Hey everyone,
2016 has started out with a bang. One of the big new changes is my website. I’ve completely revamped it and would love for you to check it out and give it a follow, since I will no longer be posting recipes on this site. Click here for the link. The follow button is on the bottom right corner of the home page. I hope to see you over there.
Natalie
Can you believe that it’s 2016 tomorrow? I always enjoy the start of a new year. It’s always so full of promise and positive energy. Before moving forward though, I think it’s important to look back. So, with that in mind, I thought it would be fun to look back at the 10 posts from 2015 that you, my readers, enjoyed the most. I also wanted to thank all of you for following along and supporting my little foodie journey.
1) crab and shrimp mac n’ cheese. Inspired by the mushrooms neptune from the Keg restaurant, this recipe is seriously delicious comfort food.
2) A tasty trip to Portland . Whenever my husband and I travel, food is always one of the highlights of the trip. Portland didn’t disappoint in that regard, but I was pleasantly intrigued by the laid back and friendly nature of the people of Portland.
3) Baked Brie with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam. A Spring inspired recipe that came about while I was playing around with some fresh rhubarb and strawberries from the market. It was really just a delicious excuse to eat a wheel of brie and pretend it was somewhat healthy 😉
Baked brie with strawberry rhubarb jam
4) Nutella Cheesecake Bites. I think it’s popularity is pretty self-explanatory. I mean, the main ingredient is Nutella, afterall. They’re the perfect size to treat yourself without overdoing it.
Nutella cheesecake bites
5) Mediterranean 4 layer dip. This was the recipe I took to the Avocado Showdown in Vancouver. It didn’t win, but the event was a lot of fun. This event also started me down the path of attending food-related media events. Something I’ve been having a lot of fun with and am looking forward to attending a lot more of in the coming year.
Mediterranean 4 layer dip
6) Bobby’s Moms Butter Chicken. This stuff is completely delicious and was a lot of fun to learn how to make.
7) Salted Dark Chocolate Tart . This recipe got a lot of love. It’s extremely rich and decadent, but worth every bite.
Salted Dark Chocolate Tart
8) Applesauce muffins. Using fresh, seasonal fall apples, these muffins are great, healthy snack. They’re also yummy enough to seem like a treat.
9) Salmon en Papillote is fancy enough for company, but easy enough for a weeknight meal.
Salmon en Pappillote
10) Apple Sangria. The essence of fall in a glass, it’s sweet and refreshing with an herbal twist.
If you’re on Instagram, you may have noticed some people posting their top 9 pictures from 2015. I thought it was neat to look back and see which pictures got the most love and attention. Although most of the pictures are for recipes I haven’t posted, the Apple Sangria was one of the most loved on both lists. Here are my Instagram best 9 of 2015
I wish you all a Happy New Year. Cheers!
I know, I know, Christmas is only a few days away and everyone is busy finishing up with all the last minute things that come with it, but can we all just take a minute to think about January?
Looking forward into January, one of the most exciting foodie events in Vancouver is happening; Dine Out Vancouver. Most of the tickets won’t go on sale until next month, but if you’re like me and can’t wait that long, I’ve got some good news for you. Tickets for some of the events, specifically the neighbouhood brunch crawls, are on sale now.
Presented by Vancouver Foodster, each weekend of the Dine Out Vancouver festival a different neighbourhood will play host to a brunch crawl featuring some of their well known haunts, as well as some of their lesser known favourites, giving you a tasty glimpse of the area.
Tickets are $60, but before Dec 31st you can purchase them at the early bird rate of $45. Or, if you’re like me and brunch is your favourite meal of the day, you might also be interested in buying a 3-crawl pack for $115.
You can read more about each of the brunch crawls below:
Saturday January 16 from 10am -2pm Gastown Brunch Crawl
http://vancouverfoodster.com/2015/12/04/gastown-brunch-crawl-on-january-16/
Gah!!! I can’t believe it’s only 1 week until Christmas. ONE WEEK!
This past week has been a busy one. I spent a few hours at the start of the week with my sons grade 3 class showing them how to make gingerbread cookies. I don’t think there are a lot of people who willingly choose to teach 24 – 8 year olds how to bake, in fact, I believe I might have been the only one, but for some reason I felt this was an opportunity to volunteer and have a lot of fun. I had to laugh at all the grossed out expressions when they smelled the molasses that we needed to add. It definitely wasn’t the most relaxing morning, but I’m glad I stepped up to help out.
