Scallops in a Curry Sauce

Scallops In a Curry Mustard Sauce

1 pound of scallops

3 tablespoons flour

salt and pepper

olive oil

butter

2 cloves of garlic

2 chipillini onions minced

1/2 cup white wine

1/4 cup cream

2 tablespoons yellow Thai curry

salt and pepper

1 ripe pear or apple sliced

sprinkle of cinnamon

Bake apples or pear sliced in oven at 350 until soft.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  In a large frying pan heat olive oil and butter.  Meanwhile coat the Scallops in flour, then coat with salt and pepper.  Place scallops in pan, and cook until browned, then turn.  In a small sauce pan sautée onions and garlic until onions clear, add a sprinkle of flour to thicken.  Add wine and allow to cook down.  Add the thick cream and Thai Yellow curry until thick.  Pour over Scallops and allow to simmer together for a few minutes.  On a plate place a slice of baked apple, then place scallops on top and drizzle curry sauce over top.

Pear, almond salad with tangy Mustard dressing

Pear Almond Salad

mixed organic greens

peppercorn goat cheese

1 ripe pear peeled and sliced

1/2 red onion

1/2 cup almonds sliced

1/2 cup of Chardonnay

1 teaspoon brown sugar

a sprinkle of cinnamon

In a frying pan, dry roast 1/c cup of sliced blanched almonds.  When slightly browned at 1/2 cup Chardonnay, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Cook until all liquid is gone and almonds crispy.  In a salad bowl mix together lettuce, some peppercorn goat cheese, sliced ripe pear, red onion, and top with toasted almonds.

Tangy Mustard Salad Dressing

2/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

a splash of white balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey mustard

salt and pepper to taste

mix and serve

roasted potatoes

Last night I made fillet Mignon along with roasted potatoes.  The fillet was peppercorn which I bought at my local speciality food shop.  I was sad last week when I discovered that my butcher European meats was closed and moved to a new location.  Which is not within walking distance.  As a true Torontian I have no car and have reduced my carbon footprint.


My roasted potatoes


1 pound of new potatoes washed and cut in half 
olive oil
3 cipollini onions minced
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon herb de Provence
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
sprinkle with chilli powder


I bought little red skinned potatoes, I cut in half and boiled for 10 minutes, drained and placed on a cookie sheet with the spices and olive oil and baked at 350 for 30 minutes stirring occasion till nicely roasted.

Clean out fridge soup

Sorry guys, last week I was at a conference and was busy and didn't have a chance to post...Last night I was so excited to cook, I forgot to take pictures of parts of the meal.
Last night I made clean out the fridge soup which I then baked in the oven with havarti cheese on top, it was amazing


Clean out Fridge Soup


1 sweet potato
2 tomatoes
1 potato cubed
1 large onion
1 carrot
herb de Provence
Chicken broth
2 cups of white wine
half a zucchini
salt
pepper
chili powder
havarti cheese


I used my itch oven and started with a little olive oil, added the onion, and sweet potato which I sautéed until clear, then I added 2 cups of white wine, the chicken broth, 1 teaspoon herb de Provence, chili powder, the tomatoes and potatoes and the zucchini. I cooked for 5 hours on the stove and then served into French onion soup bowls and baked in the oven for 15 minutes until cheese was golden brown.

Fried Sweet Potatoes with Zucchini with havarti cheese ...Asparagus

So along with the slow baked salmon I also slow baked the asparagus.  In a casserole dish I placed the asparagus with soya sauce and maple syrup salt and pepper...was so tender.

Then I made Sweet Potatoes with Zucchini an onions


-butter or olive oil
-1 medium sweet potato thinly sliced like coins  
-1 medium onion sliced
-1 medium zucchini sliced thinly like coins
-1/2 cup white wine
-1 tablespoon soya sauce
-1 teaspoon herb de provence
-pepper to taste
-1/2 cup havarti cheese


Melt butter or olive oil in frying pan. Add onion and sweet potatoes, stirring often to prevent sticking.  Once the are starting to get browned add zucchini, cook for a bit, once zucchini a little cooked at white wine and soya sauce, herb de Provence and pepper, attempt to removed flavour from bottom of pan...once it is cook thoroughly, top with havarti cheese and serve.  Or you can then place in a dish add the cheese and bake till golden brown.


Prep time 5 minutes
Cooking time 20-25 minutes depending on stove
if bake add 10 minutes to bake in oven
serves 4

Slow baked Salmon in a rum mustard maple glaze

I had a friend (a former colleague) and  her son over for dinner tonight, she brought dessert and helped with dishes...woot woot.

