Tag Archives: cooking

{first asparagus of the season}

9 Mar

asparagus

fresh from the farmer’s market! 🙂

looking at the different shapes of this asparagus, had me thinking similar to when i looked at all those cool seashells…

—

i love asparagus so much and i only eat it when it’s in season.

did you know that asparagus is loaded with fiber and actually aids in cleansing our gut and also offers awesome detoxifying benefits? i think that’s so cool, considering it is in season in spring and that is a perfect time to prep our bodies for cleansing and switching gears to lighter foods. furthermore, asparagus is a natural diuretic… which may be TMI, but hey, it’s just a fact.

on a different note – i’m so ready for the time change and gaining more evening light! i am so super excited to start a garden this year!!

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{pan-seared wild-caught salmon}

13 Feb

]salmonsalmon-2

i love salmon! and although it’s not in season just yet, i try to eat it at least twice a month, but ideally i would like to get back to consuming it once a week or more. it’s full of omega 3 fatty acids and healthy lean protein. this particular wild-caught salmon filet was hand-delivered to me by an alaskan fisherman! 🙂

my favourite way to prepare salmon is to pan-sear it. don’t be intimidated, it’s a very easy method.

i simply sprinkle my salmon filet{s} with a little S&P and squeeze a little lemon juice over it, as well.

then, start with a medium-high heat skillet coated with a little olive oil, and place salmon filet in skin-side up. cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip over and finish with skin-side down, another 4-5 minutes. cooking it this way usually allows for the filet to come up easily off the skin when serving. i like to serve mine over a bed of greens or a simple couscous recipe.

bon appetite! 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{farmers market turmeric root}

6 Jan

 

turmeric-2turmeric

have you ever seen turmeric root like this before?

i was fascinated when i spotted this at my local farmer’s market. when i go to visit, there is one stand in particular that i like to frequent. the lady who owns it is so sweet and always has a ton of good information on her products and she is always willing to answer my and all of my questions. it seems that the prices for produce at farmers’ markets are sometimes half the price of grocery stores or health food markets, which is just another reason why i love to support the farmers!!!

a few other reasons i choose to put my money into farmers markets are as follows : accessibility, freshness, availability, integrity, seasonality, friendliness, knowledge, willingness, and as i mentioned, affordability.

i had never seen turmeric root in this form, and i couldn’t wait to pick some up to take fotos of. sometimes i’ve seen parts of it broken off into larger and smaller pieces, but not in a huge chunk like this. i have been wanting to incorporate turmeric into my diet more frequently, particularly because i have been experiencing some pain in my elbow lately. and as you may know, turmeric is known for having anti-inflammatory properties. i am hoping that by consuming turmeric regularly, the pain in my elbow will substantially subside.

i thought it would be fun to share these fotos of turmeric, since it is so intriguing to look at! check out all the ‘knobs’ and ‘nodules’ and the funny/fascinating shapes it takes on and how it forms that way. i love all root vegetables, and when i find something in its natural state, i get even more excited about it. did you catch that cool post about ginger-root? i just love going to the farmer’s market and i one day hope to have a nice big garden in my backyard, as to grow lots of wonderful food. i basically want to be a farmer.

one of the things i’ve been doing with turmeric lately is making tea, which i am just loving! have you ever tried turmeric tea? i have been wanting to try it for so long now, but as with anything “new,” i tend to get intimidated until i actually just go for it! and i’m so glad i finally did! i made some tea with this beautiful chunk of turmeric, and i loved it so much that i wanted to share the recipe.

you can usually find fresh turmeric at health food stores. or if you have access to one, check at your local farmers market, as well. some of my research has discovered that you can also use the ground spice to make turmeric tea, however i prefer the fresh stuff. it’s definitely more time-consuming, but for me, it’s so worth it. plus, i just love the creative process. having said that, to be even more economical, you could make it with a mix of fresh and dried root.

super simple health-boosting turmeric tea :

turmerictea Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{meatless monday : whole grain couscous with fresno and mini bell peppers}

8 Feb

redpeppercouscous-1

i haven’t written a meatless monday recipe in a while. i came up with this one by accident.

