Crispy Quinoa Cakes

Dear Jess,

I am in love with The Oh She Glows Cookbook, and www.ohsheglows.com. I have posted a few, and here is another one! These are full of flavour, and are perfect for lunch, dinner, and even take-out snacks for Alice! (and she loves them, by the way!) I am hoping to do a double batch to freeze for when baby #2 arrives! I used my manual food processor (from Pampered Chef!) quite a bit. If you don't have any form of food processor, then it will be a lot of chopping.

Oh, and I love that you bake these, rather than pan fry them! She knows what she's doing.

Crispy Quinoa Cakes
from www.ohsheglows.com

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
2 Tbsp ground flax + 6 Tbsp water (or 2 eggs)
1 cup destemmed, finely cut kale
1/2 cup rolled oats, ground into a flour
1/2 cup finely grated sweet potato
1/4 cup finely chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
2 Tbsp finely diced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp tahini paste (runny)
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp red or white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp fine grain sae salt, or to taste
3 Tbsp gluten-free all-purpose flour (I used spelt)
red pepper flakes, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix the ground flax and water in a small bowl and set aside for 5 minutes or so to thicken. (omit this step if using eggs)

3. Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl, including the flax mixture (or eggs) and the 15 cups cooked quinoa. Stir well until the mixture comes together. Don't forget the flour because it helps bind the patties.

4. Shape mixture into 1/4 cup patties with wet hands. Pack tightly so they hold together better. Place on baking sheet.

5. Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully flip cakes, and bake for another 8-10 minutes until golden and firm.

6. Cool for 5 minutes on the sheet and then enjoy!

I served these with fresh spinach and avocado topped with homemade balsamic vinaigrette (balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, real maple syrup, oregano), and oven roasted potatoes (sweet and regular) in a shallow bowl. Even Jason enjoyed it!

Love,

Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto and Lamb Sausage Pasta

Dear Jess,

Congratulations again on wee little Carter! It was such a pleasure to see you, and meet the little guy on Friday! I can't wait to share in the adventures of parenthood together! You are looking fabulous, and I look forward to our next visit!!

This dish is sublime. Roasted everything, atop quinoa noodles. Alice ate this all up, and was such a mess we had to dump her in the tub after! I hope to make this over and over. (Even do a frozen batch for when baby #2 arrives!)

Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto
from ohsheglows.com

9 large Roma tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
1/3 cup almonds
2 garlic cloves
1 cup tightly packed fresh basil
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling on tomatoes)
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast (optional... I didn't use this)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
You desired amount of cooked Pasta

1. Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Place sliced tomatoes on the sheet and drizzle with oil, salt and pepper. Roast for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Watch closely during the last 15 minutes of roasting.

2. Put almonds into food processor and process until finely chopped. Remove and set aside.

3. With processor turned on, add 2 garlic cloves and let it whirl around until finely chopped. Now add in the basil and process until finely chopped.

4. Add in the oil, optional nutritional yeast, and 1.5 cups of roasted tomatoes (you will have tomatoes left over). Process until smooth. Pulse in chopped almonds. Season generously with salt and pepper. I think I used about 1/2 tsp salt or a bit more.

5. Pour your desired amount of pest over the cooked pasta and mix well. Chop the remaining roasted tomatoes and stir into pasta.

I roasted my lamb sausage at 400 for 20-30 minutes (until cooked through). I also roasted red peppers and onions at 375 for 30-45 minutes. Neither of these things are needed, but were a lovely addition.

Love Always,

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado-Cilantro Cream Sauce

Dear Jess,

Yes. Another sweet potato recipe. Please believe me when I say, "Make this recipe!" I had it ready for Jason last night, and he said "It smells like restaurant food!" I'm pretty sure that's a compliment.

You may have noticed many of my dishes these days are veggie based. I have been convicted lately of buying free-range, organic meats. For many reasons. Mainly it's from a 'Stewardship of our Earth' perspective. The industrialization of food (veggies and meat alike) have led to farms killing so much land, because they are not farming the land properly. Be it not giving livestock enough space, and/or drenching the earth with hormones and the like, it is killing the earth and making it unusable for generations! Not just a year or two... generations! I don't think this is a very responsible way of taking care of the Earth that God gave us. Thus, as a first step, I am trying to do my part in making a change. I also like the idea of supporting local farms, which is easy to do if I start to frequent the market on Saturday.

