Meatballs, 2 Ways

Spicy Meatball Subs
Gift exchange eats! My favorite way to make them is with ground veal, beef, pork and Italian sausage and simmered in a San Marzano tomato sauce.

Perfect for a party, you can make it ahead of time and just warm it on site. I pre-ordered Vietnamese baguettes from my fave banh mi shop on Kingsway, for this I prefer them over French baguettes because they're lighter, crispy and not as bready.

A little mizuna ( a green similar to arugula but slightly less peppery) fresh shaved parm and a warning from our hostess that she would kill anyone who drops a meatball on her large cream suede ottoman.

Spaghetti and Meatballs
The week before the party was actually where I got the idea for the subs. I was craving total comfort food and this is exactly what I wanted. A couple friends came over and thought we could catch a movie later on but I told them we had a surprise guest coming over. They said, tell em to come! I said we have to stay home, just wait!

Meet Rufio, I was puppy sitting! They were pretty enamored with the guest :)

You'd think he was the one that ate the pasta. The little guy pretty much slept the whole night.

Meatballs
Makes approx 45

1/2 white onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground chuck beef
1 lb ground veal
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb Italian sausage (ask butcher for this or buy sausage and remove casings)
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup fresh grated parmigiano reggiano (optional)
1/2 whole wheat panko bread crumbs, give or take
10 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
1/2 tsp chili flakes
s+p
*if paleo, omit water, cheese and bread crumb)

1. In a small pan saute onion and garlic until soft, let cool.
2. Mix together all 4 meats, add in onion and garlic, basil, chili flakes, s+p eggs and water, just till combined.
3. Preheat small pan with a little oil
4. Add in whole wheat panko, just enough until mixture comes together.
5. Take a bit of the ground meat mixture and form into a little patty, pan fry till done, taste and check for seasoning.
6. Form into golf ball size rounds. In a large pan with oil, fry until golden brown on all sides. Place in tomato sauce.

San Marzano Tomato Sauce
2-12 oz can San Marzano Whole Tomatoes
25 oz bottle of tomato puree
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp sugar (if needed)
s+p
6 fresh basil leaves, rough chopped

1. In a large pot, saute garlic until soft, add San Marzano tomatoes and puree. Slightly crush the whole tomatoes.
2. Season with chili flakes, sugar, s+p and basil. Let simmer.

Garlic, Lime, Cilantro Marinated Flank Steak

A couple of months ago I started something called Crossfit, it can be slightly intense and I've finally just stopped telling my mom about ripped hands, bruises and sore muscles (oh HI mom!) but it's wicked fun and very rewarding! Sometimes it's strange what your body craves but when your body craves something, there's usually a reason for it. A couple of months ago I started craving more meat, really RED MEAT. Braised shortribs, grilled porterhouse steak with fleur de sel, marinated flank. It slightly saddens me that I don't crave cookies as much anymore, what's going on here!?

I have so many friends who are intimidated to cook with meat, of any kind but I just want everyone to know that it can truly be easy and not intimidating in the least.

Which brings me to flank steak, a favorite of mine and in my opinion one of the most overlooked cuts that if cooked and prepared right, can rival even the most expensive cuts of beef. First it needs to be marinated, it's a pretty lean cut so it lacks flavor from fat. Second it should be cooked medium to medium-rare and third, it needs to be cut against the grain and thinly sliced. That's it, that's all and you're on your way to amazingness! (Huh why do I sound like an infomercial? ShamWOW!) but really, try it!

Garlic, Lime, Cilantro Marinated Flank Steak
1 2lb flank steak
2 limes (zest & juice)
1 handful fresh cilantro (stems included)
3 garlic cloves
1/8 cup olive oil
2 tbsp raw honey
1/2 tsp chili flakes
S+P to taste

* Grain on the flank is when you can see the fibers of the meat running in one direction (it is very visible on a flank steak)

1. Score the flank with 1/4" deep cuts with a knife, against the grain*
2. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a food processor or chopped finely and combined
3. Marinate meat for 4-6 hrs or up to 2 days. Can also be frozen at this point
4. If using the oven adjust rack to the very top, preheat to broil. If using bbq, preheat on high
5. Scrape off remaining marinade, for oven: place on a baking sheet that has a rack on top (I used
a metal cooling rack)
6. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side for medium rare (close oven door or bbq lid)
7. Let meat rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing
8. Slice against the grain and on a diagonal in thin slices.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Grape Mostarda

Summer is almost here and to me that means trips to the beach, frozen yogurt, beach picnics, gelato, summer festivals, frozen yogurt and did I mention gelato? One other thing that means summer to me is BBQ! My little hibachi has served me well. A good hot dog and hamburger is nice and all but there are so many other great foods you can throw on that bbq. I always grill a ton of veggies which also make great leftovers for paninis and cold salads (grilled leftover veg w/ brown rice penne pasta, fresh basil, lemon zest, goat cheese and aged balsamic come to mind!). This pork tenderloin (marinated in orange juice, thyme and garlic) takes no time on the bbq and the grape mostarda is a great healthier alternative to bbq sauce. It's not surprising that I like sweet on my savoury foods and this condiment has all the elements and balance of flavors (sweet, sour, spicy and garlicky) that go so well with grilled meat.

Grape Moustarda
2 ½ cups red grapes
½ large red onion, small dice
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp red chilli flakes
2 bay leaves
s+p t.t
splash red wine
flat leaf parsley

1. Saute onions, then garlic, add in red grapes, mash half of them, add Dijon, honey, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar and everything else. Reduce until right consistency.