i love love LOVE fresno peppers. they are so full of flavour and yet mild enough in heat to not overpower most dishes. i also love couscous; it’s simple and easy to make and reheats well, so i will often batch-cook it.

i shared this dish some with a friend this weekend over brunch and she commented on how much she liked it, so i thought i would share the recipe. as i said, i sort of came up with this on accident… but i’m glad i did, as i’ll be sure to make it again in the future!

simple ingredients :

  • 1 cup couscous, 1 cup water
  • 3 fresno peppers, chopped
  • 5-6 mini bell peppers, chopped
  • olive oil
  • S&P

fresnocouscous-3fresnocouscous-2

this is a very easy recipe to make. simply saute peppers in olive oil until tender then pour in water. bring to a boil and add in couscous. remove from heat, cover and let sit for at least 5 minutes. fluff couscous with a fork and sprinkle in salt and pepper.

fresnocouscous-1

i also added in some cumin because i’ve been experimenting with spices… and i really liked it in this dish!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{the intricate, cool, and colourful cabbage}

3 Feb

colourfulcabbage-3colourfulcabbage-4

i am truly fascinated by nature. nothing makes me feel more connected than LIFE itself… you know, the being alive part, not the stuff we fill our lives with. food gives me a feeling that is unlike anything else. when i chop up vegetables, i stand in awe for a minute and marvel at what is before me. i am taken aback every single time i cut a cabbage in half. it blows my mind… i always find myself thinking, “BUT WHY?! why do you grow like that?!” …not to mention that stunning colour!

it truly does amaze me that nature has such intricacies about it. romanesco is one of the biggest food wonders, in my opinion. cabbage is a close second. i am also fascinated by swiss chard. sometimes i look at food and think about how similar it is to us, to humans… so many details going on inside and out. my hope is that we can all try to be a little more like food, like nature. be more of the BEING and not just the human.

i digress. 

i hope you enjoy these fotos i took while feeling inspired by this cool, intricate cabbage.

colourfulcabbage-7

when i flipped it upside down, i thought it kind of represented a face. 😉

colourfulcabbage-6colourfulcabbage-5

colourfulcabbage-8

are you fascinated by nature?!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{nature’s paintbrush : rainbow swiss chard}

22 Jan

image

don’t you just love “baby” foods!?!?

i love swiss chard for so many reasons! not only is it good for you and high in vitamins like A and C, but it has a mild flavour and is great either raw or cooked. i adore all the colours – they are why i like to call swiss chard “nature’s paintbrush.” 🙂

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{chopped!}

13 Jan

chopped-1

bok choy!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

{eat the rainbow!}

9 Jan

eattherainbow-1

happy new year, friends!

in honour of resolutions and commitments to a healthier life and all that jazz… and just because i truly believe in this lifestyle, i want to present a gentle reminder – don’t forget to “eat the rainbow!” as in : plenty of colourful foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables!

some things i’ve been enjoying lately: 

– baked purple sweet potato

– roasted cabbage w/ bacon bits

– kaniwa w/ sautéed garlic and onion

– red kuri squash risotto

– slow-cooked smoked ham and green beans

—

nom nom!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{mmm… mushrooms!}

8 Dec

shitakes-1

for risotto… nom nom!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{mmm… mirepoix}

8 Dec

mirepoix-1

with a twist… leeks!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{soon-to-be sauce…}

5 Dec

sauceinthemaking-1

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{colourful pasta salad w/italian sausage}

28 Oct

colourfulbeefypasta-3

happy wednesday, gang!

it seems like italian food, festivals, wine, and celebrations are everywhere i look this time of year… did i miss a memo!? anyway, i’m all for it. i love me some good pasta, and i used to be so intimated by cooking it… but not anymore!

i just wanted to share this pretty pasta dish i made recently… as the temps cool down, i will transition into more hearty foods like squash, soups, potatoes, root veggies, and the like… but for now, i am still holding on to lighter fare with dishes like this – a simple pasta salad with italian sausage.