There have also been the usual Christmas parties and concerts. And of course, some close to last minute, Christmas shopping. It’s always so busy at this time of year. I’ve been having a hard time focusing on meal planning and creating, so I’ve fallen back on some old recipes. One of those recipes is this Italian Sausage Penne. It’s quick and easy, and best of all, it’s a dish that everyone in my family enjoys.
This recipe has been around in our house for a number of years. It’s actually something my mom used to make when I was a teenager and has been carried over into my house. I’m not sure where the original recipe came from, although my guess would be either a Canadian Living magazine, a Company’s Coming cookbook or from one of my moms several Best of Bridge cookbooks. Those seemed to be the most prominent cookbooks in our house at the time. This recipe takes 30 minutes, it doesn’t have too many ingredients and it’s super simple. Exactly what I’ve needed these past couple of weeks. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with the fast-approaching holidays, hopefully this recipe will help you out, as well.
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
500g Italian sausage
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 – 398 mL cans of diced tomatoes
1 tbsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried basil
375g package of penne (mine was 454g, so I used a bit less than the whole thing)
Italian flat leaf parsley for garnish (optional)
parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then cook the penne according to the package directions. Drain the penne, then place it back in the pot and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over low-medium heat. Add the sausages and cover. Cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and cooked throughout. Remove from the pan and set aside until cook enough to handle. Drain most of the drippings, leaving only about 1 tbsp.
Add the onions to the hot skillet and cook for just a few minutes until beginning to sweat, then add the garlic. Continue cooking for about 1 minute before adding in the tomatoes, basil and oregano. Stir together and bring to a simmer over low heat.
While the sauce is simmering, slice the cooled italian sausage into 1/2″ think slices. Add it to the skillet and continue cooking until the sauce is thickened and the sausage is warmed through.
Pour the sauce over the penne and stir. Serve with fresh parsley and parmesan. Serves 4 – 6
As always, I’ll be sharing this recipe with all the lovely people at the Fiesta Friday blog Party. This week it’s being co-hosted by Caroline @ Caroline’s Cooking and Linda @ La Petite Paniere. For more recipe inspiration, check them out.
Also, be sure to follow my Pinterest page. I’ve been pinning holiday recipes like a mad women. There’s just so many things I want to try to make. Cheers!
Hey guys,
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted a new recipe, but I’m back and just in time for Christmas. I’m also just in time to be co-hosting the Fiesta Friday blog party along with Sadhna of Herbs, Spices and Tradition. I’m thrilled to be one of the co-hosts this week. A little over a year ago I was lucky enough to stumble over this blog party. Since then, almost every week, I join the party and get to see what some of my fellow food bloggers have been up to in their kitchens. Not only am I constantly jealous, awed and hungry, I’m also continually inspired and challenged in my own cooking. If you have a recipe you’d like to share, we’d love to see what you’ve been cooking. Click here to read the guidelines. Also, don’t forget to link your post to fiestafriday.net, my site, Kitchen, Uncorked and my co-host Sadhna of Herb, Spices and Tradition
This week I’m sharing a recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate. As I mentioned in my last post, I was on vacation in Mexico (for the first time ever). Although there wasn’t a lot of inspiration to be found in an all-inclusive buffet, I did stumble across this little gem one morning. Mexican hot chocolate is typically made with Mexican chocolate bars. These are made with cacao beans that are ground with sugar, almonds, cinnamon and sometimes vanilla. I didn’t have any Mexican chocolate, although looking back, I’m a little annoyed that I didn’t think to grab some while I was away. I improvised by using dark chocolate and adding my own cinnamon. This recipe is ridiculously easy to make and has only a few ingredients, but it’s deliciously rich and creamy. A perfect treat, just in time for Christmas.
100 grams Dark Chocolate (I used 75%)
2 tbsp brown sugar (a little more if you’re using a darker chocolate)
3 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
1 1/2 Cups milk
1/2 Cup heavy cream
Place all the ingredients in a small pot over low heat. Stir often until well blended and hot throughout, about 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and cloves before serving. Optional: Top with whipped cream and cinnamon. Serves 2
Kitchen, uncorked 