http://www.sunrise-soya.com/"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Sunrise</span></strong></a> would be great for a quick meal. It's tofu in sauce and all you have to do is add vegetables.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513417047105778418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa2jOBixitNAmzSNVfanJuKuhTAI58ihnhOKhIcfvuayNUxh9wGUj_7YUT-5Hi2vWBHr3h9epSUEU-NH3a_8WcRw_qm8k1ZV93IJkUpWrENaMGC-8NeIFXFjVdYBIF-uZo_FO/s400/P1110331_edited.JPG" />These were on sale at the grocery store for 99¢ and I had a coupon to save 75¢, so I got this package for a quarter! The instructions said to add carrots and broccoli. I also had 1/2 of a green pepper in the fridge, so I threw that in too. This was ready in no time.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513416895527155026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsklllbNxRficFNQxbiXt87i2NWUz-NC7VFBuy-pkEXHVNLWwmZiro0bNMlZUgglif4itnlqyo2q6x-UdCtcLyKBHlHGnsaL98ltNIxndylL-58z1PjsBmkLhnPn0fsl1x3rfA/s400/P1110342_edited.JPG" /> <div>I found it wasn't quite saucy enough for my liking, so I poured in some jarred <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">teriyaki</span> sauce I had. The tofu was tasty and for 25¢, I'd say I got a pretty good meal. There was enough for 2 servings and I also had some brown rice on the side. I've since seen the "tofu n' sauce" at $2.49 which I probably wouldn't pay. It would be much more economical to get a whole block of tofu and cube it myself & add sauce.<br /></div><br /><div>Finally, I had some time off to make a bit of a special meal for Jim & I. I started with some <a href="http://www.quorn.us/products/Naked_Chik"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Naked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Quorn</span> Cutlets</span></strong></a> and did "Chicken" Marsala. Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily and gives this dish a succulent flavour.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIMXURk7HuZURpMieOqrEj1_J3dXpWhBzbRg6bs2NHZ7Fy1mmHa-J4BJgWtabNJbwDXOn98iYZ9VMtFVrAQFFZhZBjv8ukjh0vaOB-2FXszcrbf-49ETkywOh-Ih2VK4i6amI/s1600/P1110364_edited.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513415472363438210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIMXURk7HuZURpMieOqrEj1_J3dXpWhBzbRg6bs2NHZ7Fy1mmHa-J4BJgWtabNJbwDXOn98iYZ9VMtFVrAQFFZhZBjv8ukjh0vaOB-2FXszcrbf-49ETkywOh-Ih2VK4i6amI/s400/P1110364_edited.JPG" /></a>I used <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/chicken-marsala"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Martha Stewart's recipe</span></strong></a> and it turned out really well. Of course, I didn't have any mushrooms on mine and I like it just fine that way.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513415129345868626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6it6_uWMRAq0PdEs-_CJcFyZ14egDSfTLPsKPEL3wStqC13rGYHjWgLSRVC3ebq_x5yUaqXZAscnbKqtNRLEtsgZ1il7TKTVmTNv8LnJlvuRMd1BbaeEtArjFi8c6092CzbA/s400/P1110358_edited.JPG" />New potatoes are out now and I just had to have a feast of those. These were steamed until almost done, then I tossed them in a pan with some olive oil and fresh herbs to finish them off. I used some parsley, rosemary and a sprinkle of chives. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soooo</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">freakin</span>' yummy! </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 316px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513414979987923266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoHbjGgl00PWUF9JAcuVO476gzXQBKO7XfjUITZnpRbejFUbucly3W2SU4Tm_I_QvxwYm_x0DsYTCEF_xNRiWMv3oqC49iNL9c4H3-89gyf0lK7ZRrzHZ81H7FfSV-NRL1DKj/s400/P1110367_edited.JPG" />I found a recipe for carrot ribbons on the <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2004/11/orange_glazed_carrot_ribbons"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bon</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Apetit</span> site</strong></span></a> that sounded interesting, so I gave those a try too. They turned out quite nice. I found I had to do a bit of fussing because the ribbons kept sticking together. I wanted to make sure that each one got a good coat of the sauce, so I spent a bit of time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">separating</span> them. For a unique presentation, this was nice, but next time, I will probably just cut the carrots in pieces.</div></div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-79463676380261537902010-08-22T09:23:00.000-04:002010-08-22T09:23:31.636-04:00CassouletI'm very excited about my new purchase. I have never had a proper Dutch oven, but now I do! I have yearned for one by <a href="http://www.lecreuset.com/"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Le Creuset,</span></strong></a> but as you may know, they are <em>very</em> expensive. I stopped into <a href="http://www.canadiantire.ca/home.jsp"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Canadian Tire</span></strong></a> to look at attachments for my<span style="color:#990000;"><strong> </strong></span><a href="http://www.kitchenaid.ca/flash.cmd?/#/en/page/home"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Kitchen Aid</strong></span></a> stand mixer when low and behold, I saw this -<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504250948307255490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgTeLzQZxEIGk8GSzF1ykuXcHtoiVAaV2tLEVEShRwTqHQQOuyyJNAtpF01oer8xx0oTg7o5ILKlPKD3jo9w0AnjwdXMHzUy4w05rGDaNvXsaXz97W9dL8ZuNAWJVHQDrSD8H/s400/P1110244_edited.JPG" /><br />It was displayed on and end aisle at HALF PRICE! It was listed at $99.99 but on sale for $49.99. Needless to say, any thoughts of pasta attachments flew right out of my head. I wanted the Dutch oven.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504250723861355218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBoM6QJHWrkNx0kP71w6gy4pNMAD-bw5os_t9b3G5MVLF1knkpYom-ad4LeZMyuNezQDaXRlP4xF8QmAFpujpobTvy6Elj4FtLifJQoAanQq6Ab-zrFMZKEq-D9aXxRiVeT16/s400/P1110282_edited.JPG" /> Lovely! It's such a pretty deep red colour. I haven't used it yet, but I already know what I'm going to make first.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504250494864173538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJNtYcbBS9cDL2i9HjCUucCmw4VL5CxvjOlDOS5vBnAajWSASHheG6xHksBlwwfYLjBt_3lTo0ckQHfSPTzSuG1F96_XedY3VXZurZF9t-BKe1gV-1NtJlOHzkowohm6NXuh9/s400/P1100646_edited.JPG" /> <div>Leek & Bean Cassoulet from <a href="http://www.theppk.com/nomicon.html"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Veganomicon.</span></strong></a><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504250380989536354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHRJmu_HaACx9kz_EOo8vRmGLOFJCB5P7eTc1GtFanYdsQMUpQnKyl8vOWosPTC-zqdE2wDkTPSO5Tk5VgiH0K041UpJQ0LPcQE47FsYL3DNuV8SqGs6_3Zs12gQP5AOBurxI/s400/P1100649_edited.JPG" />These are pictures of one I made in the winter months. I had to cook it in a large skillet on the stove then transfer to an oven safe dish to finish it in the oven. Not really much of a nuisance, but still.....Now I won't have to!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 382px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504249432352741266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVs148JM7QiSPu74HyVeNUMriKFRTJslZlSdhwJXVzOBNq3ZhDbp_D_Dv9Lc2vEpqFiZp5L6kyc_hMEZOesRyNg0FY5mCgr88vR3aVNHYzW7XP-5Xgi1tpas1PlZt7gFa0qhV/s400/P1100661_edited.JPG" />If you have not made this dish yet, I don't know what you're waiting for. This is totally worth the cost of the book. I wanted to just keep eating, it was so delicious. I don't know which I liked better, the stew part or the biscuits. Both were incredibly good. Come on colder weather. I want more cassoulet!</div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-65477889595906948382010-08-11T15:18:00.003-04:002010-08-11T15:37:50.072-04:00Easy PeasyA while ago, I bought <a href="http://www.compassionatecooks.com/"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Colleen Patrick Goudreu</strong></span></a>'s newest cookbook <a href="http://www.vegantable.com/"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">The Vegan Table.</span></strong></a> Right near the beginning, is a recipe for <strong>Spring Vegetable Risotto</strong>. I <strong><em>knew </em></strong>I had to make it. I patiently waited until asparagus was in season, got all of the other ingredients needed and got stirring.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502178001884722754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLxqTpUbNrC8Q4KlbMgpAC_-5IwiSzW_DGktuHjYzyfEOf_GEgEeIsqxTafNHX08Im3DfpwXFBK2kG0iW-yK735ZRnOTbzT8MnYhsVDOumu4hmwQxbUJ2V5mDzfW8Lx288zqw/s400/P1100921_edited.JPG" /><br /><p></p><p>I'm still a bit of a novice when it comes to making risotto, but once I got the first few tries under my belt, I'm no longer intimidated. Despite what one may think, in the end, it is pretty easy-peasy. Jim is always standing by the ready for when I need him to take over periodic stirring duties while I prepare other things for dinner. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504228386803144610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlCm-vOjoiC1PjZI1xYxhjuD5PSw-2YIeODBqAKuKqnDXI2ADeY4nz5C9dCrkJcFy7V3MJ4DxClocacqGDi5fI-oSeyTW0fbrva_NOTjEXAGoh1X1QRdHYQVhBonbS7FyQZ4m/s400/P1100924_edited.JPG" /></p>Doesn't this look absolutely delicious!? It made so much that we had it for 2 nights and I still put a container in the freezer. Can you freeze risotto? I guess I'll find out.<br /><br />With all the fresh local produce available, I like to make simple dishes where the flavours really shine through. This one is so ridiculously easy.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502177681857028978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RfHl9WymczjqzYx2oKFtdkcSqZbi9QTcPMZ9o88R_a1dmjZH8creRV8VJOQu1yZTFTARfgHkqf28EIRQIFof3amzn2O9FnyZ-9y734vbmuQ_ais8HvbQgLF9q0xEx3VciSr0/s400/P1100911_edited.JPG" />Pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach, fresh basil, Asiago cheese...mmmmm. There is hardly any cooking involved in this one. I found the recipe on line somewhere, but did print it out, so I'll include it at the end of this post.<br /><br />Speaking of ridiculously easy, last night I made <strong>Zoe and Andy's Sesame Tofu </strong>from <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Garden-Vegan-How-All-Again/dp/1551521288"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">The Garden of Vegan.