What do you crave…sweet or savoury snacks?

I think about this question a lot. I also think about these questions:

• have you ever met someone who doesn’t like chocolate?
• have you ever met someone who doesn’t like potato chips?
• have you ever met someone who doesn’t like ice cream?
• have you ever met a child who doesnt like pizza?

I absolutely know that I crave more savoury foods than sweet foods.

My top savoury foods:

• potato chips (jalapeno, black pepper….)
• popcorn with parmesan cheese
• nachos with fresh salsa (not the jarred stuff))

My top sweet foods:

• butter tarts
• rum ball (strange, I know but I love this treat)
• Greg’s roasted marshmallow ice cream with hot fudge sauce

But if you ask me “When was the last time I had a butter tart, or a rum ball or Gregs Roasted Marshmallow ice cream…the answer would be MONTHS AGO.

See what I mean? I really do prefer savoury snacks. It’s even better when there is a combination of both. For example, take Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Granola Bars.

That type of item is perfect for me!! Perfect. Congratulations to General Mills for understanding my needs!!

What do you prefer to snack on? Sweet or Savoury? Tell me.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

 

I’ve posted a recipe before that was less than 140 characters, but I think that this recipe takes the cake. HA HA.

You know when you want just a “little something” but you don’t want to make an entire cake? Here’s the solution to your problem. Naturally I found this recipe on Pinterest..which is my latest addiction.

Here’s what you need:

Two boxes of Betty Crocker cake mix. Please note, that one of those boxes MUST be Angel Cake.

Here’s the recipe:

1. Mix the two boxes of cake mix into a zip loc bag.

2. Put 3 tablespoons of cake mix into a mug. Add 2 tablespoons of water. Stir.

3. Put the mug into a microwave and cook for 1 minute.

Voila – a perfect size portion of cake. Of course, I added the perfect size scoop of ice cream to make it even better!!

P.S. Store the mixture in an airtight container or just keep it in the zip loc bag for future “treats”.

Seriously…how awesome is this recipe? How awesome is Pinterest?

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

It’s winter (well kind of)  and generally that means that I like to curl up in a movie theatre and watch movies. You certainly won’t find me watching movies in the summer, unless it’s raining outside. Now, I’m not a movie critic but I wanted to share with you some of the movies I have seen over the last few months.

Here’s a list of 8 Movies and 8 Reviews:

1. War Horse: I wanted to see this Steven Speilberg movie only because Steven Speilberg directed it….not because of the story or the horses!! I’m glad I saw it as it really did capture my attention. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon escape.

2. The Artist: I saw this movie, immediately after reviewing all the rave reviews. It was indeed a “different” type of movie and well acted.  Would I rave about it? No.. but I wasn’t sorry that I saw it.

3. The Descendants: Watching George Clooney for an hour and 50 minutes – is never a bad thing. Oops Im suppose to be reviewing the movie and not rating how gorgeous the actors are!! I can’t say I loved this film as much as everyone else did.

4. The Iron Lady: If Meryll Street doesn’t win best actress for her role in Iron Lady..I will scream. She is just brilliant in this role. As for the movie – I found it totally entertaining and loved it.

5. Mission Impossible: I like Tom Cruise and I like action movies, therefore I liked this movie. It’s not  a brilliant movie but it’s exactly the type of movie I enjoy.

6. Tinker Tailor Solidier Spy:  I cant review this movie as I didn’t understand any of it even though I was awake for the entire film. Please don’t judge me.!!

7. Hugo: Again this movie was getting great reviews so I felt I had to see it. Guess what? I had the BEST nap during this movie. I really should see it again.

8. The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo:  I liked the book and I liked the movie. This movie certainly captured my attention.

Movies still on my list: My Week with Marilyn. I hear the acting is outstanding and want to be able to compare it to Meryll Streep in The Iron Lady.

