I’m a huge sushi fan..infact on my chowhound profile, I had to answer this question: I wish I could eat_______everyday. My answer…..SUSHI.

Therefore this salad appeals to me on my different levels. I discovered it in a local school cookbook called Gatherings which was a school project put on by the parents of Netivot HaTorah Day School in 2003.

I would definitely serve gingered sushi salad with a piece of salmon and asparagus! #justsayin’

Here’s what you need:

GINGERED SUSHI SALAD

1 1/2 cups sushi rice, uncooked

1 3/4 cold water

DRESSING

1/2 cup rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

1/2 tsp garlic, minced

1/4 tsp wasabi powder

SALAD

1 carrot, peeled and grated

1/2 red pepper julienned

1/4 cup red onion

2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted ( I used a mixture of white and black sesame seeds)

2 tablespoons, pickled ginger, diced

1 sheet nori cut in pieces

DIRECTIONS:

Cook sushi rice as directed on package.

In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients. Slowly add the dressing to the hot rice, tossing gently. Add carrot, red pepper, onion, sesame seeds, ginger and nori. Toss and sprinkle with reserved nori. (which I forgot to buy).

Many thanks to the USA Rice Federation  and Faye Clack Communications for inviting me to some fabulous events this past month and inspiring me to bring out my beloved rice cooker more often. Stay tuned for more posts about this delicious, healthy, ancient grain!!

Happy Cooking

 

I have a feeling a LOT of people wisely stayed home on Monday Oct 29th. I knew when I got in from work last nite that I was going NOWHERE and that I had lots of time to create a “comfort-food” type of meal for myself.

This was my idea of the perfect meal on a wet and windy misterable night:

 

What’s On my Plate:

-vegetable soup (home made – of course) from my freezer (of course)

-a toasted Oakrun Family Bakery Savory English Muffin with roasted grape tomoatos and roasted organic garlic. Sprinkled with dried thyme for additional flavor.

It was the perfect meal and exactly what I was craving, despite the fact that I’m on a no-carb diet (I can cheat every once in a while right?).

The Oakrun Family Bakery has introduced 3 different types of savoury english muffins: Jalapeno & Salsa, Sundried Tomato and Basil and Toasted Onion & Smoked Black Pepper. I have nibbled all three and love of all them. I’m all over anything that is flavoruful.

Please look at for these Savoury English Muffins at Metro, Highland Farms, Longos, Loblaws, Loblaws Superstores, Zehrs, Food Basics, Fortinos and ValuMart.

As the saying goes “try it – you will like it”!!

PS. what did you have last nite for dinner? do you crave comfort food when the weather is miserable too?

 

 

Did you know that October is World Egg Month! Too get me “egg-cited”  about this event, the Egg Farmers of Ontario “cre-egg-ted” a challenge to put my own spin on making some devilled eggs. They provided me with a beautiful basket of goodies and as always I went on the internet searching for an unusual Devilled Egg recipe. Finally after a lot of clicking I found this recipe.

Naturally I didn’t follow the exact recipe (one day I will learn..LOL). To be super honest – I forgot to make the green onion oil HOWEVER I certainly enjoyed the end results. (as always).

The recipe is taken from the a website called: www.Momofukufor2.com

Green Onion Oil Devilled Egg Recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

4 hard boiled eggs, peeled, chilled and cut in half

1/2 bunch of green onions, thinly sliced (about 3/4 to 1 cup)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 small shallot, minced
1 small knob of ginger, minced
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
salt and pepper to taste
sriracha (optional)

Make the green onion oil by heating up the canola oil in a small pot over high heat. When the oil is shimmery and hot, add the green onions, garlic, shallot, and ginger. Be careful, the water content will cause the oil to bubble. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sesame oil. Salt to taste.

Remove the yolks from the eggs and place in a bowl. Mash with a fork until the yolks are crumbly. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the green onion oil. Stir and taste.

If you need more green onion oil in there, by all means, add it! Fill your egg halves and top with freshly ground pepper and a squirt of sriracha, if using. Enjoy!

FINAL RESULT:

Thanks to the Egg Farmers of Ontario, I’m now the proud owner of this FREAKIN” GENIUS egg storage container by Rubbermaid. Why have I not owned one of these before?

Happy World Egg Month!!

I was invited last week to check out the newly re-branded  Quail (a Firkin Pub). I’m familiar with the chain and have been to a few locations over the years. Specifically the Firkin at Yonge/Sheppard and the Bull & Firkin at Yonge/Eglinton. I could tell from the invitation that they really thought this thru.

