Flank steak

So tonight had a few friends over for dinner.  I started marinating the steak at lunch time and it turned out amazing.  I also served asparagus with roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts and made I made rice.  My mango salsa and I made a fresh tomato salsa with avocado.  I also had fresh tomatoes stewing on the stove all day for my chicken parmesan that I am cooking tomorrow night.


Teresa's Flank Steak


-2/3 cup olive oil
-1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
-salt & pepper
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1/2 teaspoon thyme
-1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
-3 tablespoons smoked mustard
-2 tablespoon maple syrup
-1/2 teaspoon cumin
-juice of 1 lemon

I scored meat with 1/2 inch deep cut about an inch apart.  I dry rubbed the spices, mustard and maple and let sit for an hour.  I then added the olive oil, vinegar, tamari and lemon juice and I let sit for several hours.  Broiled on high on top rack for 8 minutes and flipped over for another 8 minutes.  I have an apartment oven so maybe need less time depending on your oven.

chicken wings

Tonight I made chicken wings...I went to European Meats in Kensington Market where I bought 3.5 pounds of chicken wings.  In a large bowl, mix 

Teresa's delicious Chicken Wings


4 tablespoons whole wheat flour
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon herb de province
salt and pepper to taste


in a large bowl mix all ingredients together, coat chicken wings.  Preheat oven to 450oF.  Cook for 15-20 minutes.

 salsa with avocado with fresh  lemon and salt and pepper mixed with salsa

Chicken being seasoned

Right out of Oven

Fresh Veggies

Stuffed peppers

Stir frying the veggies

This is the meat with the qunioa added

Bake in oven at 350 for 30 minutes than top with cheese and cook for 10 more minutes

So tonight I am making stuffed peppers with the left over taco meat from Friday night.  I made quinoa  in beef broth.  I stir fried the ingredients, with onions, chopped up peppers, my home made salsa and mixed in grated cheddar cheese, some cumin, chili powder, some tamari and half an avocado. Then I stuffed two red peppers and cooked with the rest of my home made salsa in the oven.  I blanched the peppers in boiling water for 2 minutes before stuffing.  Bake in oven for 30 minutes, top with some cheddar cheese cook for another 10 minutes and serve.

Four layer black bean dip

So tonight my kids want tacos.  Which is one of my favourite memories as a child.  Now every family makes tacos differently, my family had a few traditions and people are surprised that we eat our tacos with olives.  I also grew up with this notion that tacos can only be served with coca-cola.  As a child my family (there are four kids) would all have a responsibility.  When I reflect back on the making of the tacos, it was when we worked efficiently together.  Tonight I am planning on making a refried black bean four layered dip.  


I have been soaking the black beans since last night...I will boil them....and fry them, add ingredients, and place on the bottom of a tray.  I will top with a layer of sour cream, the next layer will be home made salsa, and then cheddar cheese.  Which I will serve with tortilla chips


I have also made my salsa...I have never made fresh salsa before.  I walked over to Chinatown with my daughter and bought some roma tomatoes.  Her and I chopped the tomatoes, added salt and pepper, added red onions.  garlic, red pepper, vinegar, fresh cilantro and parsley, and a dash of chili powder


I will continue to update about dinner as the day does on

my home made salsa

If you really want to make a friend, 

go to someone's house and eat with him... the people who give 

you their food give you their heart. 
Cesar Chavez 

Mango Salsa

Was talking to my friend this morning about food...Jae this is for you...


This is my mom's recipe and is one of my favourites.  She would have gotten from either Chatelaine or Canadian Living, it may have been modified and possible been changed to suit her and my needs.


Mango Salsa


1 small mango
1/2 fresh lime
1 cup fresh pineapple coarsely chopped 
1/2 small red pepper coarsely
1/ cup finely chopped cilantro
2 green onions thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon hot chili flakes.  (for less spicy I use chili powder,or for spicier I add fresh red chili peppers) 
pinch of salt


start by peeling and dicing mango, squeeze lime over mango.  Then add all the rest of the ingredients.  I serve this with anything...amazing with lamb, fish, chicken, pork.


This is an old picture, just wanted to show what the salsa looks like.