Eats on the beach...

Mother's Day Breakfast: Thomas Haas Double Almond Croissant, Farmers Market Strawberries, Soft Boiled Egg

Dessert while watching the sunset (can you think of anything better!?): Panaderia Latina Bakery Tres Leches Cake, Dulce de Leche Custard Cream Cake, Alfajore (Shortbread Cookie filled w/ Dulce de Leche and rolled in Coconut) annd classy Pinot Grigio in a water bottle.

BC Spot Prawn Tacos with Mango Cucumber Salsa

This right here is one of the many reasons I love Vancouver! Last month was the BC Spot Prawn Festival where down by Granville Island you could try a sampling of spot prawns done in different ways by some of the great chefs in the city. You can also buy them fresh off the boat along the docks which is exactly what I did. These prawns are so ridiculously good on their own, I didn't want to do anything too extravagant with them and just being on the verge of summer I wanted to do something light with clean and fresh flavors. I know some might be thrown off by their beady bulging eyes and maybe I'm just used to it because at our big Chinese family dinners they would come head and all, steamed with garlic and everyone used to say that the best part is when you twist the head off and suck out the brains. Too much!? Okay maybe just avoid the picture below and focus on the end product! All I did with these sweet little prawns was a quick saute (and I mean quick, do not over cook these!) in a bit of garlic and olive oil. I threw together a refreshing mango cucumber salsa with a little red onion, jalapeno, fresh lime, cilantro, mint and a squeeze of agave syrup for a bit more sweetness and served it on a sprouted grain tortilla with a handful of spinach and thick yogurt ( my substitution for sour cream). Served with a side of crispy roasted yam coins and this meal was complete!

Can't get any more fresh then this

BC Spot Prawn Festival: You can see where we were in line, which curved all the way to the white tents

One of the choices, Crispy Prawn Head w/ mayo, Poached Prawn and Watermelon

Tasting plate at the B.C Spot Prawn Festival

Some Good ol Home Cookin

Last week I went home for a visit and before I left, was on the phone with my mom who told me that if I had any requests for any cooking of hers that I miss, to let her know. Some of my favorites include her French Onion Soup (she roasts the bones and makes the best beef stock ever) to her melt in your mouth Braised Bbq Beef on a Bun (with her own killer bbq sauce) to her Egg Rolls, Cha Siu Bao (steamed BBQ Pork Buns) and addicting Chiffon Cake and Bran Muffins. For some reason the one thing that came to mind right away was her Gai Gok Fan. Her Gai Gok Fan is basically sticky rice with chicken, Chinese mushrooms, lup cheong (Chinese sausage) and oyster sauce. I told her this and she said "Gai Gok Fan! That's what you waant!? Okaayy..." It is a bit of a strange request coming from me because growing up we usually ate traditional Chinese meals once or twice a week and even then I would say "Oh mom! Can't we have spaghetti?" I never really liked rice growing up with the exception of Congee (savory rice porridge) but its funny how your tastes change as you grow older, I find that all the things I used to dislike, I now love!

This meal consisted of:
-Gai Gok Fan (She made two versions, one with brown rice for my brother and me (my Dad won't touch it!). I ended up still liking the white rice version better.
-Corn Chicken Soup with Egg Ribbons and Green Onion
-Pea Shoots with Garlic
-Dace, a Salty Fish with Black Beans
-Crispy Tofu, with Carrot Flowers and Sugar Snap Peas, tossed in a mixture of soy sauce, whisky, sugar, chicken stock and cornstarch

*Side Note* There were two other things I requested when I got home: Her rice crispy squares and her puff wheat squares. I think I probably managed to consume a whole pans worth of them as they are ridiculously addicting! It's a good thing I only go home once in awhile. I know these classics really shouldn't be messed with but I am determined to find alternative healthier versions!

Short Rib Ragu w/ Pappardelle

I have this obsession with ragu, or maybe its just the thought of a cheap cut of meat that can be turned into melt in your mouth deliciousness. If there is any better comfort food than braised meat over fresh pasta or polenta on a rainy Vancouver day somebody better tell me! So far the best places I've had it have been Gastropod's beef ragu over tagliatelle and Campognolo's pork ragu over tagliarini. After a hunt for a great ragu I thought it was about time I made my own! I stopped off at Cioffi's Meat Market and Deli and picked up some short ribs (okay and maybe a stop at Italia Bakery for a zeppoli and cannoli or two). Even somebody who doesn't normally cook can't screw up braising meat! Longer you cook it, the more tender and fall off the bone it is. I guess thats why crockpots were invented!? I've seen many variations of braising short ribs but came up with my own concoction which included a little vino, fire roasted tomatoes and espresso powder, which added a nice rich depth of flavor to the sauce. After being braised for 2 1/2 hrs the result was a sauce which had reduced into the perfect consistency to coat the fall off the bone tender meat. Served over warm cheesy polenta or ribbons of chewy pasta, it's comfort food I tell ya.

Ready to be browned

I just moved into my new pad and this is the first real meal I've had a chance to prepare in my kitchen! Served with a salad of baby spinach, arugula, oven dried tomatoes, shaved parm and vincotto.

