Lately I’ve been entertaining a lot which is code for “I’ve been spending time on Pinterest”.
As always Pinterest inspired me to put together the following menu:
-Carrot Soup
–Spinach Feta Pinwheels
-Pineapple Coconut Quinoa
-Roasted Mushrooms in Browned Butter
–Baked Tilapia Veracruz
-Pear/Apple Crisp
I was also inspired to set the table using some placemats I hadn’t used in a while!
In particular I want to share the Pineapple Coconut Quinoa recipe with you. It was SO flavourful and not hard to make at all.
The flavour was due to these two ingredients: Dole Pineapple Juice and Cha’s Organic Coconut Milk
Hurry up and make this fabulous side dish – you won’t be disappointed. Promise.
Recipe: Pineapple Coconut Quinoa (original recipe posted by www.theharvestkitchen.com)
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice (I used a can of pineapple and drained the juice from it).
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- juice of 1/2 lime
FOR THE MANGO SALSA
- 1 cup chopped mango
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, minced
- 2 limes, juiced
DIRECTIONS:
- This is the interesting part – heat the pineapple juice and coconut milk in a saucepan over medium low heat.
- Then add the quinoa and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Add the vanilla and lime juice.
- Cover and simmer on low for about 17 to 20 minutes or until most of the liquid has absorbed, but still a little moist on top.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Lightly fluff with a fork. (an important step)
- Add chopped mangoes, coriander and red onion. Feel free to add a touch of lime juice as well.
Final Result:
Not only did it taste amazing but I was happy the way it looked as well!!
Coconut, pineapple, Pinterest, quinoa, Recipe, side dish
Yes – it’s that time of year where there’s an insane amount of food events. I went to the Toronto Food and Wine show on Friday, took a rest on Saturday and went to two food shows on Sunday. (Toronto Garlic Festival and the Canadian Health Food Association Trade Show).
Todays blog post is going to be dedicated to the CHFA Trade Show as I want to share with you some of the trends I noticed. I walked around the show for almost 3 hours but needed more in order to walk thru the 800 exhibitors that are at this show.
Naturally I picked up some samples to take home plus I sampled plenty while I was walking thru the show. No need for breakfast or lunch.
1. DRINKS – I spotted: cold pressed watermelon , blueberry juice, water infused with a variety of flavours and fruit, and more. This category seems to be exploding!!
2. TUMERIC – There was tumeric tea and a tumeric drink that caught my eye. Something tells me that we are going to see more and more products that contain this spice.
3. PUFFED QUINOA – I’m guessing that this is going to be the new “granola”. I can see myself sprinkling this on top of my yogurt with fruit or integrating it into fruit crisp recipes.
4. BARS – Cricket bars, and sprouted bars and more!! I actually first got introduced to Cricket Bars on a trip to San Francisco last year so I’m delighted to see that they are now in Canada.
5. COCONUT – Not exactly a new trend but it’s certainly continuing to grow. I sampled the Wasabi Coconut Chips and can’t wait to try them in a salad or crushed on top of a piece of salmon.
Hopefully you will see many of these products in local health food stores, and even in the health section of major grocery stores in the near future.
For more information:
Please visit the Canadian Health Food Association Website: www.chfa.ca
bars, blueberry, CHFA, Coconut, Crickets, drinks, quinoa, Trade Show, tumeric, Watermelon
I’m a sucker for new product. I don’t know how this happened to me but it’s hard for me to pass new products on the shelf. Take for example..this product: Gaylea Coconut Whipped Cream. Did I need it? NO. Did I buy it? YES. I have to admit that the words “Lactose Free” really appealed to me as well as the three letter word “NEW”. LOL. Please don’t judge me!
I was also intrigued by the new IOGO Moment yogurt! This new product is creamy, creamy, creamy. No need for dessert after a meal. Seriously.
c) This package of lentils (from Trader Joe’s) which is conveniently PREPARED for you is nothing but brilliant. I chopped up some orange pepper, some onion and then sprinkled some feta on top of it. A perfect side dish with some salmon. Don’t you think? ps huge thanks to my cousin for introducing me to this product.
d) Pringles are also hanging out in my kitchen. They have a clever campaign going on at the moment: To Dip or Not to Dip. Plus the NEW Pringles are now made of hearty corn, instead of potato and the thicker cut tortilla chip makes it easier than ever to dive into a bowl of your favorite dip. Follow the discussion re: To Dip or Not to Dip on facebook or Twitter #PringlesDipBate
What’s hanging out in your kitchen? Do share…..
Coconut, Gaylea, iogo, Lentils, Moment, Pringles, Trader Joes, whipped cream, Yogurt
Please Welcome YamChops.