</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></strong><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504227431585054082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrOJTEl63KLkGFUG4-iEC2xh7o-gdrxCj_2L7jL7lM8MGqJPj5nzyzjfdhnVEImpSDYJ5LIzXOmG2E7-ZgEiff-kIDIGhy9-OJLucazjzMkijrvzNprVXPs0HXzKAp7GScv2K/s400/SSA50268_edited.JPG" /> I'm positive I've blogged about this before because it's a snap to make and it's so tasty. 5 ingredients including the tofu, probably 15 minutes of prep and cook time total and it's done!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504226879640691010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp29ZvR5oAaAi2MMRyeSNGicpH5N2FDCvyvyfzskO4Kn8ctl1QQSA3Sq8tgtcuokVs7mJJt2GSeNfY6sr1W59a8Rl9hQjt2_P-jZeWa64MmNBqpZtq-lvECpmk-MQao_0Sx15/s400/SSA50277_edited.JPG" /> <p>I served it with some fresh Ontario cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini and sliced carrots that I just sauteéd/stir-fried with some olive oil, onions, garlic, salt & pepper. Delicious!</p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>ROASTED CHERRY TOMATO PASTA WITH SPINACH</strong><br /><br />3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved<br />¼ cup balsamic vinegar*<br />2 tbsp. olive oil*<br />2 cloves garlic, minced<br />1 tsp. each salt & pepper (I halved this)<br />4 cups baby spinach leaves<br />1 pkg. spaghetti (or enough to serve 4-6 people)<br />½ cup Asiago cheese, shredded<br />¼ cup fresh basil, chopped<br />Toasted pine nuts (optional)<br /><br />Preheat oven to 400F. Toss the tomatoes with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread tomatoes on a foil-lined or parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast tomatoes for 20-30 minutes or until shrivelled and lightly browned.<br /><br />Scrape the tomatoes and juices into a large bowl. Add the spinach. (At this point, I put a large plate over the bowl to help steam the spinach and wilt it a bit).<br /><br />Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to package directions. Toss pasta with the spinach, roasted tomatoes, Asiago cheese and basil. Sprinkle with pine nuts, if using. (I don’t like pine nuts, so I left them out). Serve with additional cheese on the side.<br /><br />*The first time I made this, I found the pasta to be a bit too dry. The second time around I used 6 tbsp. balsamic vinegar and 3 tbsp. olive oil. I found that to be better.<br /></span></span></p>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-19490632286312093712010-08-04T15:40:00.001-04:002010-08-05T01:54:39.068-04:00My Big Operation by SimonHi everyone! Simon here. I haven't posted for a while, and since Mommy's been kind of slow at getting something new up, I decided I'd tell you all about the big operation I had.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I tore the <a href="http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1569&aid=474"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">cruciate ligament</span></strong></a> in my knee. Dr. Woolard said we had to go to a specialist so Mom & Dad drove me almost all the way to Mississauga to see a special doctor!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470412133580838978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND_dqQB9iYbNdKse4U7ESvj-XFrUEFwKwm3SgP_11bFfRb96H5NWaBSmuUh9HQrRTJXpgvkF-p9SfDKIyhh8NwqMYiGxQdPIgFYrwRMbZ28wBjGIsej-3Gxn4IW4qK5vPEmXFPw/s400/P1100248_edited.JPG" /><br />I ended up having 2 doctors look after me. Both of them we ladies and they were super nice.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470411865239671650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskAkGNMbrpdwQxg3y98fD5n9kAbCz4lYYa_bao3abDI1BtXbjNON7h2bqY8jPejW6pPAaImUO0ImZVLLbCiLyGrZ5g1HkYSmMT3FsQvVyybtgKD_lJlv1UNvidgqG5GxBxObLRw/s400/P1100243_edited.JPG" /> <div>Here I am eager to go in. Unlike most dogs, I really like going to the vet. They always fuss over me and give me treats. To tell you the truth, I love the attention. See how I'm holding up my leg. That's the one I got the operation on. It hurt me to stand on it, so I just hopped on 3 legs. </div><br /><div>I had to stay overnight for 2 nights. I was glad when Mommy came to pick me up. Although I liked everyone at the hospital, I missed my own stuff. </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470411650534988930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbVSn6h9s1MkMgsgeb0yv4pVOzuRyJWA5H9UlP6MlTyxJQRzfeBMbXjUUu6huAYV4zjZcwnDxLrk2kc7xQEKjl0x5KHfcNhcrc1-fneULAdPURlqxPHbxsHMjjVKCdKxuICVfsw/s400/P1100417_edited.JPG" /> <div>This is my leg the day I got home. See how it's all bruised. It kind of hurt. But look! I got stitches! How cool is that?</div><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470411502150687522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Mo_Z4BRZcJybPMYrOx-n_TgwyPwNQlCMYmutcxG2Sb3YzbYGy2fyyfcMpuUN3LX11e3P6P1kbBSfFrMvTp8ZXg6zmd8kATM0emtUt8ts-aG8F0MURaXSq7Wa_5xMQ_4vbRpO0g/s400/P1100425_edited.JPG" /> My leg was really swollen too.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470403850597345314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaQjH0OX7p8MFHt1KytCY6qN2A5Xo3AyN2UR2RjFPsYyplF0twvs-1YqdXpClDL_HOAA62WNL-hcKbTFZH_vXYTm0bi5S-dGunXXRe7F2T5fyoKS2oqsb4PhPmZBW4QUnAKYJQQ/s400/P1100439_edited.JPG" />And look what they did to me at the hospital. They shaved a big chunk of my fur off! It's a good thing it isn't winter time. I'd freeze!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470404036734125810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyTzijFsgEvSgjIWZBLxb_S8kJk-0pffCNRZrbYlclPSyAI5_hhls3tKT4adF8wq8HAy_tmGj-7SVDF683DHARHvJ7dzKUHMxTFM9zwdCJ-MSr-TC1GRK2ucI9jqttaSMTbAPFw/s400/P1100436_edited.JPG" />I also had 2 shave marks on my front legs. This is where the IV's were. What a nusiance that was. I was sure glad when they took those things out.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470402405207278226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEI48kPgShtPP15tK7ZiWXBEFfyzxps5dZWFrKUf_SRefKTI31EJ9fbal7iGO_fjPv-74CkeEIb6wHIBxnsSBrLW1sY9HsTk6skWbDK2fhnx7uPtAAOnktuTwdErjUP1DZxCtVg/s400/P1100458_edited.JPG" />Look what they had to say about me in the papers they sent home with Mommy. What can I say? Even in those circumstances, I was able to charm the ladies.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470411364615942994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW06yplGr-yJFqGrojLbLOys92M7VDdijHwTarHQSGnuqhMCByGSXxAimP_bTCD4QKUR5G-WlTvXRyXr3mSeIXZOzHQSRyOyzRo4QAMRF8IG2mFyeX32m57k5Rfq4rMKQH3u-giw/s400/P1100437_edited.JPG" />After a couple of days my leg started to look a lot better. The swelling was down and the bruises were gone.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470403346728842450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wNlBOLfuRl6CPFv2RKdB5Luo2-yLXQbJIzUVixSku_oeYBEA-cGVmWCuUTr4U74bNfI92phaZyXj4tl3xM-TVISKjA_iuNXDLB52O65axHzSgHTSmTPNN-2nM4NFzjBP2zefdA/s400/P1100448_edited.JPG" />I was sent home with antibiotics and pain killers so I spent most of my time like this.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470402851681506082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvfVxsB3Mjs-lOMdD1xTGLYfR4U8t5xwnMZuAG137-J-SsgdpjndS5cUoPLDFWzsMeqX6kjWGBZhDt9ogOfoD881OR801zuVCHA1PSXlw6aFJIrrnUEhTbXUTJIoe4dECegHplQ/s400/P1100455_edited.JPG" />Or this. I was really able to catch up on my sleep. Mommy and Daddy had to massage my leg and do exercises with me to keep my knee joint moving. Boy, was that great! I just laid there and they did all the work!<br /><br />I had to wear a cone when I couldn't be watched so I wouldn't touch my stitches. They get itchy and it's hard for me to resist the urge. Well, I'd been such a good boy & not once touched them. Mommy & Daddy felt sorry for me having to sleep in my crate with the cone on, so after 5 days, they left it off one night.<br />I was overcome with the freedom and chewed out almost all of the stitches. What can I say? It was that devil on my shoulder. Mommy let me out of my crate in the morning and freaked. She called the vet and we had to drive out so they could look at it. I didn't see what the big deal was. My cut was holding together just fine. This time, I got staples.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470402700473256050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_fqWMcA63oqnIiQrfEoZrdCqaRrKsOXf3VFPbH4OW1NJ_P8j8Uwpo2m4V69tKbBmDnbMHJpktJxel6q_nb31c65RtsQU0g0r_HSAHKhLolw8OiII9PRxAhmRZfSjb7d_ic9xig/s400/P1100457_edited.JPG" />How cool is that? It garnered me quite a lot of sympathy. hehehe. But I had to wear that damned cone every night and anytime Mommy & Daddy were away from home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk8REKG9FCRe423pkBL_-SzSVYKDxcuxlztjLdjArofiI1rvnKG2xhbZr3Taa7jExBpv92tswia4D5lIkHuEqpAqvlVAq2QeFBx_bMGTEYqRlP0qohjaY2cT4VcZz9V6NID5vUA/s1600/P1100438_edited.JPG"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470402278132097954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M1DrBgZws4EjTl3hMj9Ld7gAG3sBgBsoWMOQr7I0pVo3YvZ4A24LziNT_SyfmD5ngJLk_b0pXd841kpN_nZP5lm-3JuFUqAIidnzCV6Bx4WaH1vnsKydI76e-OFWyh7wGkirvw/s400/P1100460_edited.JPG" /> Here it is a couple of days before I got the staples out. Lookin' good. We went to see Dr. Woolard who took them out. He said everything looked good and that I'd healed nicely. What a relief that was. On the way home I hear Mommy say "no more cone". Yay!!<br /><br />But, I gotta tell ya....I'm a Jack Russell and that devil was back on my shoulder. My incision was a little itchy, so I chewed on it and ripped off scab and made it bigger. Mommy said I was "trying her patience". Uh-oh.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470399033099282786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi_dmWZPbnWVivn-uLDjkYRRMXTdBtGAFGsGZ4eQHcpOIQsVfJfwfKyPcLkDopa4fNGTbhvCWauDSP1mByx6k3JqGco0urtevwhDt39cm0WVldzr0B-_F1pGetabS1x5sIXfuIA/s400/P1100569_edited.JPG" />Next thing I know, she comes home with this spray that she squirted on my leg and boy, did that stuff taste awful! I didn't mess with my scab any more.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470396873671653250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMncNWOjKuQvqJNoZCQChCbUjzHFho6eghKR1E6i3RDNSRX76yaWPl3zb9ALHBhr2tElfOZJTBhlpLMqAF7ZdNloKs83NT5R70KHeURTEZQTq_k-xl5jAPDSFPBuBCKc0jqkNmNg/s400/P1100621_edited.JPG" />It started looking really good and I was feeling pretty good too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyaRdPRyw5bP1aBJ_WuLl_Nmj3IIOY2NcrFhVVB4nhNQWbZj0DY0NuUm-Gj7BljOZGKo3jKiBDEkbzR-THiBFvCwE2fqWi2vZK20HkmlsWMNb9buEXnEAYAFC6uhOz05g_AUMAA/s1600/P1100744_edited.