Short Rib Ragu (Serves 6-8)

3 1/2- 4lbs short ribs (flanken style)

2 small carrots (small dice)

2 celery ribs (small dice)

1 small white onion (small dice)

5 garlic cloves (finely chopped)

1 28 oz can fire roasted tomatoes ( or crushed tomatoes)

3 cups beef stock

1 cup red wine

2 tbsp espresso powder

2 tbsp tomato paste

3 bay leaves

5 sprigs fresh thyme (finely chopped)

agave syrup (or sugar) to taste

s+p

*flour and s+p for coating meat* (reserve 2 tbsp of any leftover flour)

1. Heat a pot on med-high with oil (I like grapeseed)

2. Coat short ribs in flour seasoned heavily with s+p

3. In batches, brown short ribs until dark golden brown on all sides. Remove from pot and place on a plate.

4. In the same pot saute onion, carrot and celery till soft. Add garlic, cook until soft. Add 2 tbsp of the leftover seasoned flour, cook off for 1 minute.

5. Add red wine, stir and let reduce down for 1 minute

6. Add tomatoes, beef stock and tomato paste and espresso powder. Throw in thyme and bay leaves.

7. Reduce heat to a simmer, put a lid on the pot and cook for 2-2 1/2 hrs or until meat starts to fall off the bone. (Stir or turn the meat over once or twice in between)

8. Take meat out, seperate the bones from the meat and any tough ligament that hasn't broken down. Gently use a fork to pull apart the meat, or if you like big chunks leave as is.

9. Skim off any fat that has risen to the top of the sauce. Discard bay leaves

10. If your sauce is too thick, add more stock. If your sauce is too thin, crank up the heat and reduce down to your liking. Add agave or sugar and s+p to taste.

11.Place meat back in sauce. Serve over pasta or polenta with plenty of parmigiano reggiano.

Italian Dinner Part 2: Primi of Lobster Crab Ravioli & Yam Chestnut Ravioli. Secondi-Veal Saltimbocca w/ Chanterelles

Lobster Crab Ravioli & Yam Chestnut Ravioli w/ Roasted Orange Bell Pepper Sauce, Peppercress, Fresh Ricotta and Tiger, Teardrop and Cherry Tomatoes

While I was at Bosa Foods I picked up some Lobster Crab Ravioli and Chestnut Yam Ravioli. I had just come from the Trout Lake Farmers Market where I picked up a humongo bag of orange bell peppers and knew just what to do with them when I saw the pasta. Make a sauce! The great thing about using vegetables for a sauce is once you puree it, you really only need to add a splash of cream to finish it off.

Trout Lake Farmers Market
$4.00 for a bag of the sweetest bell peppers ever

Veal Saltimbocca w/ fresh Chanterelles in a Garlic, White Wine Cream Sauce
Ack!...as you can see, little effort went into this plate presentation. At least it tasted good...!

Dolce

I had contemplated panna cotta and tiramisu but after menu planning the other three courses, time got the best of me! In the end I threw together ricotta cheese, local honey, Bernard Callebaut chocolate chips and topped it with crushed Amaretti Cookies.

Yellow Bell Pepper Sauce
10 orange bell peppers (or yellow or red)
1 small onion, fine diced
6 cloves garlic, fine diced
3 cups chicken broth (approx)
s+p t.t (to taste)
sugar t.t
1/4 cup cream (optional)

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. Toss peppers in oil and roast for 1hr or until evenly charred (turn peppers to help char evenly). Place peppers in a bowl and cover with saran wrap for 5 minutes. Discard the skin and seeds and roughly chop
3. In a pot sweat onion and garlic just until translucent. Add peppers and 1/2 of chicken stock. Using a hand blender or food processor puree mixture until smooth. Add enough remaining stock until it reaches consistency of a sauce. Season w/ s+p and sugar if needed. Finish with cream
*Note* Just add more chicken stock to make yellow bell pepper soup

Veal Saltimbocca w/ Fresh Chanterelles
2 pieces veal pounded thin (can ask your butcher or find it already ready in the meat section)
4 pieces prosciutto
4 fresh sage leaves
flour (for coating)
s+p
1 tbsp butter

1/2 lb fresh chanterelles
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup cream
s+p

1.Wrap 2 pieces of prosciutto around veal. Use a toothpick to secure the sage onto the veal, 2 pieces of sage/piece
2. Season flour with pepper.
3. Preheat pan on med-high with butter and a little olive oil
4. Coat veal in seasoned flour, dusting off any excess. Pan fry veal, sage side down and flip when the prosciutto starts to turn crispy
5. Repeat on other side, until prosciutto is crispy and golden brown. Let rest on a plate. Add a bit more butter or olive oil to pan.
6. Add chanterelles then garlic and saute for 2 minutes
7. Add wine, to deglaze the pan and scrape any bits that may be stuck to the bottom of pan. Let the alcohol evaporate and reduce down. Finish with cream and s+p.
8. Remove toothpicks from veal and serve with the chanterelles

Creamy Penne Pumpkin Alfredo with Swiss Chard and Garlic Chicken Sausage

Pumpkin Alfredo you ask?! l told you I was on a pumpkin kick and somehow pasta made it into the mix! I love alfredo sauce, how can you not like creamy garlicky goodness? But every time I see it on a menu I tend to stay away from it just because I know one dish of the stuff is probably enough for 2 days of my caloric intake as well it often leaves you with that oh so lovely stick to your ribs, can't breathe, need to put my sweatpants on immediately, I can't move from the couch feeling. Well I am telling you now I think I have found a worthy alternative! Pureed pumpkin and cottage cheese are the base for this creamy sauce and I know those two ingredients are probably at the bottom of everybody's food list (they used to be on mine) but it really works!! It's garlicky, cheesey, creamy and as an added bonus, loaded with antioxidants (beta carotene), Vit C, iron, fiber and much more! This sauce would also be great with chicken wrapped prosciutto, cannelloni, cauliflower and broccoli...tons of possibilities! Thanksgiving is coming up and I started thinking about how I could turn this into a Thanksgiving pasta....Pumpkin Penne Alfredo with Turkey Sausage, baked with a Sage Bread Crumb Topping (aka the "stuffing" component). This just may be what I will be eating seeing as I won't be with my fam this year for turkey dinner! Snff snff anyone in need of a extra guest at their table this year in Van? I know this great pasta dish I could bring...