I was right.

No more dark, gloomy space…instead there’s an inviting British inspired lounge area in the back.

They’ve also added some signature cocktails to their line up.

The menu now has a few additional “British Inspired” items like a delicious fish taco that had a mean batter on it (but in a good way). I would certainly order this again.

The evening was a ton of fun that included great food and great drinks as well as fun manicures from Pinky’s. Notice the British Flag on her nail?? PS..this is not my hand but the lovely hand of @ValTorontoGal from Im Charming You.

But for me – the best best (best) part of the nite was the fact that they served MOLSON 67. SCORE. Seriously, I have dropped a size due to my  no carb diet that I have been on since June and this beer has saved me.

So grab some friends and check out The Quail. Cheers!!

The Quail : 1055 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON 416 962 0782

I thought it would be fun to squeeze in one more trip to Buffalo before it snows. We went on Sunday – just like a working day – we left at 8 a.m and we were home by 5 p.m. It was perfect.

We hit Target first (of course) and then we hit Wegmans. (of course). Plus we managed a quick quick trip to the Outlet Mall (i.e we were there for less than an hour)

Here’s a few highlights!!

a) Dum Dums: Basically they are lollipops that come in a variety of cool flavors….rootbeer, mystery flavor, cotton candy, mango, watermelon, blue raspberry, strawberry shortcake, banana split etc. After reading their (fun) website, I discovered they are family owned private company that has been making candy since 1906!!

b) Chex: I started of buying 1 bag, then 2, then 3 and now I’m up to 4. Sadly the flavor I wanted (chocolate)…WAS ALL SOLD OUT. Can u believe? I was not happy. As you can see, I am now trying a new flavour.

3. We love the Bauble water bottles so much that we decided to buy the water jug. We needed one. Not sure if you can find these here. Anyone know?

4. M&M Dark Chocolate Mint and Hershey Kisses in Pumpkin: HEAVEN. Kicking myself that I didn’t buy more

I used my Wegmans card with pride and knew that my $100 worth of groceries was money well spent.

I’m already looking forward to my next trip as I bought ONE pair of jeans at Target that I’m loving and of course I’m saying to myself “Why didn’t I buy more”.

 

I’m still on a no carb diet which means I’m still not eating sandwiches. SNIFF. However I did find some replacements that are a quick, tasty and affordable alternatives!!  As you know, (or might not know), I recently started a new job and even though I’m not crazy about the commute, I am THRILLED that the office is located near a lot of Asian Food. SCORE.

This is what I’ve been picking up lately for lunch.

Basically it’s an assortment of spicy radish, seaweed salad (?), beansprouts and eggplant. All I know is that it’s tasty, it has no carbs and it’s cheap!!

This spicy tofu dish provides me with some much needed protein. Can’t complain.

These triangles contain a seaweed wrap, a filling (salmon) and a triangle of sticky rice. I’m in love with these triangles even if I can’t figure out how to properly wrap it up. Don’t get me started. I need a lesson despite the fact that there’s instructions on the wrapepr.

I’ve also discovered Shiso Tree  in Jtown and went running there after reading a blog entry from The Hungry Cat. I ordered an amazing meal for $8. Sadly I didnt have my good camera with me that day but will be returning!!

JTown: 3160 Steeles Ave. East

Foody Mart: 355 Bamburgh Circle

P.A.T. Central Market 675 Bloor St. W

Shiso Tree: 3160 Steeles Ave. East, Unit 1

 

It’s that time of year when I return to my favorite restaurants so I can enjoy some comfort food.  I generally want soup but sometimes I want a different type of soup like the one I order at: Buk Chang Soon Tofu.

I use to pass this restaurant all the time on Yonge (just south of Finch on the east side). It took me years to actually check it out as I could see thru the window that it was always packed. One day I finally made it and I was blown over!!  a) it’s cheap and cheerful (my fav type of restaurant) and b) it’s pure comfort food without a ton of calories.

I also found out why it’s packed. You simply can’t make this at home.

So what do I order?

I order the Vegetable Soon Tofu. (#6) It’s basically a bowl of flavourful broth that is served in this piping-hot stone pot (in Korean, this is called dolsot) and is packed with vegetables and soft, fresh tofu.

It arrives with 4 different types of appetizers (soybean, kimchi, radish, and a bean sprout dish) and an egg for you to throw into your stone pot. All of this for $8.50 WITH TAX. Could life get any better?