I have always known that organic everything is more expensive, however, I have always believed we don't need to eat meat on a daily basis, so we are spending more money on free-range, organic meat, and eating it less often. Plus, I get to be more creative in the kitchen, as Jason needs filling meals (especially in the winter, as he works outside in the cold!)

This recipe is by far one of my favourites. I even got to make enchilada sauce! (Which I will share here as well!)

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado-Cilantro Cream Sauce
from The Oh She Glows Cookbook, page 147

For the Enchiladas:
2 cups sweet potato, peeled and chopped small
1 red onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
Fine-grain sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 large handfuls spinach, roughly chopped
2 1/2 cups 5-minute Enchilada Sauce (see following recipe) or store-bought
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp kosher salt, or taste
5-6 tortilla wraps or gluten-free corn tortillas

For the Avocado-Cilantro Cream Sauce
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1 medium avocado, pitted
2 Tbsp lime juice
1/4 tsp fine-grain sea salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Fresh cilantro leaves for serving
Sliced green onion, for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large 3-qt/2.8L) rectangular baking dish.

2. Make the Enchiladas: Place the sweet potato in a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-high and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Season with sea salt and black pepper.

4. Add the bell pepper, cooked sweet potato, black beans, and spinach. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook for a few minutes more, or until the spinach is wilted.

5. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce, the lime juice, chili powder, cumin and kosher salt.

6. Spread 1 cup of the enchilada sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Scoop 3/4 cup of the sweet botato filling onto each tortilla. Rolld up the tortillas and place them seam side down in the baking dish. Spread the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas. If you have leftover filling, spoon it on top of the tortillas as well.

7. Bake the enchiladas, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce is a deep red colour and the enchiladas are heated through.

8. Meanwhile, make the Avocado-Cilantro Cream Sauce: In a food processor, process the cilatntro until minced. Add the avocado, lime juice, sea salt, garlic powder, and 3 Tbsp water and process until creamy, stopping to scrape down the bowl as needed.

9. When the enchiladas are ready to serve, place them individually and drizzle or spread some of the Avocado-Cilantro Cream Sauce on top of each. Garnish with cilantro and green onion, if desired.

5-minute Enchilada Sauce
From The Oh She Glows Cookbook, page 300

2 Tbsp vegan butter or light-tasting oil of choice
2 Tbsp flour (I used spelt)
4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 scant cup tomato paste
1 3/4 cups vegetable broth
1/4-1/2 tsp fine-grain sea salt, to taste

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the vegan butter over medium heat.

2. Stir in the flour until a thick paste forms. Stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and cayenne until combined. Cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.

3. Stir in the tomato paste, followed by the broth. Whisk until smooth and combine. Bring to a low boil over high heat (covered, if necessary) and then reduce the heat to medium to maintain a simmer. Stir in salt to taste and simmer for about 5 minutes (or longer, if desired), until thickened.

The pictures aren't beautiful, because I think I left them in for a few minutes too long... but oh. my. goodness. I cannot wait to eat this for lunch today!

Love,

Lentil Burgers

Dear Jess,

I have been making a lot of 'patties' lately. Tuna, salmon, chicken... you name it. One reason is because they're an easy lunch for both Alice and me; and second because they're easy to take with us, when Alice needs to eat while we're out. (Plus, they're yummy!) This led me to want to try this recipe.

If you're looking for a cost-effective, vegetarian, filling dinner, look no further! I found this on good old Pinterest, and decided it was worth trying out. I had to make a few modifications, but in the end, dinner was a success!

Lentil Burgers
adapted from www.veganinthefreezer.com
1 cup dried green lentils
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely grated
3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (not in their shells!)
1 egg
3/4 cup bread crumbs (I made some from my gluten free bread)
4 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
all purpose flour (I used spelt flour)
coconut oil for frying

1. Add you lentils and 2 cups of water to a pot. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Saute onion and carrot in a wee bit of olive oil for 5 minutes (or until onion is softened, but not browned). Add these to a bowl with the remaining ingredients. Add lentils, and mix well.

3. Transfer to a a food processor, and pulse 5 or six times. Just enough to break it down slightly. Transfer back to your bowl, and slowly add flour until it reaches a consistency that can be formed into burgers. (I only added around 1/4 cup... maybe 1/3 cup.)

4. Heat coconut oil in a large frying pan on medium/medium-high heat. There should be a good layer of oil on the whole pan. Heat until a little piece of lentil sizzles when dropped on the oil. Form your burgers into the desired size patties, and cook for about 3 minutes on each side.