Penne Pumpkin Alfredo with Garlic Chicken Sausage (Serves 4)
Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup pumpkin puree (butternut squash would work well too)
3 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp agave syrup (or sugar)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 onion, fine diced
3 garlic cloves
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
s+p

Garlic chicken sausage, roasted or pan fried (or any kind you like, chorizo would be good too)
Swiss Chard (lightly sauteed)
5 cups cooked whole wheat or brown rice penne
Fresh grated Parmigiano Regganio

1. In a food processor puree milk, cottage cheese, pumpkin puree and tomato paste.
2. In a pot sweat onion and garlic just till translucent. Add in pumpkin sauce and add sage, cayenne, agave and s+p to your taste. Heat just until warmed through (be careful as the sauce can break when it gets too hot due to the cottage cheese). If too thick add a bit of pasta water.
3. Toss together pasta, sauce, swiss chard and chicken and serve immediately

Coconut Macadamia Nut Crusted Salmon with Fruit Salsa and Banana Creme Fraiche

I've had this idea churning for awhile now and finally had a chance to try it out! So very summer and tropical, I think I'm trying to hold on to the last days of summer that seem to be slipping away! It first started out as a panko coconut crust which led me to add macadamia nuts into the mix. Thinking of something to make the crust stick to the salmon I came up with a wet rub of yellow curry paste, dijon and agave syrup. I also wanted a cool contrast to the salmon so I threw together a minted cilantro fruit salsa and if that wasn't enough, a banana "creme fraiche" which was really Greek yogurt with mashed banana. I swear I think this banana creme fraiche is a revelation..I just want to put it on everything (pancakes, peanut butter & honey quesadillas and South African curry come to mind) or just eat it by the spoonful! It sounds like alot of flavours for one dish but they really do work well together! As seen below is the complete meal which I served with a salad and of course bread, as a meal in my fam is not complete without it!

Coconut Macadamia Nut Crusted Salmon
1 fresh salmon fillet, pinbones removed, skin removed
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
3/4 cup shredded coconut (can use sweetened or unsweetened)
1/4 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
2 tbsp melted butter (optional)
1/4 cup yellow curry paste
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp agave syrup
s+p

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay salmon on baking sheet. Combine panko, coconut, melted butter and macadamia nuts in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine curry paste, dijon and agave. Spread over top of fish and season with salt and pepper. Evenly coat fish with coconut breadcrumb mixture and roast for 15-20 min (for medium doneness)

Fruit Salsa
You can really use whatever is fresh and available to you, this is what I had available:
1/2 cup cantaloupe, diced
1/2 cup mango, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1 lime, juiced
fresh cilantro, chopped
fresh mint, chopped
s+p
1. Combine all ingredients and chill in fridge.

Banana Creme Fraiche
1 ripe banana, mashed
2 cups Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt that has been strained)
1 tsp agave syrup
1 tsp lime juice
1. Combine all ingredients and chill in fridge.

Ratatouille: Layered and Baked with Goat Cheese and Bread Crumbs

Ahh I am reveling in the fact that I am DONE school! My brain and body have been so exhausted but what was one of the first things I wanted to do to celebrate? Cook of course! I was supposed to go out out downtown to celebrate but cancelled in favor of staying in to cook with good friends, good food and a bottle of wine! Here I go with the local again: local bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, onions, garlic, basil, goat cheese and a rustic country loaf from the Trout Farmers Market, as well some delish sausage from Oyama Sausage company on Granville Island. In the more non-traditional way we layered the veggies, made a chunky tomato bell pepper sauce and topped it with a feta, goat cheese bread crumb topping. Also don't forget that good crusty bread is KEY for mopping up all the saucy goodness. Such good comfort food I tell you! Oh and yea yea, make fun if you will but of course we watched Ratatouille while we cooked!

I flew back to Calgary today to visit the fam and loved this meal so much I had to make it again. Anybody that knows me knows I do not travel light...(this is where my pops reads this and shakes his head because he has sworn never to travel to Europe with my mom and I ever again! Possibly a contributing factor was the extra suitcase we had to buy in Italy for my aged balsamic, truffled honey, foie gras and olive oils?!) I swear I try, I really do mean to pack light...but this time I neeeded to bring this stuff home...! Yes, that meant I lugged home canned San Marzano tomatoes, wine from a local berry farm, fantastic rustic country bread and a baguette, heirloom tomatoes, purple carrots, zucchini, peaches, cherries, roasted hazelnuts, 49th parallel coffee and Oyama sausages. If you could have only seen me with my bags at the airport this morning and of course the damn siren went off because my suitcase was overweight! The Air Canada girl looked up at me, saw my alarmed face, took pity on me and let the bag keep on goin....Thank youuu Air Canada girl! You think I was going to a land with no food but seriously, B.C is where its at!
Above: zucchini layer of the Ratatouille

Below: round 2 of Ratatouille w/Oyama Sausage (lamb and date, lamb and feta and Italian pork and one of the reasons why my luggage was overweight including the ice packs I had to pack it with...)