So I have heard about slow baking salmon at 250 for 30 minutes, so tonight was the night to try it...it was incredible and has an amazing texture and flavour.


Tonight's Slow Baked Salmon, in a rum mustard maple glaze


-1 oz rum
-1 tablespoon maple syrup
-juice of half a lemon
-1 tablespoon dijon mustard
-1 tablespoon honey mustard
-1 tablespoon tamari soya sauce
-1 teaspoon hot sauce
-1 medium scallion chopped

I mixed together.  I placed olive oil on salmon skin so it doesn't stick.  Then I placed salmon skin down in a casserole dish and covered with mixture.  I baked for 35 minutes...it was incredible.

Mussels for dinner

So....tonight was a learning experience indeed....I have never ever tastes or cooked mussels before.  I read about mussels, I talked to my brother in law the chef and I came up with a recipe.  It was a learning experience.  Thank you to my east coast friend who helped guide me in terms of whether they were cooked or not.  My kids both tasted the mussels and were not fans, interesting textures.  I read on the internet about how to store, how to cook, I looked at different recipes too.  I created a recipe that was fantastic using the inspiration of others.  It took a few times before actually having the mussels cooked properly, my friend who is always very critical of my cooking was dining with me and is also a seafood lover.  Which means I will know if the recipe is good and if I cooked it well.  


Teresa's Mussel Marathon in a curried coconut lime ginger soup


-6 pounds of mussels, washed, and scrubbed
-1 onion minced
-3 cloves of garlic chopped
-3 tablespoons ginger grated
-5 lime leaves
-3 tablespoons thai curry (yellow)
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 cup white wine
-juice and zest of of 2-3 key limes
-pepper
-2 tablespoons soya sauce 
-pepper to taste
-cilantro and green onions to garnish


I started by a little butter in my Dutch oven, I sautéed an onion in the butter until soft, I added garlic and grated ginger.  I added a can of coconut milk, lime leaves and the juice and zest of 3 key limes.  Soy sauce was added about 3 tablespoons of Thai yellow curry, chili powder and wine and I allowed to simmer on low for an hour.  In the sink I washed and scrubbed my mussels.  I let the soak for 20 minutes before scrubbing. I turned the mixture up high and allowed to boil, I added the mussels.  (I cooked for 10 minutes and realized that medium heat was not high enough and that is why I recommended high heat)  You need to make sure that you discard any shells that did not open up and also when cleaning get rid of broken or damaged shells.  The mussels also added a great deal of broth.  I also realize that I should have cooked the mussels in smaller batches.  The meal was amazing, we had our fill and were satisfied


Life is about these moments, where we overcome our fear of new experiences and realize that we are better for the experience.  I want to say thank you to my friend for his patience and criticism as he has helped me to develop my cooking, encouraging me to take risks and to have new experiences with me and to help foster my love of cooking...not to mention the conversation and wine.

Coconut curried mussel soup

So, never have I had mussels.  I have 2 brother in laws that are chefs, I want to make like a thai curried mussel soup and they felt it would be a  good combination.  So tonight is going to be a huge surprise.  I am hoping (after going to my fish monger) and buying 6 pounds of mussels that I like them.  I am also going to serve my avocado pomegranate spinach salad.  Looking forward to tonight's dinner.

Mussels?

I have a friend coming for dinner tonight and I am having trouble deciding what to cook.  I will walk over to Kensington to do my shopping.  The thing is with this particular friend, I feel as if I can take bigger risks with what I cook.  I have never had mussels before and am thinking tonight might be the night.  How ever I have also been thinking about scallops and filet mignon. I will go shopping and decide.  I only started eating sea food in December of last year...stay tuned for the adventures in my kitchen

Pomegranate and Avocado Salad

Pomegranate and Avocado Salad

Tonight I made an incredibly fresh salad.  In fact it was incredible that I had to eat the whole

bowl of salad.  The fresh key lime on top of the avocado mixed with the tartness

of the pomegranate, the fresh spinach and the amazing mustard dressing.

-spinach

-avocado

-1/2 pomegranate

-carrots

-purple onions

-the juice of 2 key lime 

-salt and pepper

-Place baby spinach in a bowl, add chopped carrot and onion.

Remove seeds from pomegranate and place on top of salad.

In small bowl cut up avocado, dash with salt and pepper and the juice

of 2 key limes.

Mustard Dressing 

-1/4 cup olive oil 

-1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
-2 tablespoons maple syrup

-1 tablespoon smoked mustard

-1 tablespoon maple mustard

-1 tablespoon dijon mustard

-salt and pepper

mix together in a measuring cup...I taste as I go and add more

or less, accordingly.  This is a thick dressing and it was incredible with the 

lime juice, the pomegranate and the avocado.

