Cider Braised Pork Chops

Today, I'm sharing a recipe for braised pork chops. My recipe is a combination of various recipes which I tweaked to my liking. I never grew up eating pork, and I still don't care much for it, but I was pressured into making pork chops for dinner one day, so I thought.. what the hell. I had a feeling I'd be disappointed, as I never really liked the flavour, but I must admit, it tasted really good. This was definitely a crowd pleaser. If you're a pork chop fan, you should give this a try!

Ingredients

4 large pork chops 

2 tbsp olive oil

2 head of garlic, broken into

cloves, peeled

1 cup dry cider

2 large apples, cored, peeled and sliced

12 fresh sage leaves

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat the pork chops dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large frying pan over medium to high heat, add olive oil and then brown the pork chops, 2-3 minutes per side.

While the chops are browning, place the peeled garlic cloves in a small saucepan, pour in the cider, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. While it simmers, cut the apples into pieces. Place the apple slices in a large baking dish and then place the browned chops on top. 

Pour the garlic and cider into the empty frying pan to deglaze. Pour this mixture over the chops. There should be just enough liquid to cover the bottom of the dish. Top the pork chops with the fresh sage leaves and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

Enjoy!

Easy & Healthy Turkey Meatballs

There's a million and one meatball recipes to satisfy everyone. From chickpea meatballs for vegetarians to saucy beef for the meat lovers. Whatever it is, it's a comfort food for many, and very delicious!

Today I am sharing a recipe for meatballs I came up with after I was asked to make a healthier version of my signature meat balls. So, I substituted the veal/pork mix I usually use, and started using ground turkey. I also cut out fry/searing the meatballs before cooking, and just put it straight into the oven instead.

If you're looking to eat healthier meals and keep them delicious, not to worry.. this recipe is for you!

Ingredients

2 cups lean ground turkey
2 cups tomato sauce/crushed tomatoes
1 egg
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup light goat cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp sage
(1/4 cup shredded light mozzarella cheese is optional)


Directions

Add turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, spices and 1 tbsp olive oil in large bowl. Mix together with hands, and form large balls.

Then stuff goat cheese balls that you would previously form, into the meat balls. Re-roll the ball. (Makes about 5-6 large balls)

Add tomato sauce and remaining olive oil in an oven pan. Place meatballs on top and cover with a bit more tomato sauce.

Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 350F and bake for another 40 minutes. For the remaining 5 minutes, you can sprinkle shredded light mozzarella on top.

Enjoy with some pasta, a salad, or on its own!

Why you need Apple Cider Vinegar in your life

Apple Cider Vinegar is a liquid which is made from apple must or cider and can range from a pale to amber colour. This vinegar isn't just for cooking. It's actually one of the best things for you (if you're not allergic to it that is!) Organic apple cider vinegar is the way to go, because it contains "mother of vinegar" and that's the key component to its awesomeness. Here are some reasons why you should be using more apple cider vinegar:

• Helps with weight loss by encouraging the liver to suppress body fat accumulation from cells
• Studies have shown drinking 2 tablespoons of ACV a day can lower glucose levels in blood
• Drinking it will raise HDL (good cholesterol) and lower the levels of triglycerides (bad cholesterol)
• Helps to break up mucous throughout the body when suffering from allergies or a chest cold
• Eases sinus congestion when consumed
• Reduces the frequency and severity of headaches 

• As odd as it sounds, ACV eases heart burn when consumed over time because it can heal the Esophagus and lower the amount of acid in your stomach, Do not drink however if you suffer from an ulcer

• Very good for improving hair by adding shine and strength. Add 1 teaspoon to 2 cups water and rinse hair after shampooing
• Improves the look and feel of skin by regulating pH and softening and diminishing dark spots. Wet a cotton ball with ACV/water mix and dab on face 3x weekly to see results
• Can lower blood pressure and improve heart health
• Removes skin tags and warts
• Known to sooth sunburnt skin. Just add a cup of ACV to a bath to ease pain
• Can give your body a natural boost of energy when feeling sluggish
• Kills head lice and fleas. Many parents use an ACV/water mixture remedy on their children's hair or their pets fur

Try keeping it around your kitchen and using it a bit more. I'm sure you'll begin to see apple cider vinegar as a bit more useful!