Ratatouille
2 bell peppers (I used red and yellow)
1/2 onion
1 28 oz can whole tomatoes (I used San Marzano)
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade
1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
sugar (to taste)
1/2 tsp chili flakes
s+p (to taste)
2 zucchini, sliced
1 eggplant, sliced
1 small pkg goat cheese
1/2 cup feta
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2.In a pot saute onions until soft and translucent, add in bell peppers, cook till soft then add garlic. Add tomatoes and reduce down until it becomes thick. Add in basil and rosemary, season with s+p, chili flakes and sugar to your liking.
3. Layer starting with tomato bell pepper mixture,then eggplant, then zucchini then more sauce, repeat ending in sauce.
4. Sprinkle with feta and goat cheese then mix together parmesan and breadcrumbs and sprinkle on very top. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, approx 30-40 minutes. Serve hot, room temp or cold.

Pizza on the BBQ: Smoky BBQ Chicken & Pineapple and Three Cheese Veggie w/ Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce

Darnit! Here I go again! Why is blogging so much more fun than studying? Okay I know why, because I could talk about food 24/7. No joke, ask any one of my family or friends! People have dreams to fly, be invisible or go back in time, my dream would be to be able to eat everything and anything I possibly ever wanted and never gain a pound! Seriously.
Pizza on the barbecue!! Probably one of my most favorite things to make and eat ever, I feel like I say that about everything but I really mean it about this! So easy to make, once the dough is made and your sauce and toppings are prepped, you slap the dough on the grill and you'll be eating in less than 10 minutes. Quicker than delivery and so much tastier too. Toppings and sauce are key but I think its all about a good crust, none of that doughy bready crust, I like a nice chewy but crispy more thin crust. This version has all of that and also a touch of smokiness that comes from the bbq. I should mention this is the point when mid typing, I had to go to the kitchen and grab another slice of pizza from the fridge, just typing about it made me want some more! What's a girl to do with all this pizza? Well the reason I made extra was so I can eat this for the rest of the week and not have to worry about cooking when I should be studying ( oh wow that sounded like a poor excuse even as I wrote that! That has never stopped me from cooking before!). Actually I'm not so big on leftovers but this? I could eat every single day, it tastes great cold and freezes even better. Go heat up your grill now...I swear you won't want any other pizza after you taste this.


After the crust has been cooked on one side, flip it over, add sauce and toppings and close the lid to let the bottom cook and the cheese melt.

Pizza Dough (makes 2 large pizzas)
2 tsp yeast
1 cup plus 2 tablespoon warm water
3 cups bread flour or all purpose flour (I used 1/2 spelt, 1/2 white flour)
4 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus 2 tsp to grease the bowl you proof it in

1. Combine yeast, warm water and sugar, let sit 5-10 min till the yeast puffs up
2. Place yeast mixture in mixer, add olive oil and mix. (Start with paddle attachment), or if by hand, start with a spoon and then use
your hands to incorporate the rest.
3. Slowly add ½ the flour, add salt and add in the rest of the flour. Change to dough hook
4. Mix for 1 minute until dough comes together, might have to add a bit more flour, should be soft but not to sticky. Knead by hand for 20 seconds
5. Place in a bowl coated with the remaining oil, make sure to coat dough in oil as well, place saran wrap overtop and let proof (rise) for about 1 hr to 1½ hrs.

BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA
Pizza Dough recipe
Cornmeal
Olive oil
Sweet smoky bbq saucePineapple
Sliced Chicken, cooked (toss in BBQ sauce as well)
Thin Sliced Red Onion (optional)
Cilantro (optional garnish)
Aged Cheddar, gruyere (or any cheese you want)
Zucchini (optional)

1.Preheat bbq on high
2.Roll out dough until thin, can be odd shaped, coat both sides of dough with olive oil and cornmeal. Place on baking sheet
3.Place dough on grill and cover lid for 1-1 1/2 min, bottom side should have grill marks but not be completely burnt, flip dough over and cook the other side with bbq lid down. Dough is done when you can knock on it and it sounds hollow
4. If you're quick, add sauce and toppings and close the grill while the other side cooks OR take off the grill, place on foil lined cookie sheet, assemble pizza, place back on grill or hot oven until cheese is melted. Garnish with cilantro

3 Cheese Veggie w/ Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce
Aged Cheddar
Gruyere
Feta
Zucchini
Mushrooms
Pineapple

Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce
1 14.5oz can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
olive oil
3 cloves garlic
fresh basil, chiffonade
1. Saute garlic in olive oil, add tomatoes, let reduce down for 5 m in
2.Add in fresh basil
3.Proceed with same process as other pizza

Pear, Goat Cheese, Hazelnut Crusted Chicken over Farmers Market Fresh Greens

I was at the farmers market this morning trying to get an idea of what to make for dinner, thinking I haven't made a proper meal in a long time. All I seem to be eating lately are salads and what do I end up making? A salad! Granted, a bit more effort put in than usual. Instead of my usual seasoned chicken breast I opted for a chicken breast which I spread with pear jam (from France it is naturally sweetened with grape juice and soo good but any jam would be great), goat cheese and hazelnuts. Super simple, just shove it in the oven for 15 min at 350 and it's ready! Served over mixed greens (this time kale, beet greens, swiss chard etc) local zucchini, shredded carrot and green beans and you have a fab dinner worthy salad.