Was a treat for my taste buds.  

Tomato and Hot Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

Good evening,


Tonight I was expecting a friend for dinner, however she cancelled.  I have had a tomato sauce cooking all day with onion, hot Italian sausage, tomatoes and roasted red peppers.  I made rotini noodles, covered them with the sauce.  Then I covered the pasta and sauce with amazing assortment of cheeses...

Tonight's Sauce


-2 pounds roma tomatoes, peeled
-1 onions chopped
-2 cloves of garlic minced
-3 roasted red peppers from a jar
-4 hot Italian Sausages, casing removed (from the Healthy Butcher)




-in a sauce pan place roma tomatoes peeled, (I blanch them).  Then add hot Italian Sausage with casing removed, and onions.  allow to simmer all day.  I boiled pasta and placed in a casserole dish, I covered with the sauce and placed grated mozzarella cheese, and then I used up some taco cheese mix.  I placed in the over for 30 minutes and then on broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese

Home made Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo Sauce

5 tablespoons butter
1 onions finely chopped

4-5 garlic minced

4 tablespoons flour
1 cup cream (or half and half or milk)
1 cup veggie broth
1 cup shredded Mozzarella
1/2 cup Parmaggiano Reggiano or plain Parmesan cheese
1/4 white wine
salt and pepper

Melt 1 tablespoon butter and sweat onions and garlic.  Remove and add 4 tablespoons butter.  Add flour. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to cook flour. Add cream and broth all at once and stir. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth.

Delicious and fairly quick and easy.

Last night I used jar sauce, this recipe allows you to know what is in your food.  I like to add curry to my Alfredo sauce and chili powder.  I just love the flavour combination.

Curried Alfredo Sauce with Artichoke Hearts and Roasted Red Peppers

Alfredo Sauce with Artichoke Hearts and Roasted Red Peppers


-1 jar of artichoke hearts (drained)
-1/2 jar of roasted red peppers (drained)
-1 onion chopped
-1 portebello mushroom (tonight i didn't have)
-1 jar of Pre-made Alfredo (was in a rush)
-1 tablespoon curry powder
-1/2 teaspoon chili powder
-fresh lemon


-in a frying pan I fried chopped onions with a small amount of olive oil, if I had mushrooms would have added at this point.  Once the onions were cooked and translucent I added the roasted red peppers, the artichoke hearts, I allowed them to cook and using a wooden spoon I chopped them up while cooking into bit size pieces.  I then poured in the Alfredo sauce, to ensure all the sauce was out of jar I add milk to it and shake it.  I let it simmer for a while and then I added the curry and chili powder.  I served with the pan fried chicken and just before I ate my plate I used a little fresh lemon which adds freshness and cuts the fat.  

Pan fried Chicken

A beautiful sunny in Toronto.  A quick dinner tonight as I have a meeting tonight.  I popped into the Healthy Butcher on Queen Street and purchased chicken breasts and hot Italian sausage.  I pan fried the chicken breast and made Alfredo sauce before heading out to my kids school meeting.  In a matter of 20 minutes, we had a delicious meal.

Pan Fried Chicken


-1 chicken breast
-small amount of oil or butter
-herb de provence (i just sprinkle it on chicken)
-salt and pepper
-fresh lemon juice 
-1/2 cup white wine

On medium high heat cook chicken breast in oil or butter.  sprinkle spices on chicken and add lemon juice and wine.  Allow to cook on first side for about 8-10 minutes.  When chicken no longer is sticking to pan turn it over.  You may cover it.  Keep adding wine if you find that the liquid is cooking off.  On a side note, when cooking with wine the alcohol cooks off and you can feed this to children.

"Those who have no time for healthy eating

will sooner or later have to find time

for illness." – Edward Stanley

Pineapple Rice

Pineapple Rice

 

 (this picture is an old one of my pineapple rice, I forgot to take picture)

Ingredients:

3 cups basmati rice

1 ½ cups fresh pineapple in tidbits

2 green onions minced

2 small red chili peppers chopped

¼ cup cilantro chopped coarsly

2 tablespoons of coconut oil

2 cloves of garlic chopped

2 tablespoon tamari soya sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

Prepare basmati rice as per package set aside, in a bowl mix together fresh pineapple, onions, chili peppers, and cilantro. 

Heat coconut oil in frying pan, add garlic, cook until browned.  Add rice and soya sauce stir until rice coated with soya sauce.  Add the pineapple mixture with the teaspoon of sugar, heat and serve.