Koussa (Stuffed Grey Squash)

This is a favourite of mine. It's a popular Middle Eastern dish that consists of grey squash stuffed with rice and meat. It's definitely a comfort food of mine and one of my all time favourite Arabic recipes.
Grey squash is an easy find at a Middle Eastern or Asian supermarket.  Buy a few and bring them home for this recipe. Make sure you have a utensil to core the squash so you will be able to stuff them.

Ingredients
12-14 grey squash
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups ground beef or lamb
3/4 cup short grain rice
2 cups beef stock (or water)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 can small tomato paste
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 large cuts/chops of lamb *optional
Lemon wedges to squeeze over cooked squash

Directions
Wash and cut the tips off the squash. Use a coring utensil to make the centre hollow. In a large bowl, add ground meat, rice, 1/2 can tomato paste, onion, garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil and spices.  Mix by hand and stuff into individual squash. Then take the remaining tomato paste and mix with 2 cups beef stock or water.

In a large pot on high-medium heat, add remaining olive oil and then press lamb down into the pot. Let sear for 2 minutes, then one by one, place squash on top of the meat. Pour the 2 cups tomato sauce over it. Pop lid and let sit on medium-low heat for 1 hour.

Serve with plain yogurt or sour cream and lemon wedges.
Enjoy!

Why Peanut Butter is a good thing

I'm sure many of us have enjoyed peanut butter and jam sandwiches as kids and still until this day, I must admit it's a favourite of mine. I love peanut butter so much. I put it in my morning smoothie, melt and drizzle over bananas, eat with celery or even right off the spoon... yummy!

I've been known to break in a Kraft peanut butter jar when that's all that's around, but natural 100% peanut butter is the way to go. When looking at the ingredients you should only see peanuts, or peanuts/salt. Other popular brands you see in the markets are made with hydrogenated oils and have unnecessary fillers which should be avoided.

If you've never gone the all natural route, you should give it a try because it's so much better! It doesn't come sweetened, so you can do that if you'd like. I mix honey into mine before I spread on toast or in oatmeal.

I am also a sucker for almond butter, and am currently fighting my temptation to eat it all day long. Mmmm.. so let's go over some of the benefits of peanut butter:

• high in protein so it will help you feel fuller, longer while giving you lots of energy 
• helps repair muscles faster after working out because of high level of protein
• contains healthy fats which help to lower bad cholesterol and maintain overall heart health
• excellent source of potassium which counter acts high levels of sodium in your body and lowers blood pressure
• rich in fibre which aids in digestion
• high in vitamin E which promotes healthy skin and hair
• contains vitamin B6 which is good for the immune system and offers a boost of energy
• contains magnesium which is excellent for strengthening bones and building muscle mass

Try including a few tablespoons of peanut butter a week to your diet, and if you're working out and trying to eat healthy there's nothing wrong with eating it everyday. Remember, eating fats from peanut butter and other "good fat" foods such as avocados, sardines and walnuts keep our hearts healthy, and they should be consumed instead of avoided.

Enjoy!

Lentil Soup

Lentil soup never really sounded exciting to me, especially since my mother made it often as me and my siblings were growing up, but now I've learned to enjoy it. Not only do I find it much tastier, I've realised how wonderful lentils are for us. They are packed with protein and fibre and are an excellent choice to cook with for those who do not eat meat, but still want the benefits of the protein.

There's nothing too glamorous about lentil soup, but I promise if you try this recipe you will enjoy it and make it again. It's thick and savoury and all around good for you!

Ingredients

1 cup lentils (brown or green)

4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable)

2 large carrots, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 tomato, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp chilli flakes

1/4 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp turmeric

Directions
Rinse the lentils then cook in a pot with 4 cups of chicken broth over high heat until it boils. Once it boils, turn down to medium-low heat and let simmer for 25 minutes.

While it's simmering, chop up the vegetables. I used a mini food processor to get it done quickly. Set aside the vegetables until it's time to add them.

Once the lentils have simmered for 25 minutes, add the diced vegetables, lemon juice and spices. Let simmer in the covered pot for another 10 minutes.

When it's finished cooking, use a hand blender to purée the lentils and veg into a nice thick soup. Eat hot, and if you'd like, serve with a spoonful of sour cream.

Enjoy!