5. Serve on desired bun, pita, bed of greens... with desired condiments. (I made a curried mayo, and served them with oven roasted veggies! Mmmmm)

This will also serve as Jason's lunch tomorrow! Win for Sally!

I hope you're feeling well, and still have energy! I hope to see you before the baby arrives!

Love,

Comforting Chicken Soup

Dear Jess,

Wham. Bam. Thank you Tana Ramsay.

This. Soup.

THIS.

SOUP.

Make this soup! The fragrance, the ease, the yumminess! This is by far, the best chicken soup I have ever tasted, made, laid eyes upon... I was nearing the end of making it, and in walks Jason from running errands. "Ooooooooooooo... Sally!' were his exact words after inhaling the aromas of this soup. It's so good that even though I made it on Saturday, right this minute I have another pot of it in the works.

For a while now, I have wanted to make a chicken soup where you cook the entire chicken in the soup. Two of my friends had mentioned that they had tried it and will never go back. I searched for a recipe on the Internet, and didn't really find anything that peaked my interest, or met my expectations. I had given up all hope, and turned to Tana Ramsay's book Home Made. I knew I would find a delicious soup recipe there, even if it wasn't the one I was looking for. Little did I know that fortune was about to shine it's big, beautiful, bright face upon me. Low and behold, on page 6, there is a delightful recipe called Comforting Chicken Soup. And guess what... you cook the whole chicken in it!

I made a few alterations, though I feel I stayed true to her vision.

Comforting Chicken Soup
adapted from Tana Ramsay's Comforting Chicken Soup, Home Made, Page 6

1 Chicken weighing about 2 3/4 lb
2 sticks of celery
2 carrots
2 leeks, cleaned, trimmed and chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
1 bay leaf
6 peppercorns
1 sprig tarragon
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4-1/2 cup spelt flour
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
salt

1. In a large stock pot, with lid, Put the chicken into the center of the pot and surround with HALF your celery, HALF your carrots, HALF your leeks, and HALF your onions. Throw in the bay leaf, peppercorns, tarragon and a generous pinch of salt and pour over enough water almost to cover the bird, leaving the top of the breast clear. It will poach in the steam. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a slow simmer. Put on the lid and cook very gently for 1 1/2 hours.

2. When the time is up, remove from the heat and allow to cool for as long as it takes to remove the chicken safely. Put the chicken to one side.

3. Pour the cooking broth through a fine sieve into a clean container (I use a large measuring cup) and discard all the vegetables and seasonings.

4. Meanwhile, in a clean pan, add oil, remaining onion, celery, carrots and leeks. Fry until soft, but not coloured. Add the flour and stir well to make a smooth paste around the vegetables. Fry for a couple of minutes, then gradually stir in the broth. Increase the heat and bring to the boil, stirring all the times. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly, then liquidize in batched with a blender (and return to pot), or take your immersion blender to it.

5. Add red wine vinegar.

6. Using your hands, remove the breast meat from the chicken carcass, discarding the skin. (I put the dark meat away for another soup.)

Shred the meat into very small pieces and add to the soup. Season with salt to taste and serve in warm bowls.

A perfect soup, for a Canadian winter.

Love,

Spicy Black Bean Soup

Dear Jess,

Poor Jason informed me that he is hungry. Almost always. This is not surprising, as the weather has officially become cold, and he works outside. The amount of calories he burns everyday has jumped substantially!

I was lucky enough to win a door prize at my friend and Naturopath's open house for the new location of her clinic Healthy Foundations. To my delight, it was the door prize I most coveted: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. As it says on the cover, it is "A complete nutritional and cooking guide for every stage of life, including over 200 gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free recipes." It is packed full of helpful information for people intolerant of many foods, and also what you should be looking for when buying organic. I have found it extremely helpful.

On page 155, there is a recipe for Spicy Black Bean Soup. This is one of many recipes I hope to make in the upcoming winter months. I served it over brown rice, with a salad topped with boiled egg, and homemade poppyseed dressing. (I will include this recipe too!)

Enjoy!

