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.

Mexican Meatloaf with Corn Salsa

Tonight's Dinner was delicious, however I wished I had added some smoked gouda cheese to the meatloaf.  The corn salsa was outstanding!!!


Teresa's Mexican Meatloaf


1 package of ground beef
1 package of taco seasoning (or add your own spices, soya sauce, chili powder, cayenne, cumin)
half an avocado 
1/2 lime juice squeezed over avocado
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup salsa
1 egg
2 onions chopped and sautéed 


I started off by sautéing the onions in a splash of olive oil until see thru, I placed aside to cool.  in a mixing bowl I mashed half an avocado and squeezed half a lime on top.  I added the egg, the breadcrumbs, taco seasoning, meat, onions, and salsa.  I would have added smoked gouda cheese if I had on hand.  I placed in oven and baked at 350 for about n hour.  You can to with cheddar cheese, salsa, or taco sauce. 

Corn Salsa (Honestly best part of meal)


-1 can of corn
-1/2 avocado mashed 
-juice from 2 limes
-1 bunch of chopped cilantro
-1 roasted red pepper (from a jar)
-salt and pepper
-1 teaspoon of chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin


mash avocado, squeeze 1 lime (keylimes are tiny put have an amazing taste so if you happen to have on hand you can use) add corn, chop up red pepper, chop cilantro, add spices, stir and serve....amazing.

for tonight a Mexican inspired meatloaf

It is difficult to always please the most refined of palettes (my children). LOL.  So tonight I am attempting to introduce a Mexican themed meatloaf into their lives.  My children only started eating hamburgers and am hoping to inspire them to add a little beef into their diet.  Their favourite meal is tacos.  I will be serving this dinner with avocado, salsa, tortilla chips.....stayed tuned I will up date as I cook.

Dinner

Good evening,


It was another beautiful day in Toronto.  I went and completed my grocery shopping with my neighbour and friend.  The kids and I went for a bike ride.  When we returned home we ate dinner.  For dinner, I finished up my tuna salad from lunch, with the balsamic vinegar salad dressing.  On a baguette, I added tuna and peppercorn goat cheese.  I also ate some heirloom tomato with salt and pepper.  Heirloom tomatoes have a refreshing taste and there are so many kinds.  I was eating a brandy wine.  You can purchase heirloom tomatoes at local grocery stores, organic stores and farmers markets.  Heirloom means that they have been passed down for generations.  

Salad from the weekend

For Earth night I had a friend over and we made salad, cooked pizza and drank wine in the dark.  This salad was also spinach, I realize I make a lot of spinach salad, I like it.  You can use any lettuce that you would like to use...it is good for you and delicious.  See below to see the pictures.

Basic Nutrient Values

According to Ready Pac, 2 cups or 6 oz. of raw baby spinach provides 20 calories, 2 g protein, 0 g fat, 3 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber and 65 mg sodium. Baby spinach is rich in many micronutrients, including vitamins K, A, C and folate; and the minerals iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. If you do not consume raw spinach within a few days, many of the vitamins are destroyed.

Vitamins

Baby spinach is very high in vitamin K, A, C and folate. A 2 cup serving of raw baby spinach meets over 25 percent of the Recommended Daily Value or DV for vitamin C and nearly 400 for vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for normal blood clotting and, in addition, is important for maintaining bone health. Vitamin A is needed for healthy eyesight as well as proper growth and development and, along with vitamin C, helps protect the body's cells and supports immune system function. Folate offers cardiovascular benefits and promotes a healthy pregnancy.

Mineral Absorption

Spinach is rich in calcium -- but it is poorly absorbed by the body because it contains naturally occurring substances known as oxalates. Oxalates bind calcium and prevent most of it from being absorbed by the body. According to the World's Healthiest Foods website, on average, your body absorbs about 10 percent of the calcium in spinach. While cooked spinach is rich in iron, plant foods contain a form of iron called non-heme iron. This form is not as well absorbed and utilized by the body as heme-iron, found in animal foods such as meat. Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption, however.

Mineral Benefits

Although spinach is not the best way to meet your calcium requirements, it is still an excellent source of non-heme iron, magnesium and potassium. Iron is essential for oxygen transport throughout the bloodstream and a healthy immune system. Magnesium, along with vitamin K, is important for maintaining strong, healthy bones, aids in muscle relaxation and, along with potassium, helps regulate blood pressure.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/258415-what-is-the-nutritional-value-of-baby-spinach/#ixzz1quthcOae

This Salad had pomegranate, mandarin oranges, onions, celery carrots, peppercorn goat cheese.

Very delicious, I used my smoked mustard salad dressing.

Food is personal.  It helps us to be our best.  It's anchored in time 

and place and always tells a story.

Michael Smith

I used my smoked mustard dressing with this salad

Amazing Tuna Salad

I have just created one of my most delicious recipes.  So in all honesty, I am needing to stick to my budget right now.  So, when I looking through my fridge and cupboards I came across a can of white tuna, almonds, pears and I thought what can I make with a WOW factor, without feeling like I am compromising my taste buds???  This recipe may look like it took a while, however the prep time was about 10 minutes.


T's Tuna Salad with homemade almond brittle, pan fried pears and peppercorn goat cheese


Step 1:


1/2 cup blanched sliced almonds
small piece fresh ginger grates
1/2 teaspoon tamari soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup

I started by roasting almonds in a frying pan with grated fresh ginger, after they started to brown i added some tamari soya sauce and maple syrup.  Place in a bowl to cool.


Step 2:


2 whole pears skinned and cored, then sliced 
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup white wine


In a frying pan on low heat add pears, cinnamon and white wine.  Allow to soften and simmer.  set aside to cool


Step 3:

1 can of tuna (I used white) drained really well
1 tablespoon mayo


mix together


Step 4:


baby spinach
carrots sliced
celery chopped
peppercorn goat cheese crumbled


Step 5:


Mix together all but almonds.  Serve and top with almonds.  See salad dressing below




Salad dressing


olive oil
balsamic vinegar
splash of soya sauce
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon maple syrup
pepper to taste

I do 2/3 (ish) oil to 1/3 vinegar.  I add ingredients than add more of this or that depending on how it tastes together.  Cooking is an experiment.