Easy Chicken Casserole

This recipe is a conglomeration of ingredients that's boiled and baked, from prep to plate, in 45 minutes. BAM! A quick dinner in a flash. It's nothing fancy, but oh boy it's hearty and delicious. This chicken casserole is a family pleaser. You can always use another veg you like in this meal or what you have on hand.

Ingredients
3 cups no yolk noodles
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 head of broccoli chopped - florets
1 cup sweet corn niblets
1 sweet pepper, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 cup milk
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp turmeric



Directions
Boil 2L of salted water in 2 separate pots. In one pot, add cubes of chicken breasts. Let boil in water for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside. In the other pot, drop the noodles and all the vegetables (broccoli, onion, mushrooms, pepper, corn) and let boil for 10 minutes. 

Drain and then add chicken to same pot. Add milk, cream of mushroom and cream of chicken, all spices, cheese and butter. Mix for a minute, then pour into baking dish evenly. Sprinkle some more cheese on top, then cook at 375F for 30 minutes. 


Let cool slightly before you serve and crack some more black pepper on top. 
Enjoy!

The goodness of Fruit!

Summertime and fruit go hand in hand, and that's one of my favourite reasons for this time of year. Fruits are sweeter, plentiful, less expensive to purchase, which is a plus because it only promotes eating more fruit! Imagine a whole fridge filled with fruits and a bowl of them ripening on your kitchen table.. doesn't that make you giddy? Well, it gets my fruit juices flowing because they're loaded with vitamins, healthy to eat and packed with flavour. Instead of a cabinet filled with fruit roll-ups, sour patches and skittles, try stocking up on real fruits. Head to the market and choose some childhood favourites, and if you're feeling adventurous, pick some up that you've never heard of.

Sometimes on occasion, we take for granted what is available to us. In
Canada, where I live, apples are a part of everyday life. All kinds of apples - empire, pink lady, macintosh, golden delicious.. even desserts -  apple pie, apple cobbler, apple cider. They're grown from the west coast to the eastern shores so it's common. It can get pretty repetitive if you ask me (apples are not my favourite)

On a recent trip to Cuba I learned that apples are quite the treat there. When I explained to my Cuban friend that I was nuts for passion fruit, he cringed and told me that he's sick of eating that fruit because it was a part of his everyday life. Apples however were one of his favourites because they aren't a readily available fruit in his home town. 

Take advantage of all that fruits have to offer. Let's dive into the goodness of fruit...

Oranges

One of the more popular fruits, the Orange seems to be a personal favourite of many. There are many varieties of oranges, from the Seville and Naval, commonly grown in tropical areas like Florida, to the Blood Orange which is very popular in Malta. Here are some benefits of eating oranges:

• Extremely high in Vitamin C which helps to keep your immune system healthy enough to fight off colds
• High in fibre which aids in digestion and helps to lower bad cholesterol
• Studies show that eating oranges helps you feel full longer, which assists in weight loss

Apricots

When summertime rolls around you will start noticing apricots at your local market. The apricot is native to China and has been cultivated for more than 4,000 years. It is now widely grown in many warm climates and is also a popular fruit choice in the Middle East, Greece and Cyrpus. An apricot almost has the same taste of a peach but there are differences. Here are some benefits of eating apricots:

• Contains Vitamin A, which keeps your eyes healthy
• High in antioxidants which helps to eliminate toxins from your body and keeps you looking young
• Apricots contain a special form of fibre which aids in cardiovascular health and digestion
• High in potassium which helps to regulate sodium within the body and to maintain a normal blood pressure

Cherries

These tart and sweet mini fruits are succulent and pop up during summertime. Many of us have enjoyed bowlfuls to ourselves, spitting out the pits on hot summer days. Cherries have a short fruiting season, and although it is one of the more expensive fruits, it is always one of the most popular. Here are some benefits of eating cherries:

• They contain anthocyanins and byoflavonoids which are 2 powerful compounds that fight against gout
• They are very high in antioxidants
• Helps to reduce inflammation in the body and can ease migraine pain as well as joint pain
• Cherries contain melatonin, and will increase the amount you have in your blood which will help you to get a better nights sleep

Papaya

This wonderful fruit has a gorgeous scent that will leave you wanting to devour the entire fruit. It's usually available all year long in some markets, but you will see it in abundance during the summer months. Here are some benefits to eating papaya:

• Rich in antioxidants, it will help eliminate toxins from the body
• If made into a paste along with honey, and applied to skin, it will sooth and protect from outside toxins
• High in fibre as well as being low in calories make this a perfect fruit to eat to stay feeling full longer
• A single papaya contains more than 200% of your daily intake of Vitamin C - perfect for giving your immune system a healthy boost
• Contains an enzyme called papain which helps ease pain related to menstruation in women 
• Good choice of fruit for diabetics to enjoy because it's low in sugar compared to other fruits, but still has a sweet taste when ripe

Mango

Everybody loves a sweet delicious mango. Ripping into it until the juices just drip down your chin.. yummy! Mangos originated from south east Asia and have been cultivated for more than 3,500 years. Today, this wonderful fruit is grown in tropical and warm temperate climates. There are several varieties of mangos but they all essentially contain the same goodness. Here are some benefits to eating mango:

• Contains gallic acid and fitesin which are compounds that help fight against cancer
• High in fibre which aids in healthy digestion
• High in Vitamin C which aids in good overall health
• Contains iron which makes it a great choice for those who are feeling a bit dizzy or are suffering from anaemia 

Figs

These little and very sweet treats have been around for thousands of years. It has been said this was the fruit Eve ate off the tree that was mentioned in the Bible. I grew up eating them often and I still go a little overboard from time to time when I see them sold in 24-packs at the market. They range from green to blackish purple to brown and they all taste delightful. There are hundreds of little tiny seeds called syconium inside each fig and that's where most of it's benefits come from. Here are some reasons why you should eat figs:

• Very high in fibre which aids in digestion
• Contains calcium which helps strengthen bone density 
• High in potassium which helps to regulate blood pressure
• Contains luteolin which blocks the growth of tumours within the body and fights against skin cancer

Watermelon

This is certainly not one of my favourite fruits, however it is a favourite to most, especially during the hot summer months. It's a perfect choice to eat when you need to take a break and cool down and you're sitting down by the bay (where the watermelons grow hehe). Watermelons are native to Africa and have been around for centuries. Here are some benefits to eating watermelon:

• Studies show that eating watermelon before a workout can greatly reduce soreness the following day because it contains L-citrulline, a compound that relaxes your blood vessels and improves circulation
• Since it's more than 90% water, it is known to offer quick hydration
• Contains lycopene, which helps in the prevention against prostate cancer

Kiwi

Don't be afraid of these fuzzy little balls. Kiwis are sweet and tart and certainly like no other. Cultivated in China thousands of years ago, Kiwi is now a very popular fruit, especially within eastern Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Here are some reasons why you should be eating Kiwi:

• High in fibre, Kiwi also contains actinidain which helps to quickly digest food 
• Rich in antioxidants, eating them will help prevent against cell and DNA damage 
• High in potassium which will ensure that electrolytes and sodium levels in the body are balanced
• Extremely high in Vitamin C which is an immune system booster

Passionfruit

One of the most delicious and fragrant fruits, passionfruit has a sweet yet acidic taste. These amazing little fruits are native to South America. They are also grown in other warm climates. They range in colour and variety from green to purple to orange. They are meant to be cut in half and the inside scooped out with a spoon. Yumm... Here are some reasons why passionfruit is good for you:

• Extremely high in Vitamin C and antioxidants
• High in potassium which regulates blood pressure
• High in iron which is good for your blood
• Contains both soluble and insoluble fibre which help in digestion and the reduction of bad cholesterol

I could go on about many different fruits since there are so many to choose from, but I would hope that this summer you can try them out for yourselves. If your love of fruit has diminished over the years, just remember that they really are magical foods that can help boost great health and keep you feeling full. 

Enjoy!

Easy Beef Chilli

I've made a hearty chilli in numerous ways, from using ground turkey to no meat at all. It's such an easy meal to prepare and is also ingredient friendly. I find myself using the extra veg I have in the fridge, and knowing me there's always a can of beans kicking around that I can add.

Try this recipe the next time you're looking to scratch that chilli itch!

Ingredients

2 cups ground beef

3-4 cups chopped veg

(options: mushroom, sweet pepper, jalapeno, onion, corn, carrots, celery, sweet potato)

1-540ml can of beans

(options: white or red kidney beans, chick peas, black beans, mixed beans)

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp chilli powder (or anything spicy)

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

Heat olive oil on med-high heat, then add beef, spices and garlic. Make sure meat has cooked after several minutes, then add tomato paste, worcestershire sauce and vegetables. Mix around and let cook for 10 minutes.