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490444845121479122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyaRdPRyw5bP1aBJ_WuLl_Nmj3IIOY2NcrFhVVB4nhNQWbZj0DY0NuUm-Gj7BljOZGKo3jKiBDEkbzR-THiBFvCwE2fqWi2vZK20HkmlsWMNb9buEXnEAYAFC6uhOz05g_AUMAA/s400/P1100744_edited.JPG" /></a>And here is my leg now. The fur has grown back and practically covered up the scar. I'm mobile and get all my long walks again. I can run and am feeling fine.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Cc6WGUDFqhHRodslH-n-Rb7muokDJiouVnqHODXLAjlTSGQ-A4wJHUAEJ8NqNr9a2jUIdtGAL0tvFcwaJqUcU-gbn2PdVMMranRz1n7eYOf50odABdBXi8VMUFH-9SQPH_CQBg/s1600/P1100578_edited.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470398486260429170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Cc6WGUDFqhHRodslH-n-Rb7muokDJiouVnqHODXLAjlTSGQ-A4wJHUAEJ8NqNr9a2jUIdtGAL0tvFcwaJqUcU-gbn2PdVMMranRz1n7eYOf50odABdBXi8VMUFH-9SQPH_CQBg/s400/P1100578_edited.JPG" /></a>Yep, things are pretty much back to normal. Now to get Mommy posting again..... </div>Simon™http://www.blogger.com/profile/01579611353153411050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-63233256113869512752010-02-23T12:39:00.001-05:002010-02-23T13:00:02.331-05:00Two New Cookbooks<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Olympics are well underway and I've been trying to watch as many of the events as I can. To help get in the spirit, I'm wearing my super warm Olympic mittens.<br /></span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438095567442157890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27XNVyDbmvEUyPOB3AUH-xne7SGAu4WKFuwqcz3qiW6micgDE5sU5ntaDITaWK2JlPbZpVZ2wLEWeelkCvhW66UWdMmMqIe56WWFMTqWpMmLCg_jDx24QBVp-E8TlKdmZs4Eg/s400/P1100139_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">These are offically called Torchbearer mittens, and they are part of </span><a href="http://www.hbc.com/en/index.html"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">Hudson's Bay Co.'s</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Vancouver Olympics line. They are only $10, and the net proceeds go to support Canadian athletes. (as with all the items in the line) They are quite the hot item and are apparentley </span><a href="http://store.hbc.com/scarves/torchbearer-adults-red-mittens/prodRTUAF915.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>sold</strong> </span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>out!</strong></span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> You might be able to find some still in stores. Check The Bay or Zeller's. If you can't find the mittens, there are still </span><a href="http://store.hbc.com/clothing/catapparel-p1.html"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">scarves, toques, hoodies, T-shirts, etc.</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> so you can deck yourself out and show everyone your Canadian pride. I see people everywhere wearing Team Canada gear. WOOT! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I got a couple of new cookbooks and have made a dish from each one. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438095053069947282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PoKfV3j_ku5OwvmnshHQl70sODU5GGudgzD8lBnYRbiGn21nsum1-eiaDGdaXXwZegAmvKMN_GlLROi6WgmxS1RSmN-LU6PgMtKtTBuLhaJ3WUsRw1JAZexvalrr-fk_fQ-I/s400/P1100175_edited.JPG" /></p><p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is one of the books I got. I have 3 of </span><a href="http://www.globalvegankitchen.com/"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">Robin Robertson's</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> other books and everything I've made out of those ones has been good. I thought this would come in handy for nights after work or days when I'm feeling lazy. The first dish I tried was this -</span> </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438094462605803506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFU25PDYhf-twj4IqjdcgKFb37QVnIr_CZuwvmnrbA_JIm3nwlPlrDC7SC7w4FBdihWISGYEocqDBcQGKQVBd3EB4EzBbLshZpOKdt34aNivJWaVhoZy-bStHXGvUXuG59gpx/s400/P1100183_edited.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Roasted Winter Vegetables with Seitan Chunks and Brown Gravy</span></strong>. This was a snap to throw together! The cooking time was more than 30 minutes, but the prep was about 15. This was so good - comfort food at it's finest. </span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438094188813904290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75VExGL3ZA67GTs_KRIGurHFxUEpONYZeS8nnGS1I6UbktBxE1WjzFzgZKLcl43pA7W5wpw4AaoECYcoTtvVtumSQEn9tiHU7U4m0DJt4S9c_EFHyqcpJ6rVExJpRi42ZIvcP/s400/P1100189_edited.JPG" /></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The recipe didn't call for sugar snap peas, but I had a couple of handfuls left over in a bag, so I threw those in near the end of the cooking time. This is one of those dishes that can be mixed up to suit what you might have in your fridge. I also had half of a rutabaga that I added & it all worked out just fine.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437812405572833138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GLB6TpT13BuKcX5D7Gy1u8TRUGt9VQjY_1LlRyj6C5CIYUOLDIBntOPjjggRvda3IpwaedhcnolPQt5zPWnBj0uoROiQLL9xVvSgX_GxJQ8YsXWmcANGzR-ntdhn-88N-g4f/s400/P1100197_edited.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another book I got was <strong>Vegan YumYum!</strong> If you've followed Lauren's<strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span></strong></span><a href="http://veganyumyum.com/"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">blog</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, you know what fantastic things she whips up in her kitchen.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 324px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437803611272908466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMzaJBF5dWMbGJhHhC_jd3W2MEwYzNdsJEc2v_ulSnLuZYPZi17Gg8MZ6TUiQWFyr4JSH0TJg0mDn5AKbnQGs0kzp6nSpDIhguGfCsXhuPp4oStZ_qiQdtg6VYuq8Jimi9OPs/s400/P1070216_edited.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is not a very good picture, but the dish is delicious. It's <strong><span style="color:#990000;">Marmalade Tofu with Kale and</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#990000;">Lemon Pearl Couscous</span><span style="color:#990000;">.</span></strong><br />My tofu came out much darker than Lauren's. I used soy sauce rather than tamari and frozen tofu. I find if the tofu has been frozen, it sucks up more marinade than if it's used straight out of the package.</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437799721012717394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOjuDAxi3H56AcEp0UGSx0GOYr_mZoqcnw4O4T8OuvWTmAWAEXjkhK_e7vKypmJNVqfaTUfrmQnkkYpV8XcpN82i3lGVVFK6uPfVFbDGbj5t2u3SM_ofw8sxglDAZHzomi0yx/s400/P1070213_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The recipe says this can also be made with seitan. I'd like to try that as well.<br />If you'd like to try this dish, the recipe can be found </span><a href="http://veganyumyum.com/2008/04/marmalade-tofu-with-kale-and-lemon-pearl-couscous/"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">here</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> along with a much better photo. :o)<br />For our wine choice, I picked this </span><a href="http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/gruner.htm"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">Grüner Vetliner.</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441493974602973202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-O2HTAuQwciwBmdbXXE4JnVE5Cf8cxRM1wNWNJ-OrAg0jRLBks2hJ-M8drp0pjmy-ZchBDvBtYceeR8IznhizJUhriTKSiL7x7d-lfkz_T4pkamhAEqDFZ2V0iRBq5YUHWLF/s400/P1070199_edited.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Grüner Veltliner is the most widely grown grape in Austria and is known for being a very food friendly wine. There are a lot of simple, inexpensive bottles out there, but if you've never had this varietal, splurge a little and get a decent one. </span></p>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-69135759423842649542010-02-10T22:39:00.002-05:002010-02-11T01:58:58.084-05:00Winter Warmer, One Dish 2 Ways<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even though we were experiencing "The Winter That Wasn't", (it finally did snow last night, but not a lot) we've had a few really cold days. When coming in from the blustery weather outside, a stick-to-your-ribs dish is what's needed to warm you up. Enter Chocolate-Chipotle Chili from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Urban-Vegan-Sumptuous-Recipes-Favorites/dp/0762752815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265847835&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;"><strong>The Urban Vegan Cookbook.</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;"><strong><br /></strong></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434831471893482914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG28iu-UD-Lfdx3J8lJn23XyqpiPGtVI9VsIKpHzS_CrLqz1VyHc-TnO7fa7_Yayb76W17peN4VDlJXyZZ0XgKc6wtwsvGJOoTjP5_N4t6nm4MuUtjIDKtEZcmorzCiwIryvCb/s400/P1090454_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Seriously - she had me at 'chocolate.' Even though this may sound like an odd mix of flavours, trust me - chili & chocolate make a great combo. This can be made spicy if you like it that way, or not so much so if you're a wuss like I am. The flavour is still all there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434831357035957538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_TeTYh8joza_7qomAZ8odGk9tuwDtsiPTrHVrRLhAePZvEA3hwTbXnPB5_Njnfh-PCvsSSuMy5BucWpZyGHZm7oAb1dMLco4MNofa_ZKmlpieVvLDHvJXtdBuEycMvhG4kKy/s400/P1090463_edited.JPG" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This makes a nice, thick chili, chock full of veggies & beans (and chocolate!) I took<strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span></strong><a href="http://urbanvegan.net/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Dynise's</span></strong></a> suggestion and served this with tortilla chips that we used to scoop up the chili. It makes a terrific super casual meal that is perfect for when you want to park yourself in front of the TV and stay inside for the night while the wind howls. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434830664562012786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWBJqxGagAXcXyjftrhyphenhyphenuis_ESYpXJbyXjf3xSVefvUPZJ1Y_Tot4tLAnF5iPeOIZK_LnOxtHU0OktF-9JWtJRw6YMtXSp5zo_dcVvcsm63RdncXgOQsN-uS9jWbJUsaPBprF/s400/P1090459_edited.JPG" /></span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We washed it down with this Swedish pear cider. The touch of sweetness offset the heat of the chili. The addition of wild berries makes this cider super delicious.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is interesting dish I made a couple of weeks ago that was so super easy, it's ridiculous.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436572759894825138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtktcA-MWf8i2W7J8l-EqqiAzJqFAZL3_npdMP7JinMaJ0KnYmgNJgtCfmuNqHO4F2cxxmrogxY4WqQFAzTl5ZmL8NXIHag0v8l_4I2xhJ-zLjSY9DsWRDBkh7cE5C3TkhZCiv/s400/P1090958_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I found the recipe in a Weight Watchers booklet. It's made with broccoli slaw & spinach. The recipe called for shredded chicken, but I used <a href="http://www.quorn.us//cmpage.aspx?pageid=462&productid=147"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>Quorn Chik'n Tenders.</strong></span></a> You could use any kind of faux chicken or even tofu. This was really good! I served it over brown rice.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since this is 'The Winter That Wasn't', the barbecue has been seeing it's fair amount of action. Who am I kidding? We Canadians barbecue in the snow. It doesn't matter the weather.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432607353393260866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUH-vGjEgt0rFFsJyxOcnXzZJ82-le5hDlarzNRLasZXlaJpaoikI_rNPA32zKV0Wbg76Y8YuHOz8yIqFRdwbg_XpxSN4_UfnTYlfCf9uk15Q0FoRYRWQAlsd8opamiAS4oUQ/s400/P1080524_edited.JPG" /></p><p><a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&brandId=2&tags=100094&tags=100086&next=13&productId=17279"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;"><strong>PC Blue Menu Soy Burger</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, Potato Wedges & the broccoli slaw & spinach without the chicken that I tried as a vegetable side dish. </span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432606334233118130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaAd7pvPyLQqilm-5t8dqQbz_NCS3HqmvlH-nywnq60vkwqyI_BE3freN4xvZIpRdyT5-IerC5Bu20vfyLxAdNK8B6G7HuFDJGFE7B0BoMoQSYEF7R2hgIL-GQubn9D1diy1o/s400/P1080528_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh, I loves me some spuds. I tossed these with a bit of olive oil, garlic & onion powder, then spread them out on a parchment lined baking sheet and baked in a hot oven. So freaking tasty!<br /><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432607221175810402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJYx2orH27ohp75yqSETRp-bywsYio6An74HE_Z_be1NyshuuNz7-mB1H2VTlymupH51LqHOJO14ycnmA8ToX3WCWOXiJ0HSlpcXs-1DbTIqxTTYZitfOYfCIRkhtdY0ntbgH/s400/P1080527_edited.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Although the broccoli slaw was good without the Quorn, I think it's better with. </span></p><p><span style="color:#990000;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>QUICK BROCCOLI SLAW STIR-FRY WITH CHICKEN<br /></strong><br />2 tsp. canola or safflower oil<br />4 scallions, sliced<br />1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced<br />1 garlic clove, minced (I used 3 'cause that's just the kind of girl I am)<br />1 (1-pound) bag broccoli slaw<br />1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach*<br />2 tbsp. teriyaki sauce**<br />1 cup meatless chicken strips/slices/chunks of your choice (sautéed until lightly browned)<br /><br />Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok; add the scallions, ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the broccoli slaw and cook until just softened, about 2 minutes.<br /><br />Stir in the spinach, a handful at a time, and the teriyaki sauce; cook, stirring, until the spinach is nearly wilted, about 2 minutes more. Add the meatless chicken, stir through the dish and heat until chik is hot.<br /><br />Serve at once.<br /><br />*I added more spinach than the recipe called for. You can, of course, use regular spinach that has been chopped or torn into smaller pieces.<br />** I added a bit more sauce just because I love teriyaki. I think the 2 tbsp. wouldn't have been enough. It was just barely enough for the chik-less side dish.</span><br /></span></p>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-86831391016087445692010-01-30T12:27:00.005-05:002010-01-30T13:05:19.107-05:00Steaklets Pepper<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First I want to share with you one of my Christmas gifts. It's this </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/70011793"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">handy-dandy kitchen cart from IKEA.</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span>I don't have a lot of counter space, so just getting the mixer off of the counter gave me, what feels like, tons of extra room . Also, being able to put large bowls and things on the shelves also frees up some cupboard space. It's a plus-plus! And, I had the fun of a little project in putting this together. </span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432589729447668978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfMPcbxhvu-Xr11mIDWUG670EcfpZ0A9DoDPzkM6WkVCdc_wuJ5WT8Zbwxgrg0MFmqVzvJ-BobjVBhjvSWP2001Ye4ssK0SHTvJeESdlrVUamPPnZNrF1vr_4HowYtlybTDfU/s400/P1100008_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The flowers were a surpise from Jim one day.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431512699519512002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TFaBWWFWO4jt3mdeqCAP7p2kgevp_edPM4dBxqufKZSQtR-0GlgCK7ri6Q3_lr-eQsdaPG0Jvb3oeEjouUwS9DRHrq8lsYowfKgcrK4zOR9W9nDdBc8gMyZU8Botj3CqiTAJ/s400/P1090981_edited.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gorgeous! Whenever I walked near or into the kitchen, I could smell them right away. Yea, I pretty much kept them in the kitchen. It's where I was spending most of my time & I wanted to enjoy these flowers as much as I could. I shuffled them between the kitchen and my computer desk. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While browsing the herbs in the grocery store, I saw this</span>. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431517411120310898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCcgb0Wyr8wipezxGSkAU_RMcMkJWCf0xqKclJ2DOHoHiG2tbtFcWUhO1j-NJsgn4jQczCFPLmuV35JffnZBPDG1wor1jpPU4emAkJ1BSzMwPPQ6LhFL5_HTw_1WT3q81rUWA/s400/P1060759_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I think these must be something new to my regular store, because I've never noticed them before. They had a lot of varieties to choose from and they were the same price as the non-organic herbs! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431515897332003282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4G__xzqlrX3PJKxCtUs3oF9yVEoI-WSpqfIbiAkmoq7GZeZvSZxEpUUfopW35H-J6dssmXRKH5btb1MpwmhQgIEUZipAYfCBB6rtM7rN6ZmbiF9W7DF98imNHm7gEim6f1ecf/s400/P1060767_edited.JPG" /></p></span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Added bonus - they're Ontario grown! When I picked up this package, I knew I wanted a big ol' baked potato with chives</span> </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431513924496530066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUYbWESWd4eXbez_9El55jla3l1iBr4f4so2FWZgHn0RwttvUsZQyUi18ZJvUnMmEMb8EQUFWJXMQm913-pzvpWUiLyNkBBvaOzGRilPOtr1N_lpPct2uvbVXBuuXoYLfxFhg/s400/P1090984_edited.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I also got some </span><a href="http://yvesveggie.ca/index.php/products/product/good_veggie_burger/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">Yves Veggie Burgers</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and some assorted veggies, went home and got to work on dinner. This is why you aren't supposed to grocery shop while hungry.</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431513633871525986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhXYqv3cqiusDdvK5lJ1hsVZpLjXnCgR8ja8cOno2vrUDD7DXect0oJ9UoSVkFXoeqsMV-xwkbErl78xiLDlWt_vqEXxs1aGdPRwIGyGTPgMet-d-Z2WFS1g5WwSGOrF86dxp/s400/P1090991_edited.JPG" /> <p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Look at all this! I couldn't finish everything, obviously. It was all very good. The brussels sprouts are Best Brussels Sprouts from </span><a href="http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">Vegan Lunchbox</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (you can find the recipe </span><a href="http://shmooedfood.blogspot.com/2005/12/best-brussels-sprouts.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">). The broccoli and carrots were just steamed. There's my potato with chives! It was so freaking yummy!<br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431513011248845730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BkvTyQbnRY50cDsGLnPWIp0oQlmKkEsggreJ_M6KUOKiwFoT6J9LCOR_alJ7LPhDJkGlvDDu0Vse32hImJfNXPpO41mVTDlhxfOEeuY6XF2j_FgTOBStlKTN6Et2-r1RbcCT/s400/P1100002_edited.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The burger dish I made was from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Linda-Mccartneys-Home-Cooking-McCartney/dp/1559701609/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264871795&sr=8-7"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#6600cc;">Linda McCartney's Home Cooking.</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> This was one of the first vegetarian cookbooks I bought. Quite a few of the recipes use meat analogs and when I was first changing my diet, it made the transition very easy. Some of the recipes became tried and true favorites, like this one. It's quick and you probably have all of the ingredients on hand already. </span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">STEAKLETS PEPPER<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#990000;">3 tbsp. vegetable oil</span> (I used way less oil)<br /><span style="color:#990000;">4 vegetable burgers<br />1 large onion, chopped<br />1 clove garlic, crushed</span> (I used 3 cloves, just because we like garlic!)<br /><span style="color:#990000;">2 </span><span style="color:#990000;">green peppers, seeded and chopped</span> (I used a green & a red)<br /><span style="color:#990000;">1 cup vegetable stock or water<br />1 16oz. can chopped tomatoes</span> (I had some leftover fire-roasted tomatoes - they work well in this)<br /><span style="color:#990000;">1½ tbsp. cornstarch<br />1 tbsp. soy sauce<br /><br />Pre-heat oven to 350F. Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the burgers on both sides. Remove the burger from the pan and place in a hot oven.<br /><br />Add onions and garlic to the pan and sauté until they are tender. Add the peppers and most of the vegetable stock to the sauté, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.<br /><br />Add the tomatoes and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Mix the cornstarch and soy sauce with the remaining vegetable stock to make a smooth, lump-free paste. Add this to the sauce and continue to simmer.<br /><br />When the sauce has thickened, return the burgers to the pan. Increase the heat for 1 minute. Serve immediately.<br /></span></span>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-28655656827485375722010-01-21T16:48:00.003-05:002010-01-28T16:01:56.645-05:00Maritime Brown Bread<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who doesn't love homemade bread? As a confessed carb-o-holic, it's one of my favorite things. I hadn't had any "down home" style bread in years so I dug out my mom's recipe for Maritime Brown Bread and got to work. </span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426318414971561570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEcT4QQpp9649TMs_Wp1lqfA8E8rcprA8t2-PPkR49kIQh_JJiXSOwqt3zZmeKcWzNCK6vupXxzyhmUiptwv3kvIZszrgDNqRifF7_keBd6cU676UyY8tOddLNIs79kWlX-rV/s400/SSA59883_edited.JPG" /> <div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First some yeast, warm water and sugar in a small bowl to "wake up" the yeast.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426318273936446738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFN2I9eVbEOq5pE_aqUj9xaSKQG9awVEfKwEGlg0wlGHLJuYL_xHgoBkFaUO9a4UGr99bVvix9BldPauncyocAJxc2_wTV_xMda1HJy0wLHiRWRejDedevdteCZyOHioMd4QV/s400/SSA59901_edited.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If it gets all foamy like this, the yeast is good. Excellent! We're off to a fine start.<br />After mixing in flour, molasses, oatmeal, salt, etc. <strong>(recipe follows)</strong> the dough gets kneaded for a good 8-10 minutes. You can do this in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment or the old fashioned way with muscle power. It's a great workout for your arms.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426318137118903714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3Sq5SFT-DLDg4VN6fC2aYbD5q1IK7btxMtyAOnpTAkJwhP6L7-TPkN-aMIIAG3veuBOH9H9Ql4_jZaqZ8JUTy4_2CKP_qzWx8g8O3BONfzxNDG-nNtA1iqw-cgZmwQ2tR1LU/s400/SSA59912_edited-1.JPG" /> <div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The ball of dough then gets put into a greased bowl. Swish it around so the entire ball is greased. Cover, place in a warm spot to rise.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 376px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426317990656044610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ofi02_bABePk0deiWrDmn7cg8PMOAemKU2IwGW3Za0VLrGXWeOqPjtjr7WJRBEWqe-nYK8VreUTFZNjoWizlsahnubaIqm-vocWc1Xko6bJNnVyHN4bSmuf7lyJsJctmuCyt/s400/SSA59917_edited.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After an hour or so it's really puffed up! Punch it down, let it rest then shape into loaves & place it in greased pans.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426317682026937154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgI4EkxmfrLaghAvUe8cfRhiAcH_hzzUphVnj-rlhyphenhyphenmWSFcPhjetv-DwhCc6-Z0VAfogqpyfZ_7Uqpu7xpJmKZPT2dsyJc5FrRUeKbMaO3dCeRyJHL-NYaanT1KT97vkRjCsj/s400/SSA59927_edited.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I brush some oil on the top and sprinkle with oatmeal. Cover and let it rise again in a warm spot.</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426317205301800354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuglxNRqbuNyonWEUHWdKmh5C0vTI4WduJAq_UlvRKD_DDLk7AqpOkK3JvFwbOfxGsQ8a-QRPxEylCvC7CVpdmHVtA3hKPxT7032HuMxQlAQja5UUbFWzazRqFC02ccQvy8ow/s400/SSA59937_edited-1.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Whoa! Look at it now. That's some impressive work on the yeast's part. This then gets put into the oven and baked until a nice golden. The smell of your kitchen will have you swooning and clutching the counter as your knees give out. </span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426316891715465298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiROVbyEfeX8lUhKYSkBcr22icFfdexNXKIfcFlJ4LDDE-1U013HmrlbhYMmNIBoyYzwEkx5YQ7IskgfcaU8L6usCUjtpreA7bVSZ4A1rELj8cV9WWafHDOQAuLeXU3r_44Qmb/s400/SSA59942_edited.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIJI_rbf1HcwIP7Fqad15Ku6SGZMTJylNWCFEJxfcLUu5RCY2BL5ov-Zd4ZsOsV8O-7-030O49nhP2c0uOGJhHRPxhx_ZPidGqdcW4isG2SOBoxD4N2QDulBkI4zAk1b90cLP/s1600-h/SSA59939_edited.JPG"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Remove the loaves from the pan and let it cool. Resist the urge to take a big bite out of this baby. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426316758707672802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwdyvS5Pj4AN9Z_7_DbjTSHEUTFCF03lFxtD35y5sQA2mEDiNf9iaa0wb1-fcz_10Yauvrt4gbpiz4wLtgDw_Mq6M_RvnWS_FgdxsRDMacey8oszABFPErcst_XZN9crYNF0k/s400/SSA59956_edited.JPG" /></div></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And there you go. Maritime brown bread baked to perfection. This is a nice hearty loaf with a touch of sweetness. I goes great with baked beans. Want to try this? You don't have to travel all the way to the East Coast of Canada. You can whip some up right in your own kitchen. </span><div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><strong>MARITIME BROWN BREAD</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></strong></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1 cup oatmeal</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">2 tsp. salt</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">2 tbsp. shortening</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">2½ cups boiling water</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1 heaping tbsp. yeast</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1/2 cup warm water</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1/2 tsp. sugar</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1/2 cup molasses</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">7 cups unbleached flour (approx.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Place oatmeal, salt and shortening in a large bowl. Pour in boiling water, stir and let stand until lukewarm. Meanwhile, mix sugar and 1/2 cup warm water in a small bowl. Sprinkle in yeast and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Once oatmeal mixture has cooled to lukewarm temperature, add in molasses and yeast mixture. Add 4 cups of flour and then add 1/2 a cup at a time. When dough has pulled together, turn out onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic - approx. 8-10 minutes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Grease a large bowl with oil. Place dough in bowl and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draught free spot, until doubled in volume (about an hour).</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Punch down dough, remove from bowl, cover with towel and let rest 10 minutes. Grease loaf pans and sprinkle with oatmeal flakes. Shape dough into loaves and place in pans. Brush top with oil and sprinkle with oatmeal. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for about 35-45 minutes until doubled. Bake at 350F for 45-60 minutes. If top is getting too brown, cover with foil. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;">Remove from oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto racks and let cool completely.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">*You can also add raisins into the dough when adding the flour. It makes nice raisin toast. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">**Maritime blood in your veins will help with the success of this, but it is not necessary. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-82214128032862213912010-01-17T10:01:00.004-05:002010-01-17T10:13:32.079-05:00Big News!!How has 2010 been for you so far? Ours has been quite exciting. Jade delivered a baby girl on Jan. 11, so we are now grandparents! (albeit, <em><strong>young</strong></em> grandparents, a-hem). Can you believe it?!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427724288694029122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtht9bDBvZGqLZrMZdD3TQo22M1tQd4TXIilGxv86jqmqLnhUXEJ6-5Yp_F4zDSssJkPrZYVXZJPyYxPBcKakm5Jfubv1hiIPBcq5a183UwcDETmV3aEeKsf8ErGmd6ANZ11o3/s400/ABIGAIL.jpg" />This is little baby Abigail Faith. She weighed in at 6lbs. 5oz. and she is like a little doll. Jade had a smooth pregnancy and an easy delivery, for which I was relieved. You hear so many horror stories over the years, that you hope for the best, but try to prepare for more difficult times. This was one of the best!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427724172005228610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm3vv1CT-DY4-6MUEEVTbRiGN_1HW5_dzsf4ambuQbBHMvfqnkHqm3OingQAPLPY9Q-MEl4VlJXeGudEC54MCwXq-VzdCJOfatYmqzcxlfZfXOGajATts9B1ZwK_nmS-wcbHm/s400/P1090937.JPG" /> Here she is strapped into her car seat for her first car ride, to go home, in size 0 clothes that are still too big :o) She seems like a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">feisty</span> little thing, and Jade said for her first week, she's been very good. Almost a perfect baby. A whole new generation is upon us.<br /><br /><div></div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-5135130454145723252010-01-11T23:16:00.000-05:002010-01-12T01:34:17.794-05:002 Week Old Christmas StoryChristmas has been over for 2 weeks now and I'm just getting this post up now. I woke up Christmas Eve morning with a sore throat and developed a few sniffles, but nothing ever really happened past that. I've been really tired, though, so I've probably fought something off. Anyhow, I'm going to give you a post that is heavy in pictures, but hopefully, not too wordy. I do tend to run off at the mouth and my fingers suffer from the same affliction sometimes. Bear with me.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422959917696055922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE33nVh5hJv_mat8-FkDuGHa65RdHxgAVdD_L_CYrBkPunx4BSnRBjxO_J5rLA3sPBbFzDJxKnlFrDvRgbUKx1R5dm4ewB-MiYj36epmqELH6Hasmshei6PP-ERqkOVZF3lRQ_/s400/P1090747_edited.JPG" />Is this just the perfect advent calendar for me or what?