Now if you want a meat soup – there’s a few options:

Sadly there is no website, no facebook page and no twitter presence. However you can find lots of great reviews on Urbanspoon, BlogTO, and Yelp.

For more info:

Buk Chang Soon Dong Tofu (north) 5445 Yonge Street (416) 430 7458

Buk Chang Soon Dong Tofu (south) 691 Bloor St. West (416) 537 0972

 

Oh how I love these conferences for Digitally Connected women!!  Five years ago, I would have never have thought that I would one day be “Digitally Connected” !! I barely knew how to download photos let alone to blog.

This is now my third conference in three years and every year I’m excited to attend. I start to follow the twitter feed  @SCConference and #SCCTO and before you know it, I’m starting to plan.

Here’s whats going thru my mind as I prepare for Shes Connected 2012:

a)  Plan my outfit. I know it will be something comfortable. Not to fancy but not to casual.  I might even get my hair straightened. That is – if I could find a spare 30 minutes.

b) Wear my Twitter Necklace that I bought for myself from Blend Creations a few years ago.

c) Bring Phone Chargers and the Computer Charger: This year, I’m going to label my names on those items (me. smart).

d) Bring business cards. (Even if they have the wrong info on them – don’t ask)

 

e) Bring this bag. Seriously…I have learned my lesson. Notice it’s on wheels and it has a handle to pull?

f) Take the TTC to get there. It’s indeed the better way.

g) SMILE and CONNECT with other fabulous participants as much as I can. That’s what it’s all about.

h) LEARN. Yes – I need to learn. Even after 3 years of blogging – I need more skills.

i) RELAX AND HAVE FUN.

Only a few days left till the conference begins and I’m super stoked.

For more info:

Shes Connected, Oct 19 & 20th, Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

I wasn’t going to let a little grey weather keep me away from The Toronto Garlic Festival which took place over the weekend, at Evergreen Brickworks. They had moved the festival indoors so this meant no puddles or umbrellas in sight.

I strolled thru the vendors to see what caught my eye ,and it wasn’t hard AT ALL  to figure out what I was going to try:

1. Garlic Fudge:  Kudo’s to Busy Liz’s Farm Shop for developing this recipe. It was perfect.

 

2. Roasted Garlic Chocolate Ice Cream: It took me a second to whip out some lactose pills so I could try this ice cream that was was made by Greg’s Ice Cream.

 

3. A Stone Ground tortilla with garlic hummus:  Made with love from the good people at Chocosol. Just what I needed.

 

4. Ooey Gooey Goodness from Cheesewerks. I am so spoiled to enjoy their amazing food, both last week at Soupalicious and then this week at the Toronto Garlic Festival. I seriously need to organize a tweet up for a Fondue Nite. Who’s in?

I ended off my visit to the Toronto Garlic Festival by participating in the Garlic Breath test that was sponsored by the Ontario Science Centre. What a great idea to have this contest at the Festival. Wonder who won.

 

Clearly I had fun at this festival!! Not to mention I came home with an amazing variety of garlic for me to experiment with. I love garlic…can you tell?

I’ve been a fan of Body Blitz for as long as I can remember. The first time I went to Body Blitz was DIRECTLY after completing the Mississauga Half Marathon (many years ago.) In fact after each half marathon that I have completed (4)..I went right there, all dressed in my shvitzy clothes with my Visa in my pocket. It was the best move, as I was never sore the next day and I give credit to Body Blitz for helping my body recover after running for 2 plus plus hours.

On Wednesday nite, I got a sneak preview of their new location that will soon be opening at 497 King St. East. (lucky lucky me)

I’m in love with their water therapy, which consiits of a Dead Sea salt pool, an epsom salt pool, a cold plunge pool, an infrared sauna and a eucalyptus sauna.

You do a circuit, (see photo below) and then you can simply chill while reading a magazine and sipping a juice/protein shake/tea. Then you do the circuit again and again. It’s bliss to go there on a cold winter day. TRUST ME. I should mention that there are spa services available at Body Blitz too not just water therapy!

Congratulations to Rena and Laura on opening a second location. This is great news for women in Toronto!!

For further info:

Body Blitz – 471 Adelaide St. w (416) 364 0400

Body Blitz East – 497 King St. East (which isn’t open yet -but is now taking reservations!!)

Follow them on Twitter: @BodyBlitzSpa or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bodyblitzspa