Add beans, and mix again. Cover and let cook for 50 minutes on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.

The longer it simmers, the better.

Enjoy!

Eggs - Time to get crackin

With Easter upon us, we see more eggs this time of year. From the Cadbury mini's to the Kinder surprise. Even though chocolate is one of the most delicious things on earth (who's gonna fight me on that one?), maybe considering an Easter egg hunt for your kids with real hard boiled eggs isn't such a bad idea?

Often I hear people saying that their doctors tell them to cut eggs out to lower cholesterol. I find that unfortunate because it leads to health and food ignorance. Yes, eggs are a source of cholesterol but not in obscenely high amounts that you need to avoid them. In fact, they offer "good cholesterol".

Eating 4-6 eggs a week is a great way to keep healthy and enjoy the nutritional benefits while staying energised. Studies also show that eating up to this many can lower the chances of breast cancer in women by 44%.

Here are some reasons why you should have eggs as part of your healthy diet:

• Eggs contain Vitamins B 1,2,6 &12 which help to boost energy levels and produce red blood cells
• They also contain Vitamin A which is essential for healthy vision and growth
• They keep you feeling full because of high protein (average egg contains 7g protein/80 calories)
• Eggs are packed with iron and zinc which are needed to keep your immune system in top shape
• Eggs contain sulphur which helps with hair and nail growth and also assists in producing collagen
• High in calcium, eggs aid in teeth and bone health
• Eggs contain Vitamin D which helps strengthen bones by raising calcium absorption
• They contain iodine which balance thyroid hormones

Don't be afraid of eggs. They can be prepared in may ways from boiled, poached, fried, scrambled, etc. I myself prefer hard boiled, but I will give you a tip for scrambled eggs - for each egg add 1 tbsp of milk or cream so they turn out fluffy.

Enjoy!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

If you're a broccoli lover, soup connoisseur or cheese enthusiast, this recipe is for you. It's by far is one of the best comfort foods I've ever had. I must warn you.. it's delicious. You may just eat the whole pot. I made this recently on a cold rainy spring day and it hit the spot. It's creamy, cheesy and and all around enjoyable!

Ingredients
2 cups Broccoli florets - chopped
3 cups Milk
2 cups Chicken broth
1 Boiled chicken breast - diced
1 cup Cheddar cheese - shredded
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup All-purpose flour
1/2 cup Onion - diced
1 tbp Salt
1 tsp Black pepper
1 tsp Turmeric
(1 cube chicken base - optional)

Directions
Melt butter in pot on medium heat and add onions. Let cook for 10 minutes, then add flour, salt, pepper, turmeric and chicken base (if using). Mix for 2-3 minutes until it has thickened. Add milk, broth and cooked chicken pieces. Stir constantly on medium heat for 15 minutes (until thick). Then add Broccoli and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When soup thickens even more and broccoli has softened, add cheese and stir for 2 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Beef Marrow: Love it or hate it - it's good for you!

Anthony Bourdain once called marrow "God's butter". I won't argue, because it's totally droolworthy.
I LOVE it. Some don't. Some have no idea what I'm talking about because bone marrow isn't really enjoyed that much in North America. It's popular in Middle Eastern, Indian and French cuisine among others.

For those who don't know much about marrow, it's basically a jelly like substance that fills the core of a bone. It's packed with vitamins, minerals, Omega 3 fatty acids and lipids which are all essential for a healthy diet.

Eating marrow improves brain function as well as the strength of our teeth and bones. It's also been known to speed up recoveries with illnesses and  improve overall health of the immune system.

Head down to your local butcher or fresh grocery market for a few nicely cut bones and let's get down to roasting because it's just THAT damn delicious!

Ingredients
4 pieces Beef marrow bones
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Black pepper, cracked
1 tsp Sea salt
(3 tbsp vinegar and 2 cups water for soaking)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 450C. In the meantime, place bones in a bowl with vinegar and water for 10 minutes, then rinse (helps to clean blood from bones). Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil, then place bones next to each other on sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 15-20 minutes.

Try smearing some across toasted bread.

Enjoy!

Goodness of Asparagus

Asparagus. Known for its goodness. These little tree like veggies certainly catch my attention at the market because they are a personal fav. They're packed with all kinds of nutrients and offer a delicious flavour. What's not to like?