Pear, Goat Cheese, Hazelnut Crusted Chicken
1 chicken breast
1 tbsp pear jam (any jam will work, as goat cheese pairs nicely with all
fruit!)
2 tbsp crumbled goat cheese
3 tbsp roasted hazelnuts, chopped (or any nut you like, pistachio, almond
etc)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using a heavy pot or the flat side of a meat tenderizer, pound chicken until it is even thickness. (Can also butterfly chicken)
2. Spread jam on one side of chicken, sprinkle on goat cheese and top with nuts pressing down so it sticks.
3. Bake for 15 min or until done.
*Serve over your favorite mixed greens, veggies and dressing

Not shown, is the dressing I put on after, my healthier rendition of a creamy dressing:

Creamy Raspberry Dill Buttermilk Dressing
1 cup plain yogurt that has been strained to thicken (or Greek yogurt)
2 tbsp buttermilk
2 tbsp raspberry vinegar
1 tbsp agave nectar (or honey)
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/2 clove garlic, minced
s+p
1. Combine all together and chill in fridge.

Loaded Spicy Veggie Walnut Burger

Geez! Two veggie sandwich posts in a row? I swear I'm not becoming a vegetarian...these sandwiches just taste fab! This would be round 2 for me on an attempt of a veggie burger, this time a success! I finally got the right consistency for the patty, it holds together and gets nice and crispy when pan fried. What's this burger loaded with? I could have continued adding more things onto the burger but it was hard enough to take a bite as it was! The spicy chickpea walnut based burger was topped with a roasted portobello mushroom, fresh spinach, tomatoes, caramelized onions and a roasted red bell pepper and basil aioli. Yum yum I have two that I froze for another day, those just might be saved for my bbq which I have yet to use!

Spicy Veggie Walnut Burgers

1 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 parsnip, grated

1 small yam, grated (yield approx 1 cup)

2 green onions, chopped

1/4 onion, fine diced

6 cloves garlic, fine diced

12 white button mushrooms, chopped

1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

1/4 cup walnuts

1/8 cup chili garlic sauce

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp montreal steak spice

2 eggs

1/2-1 cup breadcrumbs (explained below)

s+p

4 whole wheat buns

1. Using a potato masher, mash chickpeas until it becomes a chunky paste.

2. In a pan saute garlic, onions and mushrooms, let cool and combine with chickpeas.

3. Add all the rest of the ingredients in, except for breadcrumbs.

4. When well combined slowly add in bread crumbs until mixture comes together and is no longer moist. Form into patties and set in fridge, preferably for atleast 30 minutes

5. Heat oil in a pan and pan fry until golden and crispy on each side

Condiments:

Fresh Spinach

2 Firm Tomatoes

Caramelized onions (the quick way)

1 large Vidalia onion, thinly sliced

s+p

sugar (optional)

1. Heat a pan on high with oil, add in onions and spread out evenly in pan. Only stir when you see the onions start to go brown, lower heat a bit and saute until caramelized. Season with s+p and if for some reason the onion isn't sweet enough, add a pinch of sugar

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

4 portobello mushrooms, stems and gills removed

Oil

Montreal Steak spice

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss portobello's in oil, steak spice and garlic. Roast for 12 min or until portobellos turn slightly soft.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Basil Aioli

1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or regular yogurt that has been strained)

3 tbsp roasted red bell pepper spread (or pureed, roasted red bell peppers)

1 clove garlic

3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

1. Combine all ingredients and let sit in fridge.

Do you know what this is?

Do you know what this is? I didn't! I saw them at my local farmers market and found out they are garlic scapes! I love finding something new I've never seen before and making a dish out of it. Tonight's dinner was a pasta primavera, with most of the ingredients found at the farmers market. Fresh made spelt pasta, amazing tomatoes, local zucchini and the garlic scapes. I tasted the garlic scapes raw and it had a very strong garlic flavor, but after sauteing them the flavor mellowed out and I found they were like a crunchy green bean with a hint of garlic, delish! A challenge for you this week is to try something new that you've never tried before. Who knows, you might just like it!

Pasta Primavera

1 bottle pureed tomatoes
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
1/4 onion, fine diced
fresh basil, chiffonade
pinch of sugar
s+p
1 /2 zucchini
2 cups sliced button mushrooms
1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved
1 bunch garlic scapes, chopped (optional)
favorite pasta
fresh parmesan

1. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil till soft. Add in tomato puree, sugar to taste, s+p and fresh basil. Let simmer
2. In a pan saute zucchini, garlic scapes and mushrooms. Add in cherry tomatoes at the last minute just to warm through.
3. Boil pasta till al dente, strain out water and place back on stove.
4. Add a couple ladles of tomato sauce, just until pasta is coated, add in veggies.
5. Grate fresh parm over top.

Birthday Dinner: Hoisin Baked Trout w/ Lemon and Leeks, Wild Rice and Roasted Asparagus

Can you see where I get my love of food from? My ma! Now I can’t take credit for this dinner because this is my mom’s cooking! Ok, I did give her the idea for a hoisin glaze which she ran with and made her own and even then, I can’t even take credit because I got the idea from Dinner with Julie’s salmon rendition! When I was in town for mother’s day we also celebrated my birthday. Why is it there’s nothing like a home cooked meal made by mom? A trip home was just what I needed!

Hoisin Glazed Salmon
Hoisin Sauce
Sesame Oil
Chili flakes
Black Pepper
Warm Water

1 Salmon fillet
Leeks, sliced
1 Lemon, sliced


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine sauce ingredients to your taste and add enough warm water till you have sauce consistency.
2. On a lined baking sheet sprinkle leeks and lemon on the bottom and salmon fillet on top, skin side down. Top with hoisin glaze and bake for 20-25 min or until just cooked.