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422959719388213762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmPP-eFBMAs9Nbm98h7QzZ0VfEjWdz5HdNsBHS_1EI7917vHr2KEGwqYgKWqxqxrjGTi_1Ypi73SKGoo4R25V-HR8NNW7N9d79jEoPil2Wp_8dN2Z3uobY8Euqv8FpHTTyqjS/s400/P1090828.JPG" />A delicious little piece of chocolate was to be had each day.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422959445623952530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wOZcbv0lBv6QMo8NS8hzqSmcs7fHV0mcQpN0aWWpila1qd87kMZ3Q26Pw5ZH6yeie9e8S58Pc2eTkukYdvM5Y5zBrw6-tKWzQg0y25NsqZYWHI_W9hRdS7OaIMin-LQovgoY/s400/P1090826.JPG" /> Inside some of the flaps, there were little tidbits of info. For a trivia junkie like myself, this was gold!<br /><br />Jim's project each year is to set up our Christmas village.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422958956986766722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qhdotdxMm_tPmxXwaxoDwEB6l-BmV7c_1twBH2w6aKnZSIGSVfGfu3_PadDE_XvUMR4gvkQpu-bzprHwy2od54_WxzOZeyX5s5uvpzyMVucf_DhNe2GoQA0qUDW3DYmwuoPc/s400/P1090752_edited.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422958806012576114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ep548qNYsl0T7U-v2ZP0DRkW3aVjLOk-2r8d9M_kLXGs_kbxHSGhwfOKBSNleHR5MP3ZMUe2Zg7CKC6hO8sXuwF1DHuX0Cx4uvbeLDK267wR5eUFNzlBojKuNogsTl9UZ6Yk/s400/P1090750_edited.JPG" /> <div align="left">He always does an amazing job.<br /><br />We invited Aunt Peggy to spend Christmas with us, much to Simon's delight. </div><div align="left"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422953690622817058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJorYebVOlkGQhEQUL9wxpVs2x83IONwNYuUam3s_6bGomrzuF3fRR_IrWgDZntzo0TtOor2BRDW9LODCa47VGlNgE4hPtQX_jdMVc_wGEmEZsdIY6JH4NP0JNXKHvlwYTmVpd/s400/P1090787_edited.JPG" /> <div align="left">He adores his Aunt Peggy.<br /><br />Mama Rita cooked a turkey for everyone, did stuffing (and kept some out of the bird for me) and I did all the sides.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422957010269449666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOKELRouAUhHK9DalPu1krZQUr0_GzRfkfArXFsxS8StVIsswZuGasImPs_ndWt_slrkMLRu9Ce9jRsKjWSimrurfddFIVSYBxLP9fUc7FgLYyhT0Wt6cZ-JpkRk2ltnGR4GF/s400/P1090776_edited.JPG" /> When I take pictures of Jim, he either has a fake smile or acts like a goof. Guess which look this is?<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422956421019159698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQN49-jpJgdhLCQwUSxDFKRDfE_FqAEejx1WzelPeESCXWxF4OCJBDZ8kCHrfsIII2kZ8w243noqAyZUKEAAiy4ms1H_SK5j7kJ-PLXgCCEpNlBGzxM2JQei_ET1WE-Pr-gb0/s400/P1090778_edited.JPG" />Everyone hungrily awaiting food. Jade, Aaron (taking Jim's cue) Mama Rita & Aunt Peggy.<br /><br />The flowers I bought for the table were so pretty, it would be a shame not to share a few with you.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422956133132709458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnROtsLZqPC13rwXTK6BSoJqLKJaZNxW9Z-RxbO1U_hjdcK6tu96fA7lHpVqmelsaBPjHjFqbk7eO7g7fJTIFjb4FiB7YSMcIPo_jfBDhm7wRUJYRdMeSq1g-6L9ZXsWS7KJAY/s400/P1090805_edited.JPG" /> Perfect pinky, yellow, apricot alstroemeria.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422956006958187074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThzhNpy3JzHR6EyOqEN9lpCrFKSa3d3yjQZqmOm5UIAqcmstHbmZH29BhF51XjPYCSlR3LyeDN_Aya-gCV8iq7d-UkWTg7KfWfzlFAAlnow99Aem8sOrNcSoWwHcGbqeElOA4/s400/P1090810_edited.JPG" />Gorgeous, puffy white chrysanthemums.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 359px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422955571278976354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr1RxR7lXPwdDPyQSOEgfy5jru5FrsLa9gZhfKO7OVhU7nyhS-_vF31z-BL9tD0Z8IodqT1ahaTtwWoPbtjwZEMtP0kPQEKxn-JHdksnUHBCbCntaeoZJ6YJO9Kufb93i8vZ6/s400/P1090808_edited.JPG" /> <div align="left">Stunning pink gerbera.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 332px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422955143761213858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy6063xkv6MFwVTBo8k5Xr2CkfwmMIHHXj_BL0VkiVziDnwe4QyV8pcsKpqwu-K4WoQiw39yNJveYvvu8ZidYy3r7vMUw3qvuxJrmCLgui3dnt_hgfA_hH66EcudsYWtODnbj/s400/P1090807_edited.JPG" />My all-time favorite flower - the lily. These beautiful white ones opened to perfection on Christmas day.<br /><br />Now the food - Here's my plate, with a bit of my shadow at the bottom of the plate. Excuse that would you please.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422952436117148130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrTQsar6U6BxtiAk8plVCi7UYbX9sp3T0H5YvS1BhIk9ztx9QxhQj_grBHEjcmZFouHCm0IP9uV_Mp00mvzbtMaj141HU7reU7FcrNz34_2lJAS8rPj2kVN9kIrpK2nKQh24r/s400/P1090811_edited.JPG" /> Starting at 12:00 and working clockwise we have roasted carrots, mashed turnip (or properly called, rutabaga), braised red cabbage, roasted Brussels sprouts with hazelnuts, mashed potatoes and faux gravy, <a href="http://urbanvegan.net/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Dynise's</span></strong></a> kick-ass Quince-Cranberry sauce, slices of <a href="http://www.quorn.us//cmpage.aspx?pageid=478&productid=146"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Quorn Turk'y Roast</span></strong></a>, and stuffing in the middle. Needless to say, I couldn't eat all of this.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422951935990696002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4CHEAq6guF4Iooj9oX3PxNcfbBqLH5tbG4hvV_pdmIqyRKCV_a0bEsx1ROvD6zYOIMgYzHvPGIA3iygH12hTvs-_143vxky1OI3Sn5MTIvfEusJl1DHBf4YY5Qti3E7yVAqC/s400/P1090820_edited.JPG" />This Quorn Turk'y Roast is quite yum; perfect for Christmas dinner. Dynise's Quince-Cranberry sauce is so delicious I think I ate most of it myself!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422952298457162082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT3f3QmdbsMpuvKxhzu9MXIM_EcUqTNznca-6M96fHEVNh7IP0hfK0hGQ4rNV8cWmUyFpqd9qf7bmR1yee9HctigyO6Th84PucvbfX0dAbD34Up2-axO-_OJJVaYbbcrTigiH/s400/P1090815_edited.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Here's a shot of the braised red cabbage which I got from a recipe that was printed up in the Holiday issue of <a href="http://www.lcbo.com/fooddrink/index.shtml"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">LCBO's Food and Drink magazine</span></strong>.</a> I do what one is never supposed to do - try a new recipe for a company dinner. They are my taste testers! I had enough other sides that if this didn't turn out, we wouldn't starve. Luckily, this was a hit! The recipe isn't up on line yet, but I'll include it at the end of this post. </div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>In November, I picked up a copy of <a href="http://pcinsidersreport.t4g.com/index.html?config=library/conf/enona/config.xml"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">President's Choice Insider's Report.</span></strong></a> In it, they were introducing their new <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&productId=prod50006"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">frozen profiteroles</span></strong></a> and underneath was a little blurb that said to go to their website for a <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/recipes.jsp?type=details&recipeId=lclor6008"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">recipe</span></strong></a> on how to use these cream puffs to make a croquembouche. For years now, Jim would randomly speak of a croquembouche. I think he just likes to say the word because it sounds funny. I was stoked! I was going to make this as a surprise for Christmas dessert. It was super easy to put together and voila!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422950616447392466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4U6960LmNxpwPZYcTI2f97t_UlZzq71fDcHC4YWgfmOj08NAIBc2V7oPxALVriFTCY7LjMElxQbNmCVGrSTqt6dngqkjArdx8_oNpU-NHZ-DcbzakY4QNDQjuMiFcMQVSoTS/s400/P1090788_edited.JPG" /> <div>Jim had a croquembouche! I also put out a tray of sweets - chocolate covered peanut butter balls, shortbread, fruitcake, macaroons...I figured there was no way we would be able to finish this. The croquembouche was clearly the favorite as it was dismantled in no time. </div></div><br /><div></div><div>After a long, festive day, Simon had clearly had enough. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422957572057880594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXhyphenhyphen-kuNpJusXq3dBoksysLjZsOtI-qI4fBu6mL01zluI-gj9UOWBCpzBksOcrC6560s5jQWqa_5F2c3vHZUac3auIAXmTKW1O5nYz1MvP-Mf_L2rRwZEZUqpfboz4QU1g7az/s400/P1090769_edited.JPG" /> <div></div><div>In the words of Tiny Tim "God Bless us. Everyone." </div><div> </div><div>Have a Happy New Year! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">BRAISED RED CABBAGE</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">2 tbsp. butter (I used margarine)</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1 tbsp. vegetable oil (I used olive)</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1 cup chopped red onion</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1 red cabbage, about 2 lbs (1 kg) cored & thinly sliced</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1 bay leaf</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">3 cloves</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">pinch allspice</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Salt and freshly ground pepper</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1/2 cup red wine</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1/4 cup red wine vinegar</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">2 tbsp. brown sugar</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1/2 cup grated apple</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1/4 cup red currant jelly</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">1. Heat butter and oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 2 minutes. Add red cabbage and sauté until coated with oil. Add bay leaf, cloves and allspice and season with salt and pepper. </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">2. Pour in red wine and vinegar and sprinkle in brown sugar. Toss together and bring to a boil stirring occasionally. </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">3. Turn heat to low, add apples, cover and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, or until tender. Add water if cabbage is sticking. Stir in red currant jelly and cook another 20 minutes covered. Taste for seasoning, adjusting as needed, remove bay leaf. </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;"><em>Serves 6-8</em></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-33428389902165272042009-12-24T12:27:00.002-05:002009-12-25T10:23:08.167-05:00The Urban Vegan, part 2More from <a href="http://urbanvegan.net/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dynise's</span></span></strong></a> amazing cookbook <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Urban-Vegan-Sumptuous-Recipes-Favorites/dp/0762752815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261753971&sr=8-1"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">"The Urban Vegan: 250 Simple, Sumptuous Recipes from Street Cart Favorites to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Haute</span> Cuisine</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">".