Berry Baked Brie

 I had left my camera at my parent's place.  The Brie was delicious.  See yesterdays post 

for  recipe.  It was sweet and tart, and gooey.  

Berry Baked Brie

Tonight for dinner I am on my way to visit my parents.  My Aunt who has multiple allergies is going to be there.  I am making a baked Brie.  My favourite baked Brie has pears, which I cannot make today.  So off to the store to discover a fruit choice to make my baked Brie.  

Teresa's Berry Baked Brie

1 Brie (I love the goat Brie)

4 large strawberries chopped up small

1 handful of blueberries

1 handful of raspberries

the juice and zest of 1 lime

1/2 cup white wine

3 tablespoons brown sugar

the juice of half a lemon and zest

In a large frying pan add fruit, wine, brown sugar.  Simmer.

Allow the fruit to reduce and add the lime and lemon juice and the zest

of both lime and lemon.

In a Brie baker or a French Onion Soup bowl

Cut Brie in half top with fruit add top portion of Brie, top with fruit.

Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until rind

s soft.  Serve with bread, pitas, or crackers.

Today it is being served with a baguette.

Red curried lentil vegetable curry

Vegetarian Dinner

Tonight my friend came over that is a vegetarian, she however eats fish.  I was a veggie for about 8 years, so it is fairly easy for me to make up a meal.  I wasn't expecting her, so this dinner was on the fly.  I decided to make the same tuna salad I made the other day, the almond brittle tuna salad with apples tonight instead of pears. It turned out amazing.  I then  also made a curried red lentil red curry with veggies served over brown rice noodles.  She was full.s able to get enough protein from this meal, almonds, goat cheese and tuna in the salad, and lentils in the curry.  As a former vegetarian it can be so difficult to get all the protein that is required in a lot of meals.  Remember when cooking for a vegetarian they need protein to keep 

 Amazing Tuna salad with almond brittle, peppercorn goat cheese and roasted apples.

(see my recipe from April 2nd)

 This is the red lentil red curried vegetables

Red Curried Red Lentils


-1 cup red lentils (rinsed)
-2 cups vegetable broth


Wash red lentils in water until water clear.  Add the vegetable broth and start to boil on medium high heat.  


-1 medium large onion chopped
-sweet potatoes chopped in coins
-2 cloves of garlic
-3 carrots chopped
-2 celery stocks
-1 can coconut milk
-red curry paste
-broth
-juice of  1 lime
-cilantro
(can of pineapples optional)
-lemon grass
-lime leaves 




-In a frying pan a splash of olive oil, add onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, cook until browned.  Add coconut milk, 1 cup veggies broth, red curry paste, juice of a lime, 1 tablespoon lemon grass chopped
lime leaves and can of pineapple and simmer.  Add the cooked lentils and allow to cook for a half an hour, serve over rice, rice noodles of quinoa.

Vegetarian dinner tonight

I have a friend coming over tonight and she is a vegetarian, so I need to come up with a vegetarian dinner...lentils, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots...I wonder what I will create tonight....stay tuned.

Chicken Wings

hello, another sunny day in Toronto. I decided to make chicken wings for dinner with fresh veggies and sweet potatoes pan fried.  It is so easy...I never realized how simple things are to make.  During dinner I looked up and there was utter silence, my friend who lives in the building was over for a quick break from studying, and my two daughters 4 and 6 were quiet and eating.  There was no fighting or screaming or yelling, there were four people enjoying home made food.  I love these moments.  In the past few months there has been less and less challenges with dinner, the kids are trying new things and I am enjoying the ability to experiment in the kitchen.

 Sweet Potatoes


-2 tablespoon olive oil
-1 purple onions chopped
-chili powder
-garlic
-white wine
-parmesan cheese
-sweet potatoes


In a frying pan on medium heat, I added olive oil, onion and sweet potatoes coined, thinly.  I allowed to cook until browned on each side.  I added 1/4 cup of white wine and chili powder, a dash of salt and pepper and continued cooking until soft.  At the end I added parmesan cheese.  Remember not to add too much salt as the cheese add salt.  Another good cheese to use would be a smoked gouda or smoked mozzarella cheese.  These are delicious, if you find that they are to spicy add a little brown sugar or maple syrup.

The Chicken Wings


-2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
-2 tablespoons brown sugar
-1 teaspoon herb de province
-1/2 teaspoon chili powder
-1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teapoon each garlic and onion powder


mix together, coat chicken wings and cook at 450 for about 20 minutes.  The brown sugar allows it to brown allowing the insides to stay moist and delicious...I bought some PC brand buffalo chicken sauce, had a beer, some fresh veggies and my friend brought some blue cheese salad dressing.