Thankfully, companies like General Mills understands movie-lovers, so they partnered with Cineplex Odeon to make it easier for people like me to continue to head to the cinema!! Click here to read more about this fabulous offer:

https://lifemadedelicious.ca/Home/OffersandPerks/Cineplex.aspx

What movies have you seen? What movies are on your list to see? As always – would love to hear from you.

One more thing: Check out this awesome website  Bind Movie Critic. I stumbled upon Tommy Edisons’ website on twitter and I am really enjoying his reviews.

 

 

I love having parties. I’ve had Canada Day Parties, Sex and the City Parties,Going Away Parties, Birthday Parties, and more. I use to throw a party a few times a year, and loved planning the two major components of throwing a party:

• WHAT TO DRINK...
• WHAT TO EAT….

I think by now,  you know what  I would serve for the “drink” component. Hint: Beer and Scotch.

WHAT TO EAT….

I would serve a variety of snacks.(savoury not sweet).  I would put out a variety of the usual snacks (i.e pretzels, chips, nuts, popcorn etc)  and serve some dips as well. Here is one of my all time favorite dips for a party: It was so popular that I started to make two of these platters at each party.

TACO PIE

Ingredients:

3/4 of a brick of cream cheese ( I bought the light version)

1 cup cottage cheese (I bought the full fat version…i.e 4 %)

1 cup Old El Paso Salsa

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2  cup shredded lettuce

scallions to garnish

Directions:

1.Combine the cream cheese and the cottage cheese together, till smooth. (this is the hardest part).

2. Spread onto a serving dish.

3. Spread an even layer of salsa on top.

4. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese.

5. Sprinkle the shredded lettuce.

5. Garnish with scallions.

6. Decorate with nachos around the perimeter of the serving dish.

END RESULT:

As I’m writing this blog entry,  I’m thinking I should have a party before the summer is over…I would serve the watermelon martinis, the cucumber lemonade (with vodka of course), taco pie, chex mix (that I just bought in the US), these new pretzels I’m in love with, fresh fruit, and more.

What do you think? Are you having a party this summer?

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog are my own.

This recipe is called “Magic Pie” and indeed it’s MAGICAL. No fuss – no muss.

Here’s what you need:

Ingredients:

1/2 pkg frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained…Note: I used fresh broccoli (I slightly steamed the florets)

1 cup shredded swiss cheeese

1 can corn, drained

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2/3 cups Bisquick

salt and pepper to taste

dash of nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Lightly grease a 10 inch quiche  pan or deep dish serving dish. Pre heat oven to 375 F

2. Sprinkle broccoli, cheese, corn and onion evenly in prepared pan.

3. In blender, mix eggs, milk, bisquick, and seasonings on high for one minute

4. Pour over broccoli mixture.

5. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 1 hour.

This is the end result.

Actually THIS IS THE END RESULT…(ha ha)

Hope you enjoy this magical recipe as much as I do.

Disclosure: #1. I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog are my own.

As you know, I’m a food sales rep which means I visit a lot of grocery stores. But even when I’m on vacation, I still like to visit grocery stores.

In New York last week, I discovered:

Cinnamon Chex that are gluten free! I had bought the chocolate flavored chex on a previous visit but I’m now in love with the cinnamon flavor. My biggest regret: only buying one box. What was I thinking?

Dr. Browns Cel-Ray Water: I went to Katz’s deli and bought this even though it was a small fortune (close to $3 a can).  I knew that finding it somewhere else would be a challenge, so I navigated my way thru the crowds and the lines and bought a few. Specifically I bought this for my dad. Our American cuzins use to bring this for the Canadian Cousins in the 70’s and 80’s and we all still have a soft spot for this soda. Definetley an acquired taste. ps. one of the ingredients is “extract of celery seed”.

Baconnaise: I discovered this product at the fancy food show last year in NYC. So when I saw it on the grocery shelf, I grabbed a jar to bring home. Then when I got home, I was reading a blog (Erin Loves Food) only to find out you can buy it in Toronto at Lakeview Storehouse. Go Figger.  Ps this product is Kosher (OU).