</span></strong><br /><br />It's the cold and snowy time of year that comfort meals were made for. Nothing warms the soul like stew.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410509245213588370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTj7Kcb8usYJQkMTX05BXXa-RxX719wXymAnC2YSBtTsHu-PAVoSkf4_8yWMxJe3dW0b4COLgaKYANvwdwCMWBbUx2-JZr7r49IZNVnvFFP7TyPQgID-FVMH679oBKkT0JmiF/s400/nouveau+pot+au+feu.jpg" /><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nouveau</span> Pot Au <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Feu</span></strong> is a slow simmered dish that will make you feel cozy and nourished.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410507759122269154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDSa-wLsZ1dlvRwBgRvxYdnwHlfcoHpuveuyiCYnhGt3Epth1qL4FbeHB59w9I8fGOeYUg_i0EbMtv6bjjcnwgqmSp6sqkBdYOS-7kVjPFQfn7NXc96D5KFKFA2SLFRFRNfXN/s400/potato-leek+soup.jpg" /><strong>Potato Leek Soup</strong> that isn't creamy! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yay</span>! I don't like cream soups but love potatoes and leeks. This was a big hit with Jim. He said this was even better than what his Scottish grandmother used to make.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410508723585385586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhVBfte9F-NLFbJyl9KUYrShaX5OUPhwPZbZq7fy6fviaLfJfC1Ts64-zk9PqfWoyfScCHPspOF9GaqZeUIakp34tDSRXX4s_8QLHONBZb9Xf4wY38HgQtcdcURtH9nKQ_4_8/s400/sloppy+joes.jpg" /> <strong>Sloppy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joes</span></strong> that will take you back to your childhood. Only these ones are meat-free and even more delicious.<br /><br />Feeling a bit more grown-up? Then is one is for you.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410508055756790162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aVTNIfeN5gX0Aq7tSCd2q6MRz1sUSpHQGPOCSceNOcOSNcNBLod_w0oO6IQYY6Vup0BIsJF59JAdYyLUXdOud7uJvpQsI5igAoszbgINqNfzWUTGyz8dDh9qtEnW-7wq4h_Y/s400/PANKO-CRUSTED+TOFU+WITH+TAMARIND-RASPBERRY+GLAZE.jpg" /><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Panko</span>-Crusted Tofu with Raspberry-Tamarind Glaze</strong>. Serve this and your guests will think they're in a fine dining establishment. Very urban, very chic and very tasty.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410507957048522898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDucI2F1HCJkapMdJq2RMswBqakEU5wUaxFhvYphgFrDgT8a3r3wqS6vwBlPLFnlQtW2uydQzfTGVjch986N7sBIhvaIodWmU_8JOFw-X82PILDsrbESFPitaQ-tTUKS-jsHh/s400/SNOW+IN+THE+SUMMER.jpg" /> <strong>Snow in the Summer</strong>. This is a nice, easy side dish when you're tired of the same <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span>' same <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span>'. Wonderful textures and flavours come together in a snap.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410507524705228514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ-CTODEQUy_FrVykGzUIGTEib94agbgYxiNLCQsXVt7aC-qs0iewjAc1O-MigkYqRMqzd2IseIkQcvlOeL_2-FRA7_ik7XIRPhZV4x_s1AWOTgpvX8FryoGJx6sLZjRN3pJq/s400/seitan+steaks+with+tarragon+mustard+sauce.jpg" /><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seitan</span> Steaks with Tarragon-Mustard Sauce</strong>. This will satisfy (and impress) everyone, even meat-eaters.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410507654423950418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGz5kBGymZ_ADiMBBvpEMUsCpAQgOPrnbhXVo_a0knznGr94OpxmmVXH3f-xUnplawiMHcDubSxlMBnX2akDuDvn0-ySF9T0n2Cz_eCQZjDwjMQmX38VlqA08WFGdGRIi2-Fk/s400/cranberry+quince.jpg" /> <div><div>This is now and forever will be my go-to cranberry sauce. <strong>Quince-Cranberry Sauce</strong> will be a perfect addition to your holiday table.<br /></div><div>Remember in the previous Urban Vegan post I mentioned desserts. Here's a tease.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410506935403163474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8WCGoTiFhBeWyRavSQxjg4sKxa573QaT6h-BDCg_JsMCEnhQ1B-oMhKEpGdOVot-tGLC5nVe7hj8o2DtHxYJMty7p3_cCULIv1RU9umAJ5gpd0NphfIlCU60ey59OogJ6MV6/s400/tart.jpg" /><strong>Berry Tart</strong> is not only pretty to look at, it's wonderful to eat! Creamy, not too sweet & all the deliciousness of fresh fruit.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410506819851581218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsmn31wcW_dgtj9Yd7l3zWAk7hc40vIdqvqXJhMjtzLflyhZNH1W8p7Odqvh322sJ1zLL4km3T4Nw-4WtFrOw0a9Cr53pP_ieUW_iSmpc9hPqywxgxhkMuRGq4I2mt0-dzI9x/s400/tart2.jpg" />I made this for Christmas dessert last year and everyone loved it. It's not too heavy, so it's perfect after a large meal. </div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416999674173409314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhjbmeaKIb6GuTRl9VL-jK3SmxBiHt2eKKsshjgWz-m5VXEGaTFaJ48aGnGYhcQqsTOPiSwm8azv_v4iyD_DSy3JAXV9Jh1Ode5MBn960RjT7LdHheekzPtcWM3hRB6pjeRVj/s400/def-jam.jpg" /><strong>Def-Jam Bars</strong>. So easy. So sweet. So yummy.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 378px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410506711788516370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOeqInix2zkhYM67Iprm5EQG0L4vXbGIdziMpS9vsM3Q4rwNCpkuNltZnCq_obQw2op9pPMA01UlZR4f1pBADW9kQPVa9tx-0iYcLuh-opwfFIrJd_ytr85YdehrbTbMq8D8m/s400/boozeinfused.jpg" /><strong>Layer Cake (for special occasions).</strong> This one is a lot of fun because you get to choose what kind of booze to put in it! The possibilities & combinations are almost endless. The liquor isn't overpowering at all. It's gives the cake just a subtle hint of flavour.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 367px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410506582786412434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyhhbqBkxlWlCSoHJoBLs2OqqDtBzPhN3vBI0zZuYYaw-IJrmCYAOis2_6grYto1I6sgvbjZ4PwbPvnRJcNQjeDTUSIUB9-AXc5Z_mviMLImq-BdwRtxWAYS_z6Oiz2ZpP0yK/s400/boozeinfused2.jpg" />The cake inside is super moist and who doesn't love chocolate frosting? <div></div><div>If this sampling of photos hasn't prompted you to buy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dynise's</span> book, then what is wrong with you?</div>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-45638966013758789252009-12-08T12:33:00.002-05:002009-12-08T12:55:18.832-05:00Dad & Ellen Go To The ACCJust before Thanksgiving weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving is in October) my dad & stepmom came for a visit. I hadn't seen them in 6 years, so I was very excited. All kinds of planning went on behind the scenes to get Leafs tickets so we could take my dad to his very first NHL game. He's lived in New Brunswick and/or Nova Scotia his whole life, been a Leafs fan his whole life and the only time he's been to Ontario has been in the summertime. No hockey being played in the summer.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412383785375571730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtDfcTsk0ZrTEMRlgfwpAImjjFWR7Gu8jBX6GcMrK86K2k66WFpWziQSFMt_mjZPZHA7-v6FrFWa5uc8OIRmeIo5em3SeekxOp1v4EGflP-UMCJXyV4Q2DdOctgibiZ4yPo-y/s400/P1080985_edited.JPG" /> <p>He knew nothing about it and was surprised with tickets at Thanksgiving dinner. The game was the next night.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 395px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412383639741503138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrvRaH_om6P-mT0glJKGz2Z_XV0QJUoI4RYyUCy9-9u5H3G1c8nIwWAgXHMfDG7ARjCcZEXyM7C9bzj5TfRusu301UXv1cQe4YemgttCrQ1umEPcjNPC-zbSciOEmpIrOVJBA/s400/P1080986_edited.JPG" />He was very excited and didn't sleep that well. He said he kept waking up. Awww.<br />We caught the GO train and went into the city early in the day. We got the subway up to Maple Leaf Gardens to check it out.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412383438917989410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGaMZYzE0-GEhTGIvYpP_RDf8oAlJB98Aos9nLm9PngoZF8Uo8BUK89a4pTWYcEgWfzOXrp70kf2pwmtp2dvd7j68c54-XG7-3Zi1FVPM8c0kSDj4tFY2GxT72FIH3V5qhJaP/s400/P1090003_edited.JPG" />When we walked by the front door, there was a security guy outside having a smoke. Inside, they were practicing for <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/battle/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Battle of the Blades.</span></strong></a> I never did watch it, but it was like a 'Dancing with the Stars' competition, only on skates. World class figure skaters were paired up with hockey players and each week, they would do a figure skating routine and the pair with the lowest score would be eliminated. We chatted with the guy for a while, but in the end, he didn't let us in.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 394px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412383283158750098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZaP5dLgNiGEwrg8oMqYYf-UeISerescrLHCYlwcpi2-2VvfA_TynPjcvn_L2xPSJkG0BIEa2h9PEfC1ADqzWBf68_gPmMU1Jvj0iGj4gTvtYFPjIUqANmPF1ChuiElDxxsA-/s400/P1090005_edited.JPG" />Oh holy shrine of hockey greatness. It was at one point going to be made into a freakin' grocery store! Outrage and protests put a halt to that. It is now going to be made into an athletic centre with the exterior remaining intact. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412383093338689330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-fLSQ_GNKad5WA0A1kyNgO1NzM1iFHgsJxG6qp7SedyctBCT3HE1lyhDAZzI5nXJXAGv9X4Uw7eysMwUYMxaNrOPYCXYrrAefqfM7muAYOJSQOJIP7uYhK7_j_Ma7v3aOXHs/s400/P1090008_edited.JPG" />After a poke around there, we grabbed the subway back downtown and went for dinner at Ellen's favorite restaurant, <a href="http://www.kegsteakhouse.com/en/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">The Keg.</span></strong></a> They do have veg options and it's possible to make a delicious meal with appetizers and side dishes. There is also a portobello entree available but it's not on the menu. All you have to do is ask. The staff was very cheery and accommodating. It made for a great dinner experience.<br /><br />We made our 10 minute walk to the ACC and got there early so we could take Dad & Ellen in and let them have a look around. We muscled the doorman, roughed him up a bit and he finally consented to let us in. Actually, it wasn't that dramatic. We lied and said we had dinner reservations at the restaurant.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412380670806904914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdQd3fGVZdRtYNL9440HUjFoeMiCK9vrEmRlMQq8POdmya-X-bPyrAGiGgyFggMawItuCsDDnMsN6idib8RNuqHpOfYLK1MDoqxh1iAGfwIFpHku6PDhKDzifXBtosShKboTQ/s400/P1090019_edited.JPG" />We met up with a security guy at ice level who loved the story of Dad coming to his first game and later brought him an official Leafs puck as a souvenir. He was also kind enough to take this picture of us at ice level.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412380520337283042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPbQC5Y9z2ByAxS4iqBpSRppTFzC-EI0MoFbJLMFwsCjdFBoHaeGUrMpceWtALhdJvh93-58Pb3E2Ijw09DMuOs2WlZFpe76EUNbncgVZzA6IVLe88WnA4E-aQNF-v2pyZ8DK/s400/P1090020_edited.JPG" /> </p><p>While we were there chatting, <a href="http://www.johnmcdermott.com/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">John McDermott</span></strong></a> arrived. He quite often sings the national anthem(s) before the games. He was super nice, very friendly and when the security guard told him dad's story, he asked Dad where he was from. Then said he was doing a concert in Fredericton in November and would leave them 2 tickets at the box office. And he did!! Dad & Ellen said they really enjoyed his show and Mr. McDermott saw them after and remembered exactly who they were. My friend Michelle said it was the gift that just kept on giving. HA!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 324px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412380119594922434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtUfgOxG8f0Ud0v8TqhcAN2DDm9XZAT2YyClViQCTATz8ACW-IA3xbjLEg9Yy0kgt5lBUQAZ4ajzgZ4C_VCu7NxQq36hRU34DbSSsEAUpxF0p9oow1eV-pBRkZZUheroi7A_V/s400/P1090031_edited.JPG" />Even though the Leafs lost, I think Dad & Ellen really enjoyed their special day. They even went home with 2 free fleecy Leafs blankets. </p>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17695581.post-139113168735636872009-12-02T13:20:00.003-05:002009-12-02T13:43:43.695-05:00The Urban Vegan<div align="left">Is there anyone still checking in and reading my blog? If you are, please leave a message to let me know. It's been a long time since I've posted and I have a feeling I don't get much traffic here anymore. I have been very lax at updating, I know. It just seems like there is always so much going on. I was getting too long with my posts and it would take me hours to put one together. It got to the point that it seemed to be such a daunting task, that I just let it fall by the wayside. So, I'd like to get back at it, but keep the posts shorter and more frequent.<br /><br />This is a post I've been meaning to do for a while - over a month now, YIKES! A year ago, I was lucky enough to participate in some recipe testing for my friend, <a href="http://urbanvegan.net/"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Dynise Balcavage.</span></strong></a> She is an incredibly talented woman who put out a call for help for testing recipes for a new cookbook she was putting together. I was very eager to lend a helping hand. You may remember some of my previous posts showcased some of the dishes I tested. I even made guinea pigs of my friends & family last year at Christmas dinner by incorporating some of Dynise's recipes into the repitoire.<br /><br />Finally, in October, after much hard work on Dynise's part and much anticipation on everyone else's part, the book was released!<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405467240320075122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFHiLOK7qMITxfaiQYN_tmSC8YIGbBXCcrXAlU1B-Sdfioq1zKvEjBxUhhA2cr0KZWaEJ8cUk8JCNzkLKoyYPwfskqJQDVmhh2YADx0sb-EeDtMamRZPXgjEiCbP8EfnLbFMF/s400/dynise.jpg" /> Gorgeous cover! So bright, vibrant & cheery - much like Dynise herself. This cookbook is fantastic! The layout is fun & funky. Aside from traditional chapters like salads, soups, and dessert (oh my! the desserts!) Dynise has also given us chapters "All-Night Breakfast at the Diner", "Happy Hour" & "The Melting Pot". This book is hip, not the same ol' same ol'. There is a great introduction and a list of basics for an urban vegan pantry. Variations are included for a lot of the recipes, so you can make them according to what you have on hand and your own personal tastes. There are even menu ideas. Tidbits of interesting facts & wisdom are scattered throughout the book. But the best part....the end results!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397847194204683218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rl4tlh0Y9DY6J0TckkhwfJ46ruSiVDanGQ7XkjbEtKEMn4pijLmUmDfdI_5DhSzsxNvahRf7nC68SS98LHKOLj06rbkIV7psvRvy0oVvhtruhK6H3mICtvsad9bS_yIrY_p7/s400/blueberry+banana+bread.jpg" /> <p align="center"><strong>Blueberry Banana Bread</strong><br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 324px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391733429286244194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JM016HUSnloUg48D_zh79sl-dRcNLGm_5bFfDEu5W9IrXfp09T7qpkxrTtjG3fUEppOyXZmchLY7HuSiaSUgSgxB98XKFP74bh1x5Sh9QwOhNEFQydKaEuAvxcS3wmpUglnB/s400/bbanana.jpg" /> <p align="center">Moist & delicious!</p><p>One of the recipes Jim listed as a favorite was this one - </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391733269466522146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPZ7yWjbqJPQBseEp-SRj4LJpNcb6LjauKTY3xY7-OJSByG0KiJYHTzKrapTOFJcUPGPGmQ-PZbq-YVLt495XgfBpEyW4AreRgG0V2RcSXpA1zLerfNPwVYtOoPvRpcqwT0_M/s400/CHICKPEAS+WITH+TOMATOES+AND+SPINACH.jpg" /> <p align="center"><strong>Chickpeas with Tomatoes and Spinach</strong><br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 326px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391733172183161490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbKmA372-kmHy1G2Iu7sIswf9nY9UnvbGt60NUQgSPRN3A5KP6MVsYdl8ysnAEd5ac2RRNT4XRI2luVeXqhjasXRFm9Tr6g8qwTU356fjTcr15PWMY310FnTuV_gr46G4SW_V/s400/couscous.jpg" />This was one of my very favorites and might even battle for top spot. <strong>Couscous Mosaic.</strong> OMG! This is sooo delicious!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391732767896851186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdc1TnLVsihgNtJmnzH2fkmtKkPtLm7azk6_3-gDzwofeNq6cusu-jGn_ZfGb1SIN-1Ntjxnu3l8I06NAGg6kVvMjJ-8hJNSzMqDN_a5RwgOCj2wKGreW7zcNpcHDC8aiQThx/s400/island+gumbo.jpg" /> <div align="center"><strong>Island Gumbo</strong> </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391731112748646130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew5eBJSn5SVJle4AHWKGmTf3BNEMBMDUKbx-mAjec5dN5pmIQGn18fS4sV4ZYKSV678HskqvneKFeZTgtxCVjUA6WRQkDHowNL7iAoeiFZ8m9Da8rvGaGBD8Fs1tnS_16796i/s400/pumpkin+risotto.jpg" /> <div align="center"><strong>Pumpkin Risotto with Sage and Sun-Dried Tomatoes</strong><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391731714878046258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5vrw1oa1N94wp60Q9bA8edWBia5YjmC3VinmS_b9HqH0J-I7VCaKKiIekhzdVXTTLLNL53AwEa6U4C9nm1ZY_b6A4GgIbm_FPIN2OXbF0fQH7gRAV2opDgmcOaiUtdmdwuLR/s400/pear-pepper+chutney.jpg" /><strong>Pear-Pepper Chutney</strong> which is yummy on it's own and is also used in this -<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391731559359657858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fyRaW99hEmUu1xfBLWSTfBwBILeWzznug1ncj7OWq85Y-2g75Q7P-1AS2v0Hc9dtEjioXhDMIr7Eqrqovyj1nAc295in5ccDsGVqjNOS467mEsRxKYu-pBYPuvopJ5uXrCpU/s400/elegant+lunch+sandwich.jpg" /><strong>Elegant Lunch Sandwich</strong>. So fancy! Rich & delicious. This is sure to impress.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391732932120611874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzunq7pNFzYgH0PTOUBeYRqOvT8bbNROJ6vtrKfebB2h-FuYJBgV2l3EMqHEee35cGkfn8BMGTG9ypsuzNWJQLYjGEyXtgx-rvUtAkalOoRLeGMdhRDud9CkPiT3fI5RBoPCo/s400/farfalle+with+fennel.jpg" /> <p align="center"><strong>Farfalle with Fennel</strong> - different and so tasty.<br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 362px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391730997592406130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPttDm-nM0dRbgz6HdC4E_e9B8YU0bRtTgi-iVpCjf4KDRkpwRIN3YSOWV3iXKQBpG5en9p0u0mqtKu1EZw5aIrfhcCKUNllLgwz2O8QVltglZPkWg8lN_4vAlvLAC7uwRA2yC/s400/dijon.jpg" />This isn't the best picture, but what it's a picture of is the best - <strong>Dijon Vinaigrette</strong>. This was such a hit with Jim & I, that it is now our "house dressing".<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391720654472056050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLT6Jrl4NyE_F1tzPQEqVAOtgde_Jj3aRgywD3Vm4AIquIp9Q_rFH38LrgVPWcEUwhzCHyAfnSC_aKo0U8TxNbxo5VE58mPFwjyKpnadIgUChL91UsP26rqn-Zw0cy0vzA8AQ1/s400/salad+with+dijon.jpg" /> <p>It lifts a basic green salad to new heights! It's also good on green beans. </p><p>I have other scrumptious photos to show you, but I'm trying to keep these posts manageable for a quick-ish read. Watch this page for more! And please, if you're still keeping up with me, just a quick comment. Even a "hi" will suffice. </p><p>By the way, if you'd like to order Dynise's book, go <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Urban-Vegan-Sumptuous-Recipes-Favorites/dp/0762752815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259779045&sr=8-1"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">here if you're in Canada</span></strong></a> <p><p>Go <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Vegan-Sumptuous-Recipes-Favorites/dp/0762752815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259779311&sr=8-1"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">here if you're in United States.</span></strong></a></p>Carrie™http://www.blogger.com/profile/03326682699231189746noreply@blogger.com14