Spicy Black Bean Soup
from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Page 155

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 medium red bell pepper, diced (I subbed celery, because I can't have peppers yet)
1 large carrot, diced
1 small jalapeno chili pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tsp cumin powder
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 tsp chipotle pepper (I omitted this, as I didn't have any)
1 tsp paprika
pinch cayenne
2-3 cups water (I used chicken broth)
6 cups cooked black beans, or 3 cans
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes, or one 14 oz can
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels (I can't eat corn yet either, so I left it out)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 tsp sea salt or Herbamare, or to taste
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat; add chopped onion and sea salt. Saute until slightly golden, then add red pepper, carrot, jalapeno pepper; saute-stir a few minutes more. Add spices and stir to coat.

2. Add water, black beans, tomatoes, and corn, add more water/broth if necessary. Turn heat to medium-low and simmer until vegetables are fork tender, about 20-25 minutes.

3. Remove pot from heat and add cilantro. Add Herbamare or sea salt to taste. Add apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust salt and seasonings if necessary. (I also too my immersion blender to it a bit, to thicken and smooth it out a bit)

Poppy Seed Dressing
adapted from a recipe from a friend

1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp grated onion
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp poppy seeds

Blend honey, vinegar, salt, mustard and onion together. With the blender on, slowly add olive oil to ensure it infuses effectively. Stir in poppy seeds, and refrigerate!

Like a said earlier, I served the soup over brown rice with a salad. It was a hit with Jason, and he said it filled him up! Woot woot! Win for the wife!

I love you and miss you dreadfully. I hope we can see each other soon.

Love,

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Dear Jess,

I feel like I have been stumbling across many delicious recipes lately. Choosing one to share (on top of finding time to do so...) is becoming challenging.

I love finding truly delicious Slow Cooker meals. It's always such a surprise. I generally find, when doing a meal in the Slow Cooker, that I sacrifice (to varying degrees) flavour... or maybe the distinction in flavours within the meal... does this make sense to anyone else? All this is to say, it is a rare occasion when I find a Slow Cooker recipe that reaches the standards of a meal made more conventionally.

This. One. 

I have made it twice this week. Once because I was desperate (with a sick, teething baby), and twice because we found it such a delight, I made it for friends when they came over for dinner.

It looks spicy, but isn't at all. It is actually a little sweet, due to the coconut milk.

Chicken Tikka Masala
from www.thekitchn.com

1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch piece whole ginger, peeled and grated
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1-2 Tbsp garam masala
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp kosher salt
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
1 can full fat coconut milk

Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and transfer them to your slow cooker. Stir in the onion, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, 1 Tbsp garam masala, paprika, and kosher salt until the chicken is evenly covered with spices.*

*If you have time: marinate the chicken in 1/2 cup yogurt of up to 6 hours. Shake to remove excess yogurt before transferring to the slow cooker... I didn't do this

*If you have time: Saute the onions and garlic in a little olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet until softened, then stir in the ginger, tomato paste, and spices until fragrant. Transfer to the slow cooker with the chicken and diced tomatoes. This will give oyur tikka masala more depth of flavour.... I DID THIS

Cover the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on hight, or 8 hours on low. Fifteen minutes before the end of cooking, stir in the coconut milk. If you prefer a thicker sauce, leave the slow cooker uncovered for the last 15 minutes. (I have done it both ways, and didn't see a big difference in thickness.) Taste and add more garam masala or salt to taste.

Serve over rice!

I may even make a batch of this for the freezer! Mmmmm.

I hope you're doing well, and the cooling of the air is a comfort to you. 

Love,

Butternut Squash and Lentil Curry

Dear Jess,

I am having a feverish love-affair with butternut squash. I can't stop thinking about what I can make next with it! Roasted, sauteed, soups, chilies... and in this case: curry!

This is a recipe I have made at least once a week for the past month and a half! I am even going to go so far as make a batch just to freeze so I can have it constantly on hand!

Butternut Squash and Lentil Curry
adapted from dishingupthedirt.com

1 cup dry, brown lentils
1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1-2 Tbsp ginger, peeled and grated
1 cup broth (your choice. I used chicken broth)
1 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
dash of cinnamon
dash of pepper
1/3 cup full fat coconut milk (plus extra, depending on the desired consistency)

Preheat oven to 400F. Place squash cubed on a lined baking sheet, and drizzle with a little oil and salt. Roast for around 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven and set aside.

Cook lentils in a pot of boiling water for about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet saute onion in oil. Add ginger, and saute until onions are tender. (5-10 minutes) Add cooked squash and broth. Simmer 8-10 minutes. Reduce heat and blend with an immersion blender. (A regular blender will do the trick too.) Add curry powder, tomato paste, tumeric, cinnamon, salt and coconut milk. Stir in lentils and heat through.