Here in Toronto…I have discovered:

Dole Fruit Crisp: I saw this new product at a food show a few months ago as well. I brought it home and we loved it. I have to admit that I dont have time every nite to make rhubarb crisp (yes – I’m only human). This product certainly comes in handy – for dessert or for the kids lunch boxes. No to mention you can enjoy it cold or slightly warmed up in the microwave.

Holy Crap:  I bought this at Natures Emporium (which you should visit by the way – even if its far) but I’m scared to use it. LOL. (ps I’m not joking – its been in the cupboard for months now).

Disclosure: #1. I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog our my own.

Disclosure #2: I received the Dole Fruit Crisps as part of a program with Matchstick. The opinion on this blog our my own.

As I was running the Toronto Half Marathon, I couldn’t help but notice (when I wasn’t staring at the pavement), that everything was a spectacular color of green. The trees, the shrubs, the grass…do you know what I mean? It really is pretty out there at the moment.

Looking at all those shades of green for over 2 hours, made me want to make something green. So I did.

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for Pea and Basil Soup that I found on the the Food Network website.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

4 1/2 cups frozen peas

3/4 cup chopped basil leaves

2 cups chicken broth (I used  1 cup fresh vegetable stock and 1 cup water)

2 cups cream (I chose not to add cream seeing as I’m lactose intolerant)

4-6 very thin slices of fresh mozzarella cheese (oops didnt have this on hand)

1/4 cups diced roasted red bell peppers (jarred is fine…oops didnt have this either).

Directions:

Place a medium soup pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, butter, onions, garlic, salt and pepper.

Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the peas and basil and heat until the peas are thawed.

Place the pea mixture in a blender. (I used a Cuisinart). Add one cup of the chicken broth and pulse until pureed, adding more broth if necessary.

Return the pureed mixture to the pot. Stir in the remaining chicken broth and cream. Return the pan to pan medium heat and cook until hot but not boiling. Garnish with mozarella and the roasted red peppers. (I chose to eliminate this step).

I love soups that are vibrant green (like this soup) to serve in the spring or the summer.

I bet it would be delicious served cold too.

Are you cooking green foods at the moments? fiddle heads perhaps? or asparagus? Do share.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog our my own.

I have been making this Crunchy Green Pea Salad for over a decade as it’s easy to make and it’s delicious too. (two main criteria for me).

Here’s what you need:

Ingredients:

3 cups Green Giant Peas (thawed)

1 cup diced celery

1/2 cup diced red onion

bacon bits or salad toppings (more on this later)

Dressing: mix together 1/4 cup yogurt, 1/4 mayo, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar

Instructions: Mix the first three ingredients in a bowl. Prepare dressing. Before serving, add the dressing to the pea mixture. Sprinkle with bacon bits or salad toppings. Best served chilled.

I’m not a fan of bacon bits but a long time ago (too many years to count), I discoverd SALAD TOPPINGS in the States.

Hope you enjoy this crunchy pea salad as much as I do. Other favorite salads that I will post about shortly include: Pineapple Slaw, Indonesian Rice Salad and Tomato/Hearts of Palm Salad.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog our my own.

How many cereals are in your pantry? Take a peek…Let me know. I am facinated by this question (and the answers). I am convinced that most households have over 3 different varieties. Am I right?

My household consists of two adults, 1 teenager, 1 tween. The adults enjoy certain cereals (think; ahem – FIBRE), while the teenagers and the tween have requests too.

We enjoy cereal for breakfast, for after school snack, and for late nite snack too. It’s such a versatile food. One has to like it.

A few years ago, I went to a cuzins house and saw this brilliant cereal dispenser that they bought at the dollar store. They knew I loved it so I received a few as a dinner gift one year and we love it. It dispenses ONE cup of cereal. (which is always smaller than I anticipate)

I’m not kidding…I will even go to the States and bring back cereal that you cant find here like this gluten free chocolate chex.

So bring it on..how many cereals do you have in your pantry. I seriously am interested to know.

Disclosure: I am part of the LMD Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog our my own.