Maple Mustard Glazed Veggies with Pomegranate

Maple Mustard Glazed Veggies

-1 onion chopped
-1 zucchini chopped
-2 small gala apples sliced with skin on
-1 bunch of asparagus ends cut
-salt and pepper
-1/2 a pomegranate

Glaze
-1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
-1 tablespoon maple smoked mustard
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-2 tablespoons maple syrup
-1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white balsamic
-salt and pepper

in a frying pan on medium heat add a splash of olive oil and add onions and zucchini.  Cook until onions soft and zucchini browned.  Then add slices of apple and stir occasionally.  Once the apple is soft add asparagus and cook till turns a darker green. Add the glaze and stir.  Reduce heat and allow to cook for 5 minutes, then top with pomegranate seeds.

Quinoa Salad

I am a full time Registered Nurse, a single Mother to my two daughters and a part time student in University   Today I was spending the day writing a paper and forgot to take out dinner, and I really do not have much in the house tonight.  So, what to do?  Create!

Quinoa Salad

-2 cups or water or broth
-2 cups dried quinoa
-salt

-1 large carrot chopped
-1 rib of celery chopped
-1 apple in chunks
-cucumber sliced
-1/2 an onion
-1/2 cup pan fried almonds
-1/4 cup of raw sesame seeds pan fried
-1/4 cup dried cranberries
-1 tablespoon tamari soya saue
-pepper
-the juice of 1 lemon
-1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/2 cup olive oil

Chop the ingredients, pan fry the almonds and sesame seeds, I have both the regular and black sesame seeds.  Place all the ingredients in a bowl waiting for the qunioa and almonds to cook.  Boil the 2 cups of water, then add the quinoa and boil on low for about 15 minutes, remove from heat and then poor into the bowl with all the ingredients, mix and add the almonds and sesame seeds.  Then taste, you may want to add more oil or balsamic vinegar.  Add some fresh pepper.

Miso Sesame Lemon Grass Tilapia

Just want to say that this fish was full of flavour.

Miso Sesame Lemon Grass Tilapia

-2 tablespoons of coarsley chopped lemon grass
-2 tablespoons sesame oil
-1 tablespoon miso paste
-2 tablespoons maple syrup
-2 tablespoons Sake
-the zest of a lemon
-the juice of 1/2 lemon
-1 x 1 piece of ginger finely grated
-1 tablespoon of peanut butter (optional)
-2 tilipia fillets

-Mix all ingredients together and allow to marinate on the fish for 20 minutes.  Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes.

Fried Green Tomatoes

My Mom, who has a large garden came over with several Green Tomatoes.  The weather has changed in Toronto and her garden's growth has ended for the season.  So what to do?  I started thinking about a movie from my childhood, Fried Green Tomatoes.  I realise that availability of green tomatoes is low, but my cooking is about what I have in my house, to be inspired by the season, the flavours and this is no exception.

Fried Green Tomatoes

-Green tomatoes sliced
-1/2 cup breadcrumbs
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 tablespoon garlic powder
-2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
-salt and pepper
-oil to coat the bottom of the pan
-1 small purple onion chopped

Mix all the dry ingredients together and ensure that the mixture is thoroughly mixed, so the flavour is consistent.  Cut the tomatoes, if it is the bottom piece peel the skin off so that you can have the mixture stick to the tomato.  I did not want to use eggs, so for each piece of tomato I placed it in the dry mix and used some pressure to ensure that the coating sticks.  I then heated olive oil in the pan and sliced up the onion, I started cooking the tomatoes and place the onions around, I flipped the tomatoes after a few minutes when they browned, stirring the onions at the same time.  It took about 6 minutes in total cooking time.  These were delicious, especially with the addition of the onion.  I also dipped them in sweet chili sauce.

Orange Mustard Maple Salmon

sorry guys, it was my both my daughters birthday party and I forgot to take a picture of this salmon but it tastes incredible.

Orange Mustard Maple Salmon

-1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard (grainy)
-2 tablespoons smoked mustard
-2 tablespoons maple syrup
-1 shot of dark rum
-juice of half and orange
-1 teaspoon soya sauce
 -salmon

Mix ingredients together and pour over salmon, I let it sit for an hour before cooking.  cook at 400 for 15 minutes.

Pan fried Veggie

Pan Fried Veggies

-2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
-2 red onions chopped
-2 portabello mushrooms
-2 zucchini chopped in coins
-2 cloves of garlic
-2 ribs of celery
-1 red pepper
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1/2 cup red wine
-1/2 cup beef broth
-salt and pepper
-2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

In a frying pan add oil on medium heat.  Cook portabello mushrooms until browned.  Then add onions, celery, garlic, red pepper.  Keep stirring, when onion is cooked add the zucchini and pan fry.  Once they start to cook add the wine, chili powder, broth, salt and pepper.  Allow to cook until the liquid starts to boil away.  Add parmesan cheese and serve.