To Market To Market: Farmers Market Fresh Salad & Local Italian Pork Sausage

I flew back to Calgary this weekend and one of the first stops I always try and make is to the Calgary's farmers market. I don’t think I realized what great local products we have. From the local organic Italian pork sausage from Sunworks Farm to Sylvan Star’s gouda and gruyere cheese, these products are fantastic! My school course at the moment is called Eco-Nutrition and we are learning about the benefits of eating local and organic. I know I know, you hear it all the time, local, organic…but what does it really mean? Organic meaning free of pesticides, chemicals etc, local being products made, grown or produced near your area. When I first started school I even snubbed the idea of local and organic because I didn’t quite understand what it meant. An apples an apple right? I was wrong! I truly understood what it meant when last year at one of the Vancouver farmer’s market I tasted the crispiest sweetest apple, the ripest juiciest pear you could ever imagine and a tomato that tasted like a TOMATO. Sweet as candy I had never tasted anything like it, I can’t even tell you, it was outrageous! I literally had my paper bag of sungold cherry tomatoes and walked around popping them in my mouth like candy. I won’t preach because I rolled my eyes every time I heard “organic” at first, but the proof is in the product. What could be better then an apple picked fresh off the tree and sold to you days later? I can definitely taste the difference between that and a waxy apple that has been sprayed with chemicals, picked unripened and then gassed to ripen, sent across the country and sold to you a month later. I must admit I don’t eat local and organic all the time, but I definitely appreciate my food a lot more when I do! Today’s dinner incorporated products I found at the Calgary farmer’s market, from the Italian sausage to the whole grain baguette to the beets, apples and green beans, it was a nice light meal that would be perfect for those hot summer nights.

Sun gold cherry tomatoes from last years Vancouver's Trout Lake farmers market. I can hardly wait, next week is when Vancouver's farmers markets start to make their appearances!

Farmers Market Fresh Salad
Favorite greens (spring mix, spinach, baby romaine)
Shredded raw beet
Shredded raw carrot
Green beans, blanched
Apple, julienne
Avocado, diced
Feta, crumbled
Walnuts
Favorite vinaigrette (I used my fave homemade red wine garlic dijon dressing)

Salsa Fest: BBQ Chicken Quesadilla with Mango Avocado Lime Salsa

Every year in Calgary they have a summer event called the Sun and Salsa Festival where stores along the Kensington area participate by making their own versions of salsa for people to try as well as vote for their favorite. I helped participate in it when I was working at Crave at the time and man did I learn a lesson the hard way…! I was helping fine dice a massive amount of jalapenos needed for the salsa (I’m talking a huge buckets worth) and started off wearing rubber gloves, but they were getting in my way, so I took them off so I could chop faster. 10 minutes later I said to a colleague who was helping, boy my hand feels funny, how bout yours? She replied, yea it’s feeling a bit tingly…we finished and started cleaning up and by then the tingling turned into burning! We tried scrubbing with salt, soap and water (which of course made it worse, letting the oils from the peppers spread even more!) then I remembered you're supposed to drink milk if you eat something spicy so we tried dunking our hands in a cup of milk, well that didn’t work! Driving home it felt like my hand was on fire and by night I was sitting in a drop in clinic to see what the doctor could do for me. (I swear I usually have a high tolerance for pain!). Have you ever ate something so damn hot there’s nothing you can do but wait it out? Well that’s what he told me I had to do, just waait it out…2 days later the burning went away!! All I can say is at least we won that darn contest!! (Okay to counter my stupidity I have chopped jalapenos before with no side effects, just not a big buckets worth!). Last nights dinner involved a different salsa, more of a sweet salsa using mango's and avocado's that I thought would pair well with a BBQ chicken quesadilla using ground flax seed tortillas, "sour cream" aka thickened plain yogurt and a mixed field green salad with feta, toasted pecans and a raspberry vinaigrette. Careful with those jalapenos!


BBQ Chicken Quesadilla with Mango Avocado Lime Salsa

2 ground flax seed soft tortilla

1 chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces

1 cup fresh corn kernels (or canned)

1/2 red pepper, diced

3 green onions

1/4 cup favorite bbq sauce

1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1.Saute chicken until almost cooked through, add in red peppers and cook until softened. Take off heat and add green onions and bbq sauce.
2. In a pan add a little oil and heat on med-low. Place tortilla in pan and on 1/2 the tortilla place chicken mixture and cheese. Fold over. Pan fry until golden and flip and crisp the other side. Serve warm

Mango Avocado Lime Salsa
1 mango, small dice
1 avocado, small dice
3 tbsp onion (red or white), small dice
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juice only
2 tsp honey
1/2 jalapeno (optional)
1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder (optional, but adds a bit of smokiness)
s+p

Sour Cream
3 cups plain yogurt

1.Place yogurt in a strainer that has been lined with paper towel or a coffee filter and place over a bowl.
2.Let sit in the fridge to drain the liquid and become thick, at least 1 hr.

