Nothing like baking with THREE (thats right THREE ingredients). I took one glance at the recipe and said to myself “I am SO trying this recipe” and I did. Naturally I had the sugar and the Bisquick, but for some reason I only had ONE beer in my house and it was a flavored beer. Oh well!!

The recipe by the way came from www.cooks.com

Here’s what you need:

1 bottle of beer (12 oz or 1 1/2 cups)

4 1/2 cups of Bisquick

3/4 cup sugar

Blend all ingredients in a bowl (wow – no mixer necessary – I love it).

no mixer necessary - just a fork and a bowl

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Fill greased muffin pans with enough mixture to fill 2/3 of each muffin container.

Bake  20 to  30 minutes or till the top is slightly brown.

END RESULT:

Were they good? Here’s the answer…I ate one, then I ate another one.  Yup – it was good!!

Note: Curious to make them again using a regular beer. Will keep you posted.

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.

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I received this salad recipe via email from a mom in the school yard back in 2007. The email was printed and has been in my “recipe binder” (do you have one of those? or am I the only one!!) and it’s a keeper. Promise you – this salad is a real winner.

I like this salad as it has the perfect combination of nuts, cheese, greens and  I love that the zucchini is slightly sauteed.

It’s called ANTIPASTI SALAD.

Ingredients:

Mixed Greens

3 zucchini – unpeeled, julienned

2 tomatoes – finely diced

1 small red onion – finely chopped

1/2 crumbled feta

1/4 cup toasted almonds

1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds

1/4 cup pistachios

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Instructions:

1. Place mixed greens in a large salad bowl

2. Heat frying pan. Add oil and lightly sautee the zucchini till tender (but not soft). Place the zucchini in the fridge to cool.

3. Heat another frying pan. Add nuts (all 4 varieties) and toast till aromatic.

4. Add the zucchini, the toasted nuts and the crumbled feta to the mixed greens.

Dressing:

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

salt and pepper

Instructions:

Add the garlic into a cuisinart. Then add the olive oil, red wine vinegar and the salt and pepper. The cuisinart really emulsifies the ingredients and your end result will be a much better dressing.

Add the dressing to the salad and toss.

ENJOY.

PS if you are looking for a website with more great recipes – check out Life Made Delicious!

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.

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So much is happening in the world of stores/products these days, who are catering to those with food allergies.  I would like to share some exciting “gluten free” news flashes with you in this blog post.

GOOD BYE GLUTEN…GBG:

A new store opened up recently  called Goodbye Gluten in North Toronto. ( 2066 Avenue Road to be exact). The store is stunning and has a full range of gluten free items. Everything from dry goods, (ie Gluten Free Pebbles), to frozen goods, to freshly prepared goods. I’m sure the neighborhood is delighted that this store opened up.

Goodbye Gluten

BETTY CROCKER GLUTEN FREE  CAKE MIXES:

This is truly amazing news that Betty Crocker has introduced a gluten free cake mix. I made it tonite and no one said anything except “Can I have another slice”. LOL.

I know its not valentines day ..but I couldnt resist.

NUT’N GLUTEN:

Nut’N Gluten is located near Wonderland (3120  Rutherford Rd Unit 17). It has everything one would need and the service is amazing.

There is no question, that more and more people are discovering that they are gluten sensitive or have a gluten allergy. I went out for lunch a few months ago and all 3 off us had some type of food allergy. Two of us were lactose intolerant and the other person needed a gluten free option.

Years ago, when visiting NYC, my friend and I had dinner at Risotteria in the East Village (270 Bleeker St). It was packed with people who were seeking a gluten free restaurant. I thought it was a brilliant concept and I’m sure one day we will see a restaurant like that in Toronto. In the meantime, congratulations to restaurants like Milestones, Il Fornello, Magic Oven, The Burgers Priest and Yes to Fresh who have gluten free options for guests.

Have you noticed that more and more people have gluten allergies? Have you noticed more and more restaurants that have gluten free options?

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.

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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).

step one!

2. Spread onto a serving dish.

step two

3. Spread an even layer of salsa on top.

step three

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:

Your Guests Will Dig Into This...

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.

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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.

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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?

I'm loving the cinnamon flavored Chex.

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”.

An unusual flavor..to say the least.

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).

I bought it a week ago - and half the jar is gone!

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).

I havent opened it yet. Seriously.

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.

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Pea and Basil Soup

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.

Used a Cuisinart instead of the blender.

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.

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In April, I attended the Green Living Show for my first time. I had never been and had really no idea what to expect. What I didn’t expect was to stumble upon a booth called Island Spirits that featured three unique Eco Cabins on Rice Lake. I stopped to chat with the owner and her son and listened to them tell me more about this unique holiday experience.

A few weeks later, I received an email from TJ (the owner) asking me if I would like to come up for a night. I gladly accepted as I knew it was on my way to Ottawa and I was visiting soon.

Here’s a brief description of our adventure.

4:00 p.m  Left Toronto

5:00 p.m. Exited at Cobourg and then drove another 30 minutes exactly.

5:30 Greeted by TJ and loaded our belongings on the ferry.

Our adventure begins!

5:50 p.m Arrive at Grasshopper Island and we are beaming. We unload and have a quick dinner of party sandwiches. Then we  immediately start to explore the island. We have 25 acres of an island to explore and we can’t wait. This is what we see.

The Stunning Eco Cabin

the outdoor shower

canoes/kayaks

marshmallows - here we come!!

Im sure this swimming barge is used A LOT in the summer

Giant Checkboard!

Our ECO CABIN looks like this and we are SO impressed:

Six Hotel Quality Beds on the second floor

Fully stocked kitchen on the first floor with a futon for 2 more guests

8:45 p.m. Sunset time..(more or less)

Sunset

9:00 pm We are tucked inside our sleeping bags. The kids are making shadows on the walls while I tried to read on my kobo but fell asleep within minutes.

10:00 p.m The kids fall asleep (so they told me).

NEXT DAY

9:00 a.m. Kids enjoyed chocolate cheerios for breakfast. We then pack up and take one last tour of the island.

11:45 a.m. TJ helps us unload our stuff back on the ferry and by noon we are back on land and we head to Ottawa.

We are sad but we know we will be back.

Please visit the Island Spirits website and please book early so you aren’t disappointed!!

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