Cheese and crackers is a classic combination that appeals even to children and picky eaters alike. With just a couple extra ingredients this snack or appetizer can take on a seasonal twist and be made to resemble little reindeer. Continue Reading →
Apple Pork Chops
Pork chops have long been a favourite in my family. Our dad makes a really good breaded and fried version and my brother, who is becoming quite the master chef, makes them with apples and brown sugar (my other brother’s most recent creative culinary idea was reverse cordon bleu- chicken cooked in a block of cheese, so luckily for our health he doesn’t cook very often). I stole the apple idea and added some wine, dijon and maple syrup which cook down into a sauce and keep the pork tender. Continue Reading →
Granola Baked Apples
Baked apples were one of my favourite childhood treats, long before I started caring for healthy food. My mom used to cut out the core then stuff them with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. While that combination is impossible to beat, I like to sometimes use granola instead for a more filling and nutritious version. Continue Reading →
Winter Fruit Salad
When it comes to healthy eating, arguably the most effective step is simply to make healthy options easily accessible. Cutting fruit takes a bit of time but then for a couple days there is very minimal effort required- simply put it in a bowl (perhaps with some yogurt, granola or oatmeal to bulk it up) and enjoy. Continue Reading →
Butternut Squash Bacon Spaghetti
As the temperatures drop outside the two foods I find more and more enticing are bacon and pasta- neither are traditionally regarded as the most healthy ingredients. For the bacon, a dish like this is perfect because a little goes a long way and just a few pieces infuse the whole dish with its flavour, coming up in every bite. An extra flavourful variety like Tyrolean Speck (often labelled as Tiroler Bacon), with distinct juniper undertones and a longer curing time, is ideal. Continue Reading →
Vanilla Spice Smoothie
There are no greens or weird sea algae powders in this smoothie as is my usual habit- sometimes it’s nice to have a sweet treat with a relatively simple, familiar ingredient list. This version has vanilla protein powder for extra nutrients, frozen banana to make it creamy and medjool dates for some extra but natural sweetness. The addition of spices assists digestion and adds some seasonal flavour, while vanilla almond milk brings it all together. It actually tastes surprisingly similar to egg nog, Continue Reading →
Roasted Chipotle Pumpkin Seeds
When it comes to seeds and pits, most of what we find in our produce is inedible and something to cut away and get rid of. Pumpkin seeds, however, are a delicious and very healthy food that should not be discarded. When roasted they have a rich, nutty taste with a crispy texture and can be eaten on their own or thrown into salads or over soups as a crouton alternative. Continue Reading →
Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached Pears
Steel cut oats are the culinary version of a warm cozy sweater. They are nourishing, warm and grounding and will keep one comfortably satiated for hours. This type of oats takes longer to cook than rolled oats so they are not ideal when things are rushed, but for lazy mornings spent lingering around the house, perhaps with the rain pounding or wind howling outside, they are a perfect breakfast. Once cooked they are still slightly firm, form a thick consistency and have a nutty taste that goes nicely with fruit, nuts and/or yogurt. Continue Reading →
Pancetta Pecorino Wild Rice Stuffed Portobellos
Portobello mushrooms have a meaty flesh, deep earthy flavour and their large, round shape makes them an ideal base for piling on with other ingredients. Wild rice, a black coloured and richly nutty tasting food with a deceiving name forms the base of this stuffing. While we call it rice it is actually the seed of an aquatic grass that thrives in the cold water rivers and lakes. It is rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants, plus unlike most true grains that are slightly acidic it is alkaline. Continue Reading →
Pumpkin Spice Granola
A sprinkle of homemade granola is a healthy way to liven up a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt and fruit. It adds crunch, sweetness and in this case, some fall flavours. A combination of pumpkin purée, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin spice really drive home the pumpkin theme while pecans add some richness, dried cranberries add some chewy tartness and maple syrup, molasses, vanilla and hazelnut butter flavourfully hold it all together. Continue Reading →