Go Fish: Crispy Halibut Fish Burger with Lemon Dill Tartar Sauce

The title is fitting because that is exactly what I did! I went to Go Fish for lunch today. Go Fish is a little fish shack located right near Granville Island and with only outdoor seating, it is best to go when the sun is shining so you can sit out over the dock. I was supposed to go down to Granville Island Market to the fish vendor and pick up some halibut for dinner tonight but of course I got a little sidetracked with thoughts of the salmon tacone and had to go get one. While finishing it I thought, do I really want fish again for dinner tonight? ( yea that’s me, already thinking of my next meal, while still eating the meal before it!) but then I remembered the plain yogurt I had straining in the fridge being thickened, for my healthy version of a tartar sauce. So off to the market I went! Lately I have been trying to do a healthy twist on foods that I love so this is my version of a fish burger, a whole grain bun instead of a white bun, breaded, pan fried and finished in the oven crispy halibut instead of deep fried battered halibut and tartar sauce made with thickened yogurt instead of mayonnaise. As you can see from the picture I looove tartar sauce and now I don't have to feel guilty about using so much!

Crispy Halibut Fish Burger with Lemon Dill Tartar Sauce
(for 1 person)
1 whole grain bun
1 tomato
1 handful mixed greens
1 halibut filet
1/4 cup whole grain flour
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
s+p

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and preheat small frying pan with a little oil in it. Mix together egg and milk and season flour and bread crumbs with salt and pepper.

2. Dredge halibut in flour, then egg wash then bread crumbs. Pan fry on both sides until golden brown finish in the oven until done, about 5-6 min depending on thickness of filet.

Lemon Dill Tartar sauce
3 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/2 cup sweet pickles, diced
3 tbsp capers, chopped
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 clove garlic
s+p

1.To thicken yogurt place a strainer with paper towel over a bowl, place yogurt in strainer and set in fridge for atleast 1 hr or more.
2.Combine ingredients together with thickened yogurt and chill in fridge.

Wrap and Roll: Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Why do things always taste so good wrapped up? Puff pastry, filo, pita, tortilla, flat breads and the guilt free of them all, crisp iceberg lettuce! When you've had a long day the last thing most people want to do is be in the kitchen but that's exactly what I love, I miss using my knives, I don't get to cook as much as I used to so anytime I can pick up my knife and start chopping is relaxing to me. This dish requires a bit more mise en place(meaning everything in it's place/getting your ingredients set up) but that's what I love about it! It's so satisfying having everything all ready so you can just throw it in a pan. I'll list the veggies I used but you can really use anything you like or whatever is in your fridge. The picture below is not only the mise en place for the wraps but also a soup I was making for the week to have on hand, another rendition of the roasted red pepper soup I made previously, this time using San Marzano tomatoes and a splash of vinegar.
Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Wraps
2 chicken breast, diced into bite size cubes
1 red bell pepper, julienne
2 baby bok choy, sliced
1 carrot, thin strips (use a peeler)
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 cups, button mushrooms, sliced
1/2 zucchini, sliced on bias
2 bunches green onion, sliced on bias
1 bunch cilantro (stems removed)
3 cloves garlic, fine diced
1 tbsp ginger, grated
1 cup hoisin sauce thinned with 1/4 cup hot water
1 tsp chili flakes
peanuts (optional)
3 cups cooked vermicelli noodles (chilled)
1 head iceberg lettuce, chilled

1. In a bit of oil saute chicken until cooked, remove and toss in celery, red
bell pepper, carrot, celery and mushrooms, saute until slightly softened then add garlic and ginger.
2. Add zucchini, bok choy, green onions and chili flakes, saute until soft.
3. Fold in hoisin sauce into veggies and toss in cilantro.
4. Top with peanuts and serve with chilled vermicelli noodles and iceberg lettuce.

Figuring this whole blog thing out...: Cornbread with Sweet Strawberry Butter & Lamb Burgers with Apple Fennel Slaw

So this is my first blog ever, and I feared if I started one I would spend way too much time on it! I havn't yet decided if it will be mostly restaurant reviews and pictures of what I've eaten or my food creations...I'm thinking a little of both so we will see how it goes! As for my blog name, it's so true, I always have room for dessert! Although this blog won't be all about desserts....For now I have posted last week's creations I made for a potluck dinner. Cornbread with sweet strawberry butter and lamb burgers topped with apple fennel slaw and cranberry mayo.













Cornbread
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup canola oil
3 cups flour
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup cornmeal

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream eggs and sugar together, add oil, mix all dry ingredients together and add to wet mixture.
2.Bake in a greased 9 x 14 pan for 40 min or until toothpick comes out clean.

Sweet Strawberry Butter
1 cup fresh strawberries
1 tbsp strawberry jam (if strawberries arent very ripe)
1 cup salted butter, softened(I like the contrast of the saltiness with sweet)
1/4 cup icing sugar
1.In a food processor puree strawberries and strawberry jam, in a mixer beat the softened butter, strawberry puree and icing sugar, if butter mixture is still to wet add a bit more icing sugar.

Lamb Burgers
8 whole wheat buns
Handful mixed greens
2 lb ground lamb
1 small onion, fine diced
3 clove garlic, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, fine diced
3 tbsp fresh oregano
1 egg
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup feta, crumbled
1 tbsp montreal steak spice
s+p
1.Saute onion, garlic, red pepper just till soft. Let cool. Combine ground lamb, feta, egg, montreal steak spice, pepper and cooled onion garlic mixture.
2.Make a toonie size patty, pan fry in the same skillet from onion mixture, taste and check for seasoning (depending on the saltiness of your feta, may need salt). Form into pattys, bbq or pan fry.

Apple Fennel Slaw/Cranberry Mayo
1 bulb fennel, thinly julienned, reserve fennel tips
2 gala apples, thinly julienned
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1 tbsp white vinegar
s+p
1.Mix together Cranberry and Mayo, reserve some to spread on the bun.
2.To the rest, add the vinegar, s+p and toss with fennel and apples and fennel tips.