I usually add more coconut milk to loosen it up a bit. I will end up using about 3/4 of the can. It's totally up to you and your preferences though.

Serve on rice, quinoa, vermicelli noodles... whatever your pleasure!

I know it looks like a plop of a substance you don't usually speak of at dinner... but this dish is so delicious, and smells irresistible! I hope your Autumn is breezy, and full of colour. I miss you greatly, and am looking forward to our next visit.

Love,

Chicken and Mango Curry

Dear Jess,

The sun is shining, and the air is cooling. What a wonderful time of year. I have decided it's my favourite. Don't get me wrong, I love love love sticky, hot, humid weather. Maybe it's a result of being born in August. This weather, however, seems strikingly Canadian to me. I feel as if it's in me. In my blood. You know it will get much colder, and you're hanging onto the last long days of sunlight. Sometimes still wearing a t-shirt, even if it's only 10 degrees because the heat of summer is still living inside us. Mmmmm. To top it all off, the kitchen smells of warm, bubbling comfort.

This recipe actually came from a friend of mine. We went to their house for dinner a while back, and she found this recipe for me and my eating restrictions. She was kind enough to pass the recipe on, and I have since made it twice (to raving reviews from the husband!) I left the printed copy at the cottage, but can remember what it said. Unfortunately I can't remember where in the large world of the Internet it came from. So here goes my version of it!

Chicken and Mango Curry
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 Tbsp ginger, grated
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin (or more, depending on your taste)
2 Tbsp curry powder (more or less, depending on your taste)
1 14.5oz can full fat coconut milk
2 mangoes (or 4 cups frozen mango)
The meat of one whole (cooked) chicken
fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Heat oil in saute pan. Add and cook onion and celery for 5 minutes. Add ginger and garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add cumin and curry powder. This will soak up lots of the oil. Add more oil if needed.

2. Add coconut milk and half the mango (one mango if using fresh, 2 cups if using frozen) and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.

3. Transfer into a blender. Blend until smooth. Return to saute pan. Add chicken (chopped) and the remainder of your mango. Bring to boil, and simmer (stirring) for another 10-15 minutes.

I serve this on brown rice with fresh, chopped cilantro.

I hope all is going well with the start of a new school year! I am thinking of you often!

Love,

Chicken Stir-fry with Yams

Dear Jess,

The summer (as always) is flying by. I can't believe we're into August already!

As you have likely noticed, I'm having a chicken and ginger love affair. This recipe has become a quick comfort food for me! If you don't like hoisin, just use soy sauce instead. The yams (or sweet potato in my case) make this dish addictive!

Chicken Stir-fry with Yams
adapted from www.epicurious.com

2 Tbsp Sesame oil, divided (olive oil will work too, though now with the same flavour)
2 yams (I used a large sweet potato), peeled, cut crosswise into 1/3 inch thick rounds then cut into 1/3 inch wide strips
1 medium size red onion, cut lengthwise into 1/3 inch thick slices
2-3 Tbsp peeled, grated fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
Meat from one cooked chicken
4 cups 1/3 inch thick strips sliced cabbage (about 1/4-1/2 head)
1 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat 1 Tbsp Sesame oil in a large skillet. Add yams and onion. Cook, covered, for 12 minutes (or until tender), stirring occasionally. I had a little measuring cup of water close at hand, so if it started to burn, I would add a bit.

Add Ginger and Garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add chicken and cabbage. Cook for about 5 minutes (or until cabbage is at desired texture. I like my cabbage just a tad bit still crunchy.)

Add Hoisin sauce (add more if desired), soy sauce and salt and pepper. Stir until heated through and remove from heat.

I served this atop a bid of vermicelli noodles. It would go great with rice, or any other stir-fry-friendly noodle.

Love,

Chicken with Ginger

Dear Jess,

What a week! Alice got her first cold, and Jason caught it from her. I'm the only one that seems to have escaped unscathed... so far. I have finally caught up in cleaning and laundry.

The weather here has been amazing. It has kept us cheery throughout the sicknesses. My garden is flourishing (both vegetable and flower!) and we are all looking forward to the weekend.

This recipe... all I can say is make it! Unless you don't like ginger... then you will hate it. This is going in my regular recipe book, where I plan to revisit it many times over.