  • red peppers
  • scallions
  • red onion
  • fresh tomatoes
  • black olives
  • parmigiano reggiano {the real stuff!}

beefypasta-1

cook and drain pasta of choice… these little orechiette {which means “little ear”} are so fun, so i chose them!

then simply chop up all your ingredients, and drizzle in your favourite vinaigrette like italian or french dressing… something with a little punch. toss all the ingredients together, sprinkle with tons of freshly-grated parmigiano reggiano… and admire the rainbow of food you’re about to eat!

colourfulbeefypasta-1colourfulbeefypasta-2

this keeps well in the fridge and is a great option for batch-cooking for lunches, etc.

colourfulbeefypasta-3

nom nom!

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

{100-mile diet : taco lettuce wraps w/ local grass-fed beef}

24 Sep

tacowraps-1

i’m kind of obsessed with lettuce-wraps, as of late…

they are so easy to make and they are fulfilling without the guilt – gluten-free {if you want them to be}, quick and simple to prepare, and full of colour!

i also like to eat lettuce wraps during my “transition” months… like september, when the weather begins to change and my body begins to prepare for the heartier foods, but i’m not quite ready to let go of lighter fare. lettuce wraps meld the changing seasons together nicely.

i also LOVE grass-fed beef… for the nutrition, the health of the animal, the health of the planet… and the sense of pride i take when purchasing sustainable, farm-fresh food.

furthermore, i love to eat locally and support a “100-mile diet” as often as i can in my life. the 100-mile diet simply means you only eat food that is raised or grown within 100 miles of where you currently live. for me, choosing this lifestyle is the best way i can “vote with my dollars” in supporting a food-system that is sustainable, healthy, and good for our planet earth. i pair that choice with seasonal and organic eating, and it has proven to be the best lifestyle for me.

almost everything in these lettuce wraps was locally grown/made :

  • grass-fed beef
  • mexican spices
  • red leaf lettuce
  • cherry tomatoes
  • red onion
  • black olives
  • manchego cheese
  • homemade salsa
  • guacamole
  • yellow corn tortilla chips

tacowraps-2tacowraps-3

once you brown your meat {try really hard not to overcook grass-fed beef!} and add in any spices you wish, simply pile it all up on a clean lettuce leaf and wrap it up and eat it!

i created my wrap in this order : lettuce leaf, beef, cheese, tomatoes, onions, olives, salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips..

and then…

nom nom… nomcrunch.. NOM NOM!!!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{foto friday : the beautiful, delicate, edible squash blossom!}

11 Sep

squashblossoms-nw-1squashblossoms-nw-15

i love squash blossoms!

squashblossoms-nw-4

squashblossoms-nw-14

squashblossoms-nw-9

squashblossoms-nw-10squashblossoms-nw-11 Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{healthy homefries}

18 Aug

homefries-4

my grandpa used to say, “a potato will cure what ails ya…” and i’ve held on to his words over the years. i can hear him in the back of my head when i’m making mashed potatoes, or any variation of potatoes. i just happen to love them. probably in part due to my irish and german roots and also due to my grandma always teaching me how to stretch a dollar. the potato is an inexpensive food that is loaded with vitamins and minerals. when i was a kid, i used to chop them up into small bits, sprinkle them with salt, and eat them raw!

today, i eat them any way i can get them. lately, i’ve been making a potato hash, or potato homefries. it keeps well in the fridge, and you can make a huge batch and heat them up for breakfast or a side dish with dinner. top with a fresh egg, or dip in a little ranch dressing or ketchup… and nom nom!

homefries-50

i’ve been keeping it pretty simple with mine :

  • russet potatoes {they are simply heartier and healthier}
  • bell peppers {i choose red for the colour and vitamin c}
  • garlic {does wonders for immunity and the body!}
  • onion {red, again, because – eat the rainbow!}
  • S&P {i mean, can’t have potatoes without it}

homefries-6homefries-2

simply heat up some oil or butter on medium to high heat and add in garlic, onions, bell peppers, and potatoes… then cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occaisonally. you want the potatoes to crisp up a little bit… but keep in mind, if you are batch-cooking them, you can reheat them later and crisp them up at that time.