What is YamChops? Well..they are positioning themselves as a vegetarian butcher!! Kind of a cool concept if you ask me. They believe that this is exactly the type of store that the vegetarian/ vegan /and flexitarian community is looking for. A store that offers great service, convenience, flavourful food and value.
All I know is I’m sold on their concept, marketing and what I saw when I visited!
Here’s what the store looks like (minus the paper – as they are now open for business)
Inside the store,…you will find prepared foods, cold pressed juices, refrigerated items, and plenty of shelf stable items that one does not usually see in a retail store. Plus there’s a small area where you can eat your lunch.
I had the opportunity to sample Coconut Ba-Con and all I can say is “WOW”. I had no idea that coconut could ever taste THIS GOOD. There is no question that I will back to sample their Carrot Lox, No Pork Pulled Pork and to try their cold press juices as well. There is one juice in particular that has caught my attention..it’s called “Divine Blush – Carrot, Beet, Turmeric, Ginger, Nutmeg”. Not sure I’ve ever had a juice with tumeric in it but I’m eager to try it.
Wishing Michael and his team..only the very best with their new adventure. I have no doubt that YamChops is going to be a welcome addition to the food scene in Toronto.
For more information:
YamChops 705 College St (3 blocks East of Ossington), Toronto Tel: 416-645-0117
Hours: 11 am to 7 pm daily
Twitter; @YamChopsTO
Facebook: www.facebook.com/YamChopsTO
Instagram; YamChopsTO
Website: www.yamchops.com
Disclosure: YamChops is a client however all opinions are my own.
Coconut, Cold Press Juice, Facebook, flexitarian, Toronto, twitter, vegan, Vegetarian, yamchops
Food, UncategorizedOctober 23rd, 2011
The Canadian Health Food Association held their annual trade expo last week, and naturally I took the opportunity to visit the show. I walked thru the show for several hours, gazing at new products, sampling, and talking to exhibitors !! (not in that order).
At the end of the show, I made an observation that I kept seeing “COCONUT’ in a lot of new products. Here’s a few products that were introduced at the show that involved the application of coconut.
a) Blue Diamond Almond Milk that is blended with Coconut Milk. Not only is it lactose free and soy free but its ONLY 45 calories. Love it.
Can't wait for this to reach the grocery shelf in Canada!!
Ive been a fan of their plain and chocolate version Almond Milk for years and I’m sure I will be buying this flavor as well.
b) Madhava Organic Coconut Sugar. This is an unrefined sweetener produced from the flower buds of the coconut tree (kinda kewl if you ask me) and is an alternative to processed sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Hopefully you will see this product on the shelves in December!
c) Earth Balance introduced an organic coconut spread. At first I was a bit apprehensive, but after tasting a sample of the coconut spread on a piece of bread, I decided that it was a neat idea. I can really see how this product would introduce some flavor when cooking with it. i.e rice, stir fry vegetables etc.
d) This product at the Neal Brothers Booth also caught my eye… Organic Coconut and Cherry Quinoa Granola from Lotus Fine Foods. It’s 100 % Gluten free and low in sodium too. The ingredient list was impressive: quinoa flakes, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, agave nectar, sunflower oil, apple juice sweetened, cherries and coconut. Not to mention this product is local. Yay Local!!
Local. Local. Local.
The CHFA was a great way to kick off all sorts food adventures. I went to the Delicious Food today but will be also be attending a Food Show featuring foods from Quebec on Monday and on Tuesday I’m attending Grocery Showcase. Have I mentioned before – that I love food shows!!
Almond Breeze, Blue Diamond, CHFA, Coconut, Good Earth, Lotus Fine Foods, Madhava natural Sweeteners, Neal Brothers
I grew up in the east end of Ottawa and have many childhood memories of walking to Westgate Mall to get candy.
I remember pixie stixs, sponge toffee, black balls and more.
Naturally a store like Sugar Mountain is right up my alley. It’s so much fun to take the kids and show them what “mommy use to eat”.
Here’s a few photos of candy that I remember eating when I was a kid.
remember these?
love these!!
But the best part of my last trip to Sugar Mountain was to discover that COCONUT M&M’s are in Toronto. I no longer have to find them in the States. HOORAY.
From 2011...not 1975
I tweeted this picture immediately(cause I was so happy) and there was a flood of replies from other coconut m&m fans.
So tell me…whats your favorite candy from your childhood? was it a chocolate bar? or was it candy?
childhood, Coconut, Fizz, M&M's, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Sugar Mountain, Thrills, Toronto, Westgate Mall