Chicken with Ginger
adapted from www.marthastewart.com

1 large piece of ginger (about 4 inches long), peeled and grated (or finely chopped)
4 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large zucchini, chopped
6 large kale leaves, chopped (take stems off if desired)
1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium, if you can)
4 tbsp white wine vinegar
4 tbsp pure maple syrup (or honey)
1 cooked chicken, stripped and chopped (or about 2 pounds cooked chicken breast)
1 cup scallions, finely chopped

1. In a large skillet on medium heat, sautee ginger, olive oil, onions and garlic for about 10 minutes, or until super tender. Add zucchini and kale and cook for another 5 minutes, or until they have reached desired texture.

2. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar and maple syrup. Pour over vegetables in skillet. Cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken and scallions. Cook for 2-5 minutes, stirring often.

3. Serve with rice, noodles or more veggies! (I served mine with brown rice cooked with chicken broth)

I think I might throw in a few cashews next time! mmmmmmm

I hope you're still enjoying your summer!

Overflowing Love,

Mung Beans and Rice with Indian Spices and Caramelized Onions (in the Slow Cooker!)

Dear Jess,

It. Has. Been. So. Long.

A few reasons:

1) I have a baby, who as soon as I think I have her figured out... she goes and changes everything! I'm pretty sure this will be my story for the rest of my life! (In a good way!)

2) For reasons I will label  (to avoid grossing out our entire following... and you) as 'digestions issues' I am on a diet that has cut out many foods that are staples in many households. Because of this diet, and the aforementioned child, it has taken me a while to adjust and get creative again in the kitchen.

All that being said... life is oh so sweet!

This recipe is one I made simply because I had all the ingredients. It baffled me when it turned out delicious! I will make this again, and again! I found it on a great blog that I stumbled upon on Pinterest. Let me tell you... the onions make this recipe! Whatever you do, don't leave them out!

Mung Beans and Rice with Indian Spices and Caramelized Onions
Adapted from www.nourishingmeals.com

1 1/2 cups dry short grain brown rice
1 cup dry mung beans
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp grated fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp dried
6 cups water (I will do chicken broth next time)
1 can organic coconut milk
1 to 1/2 tsp Herbamare or sea salt

*I added carrots and peas as some 'extras'... see instructions for more details.

Onions:
1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
1 medium onion, cut into crescent moons
1/4 tsp Herbamare or sea salt
1 tbsp whole cumin seeds
1 1/2 tsp mustard seeds

Place the brown rice, mung beans, ground cumin, turmeric, ginger, and water into your crockpot. Cover and cook on hight for 3 hours, or on low for 6 1/2 hours. After the beans adn rice are cooked, stir in coconut milk and salt. Be sure to stir in any additional ingredients about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Turn off heat.

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, then add onions and salt. Saute for approximately 10 minutes. I like tot gradually turn the head down as they cook so they don't turn. By the end of cooking I am using low heat. After about 10 minutes, add cumin and mustard seeds. Continue to cook for 3-5 more minutes, or until onions are caramelized and spices are fragrant.

I served this with fresh sprouts, and avocado. Actually, I think in the picture above, it is spinach... any greens will be yummy! You can add whatever you like! It's comforting and tasty! Next time I will add more spices... definitely more ginger!

I can't wait to see you on Saturday!

Love,

Quinoa 'Fried Rice'

Dear Jess,

I am finding my new routine. Alice has a few naps a day, and I am able to identify when she needs one. Due to her sleeping at night time, this gives me time to get things done around the house (as I normally don't need to nap myself anymore) and cook more often!

Today's recipe came from the Internet. I haven't done anything with ginger in a while, and you know how I love quinoa! It turned out just how I wanted it. The only thing I will change next time, is I will use another egg.

Enjoy!

Quinoa 'Fried Rice'
from www.domesticsuperhero.com

2 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
8oz mushrooms, sliced
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
1 zucchini, chopped
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 carrots, peeled and grated
3 cups cooked quinoa (I cooked mine with chicken broth)
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 green onions, sliced
Sriracha, for serving (optional)

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over low heat. Add eggs and fry until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side, flipping only once. Let cool before dicing into small pieces.

2. Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or wok* over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring often, until onions become translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

3. Add mushrooms, broccoli and zucchini. Cook, stirring constantly**, until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes.