Asparagus comes from the same family as garlic and onion. There are around 300 types of Asparagus in the world including one species from Africa which is considered poisonous. Asparagus is very easy to come by as it's grown all around the world.

People most commonly assume Asparagus is green but there is also white and purple stems that are cultivated and harvested for sale. The purple stems have a sweeter taste compared to the green and white stems. By far, the green Asparagus is the best to eat of the three. They are known to have many more nutrients and health benefits, including:

- Good source of fibre which helps with digestion
- Good source of folate which is essential in producing red blood cells
- Good sources of vitamin, A, B6, C, E and K
- Very high in anti-oxidants which helps in slowing down the ageing process
- Good source of glutathione, a detoxifying compound that helps break down carcinogens
- A natural diuretic, it helps rid the body of excess salt
- Low in calories, so it makes a good snack
- It contains anti-inflammatory compounds which fight against type 2 diabetes 

Here is a quick and simple recipe I like to use when preparing Asparagus

Ingredients
1 Bundle Asparagus, bottoms cut
2 Tbps Balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Pinch of salt and cracked black pepper

Directions
Place Asparagus on baking sheets and drizzle with vinegar and oil. Pinch some salt and pepper before and after cooking in the oven for 15 minutes at 375C.

Remember when preparing Asparagus, steam, grill or eat raw. Try not to boil them because boiling pulls out most of the nutrients.

Enjoy!

How to make Bread

It is what sandwiches our deli meats together or what is used to dunk in or mop up food. From every drop of tomato sauce you want to gobble up from the bottom of your now empty plate of Spaghetti, to the creamy hummus you want to dip and enjoy as this vessel makes it easier to bring food to your taste buds...

Wow, that was the longest sentence ever. But, let's get to the point..that's right..

.. BREAD!

Here is a super easy recipe that anyone can try.

Ingredients

1 package Dry Active Yeast   (1.5 tsp if measuring loose yeast)

3 cups All Purpose Flour

3/4 cup Warm Water

1/3 cup Milk

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1 tbsp Sugar

1 tsp Salt

(You may add additional spice if desired. Some good options are thyme, oregano, rosemary or even 

cinnamon)

Directions

In a small bowl, add the package of dry yeast and warm water. Stir until completely dissolved.

In another large bowl, mix salt, sugar, oil and milk (and spice if using). Add yeast. Slowly mix in the

3 cups of flour. Get in there with your hands at this point and work the dough while in the bowl. 

When the dough starts to form, turn it over on your counter and knead for 2 minutes. Roll dough and shape into a small football. Place it in a greased loaf pan, and cover with towel for 80 minutes.

Once the time has passed, uncover and you will find the bread has significantly risen. Pop it into a 375F oven for 45 minutes. Since the loaf pan is greased, the bread should come out easily. Wait 15 minutes for the loaf to slightly cool to make for easier cutting.

It's hard to resist a slice of warm bread!

Enjoy!

Spice Nook: Cardamom

Cardamom is a favourite spice of mine. I grew up with the familiar aromatic taste of it in certain dishes, teas, coffees and desserts. Cardamom is native to India, Pakistan and Nepal. It is often used in Southern Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine and is gaining popularity in other world regions. Once an overlooked spice, Cardamom is now appreciated and cultivated in many parts of the world, including Guatamala, which is now the top global exporter.

There are two types of Cardamom - green and black.

For the most part, they taste identical, however the black cardamom has a smokiness to it. Both green and black pods contain seeds. Those seeds can be used on their own, or pulverised into a dust. I enjoy crushing the pod with the back of my knife and throwing it in while cooking. I love using cardamom with rice. I use it in rice pudding and garnish alongside with chopped pistachio's and honey. Also, I use it when I make coconut rice because it adds that something extra.

If any of you have tried Arabic/Turkish coffee, you will know that green cardamom is often ground up with the beans and packaged together. It offers a unique spice and scent to the coffee that puts this Java in a world of its own. It's also one of the top spices when making a garam masala for Indian cuisine alongside with black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and cumin.