BBQ Sweet Potato Bake

BBQ Sweet  Potato Bake

-2 large sweet potato chopped
-1 red pepper chopped
-2 onions chopped
-2 cloves of garlic chopped
-3 ribs of celery chopped
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-juice of 1/2 an orange
-1 cup beer
-1 cup of broth
-1 teaspoon of thyme (fresh)
-1 cup of BBQ sauce. (I used a chipotle)
-salt and pepper

Chop all vegetables and place in a casserole dish.  Preheat oven to 400.  Mix all ingredients together. and cover with a lid.  Allow to cook for 45 minutes.

This had incredible flavour.

Roasted almonds and pine nut pesto with basil and arrugula

Roasted almonds and pine nut pesto with basil and arrugula

-1 cup fresh basil
-1/2 cup arrugula
-6-7 cloves of garlic
-1/2 cup roasted blanched almonds
1/3 cup roasted pine nuts
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-4 tablespoons olive oil
-2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

In a frying pan on medium heat roast the almonds and pine nuts, place aside and allow to cool.  Place the basil leaves, arrugula, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, Parmesan cheese and nuts in a blender.  Pour in the olive oil.  Start to blend allowing the mixture to completely blend, which may require adding more olive oil, until the mixture is puréed well.  Serve over pasta.  

Lemon Grass and Rosemary Rubbed Whole Chicken

This was a quick meal.  About 5 minutes of prep time and then in the oven for 1 hour.  Crispy, tasty and minimal effort.

Lemon Grass and Rosemary Rubbed Whole Chicken

-2 cloves of garlic
-1/2 an onion
-1 large sprig of fresh rosemary
-2, 3 inch pieces of lemon grass
-salt

Rub

-1 tablespoon butter
-1/2 sprig of rosemary chopped finely
-salt and pepper to taste

-wash chicken with cod water, then stuff the chicken with salt, garlic, lemon grass, rosemary and the onion.  Then mix the butter with the rosemary and rub into the chicken.  Then lightly coat with salt and pepper.  Cook at 350 for about an hour.

Mussels in a Yellow Thai Curry Coconut Soup

Mussels in a Yellow Thai Curry Coconut Soup

-1 tablespoon butter
-2 onions chopped
-1 tablespoon lemon grass
-1 teaspooon finely grated ginger
-2 cloves of garlic
-1 cup white wine
-1 can of coconut milk
-1 cup broth (veggie or chicken)
-2 tablespoons yellow thai curry paste
-1 tablespoon soya sauce
-4-5 pounds of fresh mussels, washed well.
-jest and juice of 2 limes
-2 green onions chopped
-fresh cilantro

-in a large pot with a lid, melt butter on medium heat and add onions chopped.  Once the onion is cooked, add lemon grass, ginger, broth, wine, curry paste, coconut milk, lime juice and zest, and soya sauce.  Allow the flavours to blend and stir often.  Once all the spices are mixed together, bring to a boil and add mussels, cover.  Cook for about 10 minutes.  Only eat the mussels that are completely open.  Serve soup and top with green onions and cilantro.

White Turnip Home Fries

White Turnip Home Fries

-2 cups broth (I used beef)
-3 cups white turnip, in chunks
-2 tablespoon olive oil or butter
-1 onion chopped
-2 cloves of garlic finely minced
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
-2 tablespoons brown sugar (to caramelise)
-pepper to taste
-2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

-place turnip and broth in a pan on medium heat.  Allow the broth to cook off.  Once the broth is gone, remove turnip and add the oil or butter cook onion until soft then add the turnip, garlic, chili powder, cajun seasoning, pepper.  After the garlic is cooked add the sugar, once coated and browned, add the parmesan cheese, stir and serve.

Fish tacos

I am not a fan of too many additives in my food, so I make my own taco seasoning.

Fish Tacos

-1 tablespoon olive oil
-2 Tilpia fillets
-juice and vest of 1 lime
-1 onion
-1 clove of garlic finely chopped
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1/2 teaspoon cumin
-pinch of cayenne pepper
-1 tablespoon soya sauce
-pinch of pepper

-in a frying pan add oil and onions.  Cook until onions are soft, then add garlic, fish, lime juice and zest, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, soya sauce and the pepper.  Stir while cooking and it is ready when the fish is flaked and white throughout.  Takes about 6-7 minutes and serve with your favourite taco seasoning.