4. Add corn, peas, carrots and quinoa. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 1-2 minutes.

5. Add ginger and soy sauce, and gently toss to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 2 minutes.

6. Stir in green onions and eggs.

7. Serve hot with a drizzle of Sriracha, if desired.

* I just used my large pot, and put it on medium heat.
** If you're using a large pot like I did, it is not as crucial to stir constantly throughout the recipe.

I was quite pleased with the flavour. Like I said earlier, I will add another egg next time (3 eggs total).

I hope all is well!

Love,

Split Pea Soup

Dearest of all Jessicas,

I miss you terribly. My heart aches when I think of you and Caitlin, and how none of us have seen each other in so long. I think we should all plan a "girls' weekend" over the March break! And since it's the March break, the "weekend" can be in the week! Thoughts?

Anyways. I am writing today to share a recipe (for the first time in quite a long time!) for Split Pea Soup. The story behind this one is as follows. Pork shoulders were on sale a while back for around ten dollars each (bone-in). I had just stocked my freezer with chickens, a turkey and a ham shoulder. I decided to pass this sale by. The next week however, they were approximately six dollars each! Huge 4lb+ Pork shoulder roasts! So I grabbed two. On Tuesday I roasted one in my oven (recipe to come when I roast the second one, as I forgot to take pictures of the final product...). My parents dropped by to see Alice. My mom reminded me that if/when I make stock out of the pork bone, I can make Split Pea Soup! How I managed to forget that's what you make with pork stock, I have no idea... but my Mom saved the day! Thus, yesterday, I ran to the bulk barn for split peas, and last night for dinner, we had Split Pea Soup. What a lovely soup on a blowing, snowing day! (Our snow banks on either side of our driveway are taller than our vehicles... looking out the window with a bowl of this bad boy is absolute comfort.)

Split Pea Soup
heavily adapted from www.foodnetwork.com

1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
8 cups pork broth (made from your pork bone)
2 cups carrots, diced
1 cup sweet potato, diced
1 cup celery, diced
2 cups dried split peas (yellow and/or green)

1. Add onion, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil to a large pot. Simmer until onions are translucent. Add broth, carrots, potato, celery, and HALF the split peas. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered, for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add remainder of split peas and simmer for another 40 minutes, or until your peas are at desired tenderness. Stir often, so nothing burns to the bottom of your pot. (The soup thickens quickly)

3. Serve!

I hope your winter is going well, and your students are little angels!

So much love,

Vegan Pasta Alfredo

Dear Sally, 

I have been neglecting my letters. I love your recipe for chutney. I tried making cherry jam the other day and it was a complete failure. Let's just say that canning is not my thing. 

So the trip out East was fantastic. I love the air down there and we had great weather for the coast. Walking along the beach on one of our last days was probably the highlight for me. You just don't get that kind of experience here in Bradford.

So I have been making many things on my days off but not all have been a success. This recipe was awesome! I have tried my share of gluten and dairy free foods and this one actually tasted like something most people would eat. Jesse included. He really loved this one and the best part was that the noodles weren't soggy. Rice noodles can be a challenge. 

Here is the recipe! 

Vegan Pasta Alfredo

modified from Gluten-Free-Vegan-Girl

Ingredients: for the sauce:

• 1/2 cup raw cashews (or pine kernels)
• 1/2 + cup unsweetened plant-based milk
• 2 garlic cloves
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• a pinch of maldon salt
• a dash of black pepper
• two hot Italian sausages
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce

for the pasta:

• 200 grams brown rice pasta (preferably fettuccine or spaghetti)
• finely chopped fresh Italian herbs (such as oregano, basil or thyme)

Directions:

1. Start by placing the pasta in a pot with boiling water and a pinch of salt. Let this cook while making the sauce.
2. The sauce is made simply by placing all the ingredients together in a small food processor (or use a hand blender) and run until completely small. Start by using 1/2 cup plant-based milk and add more for the sauce to reach the right consistency. It should be about as thick as pancake batter.
3. Once the sauce is mixed cook the Italian sausages in a frying pan  until golden brown and cooked through. Cut the sausage into small pieces and set aside.
4. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it and place back into the pot. Pour in the sauce and some finely chopped herbs (I used basil leaves) and stir well. Add the 1/2 cup tomato sauce and the sausages. Add in additional black pepper and salt to taste. Serve immediately while warm. 

Keep sending those pictures my way. I can't wait to see you again in person but photos will have to do. Tell Jason we say hi!


Love,