Cardamom has also been used as traditional medicine in Asia for many years. Some of the claimed benefits of Cardamom are:

• Offers relief of sensitive tooth and gums (when chewed)

• Helps to speed up digestion

• Natural oil in seeds offers relief from gastritis irritation by coating and soothing stomach lining

• Offers anti inflammatory properties

• Produces circulation of blood in lungs which assist in asthma and cough

• Packed with essential minerals and electrolytes to help fight anaemia 

• Helps to break down kidney and gall stones

• Known to lower blood pressure

• Fights bad breath
• Once thought to treat snake venom (still used for this purpose in parts of India)

If you're new to trying cardamom, remember, next time you make a cup of tea, or order a cup of Turkish coffee, make sure to have this spice dropped in. If you like the flavour, start experimenting with your cooking.

Enjoy!

EASY Caramel

Making caramel is fun. Making it when it's super easy raises the question, "Why not make this more often?"
Well, the answer is because it's SOOOO sweet and addictive..


BUT, if you're looking to make this decadent stuff to spread on or within a cake, to dip fruits in, or to eat straight out of the can (I won't judge,) here is an easy recipe you can follow. Just make sure you have time to keep a watchful eye on this.

Ingredients
1 can of sweetened condensed milk



Directions
Remove label from can of sweetened condensed milk. Drop in deep pot of water. Let simmer/light boil on its side for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Turn off heat, drain water and let can sit out for 6+ hours before you open it.
My advice is to boil 2 or 3 cans at once because it does use up burner electricity. You can store unopened cans away for a few weeks, so why not?

Caution! DO NOT open after boiling. If you open can too early you will risk burning yourself. Also, DO NOT let the water in the pot boil off. Add water from time to time to make sure can(s) are fully submerged. Not doing this will cause the can to explode if the water boils off.

Happy Carameling!

Enjoy!

Easy Nutella Brownies

In honour of World Nutella Day, I thought I'd share this very simple brownie recipe that has the rich creamy nutella taste. These brownies are sinfully good! They wont stick around too long once out of the oven.

Ingredients

2 cups nutella

1 cup flour

1 tsp salt

4 large eggs

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup melted butter

3/4 cup crushed hazelnuts

(you can substitute coconut flakes or chocolate chips instead of hazelnuts)

Preheat oven to 325F. Combine flour and salt in bowl. In another bowl, on medium speed with an electric mixer, or in your stand up mixer, beat eggs, nutella, brown sugar and vanilla until smooth for about 2 minutes. Slowly add the flour/salt and melted butter and mix until incorporated.

Grease a 8" pan or any square brownie pan you have. Pour batter into pan and bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool for at least an hour. Spread nutella over the top. Cut, serve and enjoy!

Spice Nook: Ginger

I've been tempted to reflect on Ginger in this post. I just got over some stomach virus and enduring it was awful.... until I added some ginger. I don't think I have to do much convincing on ginger being very beneficial. We've heard through the years from almost everyone.

Ginger, or Ginger root is of the plant Zingiber. It has been cultivated in Southern Asia for thousands of years and is now grows in places like the Caribbean. It has been used for promoting good health for thousands of years by ancient medicine and is still respected today for its healthy properties.

Ginger can be consumed in many ways from boiled in water, to cooked with food, and even chewed on. It also comes powdered and can easily be sprinkled on anything, however in this state the benefits are far less compared to fresh ginger.
Ginger, when consumed raw, produces a hot taste, and when pickled the natural sweetness can be enjoyed.

Here are some benefits of consuming ginger:

• Shown to fight cancer cells, especially ovarian cancer
• Aids in respiratory health
• Improves absorption of essential nutrients into the body
• Helps to clear mucus from sinuses
• Aids in fighting motion sickness, nausea and vomiting 
• Promotes good digestion
• Reduces flatulence 
• Acts as an anti-inflammatory and aids in joint and muscle pain
• Has been proven to strengthen the immune system which in turn helps flight other potential illnesses

I like to buy fresh ginger from the market. I wash it really well and then stick it in a zip lock bag and pop it in the freezer. I am one to grate my ginger for everything from my teas to dinner dishes, and I find that it's much easier to grate from frozen. 

A tip!

If you're feeling under the weather due to a stomach virus or have very bad nausea, here's A tip! Boil 1 cup water, add 1 tsp fresh grated ginger and 1 tsp honey. Mix well and let a Camomile tea bag steep for a few minutes. Drink this 2-3 times a day when ill. It will ease the sickness and aid in proper digestion.