homefries-1

super easy and simple. and you could even freeze these if you wanted to! but i doubt you will want to or have any left over, because they are just so yummy! 🙂

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

{burger lettuce wraps}

7 Aug

burgerlettucewraps-11

i love finger food. therefore, i love lettuce wraps.

i’m all about lettuce wraps these days. i feel like it’s my favourite new way to eat things – especially in the summertime!  i find that during the warmer months, i tend to want to eat “lighter” foods, and lettuce wraps fit the bill perfectly!

burgerlettucewraps-7

also, sometimes i just don’t care for the heaviness of bread or sandwiches. i mean, don’t get me wrong… i’m an east-coast girl at heart and i love my sub sandwiches from the local deli! however, as i said – when it’s hot like it’s been here {in the upper 90’s}, i feel like my body simply wants lighter fare… and so i willingly oblige.

PLUS – the waistline seems to appreciate it when i skip the bread 😉

i made these “burger wraps” the other day when i was craving a burger but didn’t have time, energy, or the grill to make a burger with. so, i improvised. what i love about lettuce wraps is they can be utilized for just about anything. the lettuce leaves themselves are the perfect vehicle to transport yumminess from plate to mouth to tummy.

burgerlettucewraps-2

in this recipe, i started with red lettuce leaves. i chose red because {especially} when it comes to food, in my book – the more colour, the better.

burgerlettucewraps-1

my method is simple : chop up some fresh tomatoes, red onion, dill pickles, and any other toppings you may want on a burger. then, simply brown some grass-fed ground beef on medium-to-high heat and add in a little S&P. finally, pile your toppings one-by-one onto your yummy lettuce wrap and then finish with some mustard and/or ketchup. i personally love both on my burgers. Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{before & after}

24 Jul

chixpasta-1chixpasta-2

simple pasta w/ chix & veg

fusilli, roasted chicken, caramelized onions, green peppers, olives, and fresh tomatoes…

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{fun facts about flavourful forbidden rice}

20 Jul

forbiddenrice-1forbiddenrice-2

{colourful, too!!!}

———

fun facts about flavourful forbidden rice {also known as “black rice”}:

– it’s {drumroll, please}… gluten-free!!

– it’s rare {which to me, just immediately makes it cooler!}

– it is cultivated in small amounts – in its early days, was only harvested for the emperor {of china!}

– helps support a healthy heart and healthy cholesterol levels

– it’s rich in iron and offers a comprehensive range of amino acids

– it is much higher in protein and fiber than any of its cousins – brown, white, or purple

– makes a fun “risotto” or sticky pudding

– is extremely fragrant and beautiful on a plate

– gentler on the body, easier to digest than its cousins

– contains high levels of antioxidants {i mean, duh – look at that colour!}

———

you can find forbidden rice in health food stores or online. these days, you could probably even find it in your local grocery store, as i notice many of the mainstream chains are stocking more and more of this kind of thing as of late. 🙂

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{meatless mondays : red quinoa with grape tomatoes, fresh corn, and black beans}

6 Jul

blackbeancornquinoa-web-5

this {vegan} dish is totally protein-packed and nutrient-rich. i just love quinoa, don’t you?!

blackbeancornquinoa-web-2

and did you know that quinoa is considered a complete protein… which means it contains all 9 essential amino acids. this makes it a wonderful protein-source for vegans. the black beans in this recipe add in healthy fiber, which is a great combination with the quinoa!

blackbeancornquinoa-web-6blackbeancornquinoa-web-10

i can eat these grape tomatoes like candy!

blackbeancornquinoa-web-8

and believe it or not, colorado boasts growing some of the best sweet corn in the US!

summer is for corn!!!! Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

{red white and blue… cookies!}

2 Jul

july4thcookies-7

i made these yummy cookies in 2012 for the holiday, and it’s become a tradition ever since.

july4thcookies-9

it’s no secret to those who know me well, that i am not a good baker. i can whip up things in the kitchen over a skillet pretty amazingly, but one can’t “wing it” when baking… it is a legit science! and i respect that… i just can’t seem to nail it.

july4thcookies-8

but i did with these cookies! Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →